Sabrina Basin, Autumn Color and Rain. Sierra Nevada, California. October 2, 2010. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
Brilliant fall aspen color on a morning of light rain in Sabrina Basin.
On the first weekend of October I had visited North Lake for some early morning photography, and on my way back to the main road I stopped just before a steep descent in a location where I knew of a ridge extending out toward the middle of the valley a bit. I had shot from this ridge before and imagined that with excellent aspen color scattered up and down the valley that it might provide a good perspective on the trees and the peaks of the Sierra crest beyond Sabrina Lake itself. So, in light rain I found my way out onto this ridge and bushwhacked around a bit to check out various possible shooting locations.
While my instinct to shoot from this general area was right, by initial instinct to go as far as possible out on the ridge turned out to be less right. It was a fun adventure, and it provided a very airy overlook… but things in the field of view just didn’t seem to line up quite right. (I did make some photographs at the first location, and I’m not writing them off yet though…) I decided that a better vantage poit my be a bit closer to where I had started since this would place the very large and very colorful aspen grove at the base of the hill a bit more centrally in the frame.
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Thanks Dan, looking forward to a few more fall color images!
I really like this shot Dan. My eyes goes right up the canyon looking for more color. Starting at the base with greens and yellows, going up to more yellows and oranges, and finally with a hint of orange and reds at the top before disappearing into the granite peaks…very nice indeed! Well balanced…
Ben
Yes, I think the first week was the peak this year in upper Bishop Creek. And making it even better, we had overcast and some rain, both of which enhanced and saturated the colors.
Dan
Great colors and a wonderful overall image Dan! Looks like the first week of October was peak color around there. I taught a workshop the second weekend in October and the colors were good but a bit off peak. Great image.
Thanks, Professor Harrington – it is an astonishingly beautiful place!
Dan
Dan, this has an astonishing beauty — even by your high standards.
Hi Dan,
Wanted to let you know I am a Big Fan of your images. I live in SLO and dont make it over to the Eastern Sierra very often. Thanks for feeding my love for fall colors! Keep up the great work.
Dave
Hey, thanks, Dave! I’ll try to offer up a few more fall color morsels before the season ends entirely.
Dan
Thanks, Barry. I’ve been to this particular spot before and I’m always impressed by the incredibly rough terrain in the foreground above the groves of trees!
Dan
Classic Sierra! Love the color contrasts between the aspen and granite.