Monthly Archives: June 2011

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Wildlife

Bull Tule Elk, Point Reyes

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Bull Tule Elk, Point Reyes
Bull Tule Elk, Point Reyes

Bull Tule Elk, Point Reyes. Point Reyes National Seashore, California. May 30, 2011. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A bull tule elk grazes among the grassy hills near Drakes Bay, Point Reyes National Seashore.

The group of bull tule elk that I encountered at Point Reyes National Seashore on Memorial Day was large and tended to stick together very closely. Most of the photographs that I shot include multiple animals. However, this fellow paused for a moment as the others moved to the right and I had a chance to make a few photographs containing only a single elk. He was even thoughtful enough to pose in front of the rolling green hills rising above Tomales Bay in the distance!

The elk were apparently native to Point Reyes – and much of the rest of California – but were decimated in the 1800s as a result of hunting and displacement by cattle. As I understand it, a small group was reintroduced to Point Reyes in the 1970s or thereabouts. Eventually they were so successful that the herd began to expand to other areas of the park, and the area has now reached it normal carrying capacity for these animals. This specimen and the group it was part of were along the top of the rolling hills above Drakes Bay.

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Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Cascade Creek Spring Torrent

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Cascade Creek Spring Torrent
Cascade Creek Spring Torrent

Cascade Creek Spring Torrent. Yosemite National Park, California. May 7, 2011. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A small tree stands in the raging spring torrent of Cascade Creek, Yosemite National Park.

This may be the final photograph in this series I shot in early May when I visited this seasonal cascade on the way into Yosemite Valley. Compared to some of the others this one takes in a larger portion of the scene, mainly so that I could include the little leafless tree or bush at the lower left, as it stands against the tremendous force of the rushing water descending steeply among the rocks.

This creek is fed by seasonal snow melt fairly early in the season because the ares that feed its flow are at a relatively lower elevation. For a while each year, but especially in a wet year like this one, this little creek rages as it drops precipitously down this narrow canyon towards a point below where it flows into the Merced River. A bridge provides an interesting vantage point from which to shoot almost directly down into the torrent.

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Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Equipment, Ideas, Technique

Backpacking and Photography

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This is the time of year when many of us find our thoughts turning the the upcoming backpacking season. (My home range is the Sierra Nevada, where I have backpacked for decades.) During the past week or two I’ve seen an upsurge in discussions of and questions about photography and backpacking. Several years ago I began posting annual updates on my approach to photography in the backcountry: “Backpacking Photography Equipment.”

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Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Community, Events, News, Photographers

‘Lyrical Landscapes’ by Charles Cramer

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Noted landscape photograph photographer Charles Cramer is presenting free a talk on “Lyrical Landscapes” at De Anza College in Cupertino on Friday, June 10 at 6:00 p.m. The event is in the “Choral Hall,” room A11 near the Flint Center auditorium on campus.

Charlie is one of the most highly regarded landscape photographers working today, and his knowledge and understanding of how to achieve a beautiful print is unparalleled. I believe that he will address these things along with some ideas about the parallels between his photography and music. Charlie is also a very talented musician – like a good number of other photographers. (Believe it or not, Charlie played organ at our wedding, oh so many years ago! :-)

I urge San Francisco Bay Area photographers to join me at De Anza on June 10 for this event!

(I’m a faculty member at De Anza and my office is in building where the event will take place.)

G Dan Mitchell Photography | Flickr | Twitter (follow me) | Facebook (“Like” my page) | LinkedIn | Email
Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.