Flock In The Fog. © Copyright 2020 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.
A flock of Ross’s geese in tule fog.
By now, these Ross’s geese are long gone from California, going back to the northern shores of North America, where they return each spring to breed. The last time I saw them here was on March 13, the day of my last pre-shelter-in-place trip to the refuges where I ordinarily look for them. It was a strange visit, with a sense of foreboding in the air. I went there alone, self-contained to the point that I would not have to stop anywhere on my nearly 300-mile out-and-back journey. There were almost no remaining Ross’s or snow geese — they had apparently departed just days earlier. There were also almost no other people. I photographed for a few hours and then turned back home.
This photograph was not made on that trip — it was made back on New Year’s Day, in a more innocent time. A group of us met up, gathered for food and camaraderie, spent the day photographing. There was tule fog that morning, which is just what we want. I made the photograph at just about that magical moment on a foggy day, when the soft light of the sun just begins to break through, making the atmosphere luminous.
G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist. His book, “California’s Fall Color: A Photographer’s Guide to Autumn in the Sierra” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
Blog | About | Flickr | Facebook | Email
Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.
Scroll down to leave a comment or question.
All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.