Category Archives: Photographs: Night

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Night, Photographs: Wildlife

Elephant Seals in Surf

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Elephant Seals in Surf
Two young elephant seals sparring in the surf at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Elephant Seals in Surf. © Copyright 2012 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Two young elephant seals sparring in the surf at Point Reyes National Seashore.

This pair of young elephant seals was part of a larger group hanging out along the beaches inside the bay at Point Reyes National Seashore. The group was on a beach at the bottom of a steep hillside, so they were protected from human intrusion not only by law but also by terrain. I watched them for some time as they cavorted (or whatever it is they do) on the beach and in the shallow shoreline water.

While I can claim no expertise in elephant seal behavior, this pair appeared to be conducting a mild version of the often-violent sparring that goes on between the huge adult males. They position themselves face to face, then raise their heads with mouths agape and pointed toward the sky, sometimes pushing their necks into one another and occasionally biting.

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.

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Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Night, Photographs: Northern California, Photographs: Structures and Objects

Industrial Buildings, Night

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Industrial Buildings, Night
Industrial buildings illuminated by secutiry lighting, Mare Island Naval Ship Yard.

Industrial Buildings, Night. © Copyright 2012 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Industrial buildings illuminated by secutiry lighting, Mare Island Naval Ship Yard.

This photograph comes from a very old San Francisco Bay shipyard — its history goes way back into the 1800s when it was the first naval ship yard on the west coast of the United States. It continued to be used for its original purpose into the late 20th century, when it was decommissioned not long before the new millennium. Much of it was initially abandoned, though more recently the surrounding area has been revitalized with new construction, new tenants in old buildings, and even some ship yard projects.

I have photographed here for close to two decades — in fact this was the place where I did my first serious night photography. These old facilities (there are many all over the US) are fascinating time capsules, full of construction that is decades old and suggestive of a very different time. At night they provide a fascination combination of quiet, stillness, and mystery.

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.

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Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Night, Photographs: Structures and Objects, Photographs: Urban/Street

Turnstile Structure, Night

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Turnstile Structure, Night
An abandoned turnstile structure under security lighting at a closed industrial facility.

Turnstile Structure, Night. © Copyright 2012 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

An abandoned turnstile structure under security lighting at a closed industrial facility.

This 2012 day was completely full of photography, starting very early in the morning with coastal redwood forest and ending very late with night photography at this old, abandoned industrial facility along the San Francisco Bay shoreline. That might seem like a rather different pair of subjects, but in my view they all are connected.

Since I have photographed this location for years, I had probably walked past this scene quite a few times without seeing anything in it. But as often happens, on this evening something about it caught my attention. I imagine that this might have once been a busy place, with workers lined up to funnel through the turnstiles — quite a contrast to the scene on this night.

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.

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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Night

An Old Pier, Night

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An Old Pier, Night
Night photograph of the pilings of an old pier reflected in still water.

An Old Pier, Night. © Copyright 2012 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Night photograph of the pilings of an old pier reflected in still water.

Photographed a few years ago at night in very dim lighting, these old pilings under a ship yard pier were reflected in the smooth water, made even smoother by the effects of a long exposure. You can tell that this structure has been here for some time.

The location is at an old ship yard in the San Francisco Bay, a place where naval ships were built and maintained for may decades — actually, since way back in the 1800s. The place was decommissioned in the 1990s and its character has changed since that time, though you can still find some remarkable historical structures if you poke around and get to know the place a bit.

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.