Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Parsons Peak and Tarn, Sunset

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Parsons Peak and Tarn, Sunset

Parsons Peak and Tarn, Sunset. Yosemite National Park, California. September 7, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Alpenglow from sunset on Parsons Peak and surrounding rocky slopes reflected in a small rocky alpine tarn in an alpine meadow above Townsley Lake, Yosemite National Park, California.

I photographed this small tarn at the end of the plateau above Townsley Lake right at sunset as the Sierra alpenglow began to appear on the nearby ridges and higher Parsons Peak. I’ve visited this small pond many times on the walk between Townsley and Ireland Lakes, but this was the first time I managed to be there right at sunset. (I “paid for” the experience with a dark walk back to camp and a dinner by the light of my headlamp. ;-)

(I’ve written a bit about how I get to and across this plateau here.)

keywords: parsons, peak, ridge, mountain, slope, reflection, rock, rocky, boulder, tarn, pond, lake, alpine, meadow, grass, sand, townsley, yosemite, national park, california, usa, landscape, sunset, twilight, alpenglow, wilderness, hike, backpack, stock, forest

Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Evening, Tenaya Lake, From Near Olmsted Point

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Evening, Tenaya Lake, From Near Olmsted Point

Evening, Tenaya Lake, From Near Olmsted Point. Yosemite National Park, California. September 8, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Black and white photograph of early evening light on Tenaya Lake and surrounding valley and peaks as viewed from near Olmsted Point, Yosemite National Park, California.

On this late summer evening I had just hiked out from a three-day backcountry photography pack trip, driven over Tioga Pass to grab a bit at Tioga Pass Resort, and was starting my drive home from the park. I happened to pass by Olmsted Point (where I don’t stop all that often these days) just as the sun was getting read to drop behind the ridge to the west of the point. To my mind, this is just about the most beautiful time of day at this spot, especially as the low angle sun illuminates rocks in the Olmsted Point area and begins to leave the valley holding Tenaya Lake. To make a long story short, I spent 30-45 minutes photographing here before heading home, and I make a few exposures of Tenaya just as the last light was hitting some of the nearby trees in the foreground.

keywords: black and white, early, evening, afternoon, tenaya, lake, olmsted, point, yosemite, national park, california, usa, tree, rock, forest, boulder, dome, peak, mountain, ridge, cloud, conness, tioga, road, pass, tuolumne, meadows, scenic, landscape, travel, stock, shadow

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Last Day of Summer, Last Flowers of Summer

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Last Day of Summer, Last Flowers of Summer

Last Day of Summer, Last Flowers of Summer. Calero Hills, California. September 21, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Last day of summer with new and old buds on early autumn foliage in the Calero Hills, California.

I was out early in the morning on the last day of summer 2008, photographing at one of my favorite nearby locations in the Calero Hills, when I found these interesting plants for a small pond. They show an interesting range of colors, from the yellow of a few remaining buds to the browns of the old and dried flowers – and seem to sort of capture this transitional time of the year.

keywords: calero, park, santa clara, county, summer, last day, nature, california, usa, plant, flower, bud, brown, green, new, old, dry, foliage

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