Mono Lake Shoreline, Morning

Mono Lake Shoreline, Morning
“Mono Lake Shoreline, Morning” — The Mono Craters rise beyond the shoreline of Mono Lake on an autumn morning.

Sierra Nevada autumn photographs often feature the colorful leaves of aspen trees, but this is what fall looks like at the base of the eastern escarpment of the range. The grasses have turned golden brown, there’s often a bit of haze in the air, and things seem to be quieting and slowing as the seasons change. I made the photograph on a fall color trip to the Sierra, but I also ended up spending a lot of time in spots like this.

The Mono Basin is a fascinating place and an interesting contrast to the Sierra Nevada. It is dry, even though gigantic Mono Lake stretches across much of it. It is also a place where the geology is laid bare, unlike parts of the Sierra where much of it can be hidden by trees. A string of old volcanic vents and craters begins near the north shore of the lake, includes two islands in the lake, and then continues south through the Mono Craters and on to points below Mammoth Mountain.


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, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Aspen Grove and Pond

Aspen Grove and Pond
“Aspen Grove and Pond” — Autumn aspen trees on the shore of a small Eastern Sierra Nevada pond.

I came to this spot rather late in the day, though that was partially intentional. I knew that rows of aspens here can glow in backlight in the late afternoon, and there is a short window of opportunity between the time that the sun moves behind them and when it drops behind the surrounding peaks. I arrived and quickly went to work, since I had my eyes on several of the groves.

These trees grow in a row on the far side of a beaver pond. You wouldn’t know it from the photograph, but it can be a bit difficult to find a camera position with a clear view across the water — lots of stuff grows along the near shoreline, and much of it is so wet and muddy that it isn’t easy to get to the water’s edge. When I made the photograph the far slopes of the upper valley had already fallen into shadow, and before long the light would disappear from these trees, too.


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, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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

Eastside Canyon

Eastside Canyon
“Eastside Canyon” — Fall color in a steep and rugged Eastern Sierra Nevada canyon.

This might be one of the most classic Eastern Sierra canyons. A short spur road off of US 395 quickly climbs old glacial moraines, and before long high desert and cottonwoods transition to the first aspen trees. There is a parking lot at the end of the road, and from there a trail heads straight up the canyon, passing through this transitional high desert terrain, then through aspen groves, and before long entering conifer forest beneath stunning alpine ridges and peaks.

On this occasion I photographed from areas along the road, since I was scouting fall color. It had been cold and the highest peaks were dusted with the light snow from an early season storm. Aside from the conifers, the vegetation was in that beautiful, late-fall golden state that signals the arrival of autumn and the impending onset of winter.


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, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | PostEmail

Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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

Thoughts About Camera Upgrades in 2024

I am not one to upgrade camera gear every time a new model comes out, but I typically do replace older gear when truly major upgrades are introduced. There have been significant changes in cameras over the past few years as mirrorless designs have taken over. Yet I am still using a Canon full-frame DSLR for half of my photography — the half that includes my landscape work and much of my wildlife photography. (I also use a smaller Fujifilm system, primarily for travel and street photography, but sometimes for wildlife, too.)

So, at a time when it seems like everyone is shifting to mirrorless, why do I continue to use the Canon DSLR? I explore that question a bit in this post.

The Appeal of Mirrorless

Today’s mirrorless cameras have advantages over old-school DSLRs. A few years ago, as they were introduced, mirrorless cameras still had shortcomings. But those have largely been resolved and these cameras now are objectively better than the older DSLR designs. Things like auto-focus performance, operational speed, and IBIS (in-body image stabilization) were once weaknesses of mirrorless cameras, but they now are strengths. Display technology has improved a lot. Battery performance is improving. Autofocus is now arguably better on mirrorless than on DSLRs.

Why Wait?

If mirrorless systems are now better than their DSLR predecessors, one of which I continue to use, why haven’t I upgraded my full-frame system? The answer is a little complex, but let me explain.

Continue reading Thoughts About Camera Upgrades in 2024

Photographer and visual opportunist. Daily photos since 2005, plus articles, reviews, news, and ideas.