Tag Archives: america

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

Morning Fog, Geese, and Trees

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Morning Fog, Geese, and Trees
“Morning Fog, Geese, and Trees” — A flock of geese in flight over wetlands trees and thining morning fog.

Few things are as thrilling as a flock of geese lifting off all at once on a winter morning shortly after dawn. They erupt suddenly, generally without warning, in a mass of sound and flapping wings, and then spread out across the landscape as they turn and circle or perhaps head off into the distance. A few moments later, the morning is once again quiet.

I made this photograph early in the morning, shortly after sunrise when the light was still warmly colored by the newly-risen sun. A bit of fog was rising from the wetlands ponds, and the hills of the western Central Valley were visible in the distance.

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” from Heyday Books, is available directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Southern California

Badlands Gullies, Morning

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Badlands Gullies, Morning — Death Valley
“Badlands Gullies, Morning” — The first direct sunlight sweeps across the curving shapes of badlands erosion gullies, Death Valley.

I have a rule about returning to photograph popular subjects that I first photographed years ago: Only stop if it looks like something unusual and very special might happen. The rule applies to Zabriskie Point in Death Valley, where scores of photographers (and others) gather before dawn to await the sunrise. During the last week of February I drove past on my way to a different subject. In the dim light I thought I saw developing clouds that might produce something special at sunrise. So I (literally) slammed on the brakes, turned around, parked, and joined the throng.

The special light I hoped for didn’t develop. Instead of turning colorful at sunrise, the colors just went flat. Ah, well. I can never be fully certain about what will happen in these situations, and my hunches merely improve the odds — sometimes things don’t work like I hope. But there I was, set up to make photograph s at this location. So, what else could I photograph there? I turned my attention to nearby badlands terrain and photographed it as the direct light arrived, softened a bit by high clouds.

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” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him.

G Dan Mitchell: Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email


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

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Sandhill Crane Flying Low

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Sandhill Crane Flying Low
“Sandhill Crane Flying Low” — A lesser sandhill crane flies low above a Central Valley field.

I had been trying to find the right time to head to California’s Central Valley to photograph migratory birds again. I was last there around New Year’s Day, but since then various things have kept me away — mostly that the times I ‘ve been free were the times when my favorite foggy conditions were not in place. I finally gave up on waiting and went on a sunny day. After all, many of the migratory birds will only be there for a few more weeks!

Late in the winter bird season it always seems like the “bird action” picks up out there. At the beginning of the season much of that happens at the morning/evening fly-ins and fly-outs, with a lot of quiet time between. But by February the birds seem to be more active during the day. On this early-February visit both cranes and geese around all day long. I made this photograph in the early afternoon as a flock of nearby cranes began to gradually move from one spot to another.

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” from Heyday Books, is available directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email
Articles | Sales | Sierra Nevada Fall Color | Contact Info

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

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Birds, Rising Sun

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Birds,Rising Sun, Fog
“Birds, Rising Sun” — Passing geese and cranes fly in front of the rising sun on a foggy morning in Central Valley wetlands.

A photograph like this isn’t always possible and is never easy. Obviously, the sun is extremely bright, and this presents some major exposure challenges. At the same time, the sides of the birds and plants facing the camera is in the darkest possible shadow, being on the opposite side of the sun. But on this morning several factors haled out. the high clouds interfered with the sun just a bit, and closer to the ground a bit of tule fog was still hanging on.

Early morning may be the most compelling time in these wetlands. (Though I’ll hear you out if you want to argue for evening.) After arriving in darkness, the sky begins to glow and the light slowly increases. Fog may mute the light and add a sense of mystery. And the birds are coming to life, warming their wings in the first sunlight and then flying out for the day’s activities.

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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” (Heyday Books) is available directly from him. Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.