Tag Archives: bush

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Redwood Grove, Filtered Light

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Redwood Grove, Filtered Light. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell - all rights reserved.
Redwood Grove, Filtered Light. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell - all rights reserved.

Redwood Grove, Filtered Light. Muir Woods National Monument, California. February, 28, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Gentle light filters through overcast sky and the forest canopy to illuminate redwood trees of Muir Woods National Monument, California.

I saw this beautiful soft light on the trees from across the valley and quickly moved over here to photograph this scene last weekend. Although I exposed quite a few frames here and tried a few different compositions, the irony is that so far my favorite is this one, the first shot I did. The lighting was really interesting. A Pacific winter storm was just starting to come in and for the most part it was quite overcast. However, from time to time a thinner spot in the clouds would pass by and doubly-filtered and doubly-diffused light would hit these trees – filtering and diffused by the overcast and then again by the forest canopy.

This photograph is not in the public domain. It may not be used on websites, blogs, or in any other media without explicit advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

keywords: muir, woods, national, monument, park, marin, forest, nature, california, usa, redwood, tree, grove, trunk, vertical, morning, overcast, filtered, light, canopy, marin county, usa, fern, oxalis, sorrell, branch, bush, stump, moss, scenic, landscape, travel, stock, quiet, green

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Redwood Forest and Ferns

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Redwood Forest and Ferns

Redwood Forest and Ferns. Muir Woods National Monument, California. February 29, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Ferns carpet the forest floor beneath redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument, California.

I spent a lot of time shooting in this particular spot at along the trail at Muir Woods. I had been on the other side of the creek when I noticed some interesting light striking the trunks of the trees, light that was filtered through both the forest canopy and the developing overcast from an approaching Pacific weather system. I crossed the creek and found this scene, set up a shot, and waited. Most of the time the light was pretty flat, but occasionally the clouds would thin a bit and the light would light the trees a bit. While I was waiting I realized that there was a fire-hollowed tree nearby that is apparently one of those “photo opportunities” that everyone simply must stop for! Couples and small groups were virtually lined up to stand in the hollow of the tree and have their photograph taken. So I did as I often do when I’m waiting for light… I offered to shoot a few shots for these folks using their cameras: “Hey, would you both like to be in the shot?” Many seem a bit surprised that the “Guy With The Tripod” would do this, and I enjoy the pleased reactions – though I’m often slightly embarrassed by my inability to operate their point and shoot cameras! ;-)

This photograph is not in the public domain. It may not be used on websites, blogs, or in any other media without explicit advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

keywords: muir, woods, national, monument, park, marin, forest, nature, california, usa, redwood, forest, fern, grove, tree, trunk, moss, bush, sun, light, nature, landscape, foliage, travel, scenic, stock

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Structures and Objects, Photographs: Urban/Street

Templo la Hermosa

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Templo la Hermosa

Templo la Hermosa. San Jose, California. January 4, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Front doors and entrance of Templo la Hermosa de los Asembleas de Dios, San Jose, California.

Very late in the day, as the low sunlight hit the front of this rather plain brick church near the train station in down town San Jose head on, I walked past and noticed the very thick arch and old wooden doors, along with the bushes casting shadows on the front of the entry.

This photograph is not in the public domain. It may not be used on websites, blogs, or in any other media without explicit advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

keywords: afternoon, building, california, city, county, downtown, evening, san jose, santa clara, urban, church, temple, templo, de hermosa, asembleas de dios, arch, brick, wall, steps, porch, entry, two, doors, wooden, sign, bush, plant, railing, wrought iron, usa, stock

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Oak Tree and Cliff, Autumn – Yosemite Valley

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Oak Tree and Cliff, Autumn - Yosemite Valley

Oak Tree and Cliff, Autumn – Yosemite Valley. Yosemite National Park, California. November 2. 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

An oak tree with autumn color against a cliff face, Yosemite Valley, California.

I found two interesting trees to photograph against the north Yosemite Valley cliffs near Ahwahnee Meadow and the Ahwahnee Lodge on this rainy November day. (The other one was located only a few feet from this tree, and I posted the photo earlier at my blog.) The tree was in the final stages of losing its leaves and the cliff face was wet from two days of rain.

This photograph is, for me, another example of why it is good to return to the same place again… and again. I’ve photographed in this very area quite a few times, making photographs of Ahwahnee Meadow in just about every season, photographing a nearby oak grove on the edge of the meadow, and photographing dogwood trees in fall. Every other time I’ve been there I’ve looked back at the spot where this tree is located without seeing anything – but this time I think I got the timing right and found different lighting conditions that make it possible to see this shot that I had never noticed before.

keywords: oak, tree, bush, moss, lichen, green, yellow, gold, trunk, branch, gray, rock, boulder, nature, yosemite, valley, national park, california, usa, landscape, travel, scenic, stock, sierra, nevada, mountains, crack, diagonal