Tag Archives: clearing

Trees and Rising Sun

Trees and Rising Sun
“Trees and Rising Sun” — The sun, slighlty diffused by clearing fog, rises behind Point Lobos trees.

Sometimes I arrive at a location with no specific plan in mind beyond “making photographs.” That was the case on this morning when I drove down toward the Big Sur area very early. Before Monterey I encountered thick fog, and I started contemplating fog photographs, perhaps at Point Lobos. The fog continued as I passed Monterey, skirted Carmel, and started down Highway 1 beyond Carmel Valley. It looked like I would get foggy conditions at Point Lobos… until a moment later when the fog inexplicably cleared.

Continue reading Trees and Rising Sun →

Old Tree and Cotswalds Woods

Old Tree and Cotswalds Woods
“Old Tree and Cotswalds Woods” — Old tree in a clearing in a Cotswolds forest.

I have written about my fascination with the very old and often very large trees that we saw on our weeklong spring walk in England’s Cotswolds. Many of the large trees stand apart, often in open areas or in rows between fields and pastures. This one, however, was close to a managed forest of smaller trees, which I presume are destined to become lumber when they grow larger.

Continue reading Old Tree and Cotswalds Woods →

Cotswolds Forest Clearing

Cotswolds Forest Clearing
“Cotswolds Forest Clearing” — A break in the trees lets sunshine into a clearing in a Cotswolds forest.

During spring the woodlands and fields and pastures of the Cotswolds are very bright and green… if it isn’t raining. Of course, it is the rain produces all of that green. We had our share of sunny days, but we also experienced the rain — generally light and transitory, but a bit more substantial on the final day of our weeklong walk. This scene was midway through the walk, where the path crossed green hill, the trees opened up a bit, and the sun shone in.

Continue reading Cotswolds Forest Clearing →

Peaks and Clearing Storm

Peaks and Clearing Storm
“Peaks and Clearing Storm” — Rain clouds move to the east and sunshine lights desert peaks, Death Valley National Park.

We almost came home early from our recent visit to Death Valley National Park. A significant rainstorm was forecast overnight, and the daytime light was already mostly gray. We decided to stay — after all, we had already paid for our accommodations. We visited a few interesting places in the poor light, and were about to visit one more location and photograph sprouting plants in the soft light. But suddenly and with little warning the sun came out! We changed plans and went looking for subjects in this light, backed by the dark, departing clouds.

The light seemed like it would be transient — after all, the forecast was still for rain. So we took advantage of the first light we saw, and I first set up my tripod literally in front of our lodgings. The light was very beautiful, and not just because it was such a surprise. This late day light was warmer in color, and it contrasted with a dramatic backdrop of darker clouds.


Leave a comment or question using the form. (Click the title to see the full article and to comment if you are viewing it on the home page.)

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.