Tag Archives: curve

Red Alder Branch with New Spring Leaves

Red Alder Branch with New Spring Leaves

Branch with New Spring Leaves. Muir Woods National Monument, California. March 7, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A branch with new spring growth leaves above the ferns at Muir Woods National Monument.

The leaves were just appearing on the delicate branches of this tree hanging above the creek by a bridge at Muir Woods in early March. The curving shape of the branch caught my attention, especially set off against the darker background of ferns and other plants growing along the banks of the creek. I had to work quickly since the sunlight was just starting to make its way down through the trees – I wanted a bit of light on the foreground branch and leaves, but no direct light on the other plants beyond.

(I’m not good at plant identification. Despite being able to recognize by location, season, and form many plants and flowers I am awful at naming them. If any one knows what plant this is… I’d be grateful for help identifying it.)

(NOTE: Since I originally wrote this post – a week before it appeared here – John Wall pointed out that the plant is Red Alder. I’ve since taken a look at a plant guide that confirms this not only by appearance by the environment in which it was found. Thanks, John!)

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 county, nature, california, usa, winter, branch, delicate, curve, leaf, leaves, spring, new, growth, fern, bokeh, twig, stem, green, forest, bud, stock

Chase Group at Top of Tunitas Road, 2009 Amgen Tour of California

Chase Group at Top of Tunitas Road, 2009 Amgen Tour of California

Chase Group at Top of Tunitas Road, 2009 Amgen Tour of California. Santa Cruz Mountains, California. February 16, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

The chase group, led by Rock Racing with Astana’s Lance Armstrong right behind, tops the Tunitas Road climb in rain during state 2 of the 2009 Amgen Tour of California.

The lead group had arrived at the top of Tunitas Road just ahead of this chase group led by Rock Racing (likely trying to protect their rider who started the stage in the yellow jersey) and including Lance Armstrong. The stage had begun on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge in heavy rain, travelled down the coast past Half Moon Bay, and then headed up this steep road through redwood forests to arrive at Skyline Road. Any cyclist who has ever done a long, hard ride in pouring rain can relate to the looks of the faces of these riders.

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: rock, racing, lance, armstrong, astana, tunitas road, climb, hill, summit, turn, curve, crowd, amgen, 2009, tour, of, california, usa, bicycle, bike, cycle, cyclist, race, racer, stage, road, race, rain, weather, wet, peloton, chase, group, determination, professional, pro, stock

Plastic Covered Window

Plastic Covered Window

Plastic Covered Window. San Jose, California. January 10, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Plastic covers the window of a stucco house being remodeled in San Jose, California.

This photograph was taken literally within walking distance of my home – I know this because I walked there! At first the slanting shadows dropping from right to left across the wall caught my attention. Then the interplay between the shadows and the deep textures of the stucco wall caught my eye. Eventually, I began to like the plastic sheet (obviously put there to protect the glass from paint) and the way it obscures the interior of the building. In the end I can’t make up my mind whether the photo is simply a geometric/texture study or perhaps something a little more mysterious.

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: plastic, sheet, tape, mask, masking, window. curve, white, frame, curve, glass, frame, brick, arch, wall, stucco, texture, shadow, paint, scraped, peeling, construction, remodel, willow glen, san jose, california, usa, urban, street, structure, building, house, home, stock

Folds and Gullies in Morning Light, Zabriskie Point

Folds and Gullies in Morning Light, Zabriskie Point

Folds and Gullies in Morning Light, Zabriskie Point. Death Valley National Park, California. April 2, 2007. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Early morning light illuminates complex folds and gullies at Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California.

I was reminded of these photographs recently when I read a discussion thread on photographing the amazing formations at Zabriskie Point in Death Valley National Park, and I went back to look through some of my images from a previous trip that I had not reviewed recently.

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: zabriskie, point, morning, light, fold, gully, hill, color, mountain, desert, dry, erosion, eroded, brown, tan, red, shadow, scenic, travel, landscape, death valley, national park, california, usa, stock, curve