Tag Archives: evening

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

Corkscrew Peak, Evening

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Corkscrew Peak, Evening, Death Valley
“Corkscrew Peak, Evening” — Evening light on the giant alluvial plain leading up towards Corkscrew Peak.

This peak has long intrigued me — along with the entire ridge that it lies on. Perhaps the name first caught my attention when I was trying to identify landmarks in photographs I took from out in the Valley. Hint: it does not really look much like a corkscrew, though I can see how the tilted rock layers that seem to run around it inspired the name.

I photographed this on my first evening in Death Valley back in February. After a very long drive from the Bay Area I set up camp, rested a bit, and then it was time to go find something to photograph. Since it was late in the day I wanted to keep it somewhat simple, so I headed to this spot along a road leading out of the Valley, arriving just in time to photograph the day’s last light.

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

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

Funeral Range, Last Light

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Funeral Range, Last Light, Death Valley
“Funeral Range, Last Light” — The last direct light of the evening shines on the Funeral Range, Death Valley.

Am I the only person who has a set of odd little personal spots where they like to stop — places that others might pass by without noticing anything special? Over the years I’ve collected quite a few: a rock outcropping in Tuolumne Meadows, a bench at the high point on a local trail, a particular tree in the Central Valley, and this place in Death Valley National Park.

Years ago I turned off the road that passes through here and walked to the top of a small rise with my camera. There are no icons visible from the place, but it is in the middle of a portion of the immense, still, quiet space of this park. Something about it resonated with me, and I go there on every return trip. This time it was evening when I arrived, and I photographed the very last sunlight of the day on the Funeral Mountains.

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

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Photographs: Europe, Photographs: France, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Rainy Evening, Montpellier

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Rainy Evening, Montpellier, France
“Rainy Evening, Montpellier” — Shoppers walk along Rue de la Loge on a rainy winter evening in Montpellier, France.

It isn’t news to anyone who has spent some time in Europe, but cities there often have large shopping areas that are automobile-free, or nearly so. This is treat for Americans, who are used to being stuck on sidewalks as cars whiz by. In fact, I think it is one of the big things that attracts us to European cities. Here in Montpelier you can walk almost anywhere in this old central district without contending with auto traffic.

When American cities propose closing business districts to vehicle traffic — or even limiting it — businesses typically raise loud complaints that it will stifle business. But in every European city I have visited with vehicle-free areas like this, the streets are filled with shoppers. Here in Montpellier that was even true on a rainy weeknight!

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

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Photographs: Europe, Photographs: France, Photographs: Night, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Place de la Comédie, Montpellier.

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Place de la Comédie, Montpellier.
“Place de la Comédie, Montpellier.” — Place de la Comédie, the central square of Montpellier, France, on a rainy winter evening.

Summer travel to many popular destinations has become so common that the crowds can be close to unbearable. There are ways to compensate — go to smaller, less-well-known cities, travel during shoulder season, or just go straight to the off-season. We did the latter on our last big trip, visiting Germany, France, and Spain around the winter equinox. Of course, you need to be prepared for the weather — shorter daylight hours, cold, and a good chance of precipitation.

Speaking of the weather, we arrived in Montpellier, France in “gently inclement” weather. It was cold — though not like in Germany — and it rained. But this wasn’t the sort of rain that might pin you down in your hotel — it was gentle, and an umbrella and rain jacket were enough protection to go out and wander. Our first stop (but far from our last) was the Place de la Comédie, a popular square in the old part of the city.

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

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(All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.)