Tag Archives: fern

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Red Alder Branch with New Spring Leaves

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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.

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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.

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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: Sierra Nevada

Pond, Bishop Creek

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Pond, Bishop Creek

Pond, Bishop Creek. Sierra Nevada, California. October 5, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Autumn colors reflected in a pond on Bishop Creek, Sierra Nevada, California.

After starting my shooting very early in the morning – I had earlier photographed some groves near the turnoff to North Lake and some expansive views of Sabrina Basin from near Aspendell – I continued up the Bishop Creek drainage to this small pond along the upper reaches of Bishop Creek. As I set up in this spot along the southeast shore of the creek, the sun was just beginning to come over the high ridge behind me. As it did so it illuminated the aspen grove on the far side of the creek and added a glow to the dry ferns and creekside plants. I worked quickly and got a few shots as the sun/shade line moved across the trees and plants and soon hit the creek itself.

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