Tag Archives: john muir

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Meadow, Flowers, Trees, and Mountains

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Meadow, Flowers, Trees, and Mountains
A stream winds through a tree and flower-filled meadow holding a subalpine lake, with distant peaks, John Muir Wilderness

Meadow, Flowers, Trees, and Mountains. John Muir Wilderness, California. August 29, 2017. © Copyright 2017 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A stream winds through a tree and flower-filled meadow holding a subalpine lake, with distant peaks, John Muir Wilderness

And, yes, yet another photograph from our end-of-August-start-of-September trip into the John Muir Wilderness backcountry, during which we spent more than a week photographing some very spectacular scenery and hanging out with a fine group of fellow photographers. Our camp was located on a moraine near the site of this photograph — a high spot with some visibility to a larger panorama, but also somewhat hidden from others who might pass by.

Below our camp was this meadow and the lake beyond. The conditions were very special — for the end of August and beginning of September the meadow was still very lush and green and the wildflowers were still thriving. There were all kinds of flowers in the meadow, but this photograph mostly features paintbrush flowers and plants.

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” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Meadow, Trail, and Wildflowers

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Meadow, Trail, and Wildflowers
A use trail passes through a wildflower-filled meadow in the John Muir Wilderness on a late summer evening

Meadow, Trail, and Wildflowers. John Muir Wilderness, California. August 30, 2017. © Copyright 2017 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A use trail passes through a wildflower-filled meadow in the John Muir Wilderness on a late summer evening

We became very familiar with this little section of unofficial “use trail” near our base camp for our recent sojourn into the John Muir Wilderness of the Sierra Nevada range. Our camp was relatively hidden among trees up on the top of a nearby moraine ridge, but these meadows became a second home to us for over a week. I first used this trail when I arrived on our first day, following behind the rest of the group who had arrived a bit earlier. Near the outlet stream of the lake seen in the distance in the photograph, I turned right and headed up along its shoreline, following this path. It was only after passing the lake and starting to climb that I began to wonder if I was now past our camp — and, yes, I had to backtrack.

There were many places worthy of exploration all around out camp. Some were further away — a higher open meadow, a rocky ridge, narrow meadows full of flowers. But the areas around “our” lake drew us back, and many of us visited them every day at some point. On this evening I set out to simply wander the meadow and see what I could find, and I decided that including the trail in the scene made a lot of sense. Also of note, the meadow was still wet and green and wildflowers were everywhere — even though it was the very end of the month of August, well past the time when the flowers typically die back and the meadow grass turns golden.

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” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Alpenglow, Ridge and Valley

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Alpenglow, Ridge and Valley
The last alpenglow light of the evening comes to an alpine ridge and valley under a cloudy sky, John Muir Wilderness

Alpenglow, Ridge and Valley. John Muir Wilderness, California. August 28, 2017. © Copyright 2017 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

The last alpenglow light of the evening comes to an alpine ridge and valley under a cloudy sky, John Muir Wilderness

These backcountry Sierra Nevada photographic expeditions make for long days, though by the end of the summer the sun sets earlier, and we frequently found ourselves in the tent by 8:30 or even earlier. The days start early — up before dawn, and how much before dawn depends on each person’s objective for the “morning shift.” We photograph for a few hours and then the less interesting midday light brings us to a stop — and we reassemble in camp for coffee and breakfast and conversation. Later in the day, perhaps by around 4:00 in the afternoon, it is time to head out once again, this time looking for subjects in evening light.

I made this photograph on one of these evening outings. We had gone to a beautiful meadow at a slightly higher elevation, in a place where the meadow is overlooked by some rocky benches and where views to the open country to the south were alpine and breathtaking. As the evening light came on and the shadows rose up the peaks, I had my eyes on the sun/shadow line as it ascended this hanging valley. Eventually the light lingered momentarily on the highest ridges before it rose to the top of the peaks and disappeared.

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” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

High Country Meadow, Evening Light

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High Country Meadow, Evening Light
Late-day light on a stormy evening high in the John Muir Wilderness

High Country Meadow, Evening Light. John Muir Wilderness, California. August 28, 2017. © Copyright 2017 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Late-day light on a stormy evening high in the John Muir Wilderness

For more than the past week, we occupied a Sierra Nevada backcountry landscape full of surprises and riches — more than enough variety of conditions and subjects to keep us busy. A group of eight of us hiked over a 12,000+’ Sierra crest pass (with assistance from pack train support) and set up a base camp from which we set out each day to explore and photograph the spectacular surroundings. The pleasures of such a trip extend beyond photography — to include contemplation of this landscape, occasionally without a camera, and the joy of sharing the high country with a small circle of like-minded friends. This time it was even more special, as Patricia Mitchell returned to the back-country with me for the first time in many years.

I made this photograph on an evening when late day sunlight filled this subalpine meadow and storm clouds cast shadows over the distant peaks. There was a trail to this meadow, but it was hardly necessary, and once in the meadow we were free to explore all of it and the surrounding domes and peaks — which we did on many mornings and evenings. Those with Sierra Nevada high country experience may be surprised that this photograph was made near the end of August when meadows are typically turning golden brown. Last winter’s extraordinary snowfall delayed the onset of summer conditions, and the meadows were still green and wildflowers were everywhere.

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” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
Blog | About | Flickr | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | LinkedIn | Email

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.