Tag Archives: lake

Photographs: New York City, Photographs: Urban/Street

Gatehouse, Reservoir, and Manhattan Skyline

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Gatehouse, Reservoir, and Manhattan Skyline
“Gatehouse, Reservoir, and Manhattan Skyline” — Manhattan skyline, gatehouse building along the shore of the Jacquelyn Kennedy Onassis Reservoir, Central Park.

It was the final morning of our November visit to New York City, and we had a few hours to kill before checking out of the hotel and heading to the airport to catch our flight back to the West Coast. What to do? Given that Central Park was only a few blocks to the east, the answer seemed clear — take a (semi-random) walk! We headed to the park, where the fall colors were still on display, and gradually worked our way north(-ish) toward the reservoir. The photograph features one of the gatehouse buildings along the upper shoreline.

The bit of skyline visible on the right features a few of the super narrow buildings that are appearing in Manhattan. They are somewhat controversial, and there’s plenty to dislike about them. On the other hand, if you imagine this photograph without them and their reflections… you have to admit that in this case they are visually interesting.

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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: Fall, Photographs: Fall Color, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Aspens in a Row

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Aspens in a Row
A row of colorful autumn aspen trees against a backdrop of rugged rocks.

Aspens in a Row. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

A row of colorful autumn aspen trees against a backdrop of rugged rocks.

Along the base of this rocky face, which parallels the shoreline of a subalpine eastern Sierra lake, aspen trees try to grow with the classic tall and straight form. They almost succeed, but the rocky soil seems to hold them back, and while they are fairly straight they are not that tall. However, because they are in the shadow of a ridge yet open to the light on the other side, they pick up lovely soft and reflected light.

Our initial plans did not work out on this morning. We arrived at a high-country lake hoping to find reflections of aspens and the surrounding peaks. Instead we encountered strong winds and rough water on the lake. There were no good reflections and leaves were coming down in the wind. However, there are almost always alternative subjects, and by using a long lens I was able to photograph these trees across the valley.

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, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

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

Photographs: Fall, Photographs: Fall Color, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Lake’s Edge

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Lake's Edge
Rocks, autumn leaves, and moving water at the edge of a subalpine Sierra Nevada lake.

Lake’s Edge. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Rocks, autumn leaves, and moving water at the edge of a subalpine Sierra Nevada lake.

This I s a sort of accidental photograph. We went to a subalpine lake before sunrise because the location promised peak fall colors, rugged peaks in morning light, and still water to reflect it all. As happens sometimes, one of those conditions wasn’t met — it was very windy and the lake’s surface did not produce the reflections we hoped for.

But I have learned — though I occasionally forget — that if the thing you came for isn’t there it is a good idea to look around for other unanticipated possibilities. In this case, this one was literally at my feet. (I actually had to back up a bit from where I was standing to get it all in the frame.) At the shoreline the turbulent water had pushed colorful leaves into small piles near interesting rocks, and the water and wet surfaces reflected the light from the sky and sunlit peaks.

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, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Twitter | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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

Photographs: Fall, Photographs: Fall Color, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: New York City, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Hernshead, Autumn

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Hernshead, Autumn
A person sits on the Hernshead outcropping among fall colors, Central Park, Manhattan.

Hernshead, Autumn. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

A person sits on the Hernshead outcropping among fall colors, Central Park, Manhattan.

We were in New York City for a few days before Thanksgiving. (We left early to avoid the holiday rush.) Our two sons and daughters-in-law live and work there, and they have told us for years to come during spring and autumn instead of our usual winter and summer visits. They are right. — Manhattan was full of lovely fall colors, not just here in the “wilds” of Central Park,” but even along busy streets and avenues. This photograph juxtaposes one of the park’s rocky outcroppings, “The Lake,” autumn trees, and a bit of the Manhattan skyline.

There is always something new to discover or learn about the place. For example, take the name “Hernshead.” Before sharing this photograph I looked at maps to see if the spot has a name, and I discovered that it does. But it is a strange word. If you asked me what “Hernshead” means I might have said, “Don’t know, but maybe someone’s name?” I would have been wrong. According to the Park Conservancy, it was named when the park was created in the 1800s because the outcropping’s shape suggested the form of a heron’s head… and “hern” is apparently an old, alternate spelling of “heron.”

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, Amazon, and directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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