Tag Archives: moss

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Ferns and Rock

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Ferns and Rock

Ferns and Rock. Muir Woods National Monument, California. March 7, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Ferns and rock along the creek at Muir Woods National Monument, California.

I found this mini garden alongside the one of the main trails through the central grove at Muir Woods – it was just on the other side of a low fence and next to the creek. As I walk along an area like this I take my time and try to keep my eye out for small scenes that could easily be overlooked, and the juxtaposition of the brown fern leaf with the very green new growth of ferns, moss, and sorrel caught my eye.

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

Four Redwoods, Muir Woods

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Four Redwoods, Muir Woods. Muir Woods National Monument, California. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell - all rights reserved.

Four Redwoods, Muir Woods. Muir Woods National Monument, California. February 28, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A detail of the weathered and burn-scarred trunks of four old redwood trees at Muir Woods National Monument, California.

Although I find it a very hard subject to photograph, I’m always intrigued by the textures and shapes of redwood tree trunks, especially when they are as rugged and time-worn as these are. There are four trees in this photo with the most distant picking up a bit more light than those in the foreground. This grouping is, I’m almost embarrassed to admit, right next to a very popular section of the most popular trail at Muir Woods.

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, tree, trunk, bark, weathered, scar, burn, char, fire, damage, texture, four, needle, pattern, abstract, detail, overlap, moss, green, black, brown, light, marin county, scenic, travel, foliage, stock

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.

keywords: muir, woods, national, monument, park, marin, forest, nature, california, usa, redwood, tree, grove, trunk, vertical, morning, overcast, filtered, light, canopy, marin county, usa, fern, oxalis, sorrell, branch, bush, stump, moss, scenic, landscape, travel, stock, quiet, green

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