Tag Archives: nature

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Cloud Shadows, Mount Winchell

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Cloud Shadows, Mount Winchell
Cloud Shadows, Mount Winchell

Cloud Shadows, Mount Winchell. Kings Canyon National Park. August 13, 2005. © Copyright 2005 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Late-afternoon cloud shadows race across the west face of Mount Winchell, Sierra Nevada.

Mt. Winchell is just south of Bishop Pass on the crest of the Sierra Nevada. I was intrigued by the repeating diagonals in this image along with the cloud shadow.

(Technical note regarding this photograph. I am frequently asked about prints of this image. It is available as a print, but the size must be limited to approximately 12″ x 18″ dimensions because the photograph was made with an early digital camera that could not produce image quality equivalent to that produced by cameras that I use today. This quality is appropriate for many electronic and print uses.)

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer whose subjects include the Pacific coast, redwood forests, central California oak/grasslands, the Sierra Nevada, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography, and more.
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Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Owens Valley, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Mo’s Cloud

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Mo's Cloud
Mo’s Cloud

Mo’s Cloud. Eastern Sierra Nevada, California. May 28, 2005. © Copyright 2014 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

We spotted this remarkable cloud while camping in the desert near Mammoth during a Memorial Day ski trip. This portion is the west end of a layered cloud that extended for many miles to the left of what is shown here. I think this is probably what is known as the “Sierra Wave,” a cloud band that is formed by air rising over the Sierra crest.

The title “Mo’s Cloud” derives from the fact that Maureen (“Mo”), a friend and one of our group members, reported that she had watched this cloud for hours as she drove up the east side of the Sierra from Southern California.

Although the layered cloud moved little if at all, it was very windy where we were and the local clouds were moving quite quickly. Timing was everything in terms of getting an interesting pattern of light and shadow in the foreground.

G Dan Mitchell is a California photographer and visual opportunist whose subjects include the Pacific coast, redwood forests, central California oak/grasslands, the Sierra Nevada, California deserts, urban landscapes, night photography, and more.
Blog | About | Flickr | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | 500px.com | LinkedIn | Email

Text, photographs, and other media are © Copyright G Dan Mitchell (or others when indicated) and are not in the public domain and may not be used on websites, blogs, or in other media without advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Autumn Snow, Sierra Crest

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Autumn Snow, Sierra Crest
Dawn light on the snow-dusted Sierra Nevada crest along the northeastern boundary of Yosemite National Park

Autumn Snow, Sierra Crest. © Copyright 2019 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Dawn light on the snow-dusted Sierra Nevada crest along the northeastern boundary of Yosemite National Park.

After my first night camping on the East Side during this year’s autumn aspen color season, I got up before dawn, broke camp and loaded my vehicle, and was on the road before sunrise. My plan was to head down US 395 to a more southerly location where I was sure I would be able to access high elevation trees that often are the first to turn colors. The drive began with a short road taking me back to the main highway, and as I passed thought cattle country here I realized that it was only 19 degrees outside. That was a bit of a shock to a person who had only recently experienced 90 degree weather back home!

The actual realization of the cold arrived after I stopped to make this photograph. The light waits for no one, so when I saw that it was about to strike these high peaks along the northeast Yosemite National Park boundary I pulled over and got ready to photograph. And, boy was it cold — a good reminder to keep jacket, gloves, and other warm gear handy for the rest of this visit.

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: Birds, Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Wildlife

Yellow-Headed Blackbird

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Yellow-Headed Blackbird
“Yellow-Headed Blackbird” — A yellow-headed blackbird perched on the branch of a Central Valley tree.

This bird was a bit of a surprise. Some large cottonwood trees packed full with a flock of tai-colored blackbirds caught my attention. I pulled over and got out the long lens and began to photograph dense groups of those birds. But as I looked through the telephoto I realized that not all of the birds were the same. Two in particular didn’t quite fit — this yellow-headed blackbird and a nearby European starling.

While the tri-colored blackbirds were clumped closely together in a wildly-singing flock, this bird perched just a bit to the side. It was close enough to initially look like part of the boisterous group, but just far enough away to make a case that “I’m not one of those loud birds!”

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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Links: Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Info.

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