Tag Archives: quiet

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Wetland Plants, Fog

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Wetland Plants, Fog
“Wetland Plants, Fog” — Plants growing in the shallow water of a wetland poid on a foggy morning.

This is another of my “too foggy to photograph birds” photographs from California’s Central Valley. Back in mid-January I headed out there after reading reports of tule fog, something that attracts me to the area in winter. The fog can produce a wonderful, mysterious atmosphere, and as conditions transition from thick fog to sunlight there are diverse photographic opportunities. Unfortunately, that transition never came during this visit, and it was thick fog all the way!

As I write this in early March we are likely days away from the departure of migratory geese, who head back north every year by mid-month or so. I’m hoping to squeeze in one more visit before they depart, but there’s not much time left. (Depending on where you see this post, the date may have already passed!)

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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

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

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

Merced River Bend

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Merced River Bend
“Merced River Bend” — Autumn cottonwood trees grow along a bend in the Merced River, Yosemite Valley.

I made this photograph late in the afternoon as long shadows began to stretch across the floor of Yosemite Valley, gradually leaving these trees in shade. Here the Merced River flows slowly through a flat section next to meadows and lined with big cottonwood trees. Although a few of these trees had lost their leaves, many were at peak color.

This is one of several spots in the Valley where I like to wander slowly and look for photographs. This particular spot used to be easily accessible, though increasing Valley crowds have forced the park service to downgrade access. It took me a while, but I found a trail that wasn’t off-limits.

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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

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.

Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Night, Photographs: Spain, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

Night Street, Santiago de Compostela

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Night Street, Santiago de Compostela
“Night Street, Santiago de Compostela” — People stroll along quiet streets in the early evening, Santiago de Compostela

Santiago de Compostela was one of two Spanish cities we visited on this trip almost on a whim. We knew almost nothing about it, aside from the fact that it is the endpoint for thousands of Camino participants, who take weeks or months to walk there. We ended up loving the town, with its old central district that is charming and has a different feel than other cities — in part due to the connection to the caminos.

When traveling we walk a lot and often just head out with no well-defined plan, expecting to see and discover things as we go. My recollection is that this was a post-dinner walk — though given Spain’s late dinner our it could have been pre-dinner! This street, with its old stone buildings, porticos, and narrow passages was almost deserted.

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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(All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.)

Photographs: Croatia, Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Ocean & Coast, Photographs: Travel

Red and White Boat, Adriatic Sea

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Red and White Boat, Adriatic Sea
“Red and White Boat, Adriatic Sea” — A red and white boat sails on the quiet Adriatic Sea past Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Looking at this scene, you would probably never guess where I was when I photographed it. It seems like a quiet, isolated place along the ocean shore. Truth be told, I was walking along the top of the wall around the historic city of Dubrovnik, Croatia very close to sunset. While it was fairly quiet there, it most certainly was not isolated!

I’m a fan of long views of the empty or nearly-empty ocean. I’m not quite certain why that is, though the ocean represents a sort of infinite unknown frontier for most of us. There’s something “out there” that we are unlikely to experience, a place of mystery. Here it is enhanced by the soft light and haze of the summer Adriatic as this boat passes by.

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

Join the discussion — you are welcome to leave a comment or question. (Comments are moderated and may not appear immediately.)

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(All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others.)