Tag Archives: reflection

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Autumn Color, Merced River

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Autumn Color, Merced River

Autumn Color, Merced River. Yosemite Valley, California. November 1, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Autumn trees along the Merced River near El Capitan Meadow Bridge – Yosemite Valley, California.

This photograph was made on the first day of a very rainy fall weekend in Yosemite Valley. I go to the Valley every fall at about this time to photograph the fall colors of oaks, maples, and meadows, but this year was different than some of my previous visits. First, it rained. A lot. It more or less rained the entire time I was there, though I’ll admit that there were a few brief intervals when it only sprinkled and even briefer moments when the rain actually stopped. Although this makes photography more difficult, it also creates many compelling photographic opportunities that just don’t appear on more pleasant (and boring) days. There was mist everywhere; among the trees on the Valley floor, and wrapping the cliffs and summits around the Valley. The fall colors became even more intense. And, most unusual, after a very dry season that left many of the waterfalls, creeks, and rivers low or completely dry, they suddenly came back to life. In this photograph the Merced River has already risen and picked up leaves and other material. (I came back to this spot the next day and the plants along the right river bank were underwater!)

(There is another version of this photograph with a tighter composition – I’m still thinking about which I prefer.)

keywords: yosemite, valley, national park, el capitan, meadow, merced, river, oak, tree, forest, grove, reflection, fog, cliff, mountain, yellow, gold, green, log, water, landscape, scenic, travel, nature, california, usa, stock, bank, shore

Commentary, Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Gates of the Valley

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Gates of the Valley

Gates of the Valley. Yosemite Valley, California. November 2, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Gates of the Valley and the Merced River, Autumn – Yosemite Valley, California.

I made my annual fall color pilgrimage to Yosemite Valley this past weekend and since I had a few extra minutes while going from point A to point B I decided to stop at this over-photographed location and try a long exposure using a 9-stop neutral density filter, thus the effect you see on the surface of the Merced River in the foreground.

The trip was not quite what I anticipated. The fall colors were quite good, with lots of bright yellow maples, my favorite yellow and brown oaks, golden meadow grasses, and more.
But it rained. A lot.

It started almost as soon as I arrived on Saturday morning, got worse as the day wore on, poured overnight, and rained off and on most of the day on Sunday. Even this shot in seemingly clearing weather was taken as a light mist fell.

keywords: yosemite, valley, national park, el capitan, three brothers, merced, river, reflection, plant, tree, grass, meadow, forest, fall, autumn, color, clouds, fog, blue, sky, time, exposure, landscape, nature, scenic, travel, california, usa, stock, ripple

Photographs: Sierra Nevada, Photographs: Yosemite

Fletcher Lake Shoreline, Morning

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Fletcher Lake Shoreline, Morning

Fletcher Lake Shoreline, Morning. Yosemite National Park, California. September 7, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Morning light on the shoreline of Fletcher Lake in the Yosemite National Park backcountry near the Vogelsang High Sierra Camp.

Yet another in the series of photographs of Fletcher Lake on an early September morning as the sun was just rising above the shoulder of Fletcher Peak. This cove is at the upper end of the lake near the inlet stream flowing down from Townsley Lake.

keywords: fletcher, lake, vogelsang, high, sierra, camp, nevada, wilderness, backpack, hike, camp, morning, light, tree, forest, meadow, grass, shore, rock, boulder, talus, water, reflection, brush, bush, yosemite, national park, california, usa, landscape, scenic, travel, outdoor, stock, nature

Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Pond, Bishop Creek

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Pond, Bishop Creek

Pond, Bishop Creek. Sierra Nevada, California. October 5, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Autumn colors reflected in a pond on Bishop Creek, Sierra Nevada, California.

After starting my shooting very early in the morning – I had earlier photographed some groves near the turnoff to North Lake and some expansive views of Sabrina Basin from near Aspendell – I continued up the Bishop Creek drainage to this small pond along the upper reaches of Bishop Creek. As I set up in this spot along the southeast shore of the creek, the sun was just beginning to come over the high ridge behind me. As it did so it illuminated the aspen grove on the far side of the creek and added a glow to the dry ferns and creekside plants. I worked quickly and got a few shots as the sun/shade line moved across the trees and plants and soon hit the creek itself.

keywords: pond, water, creek, bishop, shore, bank, shoreline, reflection, mirror, moss, algae, aspen, fir, pine, tree, grove, forest, trunk, branch, leaf, yellow, gold, orange, green, grass, meadow, fern, nature, scenic, travel, fall, autumn, season, landscape, sierra, nevada, california, usa, stock, mountains