Tag Archives: scenic

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

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

Redwood Forest, Morning

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Redwood Forest, Morning. Muir Woods National Monument, California. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell.

Redwood Forest, Morning. Muir Woods National Monument, California. February 28, 2009. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Filtered morning light in the redwood forest at Muir Woods National Monument, California.

I got up early on Saturday morning, February 28 and was on the well before dawn – through San Francisco, across the Golden Gate Bridge, and on to Muir Woods. The park wasn’t open when arrived – though one can still get it – and it appeared that I was the second visitor to arrive. The sky was overcast, with occasional breaks that allowed the sun to filter through the redwoods at times – all of which amounts to pretty much ideal light for photographing the forest 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, redwood, tree, forest, trunk, bark, green, foliage, grove, morning, light, vertical, san francisco, bay, area, nature, landscape, scenic, travel, stock, marin, golden gate

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

Near Leidig Meadow, Lower Three Brothers – Yosemite Valley

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Near Leidig Meadow, Lower Three Brothers - Yosemite Valley

Near Leidig Meadow, Lower Three Brothers – Yosemite Valley. Yosemite National Park, California. November 2, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Forest-rimmed near Liedig Meadow and the lower face of the Three Brothers, Yosemite Valley, California.

Actually, I’m not certain I have the name of this meadow quite right*, but the closest named area I can find on my maps of the Valley is listed as Leidig Meadow – so I’m sticking with this until I get a better answer. This is one more photograph from my November 2008 rainy weekend in The Valley – and like many of the others from this shoot it features diffused overcast light and colors altered by two days of steady rain.

Update: Several people have confirmed that this area is known as Leidig Meadow. Now I just need to determine the origin of that name.

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: yosemite, valley, national park, leidig, meadow, three brothers, face, lower, forest, trees, autumn, fall, season, plant, grass, green, brown, golden, southside, drive, rocky point, sentinel beach, trunk, leaves, rock, cliff, arch, scenic, travel, landscape, nature, california, usa

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Ocean & Coast, Photographs: Wildlife

Birds and Winter Surf

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Birds and Winter Surf

Birds and Winter Surf. South of San Francisco, California. January 12, 2008. © Copyright G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Birds congregate along a stream with winter surf and bluffs above the Pacific Coastline in the distance – south of San Francisco, California.

I frequently stop along this section of the Pacific Coast between San Francisco and Santa Cruz, in a location where the road descends to almost the level of the beach. On this winter day the low clouds and fog were backlit by the sun as large winter surf rolled in. These birds appeared to be feeding in the creek near where it entered the surf and were just starting to take to the air as I exposed this photo.

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: seascape, landscape, beach, bluff, surf, wave, pacific, ocean, coast, sand, water, reflection, bird, gull, flock, flight, creek, stream, hill, seaweed, two, people, highway, one, california, usa, fog, mist, cloud, travel, scenic, stock, black and white