Tag Archives: shadows

Mono Basin Pinnacles, Morning

Mono Basin Pinnacles, Morning
“Mono Basin Pinnacles, Morning” — Rocky prominences above Mono Basin in morning light.

I “discovered” these formations years ago while searching for autumn aspen color in mountains east of the Sierra Nevada. I was at a location where I have frequently photographed dense groves of small trees. As I photographed them in soft morning light — they are on the shaded side of a ridge — I noticed this fascinating terrain dropping towards Mono Basin.

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Sierra Meadow and Peak

Sierra Meadow and Peak
“Sierra Meadow and Peak” — Early light strikes a Sierra Nevada crest peak above a shadowed subalpine valley.

I was up and out of camp in the dark on this late-August morning. My plan was to work my way up Tioga Pass Road toward the pass, where I had a few subjects in mind along the way. After that I would head over the pass and out of the park to explore some areas just east of the Sierra crest. After going to the end of this valley to make a few photographs of alpine terrain, I headed back down this way, to pausing at a few places I had noted on the way up.

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Morning Trees, Shadows

Morning Trees, Shadows
“Morning Trees, Shadows” Trees in morning light as mountain shadows recede across a meadow.

I made this photograph on the final morning of my late-August visit to the Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite. Since I had until noon to vacate my campsite, I figured I would do some early morning photography before breaking camp. I had a particular sunrise photograph in mind, and after completing that I looked around with no particular agenda and decided to head up to the meadows around Tioga Pass.

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Snow-capped Slioch

Snow-capped Slioch
“Snow-capped Slioch” — Trees frame the snow-dusted summit of Slioch.

This photograph is an example of my policy of not knowing too much when I travel. It drives some people (hi, Patty!) crazy, but it does mean that I get to “discover” things before knowing that they are iconic. Almost two months after photographing this “random” impressive Scottish mountain I learned that it is well-known. The peak is Slioch — or “The Shield” — and a “munro,”* one of the peaks reaching over 3000′. I read that there is a well-known climbing route to its summit. Apparently, photographs of the peak have been used to represent this area of northern Scotland.

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