Tag Archives: skyscrapers

Chicago Towers

Chicago Towers
“Chicago Towers” — Chicago towers on a cloudy autumn day.

We spent almost a week in Chicago in late November. We went for a long walk inside “the loop” on this overcast day, first visiting the opera house (where we had tickets for a performance later on) and then following the river back to the east before looping toward our hotel. I’ve long been fascinated by comparisons between Chicago and Manhattan, and while I love Manhattan, Chicago comes out ahead in many ways. For one thing there is more space between buildings, providing more light and more ways to photograph them.

Why in the world, you might wonder, would we go to Chicago in November!? It tends to be cold and windy then — though still not as cold as a few weeks later. We originally had plans to meet up with other visitors to attend some concerts, visit museums, and enjoy meals. Unfortunately, their plans changed, but since we had tickets and reservations we decided to go anyway — and it turned out to be an enjoyable trip.


Leave a comment or question using the form. (Click the title to see the full article and to comment if you are viewing it on the home page.)

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.

Winter Scene, Central Park

A winter scene in Central Park, Manhattan
“Winter Scene, Central Park” — A winter scene in Central Park, Manhattan

We visited New York City during the holidays at the end of 2024. We got lucky and had just the right sort of minor snow storm — one that left perhaps an inch or two of snow on the ground, lending atmosphere to he place, but which wasn’t serious enough to snarl traffic. Here in Central Park the meadows were covered with shallow snow.

We went out for a morning walk to meet our oldest son and grab a bite to eat. After that we headed north and ended up passing through the lower portion of the park on the way to our hotel. Here the trees were winter-bare, and their silhouettes contrasted with the hard-edged forms of the buildings beyond.


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” from Heyday Books, is available directly from G Dan Mitchell.

Blog | Bluesky | Mastodon | Substack Notes | Flickr | Email
Articles | Sales | Sierra Nevada Fall Color | Contact Info

All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir

Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis Reservoir
“Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Reservoir” — The Manhattan skyline below Central Park from the Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis Reservoir.

Last fall we were in New York for family visits and to see a performance at the Metropolitan Opera. It was a lovely autumn day in Manhattan so we went for a long walk. We typically stay at a place a bit to the west of the Park, and our mornings often include walks there in one form or another. This time we headed further north from our usual routes and ended up walking around this manmade lake.

When I think of Central Park, this reservoir isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. To me it is more about lawns and trees and curving pathways, people enjoying what counts as the “natural world” in this city, and a steady stream of walkers, cyclists, runners, and more. But it seems to get less crowded up here by the lake, and views open up, unobstructed by trees.


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.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | PostEmail

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

Scroll down to share comments or questions. (Click post title first if viewing on the home page.)


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

River Thames at Blackfriars Bridge

River Thames at Blackfriars Bridge
“River Thames at Blackfriars Bridge” — A boat on the River Thames cruises toward Blackfriars Bridge near central London.

You couldn’t ask for a lovelier London day in June, with blue skies dotted with fluffy clouds and pleasant temperatures. (The first time we visited London we were surprised by downright uncomfortably hot weather.) This photograph looks across the River Thames near Blackfriars Bridge toward a section of downtown London featuring large, modern towers. If you look closely, you might spot a few people wandering along the banks of the river at lower right.

London wasn’t our primary destination on this visit, though we were happy to be there again. The first part of this trip featured three weeks in Scotland. We started with a few jet lag adjustment days in Oban and Fort William before spending the next week walking from Fort William to Inverness on the Great Glen Way. From there we returned to civilization, with stays in Inverness, Stirling, Glasgow, and Edinburgh before taking the train south to York and London.


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.

Blog | About | Instagram | Flickr | Facebook | Threads | PostEmail

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

Scroll down to share comments or questions. (Click post title first if viewing on the home page.)


All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.