Tag Archives: sunset

Photographs: Fall, Photographs: Fall Color, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: The Southwest, Photographs: Utah

Zion High Country, Evening

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Zion High Country, Evening
“Zion High Country, Evening” — Autumn evening in Zion National Park high country.

I made this photograph very close to the end of a lengthy photography trip to Southern Utah. After shooting on my own for days and then working collaboratively with friends and fellow photographers, I left the others behind and joined my family for a few days in Zion National Park.

We stayed outside of the park boundary, a short distance up a side road that leads way back into the park’s less-known high country. We decided to follow that road and see where it would take us. Eventually it arrived at a sort of plateau — high country ringed by red rock formations and cut through by deep valleys. I made this photograph close to sunset along that road.

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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: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature

Desert Mountain Sunset

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Desert Mountain Sunset
“Desert Mountain Sunset” — Golden hour light on desert mountains, Death Valley.

The final full day of our pre-Christmas visit to Death Valley was mostly not ideal for photography. A winter storm was approaching, and most of the day was quite gray. We managed to get out and photograph in some canyons, but by mid-afternoon the prospects were deteriorating rapidly, and we decided to take a break. Somewhat later, without warning, there was a brief clearing before sunset… so off we went to take advantage of the light!

The best light appeared to be well north of us, so we loaded up the vehicle and headed that way. By this time the light was evolving quickly, partially as a result of the changing atmospheric conditions but also because it was late in the day. When I saw the colorful light on these somewhat distant, rugged mountains I stopped and put a long lens on the camera so that I could capture the scene before the light faded.

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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: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature

Badlands and Wash

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Badlands and Wash
“Badlands and Wash” — A small wash spills from desert badlands into Death Valley at sunset.

Another recent post of a Death Valley photograph noted the interesting subjects found in remote and hard-to-access areas of this national park. This is not one of those photographs. In fact, I made it a short distance from a popular lodging and camping spot, and my tripod was set up at the back of my vehicle! The subject is eroded badlands terrain where a small wash empties into the main valley.

The terrain of this park is remarkably varied, ranging from harsh, sun-baked desert playas to high summits that can be topped with snow. Among them, desert washes emerging from canyons are a favorite of mine. I love to walk the quiet washes, and they often provide trails into deep canyons and mountain heights.

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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: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature

Winter Desert Sky

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Winter Desert Sky
“Winter Desert Sky” — Evening clouds fill the winter sky above Death Valley.

We were in Death Valley just before Christmas 2025. Winter weather there is often beautiful, but it can change rapidly and difficult conditions are also possible — dust storms, rain, and even cold! This was one of those days. We woke up to gray skies and a forecast of rain arriving later that day. We had almost given up on our primary photographic objectives when we looked up and saw light on nearby peaks! There was apparently a brief break in the incoming clouds.

We sprang into action, heading out immediately and stopping at the first opportunity to photograph light on nearby peaks. We saw that it was even clearer to the north, so off we went in that direction. There the enormous desert sky was broken by cloud patterns as the last light gently lit distant mountains.

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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.