Tag Archives: thin

Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Sierra Rain

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Sierra Rain
“Sierra Rain” — Gentle rain falls on granite mountains, sparse trees, and a meadow in the Ansel Adams Wilderness.

It is easy to be a bit afraid of backcountry rain — worried that you might get your clothes wet, you could slip, it isn’t good for your gear. In our civilized lives we usually stay inside when it rains, and when we must go out we scurry between dry places. But when the rain comes to the mountains, at least in most cases, it can be better to embrace it. (Of course, it is also important to not get dangerously wet or cold!) Back in my serious bicycling days, those of us who rode all year long had a rain philosophy: “Once you are wet you are wet.” It reflected the recognition that — accounting for keeping warm enough — ultimately getting wet isn’t that big of a deal. And, yes, I was getting wet when I made this photograph.

We had been pretty much stuck in camp for close to 24 hours when a truly major weather system came through unexpectedly, Sending streams of water under our tents and raising nearby creeks. On the second day we were ready to get out and make some photographs, light rain be damned! I walked to a nearby high point with an open view of our alpine surroundings — and I stuck it out long enough to make this photograph of a squall working its way down from the ridges above.

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.

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Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Sierra Nevada

Winter Sunrise, Central Valley

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Winter Sunrise, Central Valley
“Winter Sunrise, Central Valley” — Winter sun rises beyond the Sierra Nevada as thin fog drifts among trees.

This photograph is one of the final remaining photographs from this past winter in California’s Central Valley. (Who am I kidding? There are probably more that I’ll uncover when I eventually revisit the archive.) I made it on my final visit of the season to photograph migratory birds. This photograph is the result of an unfortunate situation that ultimately turned out OK. I arrived before dawn to find that the gate was locked. As I listened to thousands of birds begin their fly-out beyond that gate, I decided that it made more sense to head off to find other opportunities, and I found this sunrise view a few miles away.

These Central Valley locations fascinate me for a variety of reasons — the migratory birds, the fog, the long views of the Sierra Nevada (as in this photo), the open vistas. Years ago I would never have imagined that such agricultural areas could provide so many photographic opportunities, but then I “discovered” the winter birds. I was hooked, and I’ve gone back every year since then.

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.

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

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Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Southern California

Snow-capped Panamint Mountains

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Snow-capped Panamint Mountains
Fresh snow forms patterns on the sparse forest along the crest of the Panamint Mountains.

Snow-capped Panamint Mountains. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Fresh snow forms patterns on the sparse forest along the crest of the Panamint Mountains.

After all these years of seeing snow on desert peaks, it still catches my attention when wintry weather comes to this landscape. At first it seems strange, but then I remember that desert temperature swings are huge and snow is actually common at higher elevations. This very recent snowfall had not really begun to melt yet — and the white snow set off the shapes of the juniper trees and ridges criss-crossing the slopes of this summit.

Most often when I’ve photographed this area late in the day the temperatures have been comfortable or even warm. But on this late-March evening it was distinctly cold, with wind blowing and the snow nearby. We bundled up and photographed for an hour or so as the day came to and end.

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.

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Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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Photographs: Death Valley, Photographs: Desert, Photographs: Nature

Desert Mountains, Morning Clouds

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Desert Mountains, Morning Clouds
Haze mutes the details of desert mountains topped by morning clouds, Death Valley National Park.

Desert Mountains, Morning Clouds. © Copyright 2023 G Dan Mitchell.

Haze mutes the details of desert mountains topped by morning clouds, Death Valley National Park.

This photograph is the result of one of those “look what’s behind you!” moments. I was at a location where I had previously scouted sunrise subject. I arrived early, set up, and photographed that subject in the light that I had hoped for. Once finished, I paused to look around. In the opposite direction I saw this series of back-lit formations leading away toward the cloud-crested peak. It was time to rotate the camera on the tripod and work this subject, too!

Haze can be the photographers’ friend or foe in Death Valley. It often cannot be avoided photographs made across any sort of distance — and sometimes the distances in this park are huge. The haze may be an impediment a clear view of a distant mountain range. But it also can produce a lovely atmosphere if the conditions and light are just right.

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 | Twitter | Flickr | Facebook | Email

Links to Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information.

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