Tag Archives: trees

Outcropping, Reflection

Outcropping, Reflection
A shoreline granite outcropping is reflected in the still surface of a subalpine lake

Outcropping, Reflection. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A shoreline granite outcropping is reflected in the still surface of a subalpine lake

I have recently written about and shared a few images from this summer’s 9-day Sierra backcountry photographic adventure. The short story is that a group of us, as we do every year, headed into a backcountry location, set up a base camp, and photographed the surroundings for about a week. The “founders” of the group have been doing this for close to two decades — I gradually became part of the group about a decade ago or so.

One of the many advantages of working this way — setting up a base camp and working outwards from it — is that we can more thoroughly explore and photograph the surrounding area. When backpacking I would mostly pass through locations, rarely staying for more than a night. This gave me an evening and a morning, but with a base camp I can can “work” an area for a full week, often returning to a location to find better conditions. This year our camp was within a short walk of many small, intimate lakes. The daily question was often, “Which lake this time?” I visited the lake in this photograph several times, and each time learned more about it. On this occasion, in the evening, the water was still and reflected the form of the granite outcropping on the other side of the lake.


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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” is available from Heyday Books and Amazon.
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All media © Copyright G Dan Mitchell and others as indicated. Any use requires advance permission from G Dan Mitchell.

Canal, Trees, Moored Boats

Canal, Trees, Moored Boats
Amsterdam canal and reflections of trees and moored boats

Canal, Trees, Moored Boats. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

Amsterdam canal and reflections of trees and moored boats

It was evening when I made this photograph, and the appearance suggests a calmer atmosphere. Amsterdam, at least during our visit, was a very busy, crowded, and sometimes loud place. (The crowds on our last evening there were astounding… and it was a Sunday night!) In fact, while this scene was a bit quieter than some, it probably looks more still and quiet in the photograph than was actually the case.

This is one of the typical scenes in this city and one that probably attracts tourists. There’s actually a lot to see here. Obviously the canal runs straight off into the distance, and the overhanging trees provide shade and color and a reflection in the water. Boats are moored along the banks, and above them cars and bicycles are parked close to the water. Beyond them there are streets and walkways and even places to stop and eat.


See top of this page for Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information and more.

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

Geese, Clearing Fog, Light

Geese, Clearing Fog, Light
A band of light through thinning fog falls across a flock of geese

Geese, Clearing Fog, Light. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

A band of light through thinning fog falls across a flock of geese

I’m often surprised that many people who love the outdoors in the warmer months don’t spend more time outdoors in the winter. At least in my part of the world, the light is often much more varied and compelling this time of year — with dramatic storm clouds, mysterious fog, beams of light appearing, and more. And, in practical terms, I’d rather have to layer up to stay warm than contend with too much heat!

In addition, in much of the United States this is the season to find large flocks of migrating birds. If you only go out in the warm season… you might never see them! Fortunately I learned this lesson a few decades ago. I had lived in California for a long time, but I had no idea about the birds of the flyway until one long drive far up into Northern California in late autumn when I first saw the huge flocks in twilight sky.


See top of this page for Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information and more.

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 and Amazon.
Blog | About | Flickr | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Email


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

Alpine Meadow and Lake, Sierra Crest

Alpine Meadow and Lake, Sierra Crest
The Sierra Nevada crest beyond an alpine meadow and lake

Alpine Meadow and Lake, Sierra Crest. © Copyright 2018 G Dan Mitchell – all rights reserved.

The Sierra Nevada crest beyond an alpine meadow and lake

A short walk from our backcountry camp was a higher meadow that we visited almost every day, morning and/or evening. In this unusually wet year the meadow was green and full of wildflower,  with water running strongly in the creek and the areas around the tarn muddy with standing run-off.

The meadow and its flowers were the first attractions of this spot, but the more I visited it and watched the light on the higher peaks, the more they came to fascinate me. The central peak in the photograph stands apart from the main ridge, and for this reason it picks up direct sun from morning until evening. I made this photograph in the evening, when the direct light had already left the meadow (shadowed by a nearby ridge) and remnant thunder-storm clouds filled the sky.


See top of this page for Articles, Sales and Licensing, my Sierra Nevada Fall Color book, Contact Information and more.

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 and Amazon.
Blog | About | Flickr | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Email


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