Images

Photographs: Central California, Photographs: Nature

The Blackbird Tree

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“The Blackbird Tree” — Redwing blackbirds perch momentarily on the branches of an old tree above wetland ponds.

This tree and I have a long history. I have photographed at this location for a years, certainly longer than a decade. It is one of my favorite places to photograph in the winter, when migratory birds arrive in California. This normally involves driving very slowly along rural roads in wetlands while watching for photographic opportunities. Way back when I started I used to stop frequently at this tree at the corner of a large pond. One winter, I was disappointed when the top half of the tree broke off, leaving a pretty ugly little snag.

But fast forward a number of years and the broken snag has sprouted brand new branches which now almost mirror the shape of the original tree. It seems to be a favorite hangout for small blackbirds, especially the redwing and tricolor blackbirds that are so common in this area — birds that sing perhaps the most exuberant bird song I know of.

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: Europe, Photographs: Night, Photographs: Spain, Photographs: Travel, Photographs: Urban/Street

El Madroño, Madrid

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El Madroño, Madrid
“El Madroño, Madrid” — El Madroño, Madrid

Madrid was filled with people celebrating the holiday season when we visited in December. Every evening thousands of people filled the streets in the area where we were staying, and holiday lights were everywhere. There was a big Christmas market at the Plaza Mayor and smaller ones elsewhere. We did not go to Madrid specifically for the holiday events, but we got into the spirit once we saw what was going on.

But none of that is visible in this photograph, made at night not far from where the big crowds were. We were exploring the area, wandering this way and that and turning up interesting lanes. I spotted this building across the street — nothing all that special about the place, but I love photographing night scenes with varied lighting sources, especially when a bit of moisture makes the streets and sidewalks glow and reflect the light.

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 | BlueSky | Email

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

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Photographs: Nature, Photographs: Northern California

Winter Oak and Fog

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“Winter Oak and Fog” — An old winter oak tree silhouetted against clearing fog glowing in morning sunlight.

Plans change. On this morning I was going to take a walk in the neighborhood, but low fog seemed to be sticking around longer than usual so I decided to go for a more extensive hike at a location that I thought might be interesting in these conditions. I drove that direction and saw the fog doing all sorts of interesting things — so I abandoned my hiking plans and instead devoted the morning to chasing that boundary between the fog and the sunlight. I caught a glimpse of this tree as I passed a crossroad.

I was on a narrow road with no turnouts, so I continued for a distance until I found a place where I could turn around and head back to the tree. Arriving there I discovered that the best viewpoint didn’t permit parking, but I spotted a pull-out nearby on the other side of the road. This entailed more driving to find a suitable turn around point. I finally got back and parked my vehicle and got out with my gear… just as the first blue sky was starting to appear behind this lovely old oak tree as the fog began to thin.

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 | BlueSky | Email

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

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Photographs: Architecture, Photographs: Europe, Photographs: Germany, Photographs: Travel

Interior, St. Lorenz Church

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“Interior, St. Lorenz Church” — The interior of the St. Lorenz Church, Nürnberg, Germany.

During our time in Germany in late 2024 we made a side trip to Nürnberg, Bavaria. This is the site of what I understand to be the most famous of the German Christmas markets. We wanted to visit since we were in Germany during the market season. The Nürnberg market(s) is(are) extensive. The huge main market is in the Hauptmarkt square, but the festivities spill over onto other streets in the city. But the markets aren’t all that is worth seeing in this city, and on this day we visited several historic churches.

Our first stop was the St. Lorenz church, an impressive medieval church. It was damaged in WWII but restored, so that you might not notice that anything has changed. It is a Lutheran church, but it feels quite similar to many European Catholic cathedrals, having the same immense scale, columns, vaulted ceilings, and natural light. I made this photograph to show the huge columns and the open feeling created by the light streaming through the many windows.

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 | BlueSky | Email

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

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