A few days before the first real storm of the season I went up to Yosemite. The color change in the park has been rather sporadic this fall and there was only a little color showing in this area. The fact that it was still smoky out probably affected it too. The water level is very low. This side of the bridge is only a few inches deep. The other side is mostly a huge sandbar with very little water visible. Pray for moisture. Stay safe and stay healthy.
I usually go looking for Dogwoods in Yosemite in the spring when it is full of beautiful white blooms, and in the fall when the foliage can turn amazing colors of green, cream, pink, and red. While out exploring some old logging roads I came across this beautiful specimen in the Sierra National Forrest. I haven’t found a lot of vivid color in Yosemite Dogwoods this year so I was happy!! Have a wonderful day and stay healthy.
Although the colors were just starting to turn and the leaves still had more green than yellow, Yosemite never fails to put on a show. I was standing in the middle of the river on a sand bar. The river here is only a few inches deep. The whole area is in desperate need of water and with the forecasts showing absolutely no moisture in the near future, things are beginning to look a little bleak. Pray for rain in our future and and a stop to global warming! Have a wonderful day and stay healthy.
I missed my annual trip to the high country of the Eastern Sierra Nevada this year because of the horrendous smoke from the Creek Fire which is still heavily impacting this whole area. Pictures like the one posted here would not have been possible. This was taken a few years ago. It is sad because from some of the pictures I have seen the color this year was spectacular but only if you were fairly close to your subject. Definition was lost for long rage photos due to thick smoke and haze. And the other issue was accessibility. Most areas were closed for safety and health, and one could face a hefty fine if caught in those areas in addition to being escorted out of the area. Have a wonderful day and stay safe and stay healthy!
I have made a few trips to the park this past month trying to capture that awesome fall dogwood color but success has been hit and miss. The dogwoods have been somewhat sporadic with their displays and a little stingy with their color. The usual deep pinks and reds seem to be less vivid. And even now one can still capture them in their various stages of color. I am sure that all the odd weather and smoke have impacted a lot of the fall colors in the sierras. Stay Healthy and enjoy your day!
Our periodic assignment was emotions, a difficult subject. For several years I was the official photographer(and free volunteer) for our local wagon train event. A repeat of a historical journey across our local mountains in wagons and on horseback from the 1800’s. Four days of overnight camping bonfires, story telling, cowboy poetry and old time country music. This gentleman along with his large family would provide some of that wonderful old country music. The whole family would participate from the very young 5 year olds to grandpa who probably was in his late 80’s and who I presume was this gentleman’s father, and several in between. When grandpa stepped up to the microphone and began singing his story to music, the gentleman above stopped playing his guitar and watched him and listened to him intently. It was like he was trying to imprint this moment on his brain The love and respect seen here was reflected in all the faces of family members and the faces sitting around the campfire. It was an impressive moment. Stay healthy.
I have probably taken hundreds of pictures of bobcats over the years, and observed many more that I didn’t get a picture of, but have never seen one this relaxed. I had been watching a couple of juvenile grey squirrels that had just exited my yard after destroying several potted plants. He must have been watching them too because he suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The squirrels escaped and he sat quietly for a bit with a disgusted look on his face, and then walked to a large rock formation and soon totally relaxed, stretched out and dozed off. I have never seen one relaxed like this. It was a very warm afternoon and I think that explains the posturing. He stayed in that spot for almost an hour before moving on. Enjoy your day and stay healthy,
I met my BFF and photo buddy Val and her granddaughter , an aspiring photographer and quite good, at the Merced Wildlife Refuge based on a rumor that the Sandhill Cranes had arrived. And although there were some, the only ones I saw were in the air. It is still a little early for most migrations. They have just started flooding the fields so the populations of egrets and other water fowl will grow in the coming weeks. There were a few egrets, and I also saw one Blue Heron. But there was a large flock of these little guys. While easy to photograph, it is difficult to catch them with their heads out of the water. I lucked out in this picture. This is the only picture out of probably 3 or 4 hundred frames where a couple of them had their heads out of the water. And I also loved the little sunflowers behind them. Stay healthy and God Bless.
The Sierra Nevada is full of it’s own unique beauty. Miles and miles of beautiful scenery that doesn’t go away until you drop down out of these mountains. Beasore is an area that is a particular favorite of mine because of it’s beauty, and it’s wonderful wildflowers and wildlife. Unfortunately it’s existence is being threatened by wildfires. Please pray that they can gain total control of these fires and put them out. Not just here, but all over the west coast. And always exercise caution and safety when out in these areas. Stay healthy. God Bless!
In our rural area we are blessed with beautiful skies (except during fire season) and even then the sunsets can be magnificent with beautiful oranges and golds. Although this sunset failed to develop the vivid colors, the clouds were still beautiful. Enjoy your day Stay healthy!
