Dream Tomorrow, Live Today, Cherish Yesterday

First Light, Bitter Cold Morning

Canon 10D, 70-200 F/4, f/5.6, 1/60, iso 200

This image was taken many years ago, on a morning much like today. We have just had several feet of snow in the Sierra, and it's darn cold here where I am as well. You can probably almost hear the crunch as I walked around, looking for my composition.

 

Jewel Pool

Canon 5D Mark II, 24-70mm F/2.8, f/18, 1/20, iso 200

Had the opportunity yesterday to visit the North Fork of the American River, on some private property. It's an amazing location, first discovered by gold miners. But unlike some other mining sites, this one is pristine and there's no evidence of large scale mining.

Challenging to photograph though, with a huge amount of white water and brilliant sunshine. Even without a camera it was a beautiful spot to simply enjoy being alive and feel nature seeping into my body.

In the rocky area aside the river was a series of small pools, mostly a foot wide or less, carved by centuries of waterpower. Much like I'm fascinated by the continual pounding of surf on land, this slow carving of rock is also a wonder. The water in this pool is definitely rainwater. But the rock has surely been sculpted by huge winter flows over the eons.

I suppose the last time the water was this high these small stones were being pushed around the surface, and found a home here in this unusually shaped pool, most of them being round. It was a tiny bowl of jewels, to me, amidst a larger landscape of extreme beauty, among the best the Sierra have to offer.

I'll share a couple more images in the next few days.

White `n Gold

Canon 5D Mark II, 85mm F/1.2, f/3.2, 1/1600, iso 400

Back to my favorite fishpond, the koi pond at High Hand Nursery. Today's image caught my eye with the lovely swirls and simple range of colors. As you know from my previous koi shots here on the blog, the fishes make their own compositions, and they last only fractions of a second. You watch carefully, and you take a lot of shots. It's fun!

Fly Away Home

Canon 1D Mark III, 180mm F/3.5, f/4.5, 1/1250, iso 200

Fly away home... that's what we are doing today. Leaving San Luis Obispo county for home. This image was taken at one of my favorite areas here in SLO, Montana De Oro state park.

If I was a bird, a pelican would be just fine. And I can think of no finer place to spend my time fishing.  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Travel safely!

Wordless Wednesday - Joy Ride

On Wordless Wednesday, you tell the story...

Fun Friday - Simple Monarch

Canon 5D Mark II, 180mm F/3.5 Macro, F/4.0, 1/250, iso 400

Well after my decay shots, graffiti shots, etc., today I'm going for simple beauty.  When John Barclay, our other friend, and me were leaving the amazing Longwood Gardens, I noticed this butterfly doing his thing in the area where they sell plants.

I quickly mounted my trusty 180mm and paid him a visit.  Unfortunately in the beginning he was not posing appropriately. (I'm saying "he," but actually I do not know. How does one tell a boy butterfly from a girl one anyway?) So I shooed him off those flowers hoping he would land somewhere more to my liking. And lo! The photo gods smiled on us and he chose this one.

But he didn't just park the wings there for me to happily shoot away. No, he frustrated me by just opening them for a fraction of a second, every few seconds. But as you can see, mission accomplished.

I decided to do almost no processing on today's image. I could have made it more appealing, but I thought it would be nice to show it SOOC, partly because I want to remind everyone how amazing this lens can be.

The only processing I did was to paint on some "Clarity" in Lightroom, just on the butterfly himself. 

A beautiful end to a lovely morning of photography with good friends.  Doesn't get much better than that.  Thanks for your visit today, I hope you are having a great day too.

There had to be one

Canon 5D, 180 mm F/3.5 Macro, f3.5, 1/1000, iso 320

Think about insects. I know they have their role in the world. But are they annoying to us humans or what? Mosquitoes - ugh.  Bee's make honey, but sting people, and for some it's very serious. Flies, what a pain. Ants, thanks for ruining so many picnics. If Mr Termite and his buddies come for a visit, your house is in a heap of trouble.

There had to be one. One insect with only redeeming qualities. And I think it is the butterfly. Beautiful to look at, and no harm to us. Here one is nicely pollinating some flowers for my friend Bob Cornelis (his yard). They consume only liquids, they don't even eat leaves! Endlessly fascinating life cycle for kids learning science.

Wish there were more like them.  I'm happy to have captured this one. He was strange. He was like a hummingbird, furiously beating his wings and never landing. That's why the super fast shutter.  I like the backlighting we have here.

Nice to spend a few moments with a friendly butterfly!

Excuse me, may I help you?

Canon 1D Mark III, 24-70mm F/2.8, f/5.6, 1/250, iso 400

I was tramping through a park recently when I came across this spider web covered with light rain. "Ooh, I rarely see something like this!" I quickly composed my shot. I marveled at the size of the web, and the weight of the water it was supporting. About the time I was ready to go, who shows up? None other than the grand weaver himself.

I am NOT a fancier of spiders, but I do have to say this one has some serious architectural abilities. I can at least be a fan of his (her?) work.  Hope he/she likes the DOF I chose.

Nature's Necklace

Canon 5D Mark II, 85mm F1/2, f/5.6, 1/250, iso 640

One of the best things about doing this blog is that when I'm out shooting, a particular scene will remind me of one of my blog-friends.  The scene might remind me of a subject they like, or often I'll be perplexed about how to shoot something and think that "if so and so was here, she would know exactly what to do!"

The first afternoon of our trip we went to Garrapata Beach near Monterey. My first time going there. Our plan was to shoot the sunset. I talked briefly with a couple of other photographers, then carefully made my way down a steep path to the beach.  When I reached the beach, in just a few steps I saw this scene.

I immediately thought of my friend Mary (visit her blog here).  Her love is the Yuba river (which is near where I live) and she's a master at beautiful rock and water images from this special place.

Here is a wonderful, water-worn, rock, with nature's necklace.  I couldn't believe how beautifully placed it was, by the sea.  An intimate scene, just waiting for someone to come along and photograph it. I'm glad I was the one.  Love you Mother Nature!

I didn't make a single new year's resolution, but today I'm making one. This year I will go shooting with Mary at her beloved Yuba River!

Raven Scream

Raven Scream

Canon 1D Mark III, 300 mm F/4.0, f/5.0, 1/100, iso 2500

Creepy, huh? This shot was kind of a surprise. Back in November 2007, we were on a family trip in Yosemite. My son and I were on a hike, and we were shooting this enormous sequoia. Well, I guess Mr. Raven had a problem with that because he landed nearby and gave us an earful, literally.  My son snapped off a few pictures with his camera, and I quickly mounted my 300mm so I could get in tight. This isn't a crop!  Just a bit of Clarity, Vibrance and Saturation in Lightroom, for post processing.  A fun moment, for sure.