Category: Photography

Cataract Falls

by Earthwatcher, posted in Photography

On Jan 26, 2016, I visited the Mt Tamalpias watershed area near Fairfax, in Marin County, CA. Imagine climbing up a hillside, along a stream that was running fast and loud due to recent rain.  Now, imagine the trail to be 2 1/2 miles in and out with a 1,300 foot elevation gain, 750 feet over the first mile.  That combination meant the stream was full of waterfalls and cataracts.   The banks of the stream were hard rock surfaces covered with coastal redwoods, moss and ferns.  It was absolutely spectacular. The trek was difficult but, was well worth the effort. 

For my fellow photographers, the stream ran along an east-west access.  The January sun rose behind the waterfalls casting some strong light in a few areas but the sun mostly was obscured by the canopy.  The light, though bright, was diffuse. Still, the ferns, moss and rocks glistened.  Perhaps, as the sun set, more light would have fallen directly on the waterfalls but I didn’t have time to stay and find out.  If I make another trip, I will plan it for afternoon.

I hope you enjoy the images.  Enlarged copies of the images can be found in my online gallery:  Cataract Falls

 

Regards,

Mt Tamalpias Watershed, Marin County, CA, JAN 2016
Mt Tamalpias Watershed, Marin County, CA, JAN 2016
Mt Tamalpias Watershed, Marin County, CA, JAN 2016
Mt Tamalpias Watershed, Marin County, CA, JAN 2016
Mt Tamalpias Watershed, Marin County, CA, JAN 2016
Mt Tamalpias Watershed, Marin County, CA, JAN 2016
Mt Tamalpias Watershed, Marin County, CA, JAN 2016
Alpine Lake in the Fog, Mt Tamalpias Watershed, Marin County, CA, JAN 2016 https://larryklink.smugmug.com/Cataract-Falls/i-jPD4spb/A

 

Larry

Follow Where the Light Leads

by Earthwatcher, posted in art for sale, CA State Railroad Museum, Cell Phone Photography, Earthwatcher, lighting, Photography, Photography Tips & Tricks

As photographers, we are admonished to wait for the perfect light or, as a studio photographer, to set up the perfect light.  It’s good advice, but not always practical.  Sometimes you find yourself at a location you’d like to shoot and walk away disappointed because there are interesting subjects but bad lighting.  I have been working on turning that admonishment around and searching where the light leads me; finding subjects where the light presents them.  Those opportunities even avail themselves in very diffuse light.   We just have to open our mind to creativity when thinking about light.

Untitled
Untitled, California State Rail Museum, Sacramento, CA, JAN 2016
Untitled
Untitled, California State Rail Museum, Sacramento, CA, JAN 2016

Last weekend, I visited the California State Rail Museum.  If you are a railroad buff, there are a lot of great things to see.  While there, I set 2 objectives: learn to use my cell phone camera more effectively and to look for subjects made interesting by the museum lighting.  I did OK with the first objective but didn’t advance my skill as much as I’d have liked.  I did learn that I have a little control over depth of field though not a lot.  I did find interesting subjects to shoot.  The museum lighting was very good and the light painted details in interesting ways.  I’ve included a few examples for you to enjoy.

A Brass Valve
A Brass Valve, California State Rail Museum, Sacramento, CA, JAN 2016
A View of the Underbelly
A View of the Underbelly, California State Rail Museum, Sacramento, CA, JAN 2016

Some New Images from Old Shoots

by Earthwatcher, posted in Photography

I spent a winter afternoon cleaning up and organizing my photo library.  While going through the library, I found a few gems that I had overlooked before; always a pleasant surprise. 

Rivulet
Rivulet, Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone, FEB 2013
Hot Waterfall in Winter
Hot Waterfall in Winter, Midway Geyser Basin, Yellowstone National Park, FEB 2013

 

Rivulet and Hot Waterfall in Winter were taken at Yellowstone 3 years ago when I attended Cindy Goeddel’s Yellowstone Yurt Tour.   It was an amazing photo adventure that allowed me to see Yellowstone in the dead of winter.  Rivulet was taken near the Lower Geyser Basin.  Hot Waterfall is runoff from hot springs near Midway Geyser Basin. 

 

Snowy Egret
Snowy Egret, William Pond Park, Sacramento, CA, NOV 2015

Snowy Egret was taken at William Pond Park, near Sacramento, last November.

Pintail Duck

by Earthwatcher, posted in art, art for sale, Cosumnes RIver Preserve, Galt, CA, Duck, Photography, photography for sale, Waterfowl
Pintail Duck
Pintail Duck, Cosumnes River Preserve, Sacramento, CA DEC 2015

We are very lucky to be near the delta that flows into San Francisco Bay because it attracts many beautiful migrating birds in the winter. One of the birds that makes California’s Pacific Flyway their home is the Pintail Duck. I shot this image of a beautiful pintail Sunday morning, DEC 27, 2015.

October Beam

by Earthwatcher, posted in art, art for sale, Earthwatcher, fireplace, freesia, Photography
The setting sun cast a narrow beam of light that caught the fireplace in our family room, highlighting St. Francis looking upon the freesias.
To view larger image, please click on image.

Sometimes the light presents itself in such a way that it transforms a mundane setting into one that is stunning.  That is what happened this evening.  The setting sun cast a narrow beam of light that caught the fireplace in our family room, highlighting St. Francis looking upon the freesias.  As I walked into the family room, I was stopped in my tracks by the beauty of the scene.  I knew at once that I needed to capture and share it.  I wish you could have been there with me to share the moment.

Regards,

Larry

These and other images are available for sale at http://www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

The setting sun cast a narrow beam of light that caught the fireplace in our family room, highlighting St. Francis looking upon the freesias.
To view larger image, please click on image.

Two Images from Washingtom

by Earthwatcher, posted in art, art for sale, Earthwatcher, Photography, photography for sale

Last week, I was in Washington visiting my son and his family.  It was a great week capped off with a camping trip on the Puget Sound.  We camped at Sequim Bay, on the Olympic Peninsula, near the point where Puget Sound meets the Strait of Juan de Fuqua.  It was a beautiful weekend and lots of fun.  I took a few images and want to share 2 with you.

Sequim Bay, WA
A Sunrise on Sequim Bay, Sequim Bay, WA (Click Image to View Larger Copy)

The first is A Sunrise on Sequim Bay.  The sky was overcast on this early morning.  Fog shrouded the mountains to the north and west.  The water was smooth as glass except where gentle currents caused small ripples.  The only sign of life were the few gulls beginning their hunt for breakfast.  The sun found a few small breaks in the clouds which allowed it to highlight the sleeping vessels and parts of the shore.   A confluence of events that provided a moment of peace and tranquility.  Look at the image, close your eyes and imagine yourself there for a few minutes.  I hope it will brighten your busy day.

West Peak, Mt Olympus and Glacial Valleys, Hurricane Ridge National Park, WA
West Peak, Mt Olympus and Glacial Valleys, Hurricane Ridge National Park, WA (Click Image to View Larger Copy)

The second is West Peak, Mt Olympus and Glacial Valleys.  This image was shot near the visitor center at Hurricane Ridge National Park in the Cascade National Forest.  In this case, dramatic clouds obscured most of the sky.  Breaks in the clouds allowed bright sunlight to dapple sections of Mount Olympus and the surrounding peaks, highlighting the glaciers and valleys below.  I felt a longing while viewing this scene.  My spirit wanted to hike up to that mountain valley and camp by the stream.  I wanted to be near the base of the glacier; to see and touch the glacier before our changing climate devours it and drives it to extinction.

These images and others are available at my website: http://www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

Regards,

Larry

A Quick, Unexpected Trip to Bodie

by Earthwatcher, posted in art, art for sale, Bodie, Earthwatcher, Ghost Town, Photography, photography for sale
Aging & Rain: Rain falling on the decaying remains of the McDonald House, Bodie, CA.
Aging & Rain: Rain falling on the decaying remains of the McDonald House, Bodie, CA.   (Click to see larger image))
20150710-Eastern-Sierra-049-WEB
Aging Door: Aging Door Highlighted by Rain. Cain residence, Bodie, CA.                                           (Click to see larger image)

The California drought has garnered a lot of attention and it is bad.  But, over the past few weeks, storms have driven some rain along the White-Inyo Mountains and the valleys east of the Sierra.   So, Donna and I wanted to get a rare glimpse of a green desert landscape in July.  Bodie did not disappoint.  The desert vegetation was a beautiful spring green.  The skies were overcast, covered with rain clouds.  We were treated to light hail, cold, light rain and a few claps of thunder.  I had hoped for some golden light to peer through breaks in the clouds, highlighting the landscape, but that did not materialize.  The rain dampened the wood, saturating the colors and highlighting details of the decaying structures.  Here are 2 examples.  I hope you enjoy them.

Regards,

Larry

These and other images can be seen and are available for sale at http://www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us

A Day in Savannah

by Earthwatcher, posted in art, Earthwatcher, GA, Photography, Savannah

On our recent trip back east, we made a stop in Savannah, GA.  It was short, an evening and a morning.  Savannah is an old city by US standards.  Its historic district follows the borders laid out in 1733 by James Oglethorp.  It is laid out in a grid with numerous small squares.  Each square is like a little park with stately old trees, draped with Spanish Moss, giving shade to the sidewalks and park benches. Many of the buildings date back into the 18th and 19th century.    There are so many photo opportunities, I could spend months, if not years trying to document it, if I chose.  The buildings and statuary are beautiful in and of themselves.  But, when you take the time to study them in detail, there are beautiful intricate features, many weathered to a fine patina.  It is a great place.  I recommend a visit.  Enjoy the images below.  Please share.

Regards,

Larry

(These and other images are available to purchase at http://www.earthwatcher.us or by contacting larry@earthwatcher.us)

Fountain. Lafayette Square, Savannah, GA JUN 2015
There is beautiful fountain in Lafayette Square.  I don’t know its age, but it has the patina of weathered copper.  The evening sun was kissing the sea horse, giving a warm glow to ts crusty, weathered body.
Sidewalk, Savannah, GA. JUN 2015
You build with what you have.  When you have sea shells, you don’t need rock in your concrete.  The sea shells thrown in an apparently random fashion, worn smooth by years of footsteps, create an abstract scene worthy of a Gothic romance.
Staircases, W Park Ave at Drayton ST, Savannah, GA, JUN 2015
As evening approached, a column of sunlight highlighted a series of high, steep, weathered stairs.
Forsythe Square Fountain at Night, Savannah, GA JUN 2015
The fountain in Forsythe Square was lit by the streetlights along the pathways in the square making the features glisten.
Forsyth Park at Night, Savanah, GA. JUN 2015
A streetlight casts its light over Spanish moss and a lonely park bench in Forsythe Square.

The Left Brained Photographer

by Earthwatcher, posted in art, composition, creativity, emotion, imagry, landscape, left brained, Photography
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park. Winner, Blue Ribbon, Sacramento County Fair, May 2013. Awarded Special Merit, Light, Space and Time Online Gallery 2013 Landscape competition. (Honored)
Hayden Valley, Yellowstone National Park. 

I am hopelessly left-brained; analytic to the core.  I understand that to truly appreciate a piece of art, one must make an emotional connection to it.  I understand that art is often collected for its historical value or as an investment, but that doesn’t seem to be enough to allow love for it to grow.  I’ve sought to understand how I, personally, create an emotional connection to a scene, how I identify the story I want to tell. I rarely feel the tug on my heart that I feel when I think of my wife, my children or my grandchildren.  A mountain sunrise doesn’t bring tears to my eyes. Yet, I love the mountains, the desert, the clouds, how light plays with the texture of a scene.  But my reaction is a different reaction; it’s that of an analytic.   I look at a scene and marvel at the geologic and/or human forces that formed it.  I see clouds and think about the uplift, downdrafts and other meteorological forces that shape them.  Some may ask how that can evoke awe; doesn’t analysis ruin the mystery and sense of wonder.  Piecing the puzzle together helps me see the processes that shaped the scene and are influencing it now.  Understanding the complexity, how processes interact to create systems, how interacting systems create a scene, creates the sense of wonder in me.  It provides my emotional link and evokes awe in me.   It may not tug at my heart but it tugs at my intellect and helps to create the story I want to tell.

Regards,

Larry

Frightened, Ravaged, Dying

by Earthwatcher, posted in Abstract Art, art for sale, Earthwatcher, landscape, landscape images, landscape photos, Photography
Frightened, Ravaged, Dying – APR 2015 (Click for Larger Image)

Tree,
frightened, ravaged,
stripped of bark,
hemorrhaging, dying.
Living its last days,
beautifully bejeweled,
glistening in the sun.