Yosemite and More

Yup, another photo of Yosemite. I can't get enough...  Wanna hike, Yosemite. Wanna relax, Yosemite. Wanna photograph, Yosemite. Wanna ????, Yosemite. Well California does have a few (thousand) other places to................Go, See, Enjoy Dave

Even the man made parts of Yosemite are pretty well done. There is nothing more beautiful than Yosemite in winter. The Chapel is just one of the many buildings in Yosemite and the NPS has done what they can to keep them in harmony with this wonderful place. Go, See, Enjoy Dave

My photo partner, Friedhelm, his wife Nancy and I went to the Merced Wildlife Refuge on Sunday.  While we were waiting for the birds to fly in this wonderful sunset came along. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

This chain caught my eye. I like the lines and the texture of the two kinds of wood and the loop of chain. Even though the photograph is cut in half by the prominent center grain of the board, the chain crossing it and the board on the left negate this composition faux pas. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

Yosemite, Bridal Veil Falls, Fall Colors...   What more could you ask for. Well maybe to get rid of that river bank. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

I took this on my last trip to Yosemite. No long explanation. I just like it, hope you do too. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

I took a quick trip to Yosemite last Sunday.  I found this seed pod waiting for a little wind, a wet winter and spring.  I love the fall colors as a background for this photograph. Now is the time to explore Yosemite, the foothills and anywhere else there are fall colors. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

I was thinking of going to Yosemite this weekend Looking through my files I found this view from last spring. I'm sure there isn't this much water coming over the falls right now, but hopefully the fall colors will make up for it. Wish me luck in having the time to......Go, See, Enjoy!

I took a quick trip to Northern California for some fall colors. I would say I was successful. I went for a little hike with a good friend and family, even caught (and released) some fish earlier in the day.  I'd say the day was a success in all regards. Go, See, Enjoy!! Dave

My tag line is 'Go, See, Enjoy'! Sometimes it's only a few blocks from your house. I like the lines and shadow of this hydrant taken in the early morning light. Hope you........Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

Both these photos were taken through windows since the inside of many buildings are not accessible to preserve them. But they give you a good idea of what to expect. It really is a great place to visit, photographer or not. If you like old you'll love Bodie. Go, See, Enjoy! Dave

If you like real Ghost Towns, not a amusement park, but a representation of history go to Bodie, CA. Bodie is a State Park now and is preserved in 'controlled decay' just as it was when everyone up and left. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

Where Yosemite really starts is with the granite that the mountain and valleys are carved from: Behind the trees, under the waterfalls and throughout the park you will see this wonderful rock that most just overlook. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

A fellow photographer and I went to Applegate Park in Merced CA the other day. There is a great fountain there and this is the photograph I like best. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

One of the characteristics of Chowchilla CA is there seems to be power lines everywhere.  Sometimes they get in the way, this time I like how they cross the trees and seem to mimic the layers of color in the sunset. Go, See, Enjoy. Dave

I grew up in Northern California where Manzinita was a dreaded bush that choked out young trees and was a general nuisance. I don't think I even noticed the flowers until I became a photographer. I guess everything has a beauty of it's own. Perception is often in fact reality. Go, See, Enjoy

Yosemite wasn't always a National Park. At one time it was a commercial enterprise and has gone through many changes over the years. This is a little bit of that left over past. This eye bolt caught my eye as I was heading back to my truck. What it was used for I can only guess.  Go, See, Enjoy!

A couple of weeks ago I took a weekend vacation and stopped in Redding Calif. where I visited the Sundial Bridge. This is a look at the support structure. The bridge is part of the Turtle Bay Exploration Park that includes a nature walk and arboretum. Go, See, Enjoy!

This is Lower Falls on the McCloud River. My brother, Jim, friend Bill and I took in the first day of fishing season below this spot, an area I probably wouldn't take my good camera. While the fishing wasn't that great the area offers it's own rewards in the scenery, and of course good friendship is an even better reward than catching fish! Go, See, Enjoy

While standing in the snow waiting for the sun to set on Mt. Shasta I turned to the east and........... With the clean air and mountains of Northern California colorful sunsets aren't as frequent as in the Valley. I was privileged to witness this one while my feet were freezing.  Go, See, Enjoy!

I never quite understood why they don't call it moss springs, since there aren't very many ferns around. They are doing some habitat rehabilitation so maybe someday........ When taking this photo I tried to balance the moss covered rocks on the top with those on the bottom and divide the photograph with the layers of falls. Go, See, Enjoy!

I've been to Fern Springs in Yosemite Valley a number of times but was never happy with the photographs I took. Yesterday I took a couple I'm finally happy with. Come on back,  I'll post the other one later this week. Go, See, Enjoy!

I took a quick trip out to the Merced Wildlife Refuge after work today and was treated to this beautiful sunset. There weren't many bird in the Refuge, but that was OK. Go, See, Enjoy

Sometimes you don't have to go too far. This was taken in my front yard this afternoon.   Stay, See, Enjoy!

I took a hike along a great trail following the South Fork of the Merced River. The Hite Cove Trail is a wonderful place to take photographs of wildflowers, over the next few weeks the flowers will be blooming and each trip will highlight different ones. Hope you  (and I) can get up there to enjoy them. Go, See, Enjoy!

I had a couple of comments on a wild flower that I posted a few days ago. I desaturated the color and the requests were to see the original photograph. Here is the original with some minor adjustments in Photo Shop. Let me know what you think. Art is so subjective, gotta love it. Go, See, Enjoy!

Here is an example of some of the color that shows up this time of the year throughout the Central Valley and will work it's way up through the foothills and into the Sierras. One thing to remember if you're looking for wild flowers, don't expect them near orchards. Farmers don't like competition for their bees. Go, See, Enjoy!

I I had a little time to get out and take some wildflower photographs today. The colors are spectacular. However I decided to desaturate this one, that is remove most of the color. Not going  all the way to black and white. It was originally a bright orange. Go, See, Enjoy!

  While taking a short break today I came across this mustard field in front of the almond orchard. They sky happened to be cooperating so I took the shot. Looking at it I wonder if I shouldn't have cropped it tighter for more detail. What do you think? Go, See, Enjoy.

I was driving back from Madera today and decided to try and get some almond blossom photographs. I didn't have much time and was running late when I had to stop and take this one. If you live in the valley now is the time when it is at it's most colorful. Almond Blossoms, wild flowers, busy skies, Oh My....... Go, See, Enjoy!

I took a trip to the Central Coast south of Carmel. The coastal fog got heavier the farther south I went. This was taken just a few miles north of the Point Lobos State Park. Go, See, Enjoy!

This is one of my favorite photographs from Lake Yosemite and very appropriate for this dreary day.   I almost turned this into black and white but I like the little bit of color in the clouds. What do you think?

  This was taken from Turtle Rock in the Kings Canyon-Sequoia National Park. There was a controlled burn going on and at sunset the valleys took on this beautiful hue. This is actually looking to the south. Go, See, Enjoy

While I didn't get to go out tonight to photograph the full moon, I was able to get a pretty good shot over Lake Yosemite a few months back. Go, See, Enjoy!!

As winter turns to spring Lower Yosemite Falls will become a spectacular sight. But it doesn't look so bad in January after a snow storm. Go, See, Enjoy

This is one of my favorite images of the Merced Wildlife Refuge. I achieved the 'painted' effect by rotating the zoom lens as the photograph was taken giving it a soft pastel look. Go, See, Enjoy.

This was taken in August just after an unusual summer snow storm, I stopped on the road from Castle Lake after visiting the scene below. Go, See, Enjoy

I was intrigued with the lighting of the Capital, not only the dome but the individual light fixtures and the intricate decorations throughout. Go, See, Enjoy

Because of a statue in the middle of the floor it is impossible to get a full centered view of the Capitol Dome in Sacramento. Actually I like this shot a lot, the lines, the colors, of course I had to lay on the floor to get it. Go, See, Enjoy!

I just took a trip to the Capital building in Sacramento . The day was overcast so I stayed inside. This is a view of the lower level opening to the Capital Dome. Photographing the Capital building is a wonderful way to spend a overcast afternoon. Go, See, Enjoy.

Sometimes in our rush to get from point A to point B we miss some good stuff in between. This was taken on my last trip to Yosemite along Highway 140. This trip I told myself that I would take a little longer to get to Yosemite and keep my eye out along the way. Go, See, Enjoy Dave

Friedhelm, a photo buddy and I recently took a trip to the small town of Hornitos. On the way we stopped and I took this photograph. I liked the silhouette of the tree against the texture of the threatening sky. Go, see, enjoy!

This was taken about a year ago just after a snow storm and the day remained very cold allowing the snow to stick to the trees throughout the day. I've never had a bad day in Yosemite but this one was special in a number of ways. Go, see and enjoy.