Yosemite Fall
The colors of Yosemite in the fall are quick to come and go. This was right after the first snow of the year, the leaves were changing, but a week later a wind storm would blow them all away. Walking across a famous bridge in the park, I was able to capture the essence of fall in the valley.
The Joshua Tree
The first time I saw one of the iconic Joshua Trees was on a U2 album cover, and coming from the east I thought it was a very alien looking tree. Years later, I would visit the desert of southern California often and would always look for a tree like the album cover. One day, while stumbling around in the desert at sunset, I found my tree.
Golden Hour
One of the iconic views of Yosemite, at the end of the road lies the pullout for Valley View. This day was cloudy with fog, but nonetheless over 30 photographers lined up next to me hoping the clouds would break. One by one they left, until only two of us remained. The clouds broke for five minutes and rewarded us with this most epic scene.
Out of the Mist
After a storm, Yosemite Valley is in a state of flux and chaos. This view from above illustrates that change from clouds and no visibility to a scene of contrast and awe. It only lasts a few minutes but you can see the valley's amazing transformation.
Cotton Candy
After a long day of climbing to the summit of Mount Dana in Yosemite, I took a drive on the highway below the mountain to catch this amazing sunset. Nothing more rewarding than watching the sun go down on a 13er you just climbed!
High Plains Drifter
After a long day hiking in the Eastern Sierra, I was drifting down highway 395 and the sky began to open in color. I quickly took a turn, and then another down a dirt road to find a place to take some photos. As always, the Sierra sunset did not dissapoint.
Sky Pilot in Paradise
Sky Pilot is a very rare wildflower that only grows above 12,000 feet and only blooms for one day. Finding it in bloom on a mountain is a rare privelige and I captured this fine specimen on my way to the summit of Mount Dana in Yosemite. It's brilliant purple color and strong musky scent make it one of the most unique flowers of California.
Where Cloud's Rest
I've always said that I thought the view from Cloud's Rest in Yosemite is the best view in the park. When I had the oppurtunity to spend the night on top of this high point, I witnessed this dramatic sunset. Looking towards the 13,000 foot peaks of the high Sierra, you can truly see where cloud's rest.
Afterburn
Another stunning Sierra sunset, this one erupted well after the sun went down. A unique phenomenom in the Sierra is that often the best colors for sunset happen well after the sun goes below the horizon. Because the mountain peaks block the sun, only a good bit later does the sun truly dip to the horizon, creating these vibrant colors.
Lupine Superbloom
On the way to Yosemite is the foothills of the western Sierra, my home for two years. On a plateau, fittingly called Table Mountain, is an epic spring superbloom every year. On this evening I happened to catch it with some amazing light from up above.
After the Snow
A night spent just off Mono Lake in my van was cold and windy, and when I awoke I was surrounded by snow. A walk down to the lake and around the tufa formations was uneventful as I was covered in clouds and fog. As the sun rose, the clouds began to part, exposing the Sierra's and this magnificent scene.
Tecopa Dusk
A little known place in the middle of nowhere called Tecopa. If you're lucky, you'll find the free public hot springs. And if it isn't too windy you'll catch a sunset like this. And be sure to pack it out. I picked up over 50 pounds of glass alone from this site.
Stars Reflected
A truly marvelous scene at the sand dunes in Death Valley unraveled after two days of heavy rain. A small lake had formed in the dunes, and as it dried it left behind mud cracks and interesting textures. I was able to capture several elements of Death Valley's landscape, along with water and the best night skies in the country. A once in a lifetime experience.
Cracking Cracks
Many photos exist of the famous mud cracks in Death Valley. A few years ago, a famous photographer shared with me his secret location for observing these mudcracks, then they were smooth and dusty. Years later, I experienced a huge storm in Death Valley, and when the mud began to dry, the mudcracks cracked on top as well.
Ocean Spell
Before my first California road trip, I had never experienced much time on the Pacific coast. I had grown up near the Atlantic, and to be honest, the ocean didn't appeal much to me. Driving along the coast of California and arriving in Trinidad, that had changed, The pacific's ruggedness had cast a spell on me.
The Last Pass
After a journey of over 200 miles on the John Muir Trail, I arrived at Cathedral Lake. Greeted by this huge cloud, I was taken back by the splendor that is Earth. Just ahead of me was the last mountain pass I would have to get over to complete my long walk.
Yosemite's Cathedral
A summer evening watching the sun go down from a meadow across from Cathedral Peak in Yosemite.
The Cathedral
Consistently known as one of the most iconic peaks in America, Cathedral Peak looms high above my camp on Cathedral Lake. I hiked over 200 miles to get to this point, to camp in an area of mythical lore in the backcountry community. Walking around this lake and watching the light hit Cathedral that night was a highlight of my journey.
Golden Kearsarge
When I hiked the John Muir Trail, I heard that Kearsarge Lake was one of the more popular off trail destinations. I wasn't in a hurry, so I spent two nights here, one featured a 20 minute long rockslide and the other featured this golden sunset. The rugged terrain of these remote areas in the Sierra can be bothe glorious and dangerous.
Fire on the River
Tuolmne Meadows spends most of the year underneat a blanket of snow, but in the summer it is a brillian alpine meadow. It is one of my favorite parts of the park, and I was rewarded well while walking the river this evening.
Grand Tufa
Mono Lake is one of my favorite stops in the Eastern Sierra and it always provides the most colorful sunsets. The rock formations, called tufa, are created from calcium deposits that come up from the water. Some of these spires are over 20 feet tall! You have to get a little wet to get to this location but I love the way the tufa look here.
Last Light on the Valley
Just another magnificent sunset from Taft Pont in Yosemite. On this day, the sun's last light turned the clouds into a vibrant scene of fire. Laying on the granite, taking this photo, it felt great to soak in these last rays of light.
Shine Your Light
Upon watching this sunset on Yosemite's South Rim, I was amazed at how beautiful light can appear to us sometimes. Photography is all about capturing light, and this scene had so much marvelous light all around. From the lighting on the tree to the starburst behind the clouds... and so much in between, this is light in it's many forms.
Change of Perspective
This was taken at the famous Taft Point overlook, but from a completely new perspective. I crawled under a rock and lined up this piece of granite with the sun for an amazing starburst. Further proof that even in the most popular parts of the park, there is always more to explore.
