A short trip with so much contrast from one day to the next! From High elevation to under sea levels, cold/hot, blue/warm colors... a summary of the wonders California offers.
For once, the focus was on photography so I traveled by car (vs. motorcycle), brought a tripod, two zoom lenses (24-70mm and 80-200mm) and tried to be at the right places at the right time.
For once, the focus was on photography so I traveled by car (vs. motorcycle), brought a tripod, two zoom lenses (24-70mm and 80-200mm) and tried to be at the right places at the right time.
A several centuries old Bristlecone pine in the background
Bridgeport still has hints of Far West
Views on Mono Lake
I made it to Eureka Dunes with a couple of hours of daylight left. After finding a spot for the night, I hiked towards the tallest dune to admire the sunset.
To give a sense of scale, this is my car in that white oval down in the plain
Taking a break before the steepest part of the dune
He made it to the top!
Wonderful textures
Life persists in the harshest environments
Day 2 - The sun is blocked by the range of mountains in the east so when the light finally shines on the dunes it's already past the magic hour.
Solitary hiker at sunrise
Distances in death valley are huge. I had a target for sunset but what to photograph during the day when the light is so harsh? I opted for Mosaic canyon. Nice hike, bad light.
I scout Artists palet for later tonight then head to badwater basin and the very rugged devils golf course.
"“An immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires. So incredibly serrated that "only the devil could play golf on such rough links." Listen carefully and you'll hear sounds like tiny pops and pings -- the sound is literally billions of tiny salt crystals bursting apart as they expand and contract in the heat.”
"“An immense area of rock salt eroded by wind and rain into jagged spires. So incredibly serrated that "only the devil could play golf on such rough links." Listen carefully and you'll hear sounds like tiny pops and pings -- the sound is literally billions of tiny salt crystals bursting apart as they expand and contract in the heat.”
There is something about Art in the desert. Inspiration most probably, the people it attracts, the dry climate that preserves it... Whatever it is you often find some cool and strange things in the southwest deserts.
The Armagosa Opera House has a very interesting story with dance shows being played for decades even though the town was already almost a ghost town. It was also featured in David Lynch’ Lost Highway
I've always loved the US yellow road signs
After that long detour by death valley junction it's time to head back to the artists palet for sunset
Day 3 - Early rise to head to dante's view. It's windy and cold but the view is spectacular. really tough to capture though with the strong shadows and highlights
When I passed by zabriskie point on my way to Dante's view, the parking lot was totally crowded even before sunrise! Now the light is not as great but I have the place pretty much for myself.
Time to relax as the good light is gone until this afternoon. I enjoy breakfast in the twenty mule team canyon.
Titus canyon, and the road leading to it are some of my favorite sceneries in Death valley. I really enjoyed the drive once more but the middle of the day light was not doing it justice. I just kept a couple of pictures taken in the shadows.
You never know what could appear in the dunes!
I’ve seen great pictures of Mesquite dunes from photographers but I was definitely not inspired by them this time, as it was crowded (you can see all the foot steps) and the light was not great yet. After the solitude and majesty of Eureka Dunes this was not cutting it. Thankfully these ladies and their noticeable clothes brightened my mood!
I’ve seen great pictures of Mesquite dunes from photographers but I was definitely not inspired by them this time, as it was crowded (you can see all the foot steps) and the light was not great yet. After the solitude and majesty of Eureka Dunes this was not cutting it. Thankfully these ladies and their noticeable clothes brightened my mood!
I got a chance to see most of what I wanted in death valley so it was time to move on. I headed back towards mono lake with images in my head from the way in where it was beautifully surrounded by snow.
On my way up the 395, the sky was stormy and the light from the setting sun was stunning.
On my way up the 395, the sky was stormy and the light from the setting sun was stunning.
I had the hardest time getting this old donkey to raise its head! Cowhides drying in the background.
I arrived to Mono Lake just after sunset under dark skies, showers and sub freezing temperatures. What a contrast with Death Valley just a few hour ago.
I managed to find a spot to spend the night on a side of a trail, hoping that by tomorrow morning the sky would clear up. I was in for a treaT!
I managed to find a spot to spend the night on a side of a trail, hoping that by tomorrow morning the sky would clear up. I was in for a treaT!
I had the whole place for myself besides this sunrise amateur who did not stay long. A magical moment!
“Mono Lake is a majestic body of water covering about 65 square miles. It is an ancient lake, over 1 million years old -- one of the oldest lakes in North America. It has no outlet.
The reserve was established to preserve the spectacular "tufa towers," calcium-carbonate spires and knobs formed by interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water. It also protects the lake surface itself as well as the wetlands and other sensitive habitat for the 1 – 2 million birds that feed and rest at Mono Lake each year.
Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve is one of the rare places in the world that contain such a unique group of geologic features. The tufa formations are notable for their unusual shapes and abundance.”
