Sierra Mountains
Take OffCOLUSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Colusa Wildlife Refuge is in the heart of California’s central valley and is the primary west coast flyway for migrating birds. In the winter months there are hundred of thousands of birds either “wintering” there or using it as a resting stop on their journey. We accidently spooked them as we drove by and this was the result.
Colusa Wildlife Refuge is in the heart of California’s central valley and is the primary west coast flyway for migrating birds. In the winter months there are hundred of thousands of birds either “wintering” there or using it as a resting stop on their journey. We accidently spooked them as we drove by and this was the result.
Night FightCOLUSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Located 70 miles north of Sacramento, Colusa provides over 5,000 acres of wetlands of refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. At it’s peak in the winter months, it supports a population of over 200,000 ducks ond over 75,000 geese. I was in awe of their numbers and their beauty as they took off on their journey.
Located 70 miles north of Sacramento, Colusa provides over 5,000 acres of wetlands of refuge and breeding ground for migratory birds and other wildlife. At it’s peak in the winter months, it supports a population of over 200,000 ducks ond over 75,000 geese. I was in awe of their numbers and their beauty as they took off on their journey.
Returning HomeSOUTH YUBA RIVER: NEVADA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
I never get tired of the color, shape and texture of the South Yuba. This shot captivated me when I saw it enlarged. The rock in the middle looked exactly like a fish swimming upstream. The shadows filled in it’s tail. I superimposed a image by my favorite Japanese woodblock print artist, Hiroshige, to gently highlight what nature had already supplied. Hopefully one day it will be a real salmon swimming upstream in it’s native waters in the Yuba River.
I never get tired of the color, shape and texture of the South Yuba. This shot captivated me when I saw it enlarged. The rock in the middle looked exactly like a fish swimming upstream. The shadows filled in it’s tail. I superimposed a image by my favorite Japanese woodblock print artist, Hiroshige, to gently highlight what nature had already supplied. Hopefully one day it will be a real salmon swimming upstream in it’s native waters in the Yuba River.
Into the WoodsINTO THE WOODS: CALAVERAS BIG TREES, CALIFORNIA
The trunks of old growth giant trees have always felt like ancient, archetypal Beings grounding the wisdom of the ages into the depths of the earth. Like temples, I always feel a sacred, larger-than-life, Presence around them and an invitation to contemplate Great Mysteries.
The trunks of old growth giant trees have always felt like ancient, archetypal Beings grounding the wisdom of the ages into the depths of the earth. Like temples, I always feel a sacred, larger-than-life, Presence around them and an invitation to contemplate Great Mysteries.
Lunar FlightSIERRA MOUNTAINS, CA & HIROSHIGE PRINT
Shape, texture, color, light and line all came together in this image. The background is a manipulation of rock textures and shapes, the foreground, the mysterious beauty of what is left behind after the life force has left a tree. The hawk is from Japanese woodblock print artist, Hiroshige. The overall effect invoked for me the haunting otherworldly quality of night in the mountains.
Shape, texture, color, light and line all came together in this image. The background is a manipulation of rock textures and shapes, the foreground, the mysterious beauty of what is left behind after the life force has left a tree. The hawk is from Japanese woodblock print artist, Hiroshige. The overall effect invoked for me the haunting otherworldly quality of night in the mountains.
Requiem to BeautyDONNER PASS & GRASS VALLEY, CA
From the “train tunnel series”. There is a train tunnel at the top of Donnor Pass that is made of huge rectangular concrete slabs. Over the years moisture has seeped through the cracks and created exquisite organic-shapped stains over the walls and ceilings softening the harshness of the concrete. By combining images of the ceilings with those from nature, the slabs are transformed into objects of beauty.
From the “train tunnel series”. There is a train tunnel at the top of Donnor Pass that is made of huge rectangular concrete slabs. Over the years moisture has seeped through the cracks and created exquisite organic-shapped stains over the walls and ceilings softening the harshness of the concrete. By combining images of the ceilings with those from nature, the slabs are transformed into objects of beauty.
Eyes of the ForestDONNER PASS, CA & WOODSTOCK, NY
From the “train tunnel series”. There is a train tunnel at the top of Donnor Pass that is made of huge rectangular concrete slabs. Over the years moisture has seeped through the cracks and created exquisite organic-shapped stains over the walls and ceilings softening the harshness of the concrete. By combining images of the ceilings with those from nature, the slabs are transformed into objects of beauty.
From the “train tunnel series”. There is a train tunnel at the top of Donnor Pass that is made of huge rectangular concrete slabs. Over the years moisture has seeped through the cracks and created exquisite organic-shapped stains over the walls and ceilings softening the harshness of the concrete. By combining images of the ceilings with those from nature, the slabs are transformed into objects of beauty.
AbundanceNAPA, CALIFORNIA
Walking around a Napa winery, I spotted this fence which was losing it’s battle to hold back the abundance of nature’s growth behind it. The iron straps felt like they were about to burst with the bounty brimming forth. I was drawn to the reminder of the unstoppable qualities of creativity, and growth inherent in life.
Walking around a Napa winery, I spotted this fence which was losing it’s battle to hold back the abundance of nature’s growth behind it. The iron straps felt like they were about to burst with the bounty brimming forth. I was drawn to the reminder of the unstoppable qualities of creativity, and growth inherent in life.
HeldEAGLE LAKE by DONNER SUMMIT, CA
We were lost. We got off the trail somehow and were now bushwhacking through granite slabs and tall trees… no recognizable reference points in sight. Suddenly someone called, “Over here!”. As I turned I saw the gnarled, weathered root of a huge fallen tree. Held tightly within it’s tender grasp were two rocks. “Mother protecting child” themes passed through my head as did the association to our current “lost” situation. I shot it quickly, then hurried to catch up to the others. In no time we were back “on track”.
We were lost. We got off the trail somehow and were now bushwhacking through granite slabs and tall trees… no recognizable reference points in sight. Suddenly someone called, “Over here!”. As I turned I saw the gnarled, weathered root of a huge fallen tree. Held tightly within it’s tender grasp were two rocks. “Mother protecting child” themes passed through my head as did the association to our current “lost” situation. I shot it quickly, then hurried to catch up to the others. In no time we were back “on track”.
Beyond the VeilDONNER PASS, CA
The train tunnels at Donner Pass just before China Wall are lined with slabs of concrete that have been stained by water seeping through the cracks. The stains create beautiful organic shapes on the otherwise sterile walls. I love the interface between structured man-made shapes and materials and natures organicness. By combining these slabs with flowers from outside the tunnel I seek to show the beauty of that interface.
The train tunnels at Donner Pass just before China Wall are lined with slabs of concrete that have been stained by water seeping through the cracks. The stains create beautiful organic shapes on the otherwise sterile walls. I love the interface between structured man-made shapes and materials and natures organicness. By combining these slabs with flowers from outside the tunnel I seek to show the beauty of that interface.
EvolutionCALAVERAS BIG TREES STATE PARK, CA
I shot over 500 photos on my visit to Calaveras Big Trees but this simple image is one of my favorites. The mushroom caps appear alive as they march from smallest to largest up the side of the tree. Grouped together as friends? family? are they growing in intelligence, expanding consciousness as certain mushrooms are said to do? I ponder it a bit but mostly they just make me smile.
I shot over 500 photos on my visit to Calaveras Big Trees but this simple image is one of my favorites. The mushroom caps appear alive as they march from smallest to largest up the side of the tree. Grouped together as friends? family? are they growing in intelligence, expanding consciousness as certain mushrooms are said to do? I ponder it a bit but mostly they just make me smile.
Forest QueenDONNER SUMMIT, CA
This was one of the high Sierra trees that had grown and survived under tremendous pressures of drought and long, cold winters. The trials and tribulations it had gone through were reflected in it’s amazing convoluted complexity. Perhaps it was the altitude but when I saw it, it reminded me of a wise powerful forest woman, not to be messed with but embodying much needed wisdom.
This was one of the high Sierra trees that had grown and survived under tremendous pressures of drought and long, cold winters. The trials and tribulations it had gone through were reflected in it’s amazing convoluted complexity. Perhaps it was the altitude but when I saw it, it reminded me of a wise powerful forest woman, not to be messed with but embodying much needed wisdom.
Fourth of JulySIERRAVILLE, CA
Home of one of the highest, largest mountain meadows in the Sierra and the majorly funky, fantastic Sierra Hot Springs. Once a gold rush county, this scene captured the essence of the area for me.
Home of one of the highest, largest mountain meadows in the Sierra and the majorly funky, fantastic Sierra Hot Springs. Once a gold rush county, this scene captured the essence of the area for me.
StealthYUBA RIVER, SIERRA FOOTHILLS, CALIFORNIA
Leaving Hoytes Crossing on the South Fork of the Yuba River outside of Nevada City, one very hot afternoon after a refreshing swim I was scurrying across the rocks when I turned suddenly and saw a huge “cat” crouched in the river watching the comings and goings… possibly awaiting the arrival of fish or fowl. It was too irresistible to pass up.
Leaving Hoytes Crossing on the South Fork of the Yuba River outside of Nevada City, one very hot afternoon after a refreshing swim I was scurrying across the rocks when I turned suddenly and saw a huge “cat” crouched in the river watching the comings and goings… possibly awaiting the arrival of fish or fowl. It was too irresistible to pass up.
The WitnessDONNER PASS, CALIFIORNIA
Dead trees are hardly dead to me. They hold the shape of the piece of life that created their form. Those shapes feel alive and the embodiment of the wisdom of the form. The opening in this trunk felt like a portal to that wisdom… the tree’s spirit residing inside and witnessing the forest and those that passed by.
Dead trees are hardly dead to me. They hold the shape of the piece of life that created their form. Those shapes feel alive and the embodiment of the wisdom of the form. The opening in this trunk felt like a portal to that wisdom… the tree’s spirit residing inside and witnessing the forest and those that passed by.
Ecanacia
