The Firestorm Dawn
View larger in gallery HERE
One of the few, if only perks to a 3 hour round trip commute is driving thru scenic countryside at both sunrise and sunset. Depending on the weather I am usually driving thru the southern portion of Lake County and the complete length of Napa County in the prime "golden hours" and occasionally, photographically speaking I strike it rich. The above image was taken at Detert Reservoir which is across from Langtry Estates Winery in Lake County. As I was heading south and approaching the community of Middletown I was looking to the east at the sunrise and thought it might be a really nice one. But since they just re-paved the highway I dismissed the thought of going the "back way" as the roads were rougher and the new highway was nice and smooth. I drove thru Middletown still looking at the sky and thought "no I cannot miss the chance at a good sunrise" so I spun around and went the back way. I was able to get to this spot early enough to set up my camera with no hurry. The sky started out blue then lit up like fire. I have not had a sky this intense in a long time.
The Vigilant Dawn
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I have too many "dawn" titles. After you get so many images, the challenge is finding creative and artsy titles. Again this is a "morning commute" photo. This is overlooking Vigilance Vineyards and is a favorite spot to shoot. I'm sure I will have many more in the future.
Creek Diving
Creek diving is the occasional pastime loved and enjoyed by landscape photographers. It usually begins with psyching yourself out with extreme overconfidence and viewing clips of Gene Kelly's famous Dancing in the Rain footage on your iPod. Then you ever so gracefully hop from one rock to the next until you find that highly prized extra-slippery-mossy rock in which you then fling yourself headlong into the rushing water.
At the very spot in the photo above, I had my knee high rubber boots as I was not in the mood to get wet. Then with stupid overconfidence I hopped from rock to rock with my camera in one hand and my tripod in the other. I was almost in a euphoric stupor upon finding that extra slippery rock. If I would have been on the Olympic diving team I'm sure I would have had a new dive named after me. Perhaps the "Tangen Double Twist" as I turned completely over in mid-fall and went into the water back first. I was able to get completely soaked but yet keep the camera out of the water!!! That's all that matters. I said a few choice words as I got up and looked at the water gushing over my now completely filled rubber boots and proceeded to take the above photo. Then completely soaking the seat in my car, I drove to the location of the photo below smiling smugly, knowing I had perfect form as I hit the water.
Quiet Creek
This is a little farther down Big Canyon Creek. It had some very nice bunch-grass here and there.
Among the Fronds
These two photos (above and below) are from the Las Posadas Forest. A wonderful, almost rain forest like place. While I was here I had the triple treat of rain, sunshine and even some hail. In fact I got hailed on three times. The forest canopy was so thick I barely got wet and the hail dropped very softly as it made its way through the trees.
Searching for Jack-in-the-Green
Have you seen Jack-In-The-Green?
With his long tail hanging down.
He sits quietly under every tree ---
in the folds of his velvet gown.
He drinks from the empty acorn cup
the dew that dawn sweetly bestows.
And taps his cane upon the ground ---
signals the snowdrops it's time to grow.
It's no fun being Jack-In-The-Green ---
no place to dance, no time for song.
He wears the colours of the summer soldier ---
carries the green flag all the winter long.
Jack, do you never sleep ---
does the green still run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times,
motorways, powerlines,
keep us apart?
Well, I don't think so ---
I saw some grass growing through the pavements today.
With his long tail hanging down.
He sits quietly under every tree ---
in the folds of his velvet gown.
He drinks from the empty acorn cup
the dew that dawn sweetly bestows.
And taps his cane upon the ground ---
signals the snowdrops it's time to grow.
It's no fun being Jack-In-The-Green ---
no place to dance, no time for song.
He wears the colours of the summer soldier ---
carries the green flag all the winter long.
Jack, do you never sleep ---
does the green still run deep in your heart?
Or will these changing times,
motorways, powerlines,
keep us apart?
Well, I don't think so ---
I saw some grass growing through the pavements today.
The Fallen
This is from Troutdale Creek in northern Napa County
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| The Gift of Peace |
View creek photos larger HERE
I'm finding photographing creeks to be one of my favorite subjects. It is very soothing and therapeutic to walk up a creek, getting farther and farther from roadways and noise until all you hear is the rushing water, the trees in the breeze and birds or other wildlife. Very peaceful. Peace is something we need more of. Both in the world around us but also on a personal level. Be peacable with your friends and family and those you love. Be at peace with everyone you come in contact with. Above all other things, give yourself the gift of peace.
