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Serene Morning
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Serene Morning

by Preston Birdwell

Gallery: LandscapePosted August 17, 2017293 views8 comments
It has been a while since I last posted an image. Summertime in California is typically a mix of hot days, poor light and drift smoke from fires burning in many locations. So, it was nice to head up to Sonora Pass with Lon for a couple days in early August to take a look around.

After the record breaking winter, the creeks were still flowing nicely, and the flowers were in great abundance. A lightning-caused fire a few miles away pumped a lot of smoke into the canyon of Deadman's Creek on our first day, but a big T-storm that Saturday afternoon cleared it out. The rest of the time, we had nice weather, and very minor drift smoke.

This image was made the following morning just west of Sonora Pass. I wanted to post it so that you would have an idea of the local environs. While there a millions of dead trees in at lower elevations, the lodgepole pine, red fir, juniper and whitebark pine, are healthy. The trees in the image are lodgepole pine.

We had a grand time wandering around and simply enjoying the Sierra High Country!

Nikon D-7100
Nikkor 18-140mm @ 45mm
f-16 @ 1/13, ISO 125
TK's v 4 masks.

Please see the large version. Thanks!

Your thoughts are always appreciated. cool
--P
 

Comments

8 comments
Comment posted by Ana on August 17, 2017 at 3:50 PM
Definitely looks like a nice day to be out in the world. I like th shapes framing the little stand of trees in the foreground; the shadow right behind them sets them off nicely, as does that little triangle of trees coming in from the right.
Registered on February 10, 2004, 191 Posts, 1446 Comments
Comment posted by Reno DiTullio on August 17, 2017 at 10:42 PM
Must have missed your email, next time enlightened  Nice shot though.
Registered on November 14, 2003, 130 Posts, 1644 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Bristol on August 18, 2017 at 7:02 PM
Preston, I really like this view and especially enjoy the feeling and thoughts it gives me. The light is very nice and you did a nice job with this composition. Makes me think I would have liked having a tent set up here and then having this view in the morning light. Very enjoyable image and nice work.

Nick Bristol
Lone Rock, WI.
 
Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments
Comment posted by Lon Overacker on August 19, 2017 at 12:10 PM
Hey Preston,

This brings me right there!  Wait, I was there! cool  The good news is that this is EXACTLY how I remember the scene and early morning conditions.  Our boots were quite wet from trapsing around in the rain covered vegetation and you were eagerly awaiting the warmth of the sun. 

The processing here is excellent, and again just as I recall it.  I really like the stand of the lodgepole in the high mountain meadow. The peak and blue sky top this off.

Just a beautifully captured mountain landscape.  Wish I was there right now.

Lon
Registered on November 24, 2006, 521 Posts, 19147 Comments
Comment posted by scott lanz on August 19, 2017 at 5:15 PM
Beautiful high sierrra image, Preston. I could see cropping out the lower meadow, but no one else mentioned it, so I won't either. enlightened
Registered on November 14, 2003, 840 Posts, 12902 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Schrayer on August 19, 2017 at 8:10 PM
Beautiful scene, Preston.  I think the foreground stand of trees adds a lot of interest and this is nicely composed. 
Registered on May 28, 2004, 114 Posts, 2890 Comments
Comment posted by gary phillips on August 20, 2017 at 12:44 AM
Welcome back, Preston.  I really like this, blue sky and all.  I had a pretty good idea this was yours before looking at the name.  Excellent detail throughout, but I have to say I agree with Scott on cropping the immediate foreground, or reduce the blue in the shadows.  Nice to see a post from you.
Registered on October 24, 2013, 185 Posts, 4136 Comments
Comment posted by Paul Breitkreuz on August 22, 2017 at 9:12 AM
Preston, when I first saw this one I immediately thought it was from Virginia Lakes area. I'd taken one from that area years ago and it had that look to it.
I like this one as is and the processing is excellent. The shaded areas of the snow are cool, but not way too blue or cyan that can happen a lot. Nice peaceful spring or high altitude summer look to it.....laugh
Registered on February 25, 2006, 525 Posts, 8448 Comments