Eastern Sierras

I am just back from a 4 day adventure in the Eastern Sierras. Tracy and I drove over the Tioga Pass, through Yosemite, for a retreat at the Silver Lake Resort, near June Lake on Highway 395. Silver Lake is one of 4 small lakes on the June Lake Loop, about 15 minutes south of Lee Vining. I had taken my two nephews, Pablo and Willy, there for a fishing trip 21 years ago. Today, it is just as homey and comfy as I remembered it. Tracy and I combined some kayaking and hiking with a day trip to the ghost town of Bodie, about 45 minutes to the north.

The highlight of this trip was getting up to greet the dawn at Mono Lake three mornings running. I dressed at 4:45 each morning and drove the 15 minutes to the south shore, where the most interesting tufa formations line the shore. While the light was not the most spectacular - there were no clouds - it was still wonderful. I find it so amazingly energizing to be outside at dawn, watch the light change, trying to set up the perfect shots. It is all over so fast! Within 10 minutes of sunrise, you lose your chance to get the light just right. It was fun to watch some other photographers pull into the parking lot, shoulder their tripods, and take off at a dead run to the shore. The light waits for no one! Here are two photos that I especially like.





I was also fascinated by the light on the shoreline plants. After getting a few shots of the lake and the tufas, I turned my attention to the plant community. Each day, I lost myself for an hour or so just wandering around, looking at the back and side light playing on the weeds and wildflowers. What an amazing time of life this is...having the chance to totally lose myself in the natural world that we live in. I have never felt more alive than I do when I am outside with my camera at the quiet times of day.