The draw of Emerald bay in Lake Tahoe is its unique setting: a large bay in an even larger lake, ringed by mountains and thick pine forests. It used to be one of my favorite haunts when I lived in California, for, in the right light, it offered remarkable opportunities for hiking and photography.
Emerald Bay State Park
CA USA
The Wildflower Season
The vibrant spring greens of California are an annual occurrence, turning the rust brown to a delightful shade of emerald green, post the unpredictable rainfall that quenches the thirst of the parched golden state. But it is the accompanying wildflower blooms that brigthen the rolling green hills with shades of pastel colors; bright yellows, oranges, pings and whites dominate the sun-drenched landscapes, growing along winding highways, gentle valleys and lush green meadows.
The next wildflower season is upon us. Happy hunting photographers, and don't trample on the delicate blooms; they are needed for the future wildflower seasons.
Pacheco State Park
CA USA
Sunstars on the Bay
Summers in northern California are dominated bluebird skies with not a speck of white, a balmy sun and glistening waters. The is why the Bay Area has such a sunny disposition. But the occasional winter storm does roll in, and when it does, it peppers the sky with beautiful clouds that, at sunset, is the canvas over which nature paints vibrant yellows, oranges and reds.
This was one such sunset a few years ago at the Alviso Marina in the southern part of the Bay.
Alviso Marina County Park
CA USA
Spring Greens
The golden hills of California stay golden for a reason - the lack of rains through summer and fall. So when the rains do appear, the golden hills of California turn green, the barren oak trees sport new leaves, and colorful wildflowers sprout across the state. And as a nature photographer, hunting around for such idyllic Californian landscapes was an endeavor I looked forward to every spring.
I found this beautiful scene while on one such trip out to the Table Mountain Ecological Reserve near the town of Oroville. Here is to hoping that this year is just as colorful.
North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
CA USA
Back to the Bay
Thin wispy clouds arced around the sky as though drawn with a talented paintbrush. And from high above the plains, these masterful strokes of white seemed to stretch forever, hovering over the beautiful golden rolling hills east of the Bay Area of California, highlighting one reason why I was in the Golden State. In the distance I could spy the prominence of Mt Diablo and the other hills of the Diablo Range rising above the buckled terrain formed by the multiple faults cris-crossing the terrain, including the famous Hayward fault that was running just below.
The slanted evening light highlighted the rolling hillscape, bringing into view hidden features in dramatic scales. And even though I stood there and admired the view for a long time, I never got tired of the vast open space stretching in front of me. I can't wait to once again explore the nooks and crannies of the rolling hillscape dotted with vineyards, ranches, and the occasional windmill.
Mission Peak Regional Preserve
CA USA