sabrina lake basin

Sierra spring

It was remarkable how quickly weather could transition in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California. A late spring storm coated the rugged terrain with a smooth coat of snow, transforming the dry desert climate to a beautiful winter wonderland. But it didn't take long for this to change. In just 24 hrs, it transformed to its summer sheen, and was not longer the snowscape that it was just a day earlier. These two images show how quickly the weather can vary in the mountains.

Eastern Sierras
CA USA

The Eve of Spring

The winter in Pacific Northwest can get a bit moody, and the weather a bit harsh. This often leaves me homebound, where I sit and wait out for the change of seasons to spring, for when the snow slowly disappears, the icy lakes thaw , and the plants get ready to grow and regenerate again.

This scene from Sabrina Lake Basin in the Eastern Sierras of California captures just such a time during the change of seasons. In this early spring scene, a late afternoon thunderstorm paid a visit to the mountains still recovering from winter.

Inyo National Forest

CA USA

One for the Earth

No day passes without news about the endless reckless pillage of the resources of the single planet that currently sustains life. And while that wanton destruction can be gut-wrenchingly painful, I am glad that we have set aside areas for protecting for the future generation. It requires a foresight for selflessness that is hard to find in a society that values short term gains over long term prudence. Let Earth day be a reminder to appreciate this clairvoyance and sense of conservation.

After all, we have but one Earth. Lets take one for the planet. Donate to your favorite earth-friendly non-profit, volunteer with your local charities, or do one little act that will help preserve the delicate balance of nature.

Sabrina Lake Basin

Bishop CA

Morning in the Mountains

It had been a miserable evening. The wind never stopped howling. The rain never stopped beating. The thunder never died. The cold penetrated to my bones. And the thin atmosphere at this high altitude left me bereft of sleep. And it was just the first night of my 7-day solo trek into the heart of the Sierra Nevada

By morning, it seems as though the skies above had forgotten the ferment of last night. Foreboding grey clouds were replaced with puffy whites taking on the golden orange from the rising sun. The winds had been swept away, leaving behind an alpine stillness. The thunder had been replaced with the sweet chirps of mountain birds.

I can never forget that serene sunrise where I had sat there by a tarn, reminiscing what I had been through, and the transformation of both the outside weather and rejuvenation of my inner spirits. This calm mountain morning and the glow of the sun were a kindle to my flustered mind. I was now ready for the next six days.

Kings Canyon National Park
CA USA

The Whites of Winter

I had barely expected rain, let alone snow, in the dry Eastern Sierras during a Memorial Weekend a couple of years ago.

And so, when I driving up the steep incline towards North Lake in Bishop Creek Basin, I was rather surprised to see this beautiful dusting of pristine white as soon as I climbed above 7000ft. I had just hiked on a nearby trail the previous day, drenched in sweat and slipping in slushy snow patches along the way, and to experience the vast mountain range coated in this beautiful white was extra-ordinary.

I pulled into the parking lot and made my way on that freezing dawn towards the still shores of the North Lake. And as I came out of the clearing in the trees, the vast valley opened up; the still surface of the lake lay in front of me reflecting the long mountain range dusted in but a mere few inches of snow. And even that was sufficient to transport me to a winter wonderland, and have a completely different experience from just 24h prior.

I captured this beautiful panorama while waiting for the sun to strike the peaks (it never did). I adjusted the color temperature to reflect the frosty dawn I was experiencing.

Bishop Creek Canyon
CA USA

Fall color cornucopia

Summer is in the air now, with warm temperatures, bluebell skies and warm balmy weather (save for the few wildfires sprouting across California now). But in a few weeks time, the sun will appear to sleep for longer, temperatures will drop and the sk…

Summer is in the air now, with warm temperatures, bluebell skies and warm balmy weather (save for the few wildfires sprouting across California now). But in a few weeks time, the sun will appear to sleep for longer, temperatures will drop and the skies will take on a dreary mood - the fall heralding the arrival of winter. And while many parts of the country don't actually experience the four-season weather cycle, there are some parts that do. And one of those is the dry Eastern Sierra region of California.

And nowhere are those colors as spectacular as the Sabrina Lake basin near the town of Bishop. As I drove higher and higher up the steep highway winding its way through the Sierra Nevada foothills, the colors started becoming more and more vibrant and spectacular. And while the colors pale in comparison to what one would experience in New England, it is the juxtaposition of the rugged mountain scenery with the contrasting colors that make this region a draw for photographers all around.

Here is one exposure taken while making my way down from the North lake on a narrow mountain road. The lingering fog added an extra dimension of peace to this scene.

Sabrina Lake Basin
CA USA