Photographic meanderings

The granite slabs of the Rostrum on Highway 41 have flat-topped bumps, remnants of erosive action. The clouds echoed the staccato texture at dusk.

Patina’d silver
against an indigo sky
Night shouldering in.

Fuchsia flowers are native to South America, as are nasturtiums. Nasturtium literally means “nose twister”, and shares the name with members of the watercress family, but is not related. The genus is Tropaeolum, and the flowers are edible, imparting a sharp, peppery flavor to salads.

Today while the blossoms still cling to the vine
I’ll taste your strawberries, I’ll drink your sweet wine

Cloudy days give soft, even light which emphasizes color. These brugmansia blossoms hang in front of a garage door frame in San Fransisco, California. Thanks to my new pal Rebecca Jackrel for her kind hospitality over the weekend!

Tracks from wagon wheels are still visible on the arid soil of Death Valley. Travelers made their way from the mountains in the distance to a land rich with water, arable soil, and cool breezes. These tracks lead to the now defunct and capped Stovepipe Wells.

Last light gilds this phalanx of Shooting stars at White Wolf Lodge.

Trees reflected in a tarn.

Meltwater from a snowbank drips into a stream

Loyd over at Yosemiteblog.com shared a look into the past today. It included this photo taken on June 1st, 1948 by Charles Webber, courtesy of California Academy of Sciences.

Notice that in the older picture, the towers look taller. That’s because the auxiliary containment gates aren’t raised. In my shot, the water level is actually higher! Also note the growth on the bank beyond the last tower.

Special thanks to Loyd Schutte for finding the 1948 image, and to California Academy of Sciences for allowing Fair Use of this historic image.

Updated to add:The Manzanita Project is a fine place to browse old-timey images of California. Give them a visit!