Photographic meanderings

According to Wikipedia, Joshua trees don’t bloom every year. They need rainfall and a hard freeze. This shot was taken in Red Rock Canyon State Park, CA.

Yes, there’s a famous park in Nevada near Las Vegas by the same name. This is not it.

Small park, with some spectacular camping sites nestled under the fluted column cliffs, groves of Josua trees, and otherworldly landscapes. Located 20 miles north of Mojave, CA, on Highway 14.

Camping sites are $12 a night, one car, extra cars $5 each. Water and pit toilets available. Toilet buildings have no roofs. Good thing, the stench dissipates better.

I need to go back to this park.

Half Dome / Yosemite National Park, originally uploaded by brodiaea.

Not my picture, wish it was. My friend and coworker took this shot and didn’t even have the decency to tell me about it, the NERVE!

I’ve found myself embroiled (that is such a cool word, I had to use it even if it’s overkill) in some serious discussions about the recent removal of the trees at Tunnel View.

For the record: as of this time I am still on the fence about the tree cutting. I’m for making the park and vistas like this truly accessible, especially to the handicapped. However, there’s a part of me that winces and cringes at the thought of cutting beautiful, healthy specimen trees in a national park just to improve the view.

I had been speaking from ignorance previously when I said that there was no public discourse about the tree removal prior to the fact. Just because I hadn’t heard about it doesn’t mean it didn’t happen.

“John” over in the comments at JMG Galleries clued me in to the NPS page for development in Yosemite.

From there I found the commentary on the plans for Tunnel View; I’m just getting started reading.

It may be a good thing that the identifying names have been redacted. There are some real corkers in this line up. There are also some eloquent and articulate arguments on both sides of the issue.

Go take a look. https://pwrcms.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/upload/TVR%20Public%20Comments.pdf
Scans of letters to Superintendent Tollefson regarding the development at Tunnel View

Tunnel View overlook rehabilitation page: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/tunnelview.htm

Current Plans and projects: http://www.nps.gov/yose/parkmgmt/currentplans.htm
I’d especially recommend that last link; Go see what’s happening in your park, and by all means, comment. Make your voice heard. Get involved. Pass the word!

Lightning on El Cap? (Hint: Look at the spot of sunlight)

Weekends are often crowded at Tunnel View, so I leave it for the folks who won’t be able to come back at their whim. Weeknights are slower, and I don’t feel like I’m taking up a spot on the wall that should be left open for others to enjoy the view.

Last night was good, not too crowded, and the light was very good. Clouds made for an interesting sky and shadows played on the face of El Capitan.

I met Mike from San Diego. He said he’d come up for the spring equinox. According to him, the week before and the week after afford the most uniform lighting up the valley, illuminating both El Cap and Bridal Veil. I never knew that. I’ll have to check it out on the autumnal equinox.

When I arrived and set up my tripod, I glanced down at the stumps below the wall. It’s like a tooth extraction. It may have been for the greater good, but you have pain and you just can’t keep from probing the hole in your gum where the tooth used to be. This time, however, I burst out laughing. The stump was…gone? No. Not gone. Covered over with dirt and rocks and branches of the missing trees. Pine needles. I had this mental image of kitten trying to cover up her mess on a linoleum floor. I also noticed the “Historic Vista Restoration In Progress” sign was missing.

Sometimes you have to laugh at the absurdity of bureaucracy.

Two lovely women waitstaff at Blue House Bistro in San Andreas

One of the joys of the road is stopping at restaurants along the way; I found this charmer in San Andreas, after asking one of the locals for a good place to eat that was open.

Blue House Bistro served up an outstanding burrito, mixed up a pomegranate martini, and delighted me with the emerging garden. My one minor niggle: the mixed greens salad was not as fresh as I would have liked, but was still very tasty.

Sara the owner and I talked gardening as I waited for my dinner. She takes pride in the care of the flowers.

If you’re in San Andreas, be sure to stop at the Blue House Bistro just north of the Valero gas station (on 49) and tell Sara that Edie sent you.

No, I’m not getting any kickback. I’d just like it to be open next time I head up that way!

Sunlight illuminates a drift of smoke in the Chaw-se gun’ge, the Miwok ceremonial roundhouse. Chaw-se, Indian grinding rock, Jackson, CA.

Not all churches have stain glass windows. Some have to make due with smoke and sunlight.

Chaw-se hun’ge, the ceremonial roundhouse at Indian Grinding Rock State Historic Park.

Here we observe the behavior of the North American Photographer in their natural habitat. In this case, these two fine male specimens are engaged in subtle territorial defense posturing. Note that their definitive possessions are outside the reach of the opposite photographer. However, it is not unusual for photographers to approach, either boldly or shyly and request viewing privileges of "the gear".

While "the gear" is important, what these two males are truly defending is their respective "spots", each one thinking he has the better "spot" for using "the gear".

It is not unusual for groups of photographers to congregate, each one vying for the right "spot". This researcher has yet to see any actual violence as a result of disputes, but heard a female of the species voice her claim to two encroaching males on either side of her on this particular morning.

Another all night drive put us in place for this incredible sunrise at Zabriskie Point on Saturday. Be sure to stop by my Flickr stream to see the latest shots.