Lighthawk
Weekend warrior
The Memorial Day Weekend beckoned us to get away. We had been reading too many TR's without doing much of our own. There were excuses why we weren't getting out, but enough was enough!
We always enjoy the drive to the East Side. Donner Summit, then wrapping around the shore of Tahoe, admiring the views of the lake, then dropping down to Carson and Antelope Valleys. We love the big cottonwoods and ranch lands, with historical barns and the occasional stone building. Ascending the canyon of the West Walker, we usually stop for break to run the dog and stretch the legs. Finally, we break out onto higher ground, with broad views of Sonora Pass and snow-capped mountains. It's like greeting old friends, to travel past familiar terrain.
The light at 530pm in the Bridgeport Valley was sublime. My photographers eye was wandering off the road, taking in the golden light streaming across the cattle and lush green grasslands. We saw an osprey hunting and a flock of ibis feeding on the ground. The Sawtooth Range was well lit and brought back memories of various ski / climb adventures enjoyed.
But, I was on a mission. The full moon would rise at 807pm and I wanted to be in position to photograph Mono Lake at that special moment. No time to waste! I had done some research and wanted to check out a new area that I had not visited, so uncertainty was adding a bit of stress. All week long I had been telling those that would listen, "I'm going to shoot the moonrise at Mono Lake!" It's nice to have a project. : )
We got there just as the shadow of the Sierra cast a pall over the shoreline. I quickly packed a camera, a few lenses and tripod and began to head to the shore. I grabbed a headlamp, but SR forgot hers and went back to the truck. Callie was just happy to run around below the chest high brush.
My phone rang and it was the 'Pinners! We had exchanged emails just that morning, when I asked for some info about a nearby spring. We both had loose plans to be in the vicinity, so why not meet up? Ski and the Lady are great folk and we looked forward to sharing some adventures. I quickly gave directions to our park spot and let SR know they were coming. I blazed on to catch the moon.
The light turned sweet.
SR, Ski and Lady came down just as the magic show was starting. I was working up and down the shore, looking for the best composition. I had a new app on my phone that let me know when and were to anticipate the moonrise. Pretty cool for $4.99 http://photoephemeris.com/ I think the desktop version is free.
An osprey was nesting on top of the highest tower to the left in the last photo. I nearly got a shot of her stretching her wings against the moonlight, but that vision will be something I remember.
Look close and you can see her sitting up top of the tower.
What a night! As I laid in bed, I was excited to shoot the morning too. Sunrise was a 530, so getting out would be a 5am venture.
I was sleep deprived, but couldn't pass the opportunity up.
It was only 6am Saturday morning and my weekend had already been spectacular. What more adventures could be pursued?
We always enjoy the drive to the East Side. Donner Summit, then wrapping around the shore of Tahoe, admiring the views of the lake, then dropping down to Carson and Antelope Valleys. We love the big cottonwoods and ranch lands, with historical barns and the occasional stone building. Ascending the canyon of the West Walker, we usually stop for break to run the dog and stretch the legs. Finally, we break out onto higher ground, with broad views of Sonora Pass and snow-capped mountains. It's like greeting old friends, to travel past familiar terrain.
The light at 530pm in the Bridgeport Valley was sublime. My photographers eye was wandering off the road, taking in the golden light streaming across the cattle and lush green grasslands. We saw an osprey hunting and a flock of ibis feeding on the ground. The Sawtooth Range was well lit and brought back memories of various ski / climb adventures enjoyed.
But, I was on a mission. The full moon would rise at 807pm and I wanted to be in position to photograph Mono Lake at that special moment. No time to waste! I had done some research and wanted to check out a new area that I had not visited, so uncertainty was adding a bit of stress. All week long I had been telling those that would listen, "I'm going to shoot the moonrise at Mono Lake!" It's nice to have a project. : )
We got there just as the shadow of the Sierra cast a pall over the shoreline. I quickly packed a camera, a few lenses and tripod and began to head to the shore. I grabbed a headlamp, but SR forgot hers and went back to the truck. Callie was just happy to run around below the chest high brush.
My phone rang and it was the 'Pinners! We had exchanged emails just that morning, when I asked for some info about a nearby spring. We both had loose plans to be in the vicinity, so why not meet up? Ski and the Lady are great folk and we looked forward to sharing some adventures. I quickly gave directions to our park spot and let SR know they were coming. I blazed on to catch the moon.
The light turned sweet.
SR, Ski and Lady came down just as the magic show was starting. I was working up and down the shore, looking for the best composition. I had a new app on my phone that let me know when and were to anticipate the moonrise. Pretty cool for $4.99 http://photoephemeris.com/ I think the desktop version is free.
An osprey was nesting on top of the highest tower to the left in the last photo. I nearly got a shot of her stretching her wings against the moonlight, but that vision will be something I remember.
Look close and you can see her sitting up top of the tower.
What a night! As I laid in bed, I was excited to shoot the morning too. Sunrise was a 530, so getting out would be a 5am venture.
I was sleep deprived, but couldn't pass the opportunity up.
It was only 6am Saturday morning and my weekend had already been spectacular. What more adventures could be pursued?
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