Saturday, July 14, 2018

Wildflowers Blooming at Conway Summit

Blues, reds, yellow and orange!
What a colorful photo-adventure this was


On a day trip to Eastern Sierra’s higher elevations, what could be more rewarding than coming across a huge section of wildflowers blooming along the roadside?  Just before the July 4th weekend, I took a drive over toward Virginia Lake in Mono County, California.  Turning off U.S. 395 at the Conway Summit, I noticed yellow wildflowers standing out against the green landscape.  


Photographer Bonnie Rannald, Conway Summit, California


As I stopped to catch a scenic view of the mountains that still had traces of snow, patches of lavender blooms stood out in the foreground.   


Conway Summit, California


Driving forward a short distance, the rocky banks on either side of the road were accented with clusters of lavender and periwinkle.  


Sierra Penstemon, Conway Summit


 
At closer observation, I realized these were Sierra Penstemon flowers. 



Sierra Penstemon, Conway Summit


 
Many of the Penstemon were growing with tall, lanky Lupines which had just started to bud. 



Sierra Penstemon and Lupine, Conway Summit


Moving further along the road and to my delight a group of scarlet Beaked Beardtongue stood out next to more periwinkle Penstemon. 


Scarlet Beardtongue and Sierra Penstemon, Conway Summit


 
Up in the distance and swaying in the breeze a large area of red caught my attention.  



Desert Paintbrush, Conway Summit


 
I had to tread safely along the narrow, rocky shoulder of this road and keep a watch for passing cars.  



Bonnie Rannald photographing wildflowers, Conway Summit


Getting a closer look, the reds were Desert Paintbrushes.  I’ve never seen so many growing in such a small area!


Desert Paintbrush, Conway Summit


 
This photo-adventure was like being in a lush alpine flower garden!



Desert Paintbrush, Conway Summit


Accents of orange against the subtle green desert sage caught my eye.  These flowers are the Applegate’s Paintbrush and the first I had ever encountered growing wild. 


Applegate's Paintbrush, Conway Summit


Numerous stands of Mule’s Ears with yellow flowers and elongated leaves were inter-spaced through out the road side.  


Mule Ears, Conway Summit

The day was moving along and the winds were getting stronger, it was time to head back down.  What a thrill to just happen on so many wildflowers.   I have learned from past experience to follow my yearnings and allow the adventure come to me.    



If you found this post interesting check back often where I will focus on the story behind the image or give tips on my ventures as a nature photographer.

Your comments are always welcome and I will reply back ASAP.  


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Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 


Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 


For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall



No images on this blog are within Public Domain and are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.








Friday, July 6, 2018

The Western Fence Lizard


 Shiny, black lizards waiting as sentinels on each fence post!


What to do on a warm day in early June when the temperatures are reaching near the century mark?

Well, I took a road-trip to Nevada’s backcountry on the Lucky Boy Pass Road and decided to try my luck with the rugged Corey Peak trail.  Corey Peak stands at 10,501’ (3.201 m) and is the second highest summit in the Wassuk Range of Western Nevada.  


Corey Peak Trail, Nevada


Traversing on the narrow, winding trail to reach the summit of Corey Peak requires maneuvering through some dense growth of bushes and trees that are fed by the mountain streams. 


Photographer Bonnie Rannald checking out Corey Peak Trail


As I ascended the trail, I stopped to marvel at the geological formations in several of the high up rock-outcroppings.  What a story these rocks tell.  


Geological features, Corey Trail


Up ahead the trail began to open and off the road-side I noticed a wire fence with  wooden posts. A  small dark shape on one of the posts caught my attention so I paused to take a look with my 200mm lens.  To my surprise, it was a lizard sunning in the afternoon sunlight.  


Photographing the Western Fence Lizard


Approaching more fence posts and each one has a similar lizard resting on top, perhaps hoping for quick snack of insects or spiders.


Western Fence Lizard


I learned that these lizards were the Western Fence Lizards or Spiny Lizards, Sceloporus occidentalis.  


Western Fence Lizard


Unlike their cousins, the Sagebrush Lizards, the Western Fence Lizards are not usually found in the desert.  This was my first encounter with this fascinating creature which grow to around 8.4 inches, 213 mm in length.   


Western Fence Lizard


As the day was growing long and the trail was getting narrower, I decided it was time to turn back.  To me, it had been an eventful photo-adventure while I was able to observe a new critter
in the wild.              


Corey Peak Trail




Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level. 




What an exciting and interesting photo-adventure this day has been.  I love it when I am drawn to an area and not knowing what to expect I get treated to new experiences. 

Sign up and follow my blog to see where my next photo-adventure will be!


Photography places me in the moment where I can share that moment in time. It becomes a life story as represented by my interaction with the scene. The happiness and beauty or the sorrow and strife; how I focus leaves a lasting impression that might touch the viewer on a spiritual level.


 "Reflecting Nature's Artistry" 




Many of these images are available on my website:

 http://www.bonnierannald.com/ 

For custom matted and framed images:
Off The Wall


No images on this blog are within Public Domain or are available for free download. 

 All rights reserved, world-wide and images protected by Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA). All photography, graphics, text, design, and content is copyrighted by Bonnie Rannald and should not be copied, down-loaded, transferred and re-created in any way without the express consent, in writing to Bonnie Rannald. For information on Bonnie Rannald licensed, right-managed images, please submit a written request.





Visit our website at: http://www.bonnierannald.com/