Bonnie Rannald's Photo-Explorations in focus with nature. : Tufa Towers

Sunday, March 11, 2018

Winter Photo-adventures at Mono Lake

A day's discoveries along an inland sea

The winter of 2018 has not seen near the amount of snow as in 2017. After a moist cold front moved through the region in early March, I was eager to venture out to eastern California and the High Sierra community, 6,383’ (1,946 m) around Mono Lake.

I took a dirt road that might get me a better view of the lake and I was hoping not to get stuck in the icy mud. I was slightly disappointed with the lack of snow on the ground but the mountains were looking very picturesque against the nice blue sky.

Eventually the road-side opened for a nice view of the mountains to the south--the gateway to Mammoth Mountain and June Lake.

With this type of winter lighting and the snow covered mountains Mono Lake looked almost like it was frozen.

In the far distant to the south, trails lined with snow stood out, what great skiing on that fresh powder.

The view across the north side of this inland sea leaves me with a very surrealistic feeling. Mono Lake is twice as salty as the ocean.

The docile appearing Mono Dome all covered in snow hardly gives any hint of this area’s volcanic past.

Snow blankets much of the salty shoreline at this ancient lake and the Black Point basaltic cone

stands out across the blue water. Black Point was formed over 13,000 years ago.

By late afternoon the sky grows darker and colors become more saturated. The black shape of volcanic Pahoa Island, formed just 300 years ago, begins to reflect in the calm portion of the water. Unworldly “Tufa Towers” calcium-carbonate spires, accent the lake’s foreground.

Time has come to begin my departure and travel back over Nevada’s 7,638 feet (2,328 meters) Anchorite Pass before ice starts to form on the road.

No matter what the season photo-exploring around the Mono Lake area always offers the most awesome views. Winter does seem to be my favorite time when the snow covers the high Sierra and accents the rugged terrain.

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"

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http://www.bonnierannald.com/

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Friday, February 19, 2016

Eastern Sierras in an El Niño Winter

Glacier carved lake, Volcano Domes and Snow covered landscapes

With an El Niño winter bearing down on the Pacific Northwest, the days to go out photo-exploring are determined most often by road conditions. It is much wiser to wait out the storm in the comfort of one's home than to become stranded like the Donner Party.

Gauging the weather after a moderate snow storm in early February, I decided to venture toward the Eastern Sierra Nevada Mountains before warmer temperatures melted most of the snow. Even in the higher elevations, it does not take much sunlight to raise the ground temperature and within a few hours the snow vanishes.

As I pass by an out-cropping of solidified lave flows, the remaining snow accents the graphic details in the rocks, creating pleasing artistic effects.

Mono Lake is calm on this winter day. Paoha Island, formed by an uplift of lake sediments with volcanic core, reflects to the east in the deep blue water. A number of smaller Tufa Towers line the western shore.

Driving south after Lee Vinning and Mono Lake, the Mono Craters stand out in the eastern horizon. The volcanic chain of craters, domes and lava flows stretches 25 miles from the northwest shore of Mono Lake to the south of Mammoth Mountain. The Explosive eruptions began over 50,000 years ago, with the most recent just 600 years old.

Continuing on and nestled against the steep eastern escarpment of the Sierra Nevada's is the subalpine valley of June Lake. At an elevation of 7654 feet. (2333 m), and formed by glacier action, June Lake has been dubbed the Swiss Alps of the Sierras.

By mid-day the shadows grow long and it is time to turn back. There are so many more natural wonders to explore and I can hardly wait for my return trip. When the dirt roads dry and there is not as much danger of getting stuck in the deep snow, I hope to continue this photo-adventure to Mono's Panum Crater and hike the trail to the summit. Follow my blog and check back often to see where my next photo-adventure will take me.

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.