Winter's Repose at Mono Lake

Ancient spirits, Volcano Domes and Tufa Towers

 Do you sometimes have a week where you just have to get away from technology, communications and all news media?  When I have one of those weeks, Mono Lake is one of my favorite places to retreat from the world and find peace.  

The ancient lake which is known to have an age of at least 760,000 years, might actually date back to over 1 million years and is one of the oldest lakes in North America.  With a level of 6378.9 feet asl (1,946 meters) and approximate volume of 2.6 million acre feet, Mono Lake is cradled among extinct volcano domes.  The Sierra Nevada Mountains and the gateway to Yosemite rise up in the near distance.  

Sitting in a quiet spot and gazing out over the salty, alkaline blue water, I feel a peaceful solitude. 

 Today, the ecosystem of the lake is composed of algae, brine shrimp and alkali flies, which is a huge draw for any number of breeding and migratory birds. However on this cold day, the shores are still and the lake quiet from the repose of winter.      

Tufa towers accent the shoreline, reminding me of rocks that represent the souls of ancestors.

Tufa are produced from the interaction of freshwater springs and alkaline lake water, forming calcium-carbonate spires and knobs.  

As I sit in my solitude and reminisce about the life and times of this primitive lake, the sun drops lower in the sky, signaling that it's time to be on my way.  On my return home, I must travel the winding road through  the 7626 feet (2324.4 m) Anchorite Pass and at night there is always the concern about hitting in to wildlife on the dark road.  

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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.

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Nature's Artistry after the Rim Fire

Nature's tenacity after flames of destruction

How often do you plan for an outing to a specific location and then become side tracked along the way?  This was the case on a nice fall day in October when I had planned on taking a drive on Tioga Pass to Yosemite before the road was closed for the winter.  Being a nature photographer, I never know where the scene will appear and am always amazed when it does.

Some distance after Tenaya Lake, I began to see evidence of fire damage to the landscape just off the road.  I realized that I was coming on the devastation from the Rim fire that started on August 17, 2013 and burned 400 square miles before the 5,000 firefighters could contain the blaze at a cost of $127 million.  After reaching a pullout, I decided to stop and take a closer look at the damage.

What I was about to experience was totally beyond anything that I could have dreamed up.

As I looked out over the marred terrain the thought came to me that what nature takes eons to build can be destroyed by man in the blink of an eye.

With a heavy feeling of great remorse, my eyes wandered to the blackened trunks of charred trees that must have been exposed directly to the flames. 

I then saw the reddish brown scorch of needles that were not burned but exposed to such lethal temperatures.

Standing at what appeared to be the entrance to the area, between two logs was the trunk of a tree that had been partially damaged by the fire and at its base was the blackened symbol of a heart.

My feeling of remorse suddenly began to lift as I saw a large pinecone resting at the base of a huge Ponderosa pine that was untouched by the fire.  I felt like I was being drawn with my camera into a sacred place, a place designed as a memorial by the hand of nature to symbolize the tenacity of life to survive against all odds.

Walking with care and reverence, I entered nature's cathedral and after a few steps, I noticed  a small green plant that had recently began to grow against the base of a charred pine.  In the ash covered soil were an abundance of new life with small pines and other plants just beginning to grow. 

Intriguing shapes of charred tree trunks stood out and it was beginning to appear that this was not only a cathedral but also an art gallery created by the hand of nature. 

Many of the blackened trunks reminded me of abstract sculpture as in the works of Henry Moore, James Abbott, Adam Bram and Agustin Cárdenas.  What creative designs evolved from such a destructive force, like the Phoenix rising from the ashes.  

 Even the natural light falling on many objects seemed to be arranged by nature's hand.  I was especially impressed with the diversity of light on a scene that accented a stump in the foreground, then shadowed the trunk in the middle and highlighted the tree to the right.

A three-dimensional shape stands tall that must have been hollowed out and then split by the intense heat.  I have read that it only takes one minute of 140 degree heat to be lethal to most trees.

An interesting freestanding shape seems that it could topple to the ground in the next wind.

A Surrealistic "Moth man" image is mounted with a small evergreen in the shape of a cross by its base.

 Nature's artistic hand was very creative using Pyrography to decorate this wood.

 Branches drooping from crown scorch that were exposed to lethal heat and not directly burned are illuminated with the morning light and give an appearance of a metal sculpture, delicate and flowing in a gentle breeze.

After spending an unlimited amount of time in total amazement with this awesome  display of nature's artistry, I looked down at a tiny aspen accented with sunlight and realized that I had been drawn to share in a very spiritual experience.  Nature’s beauty inspires me, its diversity fascinates me and its resilience holds me in awe.

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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.

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Art of Photography

Creating the Photograph

 In this technological age where pocket cameras and phones are producing photographs with the quality comparable to that of a Hassleblad, I am ever minded of the quote from Ansel Adams, “You don't make a photograph just with a camera. You bring to the act of photography all the pictures you have seen, the books you have read, the music you have heard, the people you have loved.”

How often do these traits mentioned by Adams still hold true when the art of producing photographs has become as common as serving a prepackaged gourmet meal from the microwave.   Looking over Adam's background, an early childhood devotion to music, an appreciation for the arts, plus a love for our natural environment greatly influenced his photography. Furthermore, Adams developed his mastery of photography through countless hours of reading, observing art exhibits and attending camera club meetings.  During the time that Adams was perfecting his camera skills, he was also conditioning his body for the strength and stamina needed to carry the heavy equipment over rugged trails and higher elevations in Yosemite Valley, California.

At this point, maybe you are curious as to why I am making comparisons with Ansel Adams and present day photographers.  I suppose it is due to the numerous requests that I receive from people who want to get in to photography and enjoy what I'm doing.  As a seasoned professional photographer, I am always amazed by these requests, especially when it comes from a novice who thinks photography is the easiest art medium to pursue.

I get amused when I reflect over the times I stood in the freezing cold and waited for a photo that never materialized.   Or the day I was out in the desert hiking with a backpack of camera equipment and a lightning storm was moving in.  Yes, photography is easy when a snapshot is taken from the inside of a climate controlled car.

So over and above the fitness training that I perform on a daily basis, as with Adams, my photographs are a composite from my background in music, studies in fine art, a MA degree and countless hours perfecting my skill.  I create my photographs by carefully composing the scene and then adjusting the exposure per the available light within the camera before I ever release the shutter.  Shooting in the RAW mode, any additional adjustments are made to the photograph with Lightroom editing software.

My mentor once compared the making of a photograph to that of cooking a gourmet meal:  the careful preparation and slow simmering to bring out the flavor of all the ingredients.  How true I've found this to be when the photograph has that WOW factor and pops right off the wall.

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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.

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Highlights of 2012

Welcoming the New Year 

The past year has been both exciting with new opportunities and disappointing with the loss of more art shows.

 Early in the year a notice came out that the Purple Summer Festival at Lavender Ridge during Reno's Artown would not be held again this year.  Over the past four years the Purple Summer Festival has become one of Reno's largest art festivals with three days of family fun, music and culinary delights. 

The opportunities that came through this year also gave me a chance to début several of my new photographs.

An exciting start to the New Year began when I received an invitation to join Reno's art touring group, Reno Open Studios.  It's quite an honor to be among the 40 artists who promote their art in exhibits in the Reno area and open their studios for the public during September.

During my open studio, I exhibited my new collection of photographs, "Solar Temenos" that were taken during the Venus Transit across the sun. I demonstrated the process of making a Baader Solar Filter and adapting it to the Nikon 500mm 4.0 lens that was mounted to my digital camera.   For more information on the Solar Temenos, please follow the link at the end of the post.

In early June, I was very fortunate to have my Nevada photographs selected for exhibit and purchase at the 49th. International Photo Fair in Bièvres, France.

Among the photos selected was a new work entitled, "Fall Equinox Moon".

Culminating my exhibits for the 2012 season and opening November 22nd. through December 13th., I was honored to be included with six photographers from different parts of the world to exhibit in "November Montmartre" at the L'Atelier des Artistes Montmartre in  Paris, France.

The photographs selected were images of fall scenes in the southwestern U.S., including one of my latest works, "Silver City, Nevada”.

My favorite photo shoots during the year:

 Americana Music Festival in Virginia City, Nevada on July 14th.

Fall adventures in Yosemite National Park through Tioga Pass.

It has been an exciting year, I welcome the New Year and wish everyone a happy 2013! 

For more information:

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/08/reno-open-studios.html

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/06/transit-of-venus-from-walker-lake.html

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/06/49th-international-photo-fair.html

http://bonnierannald.blogspot.com/2012/11/bonnie-rannalds-photographic.html

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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.

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Early October in Yosemite National Park

Highlights from a Day of  Exploring

October weather in the Eastern Sierra Nevada's can be very unpredictable, however this year in 2012 it has been very warm and dry.   After learning of our first seasonal change coming soon with lower temperatures and possible rain, I decided to return to Yosemite National Park for more photos.

 Driving the 70 miles, 112.6 km route through Tioga Pass that reaches altitudes near 10,000 feet, (3048 m) can be challenging even on a clear, sunny day. In many places the winding, two lane road has a drop-off of more that 3,000 feet (914 m) on the east side, with no guard rails.  Tioga Pass becomes too dangerous to drive when there is ice and snow so it is closed through the cold weather months and may not open until June.

 Upon arriving at Yosemite Valley, one of the first attractions is El Capitan, towering more than 3,000 feet (914 m) above the Valley floor in the northern sky.

"El Cap" has two rock faces pointing to the southeast and to the southwest, with the "Nose" in between.  Once considered impossible to climb the world’s largest monolith of granite is now a favorite challenge for rock climbers from across the globe.

 A hike down along a quiet stream has a picturesque view of El Capitan reflecting in the calm water with deciduous trees on the bank just beginning to change color.

To the south, the buttresses and pinnacles of Cathedral Spires accent the afternoon sky.  Noted for some of the first rock climbing in Yosemite Park, this awesome formation has three summits:  Higher, Middle and Lower.

In late afternoon as the sun begins to drop, a walk through a meadow finds a doe and her fawn almost hidden in the tall grass.  Unafraid of people, they sit quietly as I keep my distance.

 

To the west, the Half Dome rises above the landscape at 8,842 feet (2695.04 m) and is one of the youngest formations in Yosemite Valley.

Returning home back through Tioga Pass, I catch one of the smaller active glaciers, the Dana Glacier flowing near the top of 13,053 foot (3978.55 m) Mount Dana, on the east entrance to Yosemite National Park.  An interesting note, the temperature where I am standing is around 60° f (15.55° c) and the summer heat is just drawing to an end.

I look forward to a return visit to photograph more of the wonders in Yosemite after Tioga Pass has been cleared in the spring or early summer.

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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.

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