Hey all. Well it was finally truly time for me to upgrade. My trusty 5D original had served me well for almost a decade, but it was beginning to show its age. As an inaugural trip for my new 6D, I decided to head to Russian Ridge. Sometimes I get mocked (in a friendly way) for the frequency with which I revisit Russian Ridge, but it's one of my favorite places, so it felt right for the inaugural trip... y'all can go suck an egg And within Russian Ridge, one of my favorite scenes is a cluster of 5 or 6 California Buckeyes that always captures my interest. I worked extra hard to try to find a new perspective in honor of my new camera
Russian Ridge is much like other patches of chaparral in Northern California in that when summer rolls around, the gentle hillsides dry and turn bright gold. The sight of it feels like something out of an afterlife – pure paradise. The reality, however, is not so kind. The grass is nearly knee high, and not soft at all. The spikelets have spent the last 10,000 years evolving into perfect jean-penetrating, ankle-scaping machines. And sometimes, they also hide lustful ticks hoping for a free ride.
But under this precious California Buckeye tree, the friendly grass of spring had lingered longer. Once I got under, the soft blades kissed my raw ankles the way a mother kisses a child's scraped knee. The shade this tree offered was a welcomed respite from the piercing summer sun, as the flora was well aware. Look closely and you may even find a few wildflowers persisting way past their due.
Congrats on the new camera and congrats on coming up with something new in your composition. I like how you worked it and the sun. Now... I am just wondering who here would ever even think about giving you a hard time because you have visited the Russian Ridge 4,197 times... but hey... who's keeping count??
Very nice. This is a perfect example of a scene that most of us would have walked by looking for an obvious dramatic opportunity. You got the right angle, right lighting and shadows to make this work. Thanks for posting this.
To those commenting on my nearly-obscene level of sap: yes, you are correct, haha. I definitely like to push the limits regarding acceptable levels of sappiness (as my girlfriend is well aware, also at times regards it with disdain, haha... I just find it fun).
Scott K: nope, no fill flashes. But having a camera with really push-able shadow details is nice!
Scott B: 17-40L
Martines: I haven't found polarizers to be much help when shooting directly into the sun. And with harsh direct sunlight, the extra layer of glass seems to cause more problems with ghosting than it solves.
Matt, thanks for the reminder!
I haven't been there in a few months.
Time to venture out again and try my "new" 4x5 out on Russian Ridge.
Now it wouldn't be fair to make fun of you visiting there so much since I have a similar haunt in Grant's Ranch. And after all, you are still getting original images out of it.
And within Russian Ridge, one of my favorite scenes is a cluster of 5 or 6 California Buckeyes that always captures my interest. I worked extra hard to try to find a new perspective in honor of my new camera 
