My wife and I visited the Eastern Sierra a few weeks ago, taking some friends for their first time visit to the area. They were even up for joining me at sunrise which was unexpected. The Eastern Sierra is beautiful at any time of the year but in the autumn, when the aspen leaves turn, it's astoundingly beautiful.
1&2. I have photographed at North Lake at sunrise five or six times and have yet to have clouds in the sky. I concentrated on something a little more abstract this time. I don't want to take away from the images but I must say that the lake shore was crowded, which was expected but this time in the middle of the peace and quiet a couple started yelling angrily at each other. Fortunately it only lasted a few minutes but it really detracted from the experience.
3. Little Lakes Valley - This was my first visit here and it's label of best day hike in the Eastern Sierra fits. It was incredibly beautiful and I would highly recommend this trail if you like hiking. I was lucky enough to catch a sunset with some colour.
4&5 Parker Lake - I had never been to Parker Lake prior to this visit. The hike in is roughly 4km but at a moderate elevation of roughly 2400m it's no picnic for flatlanders. I can only assume this keeps most photographers away from experiencing this place at sunrise. My group and I were a little late in starting, so I sped ahead, even jogging a little to try and make if before sunrise. The hike seemed to take longer than it should in the blue light of dawn. The forest of lodgepole pines was slightly eerie but also beautiful with the quieted sounds of nature, the smell of pine and earth and aspen that appear like gentle torches in the light. I reached the lake just in time and was fortunate in so many ways. The lake was still like a mirror. A light mist enveloped the lake. A section of aspen on the far shore were in peak colour. I was the only one there to experience this. My group came in about 45 minutes later.
Thanks for looking. Comments always welcome.
Derrick
ILCE-7CRFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens35mmf/11.01/3s500 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CRE 50-300mm F4.5-6.3 A069 lens300mmf/11.01/10s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CRFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens16mmf/11.01/3s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CRFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens26mmf/11.05s100 ISO0.0 EV
ILCE-7CRFE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens17mmf/11.01/2s100 ISO0.0 EV
Nice work on the North Lake shot. You actually came up with a different view than the usual!
(Came back and looked again, and I realized that one thing that appeals to me is the mirrored shapes of the reflected trees and the foreground bet of the wet meadow.)
Beautiful work, Derrick.
My wife and I were there at the end of September. Little Lakes Valley is very nice. Especially for flat landers like me. It does get very crowded there.
I love your use of curves in 1-3. And both shots of Parker are spectacular.
On a side note, I caught a 5lb. rainbow out of Convict lake. ( :
guidostow wrote:
Fine work here Derick!
Thanks Guy.
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Ross Martin wrote:
Gorgeous set, Derick! I’ve shot autumn in the Eastern Sierra only once and hope to return.
Thanks Ross. If you decide to return, let me know. Maybe we could shoot together.
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junglialoh wrote:
Many memorable images from Sierra in Autum, last one is the most impressive landscape
Thanks Jung. It was a memorable trip. Perhaps you will make it out there some day.
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olalafoto wrote:
The last one is excellent, vote ！
Thank you so much! Your Yosemite set was excellent.
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gdanmitchell wrote:
Nice work on the North Lake shot. You actually came up with a different view than the usual!
(Came back and looked again, and I realized that one thing that appeals to me is the mirrored shapes of the reflected trees and the foreground bet of the wet meadow.)
Thanks Dan. Always love viewing your work.
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douter wrote:
The last is terrific, Derrick!
Douglas
Thanks Douglas. Neoprene socks made it comfortable enough to wade out there. I enjoyed checking out your IG feed. You have a penchant for florals. Nice!
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Craig Gillette wrote:
The soft dawn light and fog are wonderful. Standout set here.
Thanks Craig. Appreciate the comment. I got lucky with the conditions.
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matsu131 wrote:
Beautiful work, Derrick.
My wife and I were there at the end of September. Little Lakes Valley is very nice. Especially for flat landers like me. It does get very crowded there.
I love your use of curves in 1-3. And both shots of Parker are spectacular.
On a side note, I caught a 5lb. rainbow out of Convict lake. ( :
Thank you John. Much appreciated. As a non-fisherman I'm guessing a 5lb rainbow is quite a catch! At Parker Lake, whilst wading out to the snag I saw a large brown trout (I think). Somebody had also left their inflatable fishing dinghy thing and fins up there on the lakeshore. Presumably they were planning to come back and fish again!
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Timphoto wrote:
That last image of Parker Lake - spectacular!
Thanks Tim. I did have fun capturing that one, trying not to slip on the rocks
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graytrekker wrote:
Lovely images, Derrick
Doug
Thank you Doug. Appreciate it.
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sony a7iii wrote:
Hola, buenos contrastes, un abrazo
Pipe
