August 23, 2013

By now the world has probably seen, heard of, or read about the horrific fire that is destroying the Sierra Mountains just to the East of where I live and where I spend a lot of time photographing and just enjoying.   The Rim Fire crossed the western boundary of Yosemite National Park yesterday between Camp Mather and Eleanor Lake and left a path of destruction along Highway 120 North of Yosemite to Groveland.  The Rim Fire (as it is called) has grown to over 105,000 acres -- or roughly 165 square miles -- it is soon going to start it's day of burning largely out of control through steep, rugged terrain. It has destroyed many structures and home and threatens an additional 2,500 homes.  Our family spent a week at Pine Mountain Lake this summer and that area is being evacuated now.  We have friends who live in the Greeley Hill - Groveland area.  I don't ever recall a fire more devastating to California that this fire and I pray for the safety of the people who live and work in this area, for those fighting the fires, and for the fire to end before much more damage is caused.  The way it looks now that is a BIG prayer...the blaze is just 2% contained and the winds are fanning the flames in all directions.  Groveland, Pine Mountain Lake, Buck Meadows,and all the little 'you just missed it' spots along the fires path will need all our support when this fire is finally killed.  It will take a lot of our support to bring this part of California back to the beauty we have know.  Please, if you get a chance to support those in the fires path... please do so.   Thank you from a neighbor in Modesto...

Nightfall shot of Half Dome

Here is a shot I took of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park this summer.  I've probably been to Yosemite a dozen times in the past couple of years and I never get tired of it.  I started going there back in the early 1960's and each time I go I see something new and different.  I don't think I'll ever tire of visiting this beautiful park.... be it in the heat of summer or the cold of winter; or the new growth in spring or the colors of fall... the park is a photographers dream come true.  You quickly understand why people say if you don't like the view... wait a while and it will change.  One visit the sky is hazy, the next a deep blue or filled with billowing clouds; and the granite rock walls will be dark and drab then burning crimson from the rising or setting sun. The valley is a never ending display of color and form and a view to stand back, drink in, and enjoy.  

Yosemite Valley looking up... Beautiful sky and clouds. 

As summer wraps up I'm again finding myself getting ready for photo competitions again.  Having time away for competing in competitions give me the time to just get out at shoot just for the fun of it (it's all fun, but during the nine months where I compete does cause me to have to focus on specific fields of photography.  During the summer months I can just hang out and take pictures of whatever floats by me.  Here is a Swallowtail butterfly from my garden.  It was very cooperative and stayed around for over ten minutes resting on my six foot tall Zinnias...

It won't be long before these butterflies will be heading south for the winter.