First snow of the season

First snow along HWY 395

SNOW TRACKS

in Tuolumne Meadows

Yosemite

Both these shots were taken on my Eastern Sierra trip earlier this month. As I drove north on HWY 395 into the edge of the storm, I could see the snow beginning to fall onto the mountain across from Crowley Lake. As I watched the mountain was momentarily illuminated by a shaft of sun. OMG! When I saw this I raced to the first available pullout and jumped out to take this photo. I feel very lucky whenever I am given the gift of light like this. Sometimes I am in the right place at the right time.

By the time I made my return trip, the storm had long since moved on and I was able to drive home through Yosemite via Tioga Pass. Tuolumne Meadows had a nice blanket of snow and I couldn't resist stopping to take some pictures. I had already taken some shots when I found this set of tracks heading into the meadow. Yes! I wonder what animal made them? I like how they lead me into the scene and then just disappear. When I gaze at this photo I am back in the meadow again. I can almost feel the cold air and the joy I felt in that moment.

Mono Lake

South Tufa at Mono Lake

Last week Don and I took a trip to the Eastern Sierra to photograph Mono Lake and to look for Fall color. We had to take a longer route and drive up Hwy 395 because Tioga Pass was closed due to an early snow storm. The storm cleared the next day and we were lucky to have some lingering clouds to enhance our photography at South Tufa that afternoon. Mono Lake is simply an amazing place. It's stark beauty grabs my heart every time I am there. I think of this area as one of my spiritual homes. It is one of those places I try to visit every year and I never get tired of being there. As for Fall color, what can I say, there was very little. It looks like any color change is going to happen very late this year.