Russ | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

October 14, 2020November 1, 2021

The Ancient Ones

The Native American cliff dwellings of the southwest are the most spectacular ruins north of Mexico. The Ancestral Puebloan Indians (or “The Ancient Ones”) were the prehistoric pueblo culture that thrived in the Four Corners region of the United States between 900 and 1200 A.D. before their mysterious disappearance.

Many of their elaborate structures are well-preserved in national parks such as Mesa Verde in southwestern Colorado, Chaco Canyon in New Mexico, and Canyon de Chelly in Arizona. From three-story citadels perched precariously on canyon ledges like Square Tower House shown here, to the 500 room Great Houses of Chaco Canyon, these skilled masons left a legacy to rival the ruins of ancient Greece.

Once referred to as the Anasazi, Archaeologists and scholars still debate what caused their sudden demise toward the end of the 12th century. But the stone handiwork of the Ancestral Puebloans remains a fascinating testament to the vision and tenacity of these ancient pueblo people.

April 10, 2020April 12, 2022

Visual Opportunity – It’s in the Details

New spring growth on an evergreen branch, Olympic National Park, Washington

Grand landscapes are the cornerstone of most outdoor photography, but when we focus on the singular image it’s easy to overlook a key element in visual storytelling and a golden opportunity. The details.

When the light is dramatic we are often transfixed and it’s only natural to want to capture the whole of nature’s beauty before us – whether it’s a fiery sunset that fills the sky or a hillside covered in golden autumn hues. The mantra is often “go wide” as we reach for our ultra-wide lens to take it all in. But it’s important to remember that the big picture is just one element in conveying the emotion that we felt at the scene, and sometimes less is more.

The details, which often lay at our feet and are so easily overlooked, not only create a continuity in telling the story of a particular location, but can result in images that stand quite well on their own. Once you’ve captured that big beautiful landscape take another look around before leaving the scene – this is the perfect time to focus on the little things.

“Sometimes you can tell a large story with a tiny subject.” ~Eliot Porter

February 7, 2020May 31, 2022

Yosemite Dogwood – Spring in the Sierra

Mountain Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) above the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California — Mountain Dogwood above the Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California

Spring is just around the corner and with the regular precipitation we’re seeing (compared to years past) it’s expected that the popular high desert wildflower displays should put on another great show. The typical hot-spots out west including Antelope Valley, Anza-Borrego and Death Valley need rain in January for the flowers to germinate and this year is shaping up nicely.

But for those looking for a more reliable spring fix you just need to set your sights a little higher. All that color, grace, and beauty will make a showing – just in a slightly different form and at a higher elevation. Blooming trees and shrubs like Yosemite’s famous Mountain Dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) and the vibrant Western Redbud (Cercis occidentalis) aren’t as susceptible to seasonal changes and should still be in full glory later in April and May when the desert annuals are starting to wind down.

Spring is a wonderful time to visit Yosemite and the Sierra foothills with fewer crowds, mild temperatures, and endless photographic possibilities.