Sierra Nevada | Russ Bishop Photography | Nature Photo Blog

September 9, 2010November 6, 2015

Sierra Nevada Splendor

Autumn is one of my favorite times of year. The crisp air and shorter days stimulate the senses, and the light takes on a magical quality. Throughout the country the deciduous trees from aspen to maple are a visual reminder that summer has passed and that winter is not far off. And for the photographer, this transition is literally a golden opportunity to capture the landscape in its finest hour.

When many people think of fall color the hardwood forests of the eastern United States immediately come to mind, but the aspen groves of the western states and the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California in particular can rival even the sugar maples of Vermont. Photographing aspens is often best on overcast days when the light is soft and harsh shadows are minimized or late in the day when the sky is clear and the warm back-light makes them glow from within. This image was made along Rush Creek near June Lake just moments before the sun dropped behind the Sierra peaks.

May 26, 2010November 6, 2015

Carson Peak Sunrise

It’s almost June and the Sierra Nevada is expecting another winter storm this week – amazing! Here’s a recent image of early morning light on Carson Peak above June Lake. This quiet eastern California hamlet could easily pass for the French Alps with views like this.

May 12, 2010November 6, 2015

Winter Giants

This image was made on a backcountry ski trip through the Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. A storm had just passed in the night and although we were anxious to reach our destination, I knew the fresh snow in the trees wouldn’t last. As I wandered through the grove scene after scene unfolded before my lens, but after only an hour or so the delicate flocking was already beginning to melt.

It’s always a humbling experience to walk among these stately giants – to ponder the fact that they’ve been here long before us and will be here long after we’re gone. But the winter season adds a heightened sense of clarity to the scene and these magnificent trees seem to peer out from their cloaks of white as if to say, “I am wise”.