Sky Transport

While hiking in Kennedy Meadows we observed a couple of helicopters trailing buckets.  Since the day was hot and hazy the first thought might be that they were fighting a fire.

 But no, no water in these buckets.

 It was concrete that they were hauling to upgrade a dam at the edge of the Emigrant Wilderness.

 I was struck by the stance of the guy on the right, hands clasped behind his back.  Hubby thought perhaps it was his job to signal when the bucket was ready to be lifted and didn't want to make any gesture that might be misinterpreted.

The orange stripe on the hard hat would make it possible for the guy in the chopper to distinguish him.  What ever the reason for the stance, it looks like a hazardous operation for both the men on the ground and those in the air.  It was a bit disconcerting for the hikers as well.  The Helicopter with its full bucket of concrete flew right over the trail!

You can find more sky views at SkyWatch Friday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Watery American Dipper

I saw this little guy feeding in the Stanislaus River.

 

 Never still, he dives and swims in the water and bobs up and down while on land.  It makes it challanging for the photograper.

 Also known as a water ouzel he is fun to watch.

Find more watery sites at Watery Wednesday, hosted for us by 2sweetnsaxy.

Fair Oaks--My World

 Sacramento has grown into a large metropolitan area.  To the visitor it may look like one big city. 

Dig a little deeper and you will find a collection of smaller communities with old town centers at their core.

 We recently visited one of these towns.  We had breakfast at Fair Oaks Village.  The town had been promoted as a citrus growing area in the late 19th and early 20th century by investors in Chicago and Sacramento.  Freezes in the 1930s ended the citrus industry but other business took its place.

 One of the first things we noticed were the chickens.  They inhabit the area around the Plaza Park, encouraged by people who come to feed them.

Also at the Plaza Park is this beautiful mural at the edge of the amphitheater, an outdoor venue for community theater.

 The Park is surrounded by historic buildings housing cafes and shops.

I thought this antique shop had a lot of character.

Find more parts of our world and My World Tuesday,

hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Half Dome Reflected

I know, I've showed you reflections of Half Dome before.  With the help of a great little book, "The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite" I found a new vantage point.  Rather than standing with the masses on Sentinel Bridge, we had this spot to ourselves.

 I couldn't get both this nice framing above and the full reflection in the water (I need a wider lens, are you listening Santa?)

I'm giving you both versions since I can't decide which I like better.  It was a hazy evening.  Maybe someday I will get this shot on a clear day with a wide angle and make you see it yet again.  Better yet, go see it with your own eyes, you'll be glad you did.

Weekend Reflections are brought to us by James at Newtown Area Photo.

Above El Capitan

Find more skies from aroud the world at SkyWatch Friday,

hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Climbing El Capitan

Rock climbing is a popular activity among some outdoor enthusiasts (not this one, though).

This massive rock in Yosemite is popular with rock climbers, and the meadow below is a popular place to watch the climbers.

 If you wonder why my shots are a bit fuzzy, the climbers were hard to reach with my 300mm lens.  Also, I was lazy and depended on the image stabilization feature of the lens rather that setting up the tripod.  The yellow circle indicates where the climbers in the next shot were.

 The guy in the upper right is preparing to pull up the gear that is down by his buddy.

 It takes most climbers at least two days so they must find a ledge or use a suspended hammock to sleep.

 This climber and his partner were on the other face, a bit to the left of where a rockfall occurred a week later.  Geotripper posted some information about that.

This group was below and to the left of the first and are hidden from view by a tree in the first shot.

This seems an appropriate entry for Outdoor Wednesday, hosted for us by Susan at a southern Dreamer.  Click the link to see more views of the world outside.

Changing Seasons

This time of year the seasons can change in a week or a day

 September 26 and it was hot and hazey in Yosemite.  Record temperatures were expected in the Valley.  We stopped at Olmstead Point and I took this shot looking towards Tenaya Lake.

A week later, October 3, the sky was blue and there was snow on the distant mountains.

They change with elevation as well.  At 8,000' the aspens where dressed in orange and yellow.

 At 9,700' the trees were dressed in white.  No ice yet on the lake.

 These last few days at the cabin we enjoyed the quiet beauty of the first snowfall of the season.  This, we know, will soon melt.

We enjoyed it for a few days and then shut down for the winter.  It was a rare treat, most years the first real snow doesn't come until after the water system is turned off.

There are more places in our world to be found at That's My World, Tuesday; hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Autumn Harvest

Enlarge these for a close-up view.

 On a recent camping trip I enjoyed watching this Chicaree or Douglas Squirrel.  I had to watch my head, though, for first he threw them on the ground.

It almost looked like he was eating corn on the cob.

He rips off the scales to get at the seeds.

Eventually he notices me watching him.

He runs off with the pine cone.  It must weigh more than the squirrel.

To see more critters, head on over to Camera Critters, hosted for us by Misty Dawn.

Day is Done

Twilight at Cook's Meadow

The day is done, and the darkness

Falls from the wings of night...

...And the night shall be filled with music,

And the cares, that infest the day,

Shall fold their tents, like the Arabs,

And as silently steal away.

   Henry Wadsworth Longfellow     

See more beautiful skies from around the world at SkyWatch Friday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.   

Signs of Autumn

For more watery sights head on over to Watery Wednesday, hosted for us by 2sweetnsaxy.

Sonora Pass Country

Too often Hubby and I have zipped over the Sonora Pass on California route 108.  We knew this beautiful area deserved more of our attention but we hadn't gotten around to exploring.  Last month we tried to rectify our error and spent three nights camping near Kennedy Meadows.

 This is the gateway for hikers into the Emigrant Wilderness and a haven for those who enjoy fishing and majestic scenery.  For those who chose not to camp, the resort offers cabins and a restaurant.  You must plan ahead, though, as the resort already has reservations for most of next summer!

 Our visit in early autumn found the Stanislaus River running low.  It was obvious, though, that at other times there is a lot of water.

 The meadow grasses had turned brown.  We hope to go back in the spring to see it clothed in green.

 Fishermen were taking advantage of the last few weeks of fishing season.

As the day comes to an end the rock formations are highlighted by the setting sun.

See other worlds at That's My World Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.

Reflections of the Past

Look closely and you can see a glimpse of an old classroom beyond the reflections.

 A clock, chart and blackboard are mounted on the wall.

 A model of mining machinery

A globe, now missing its land and seas and farther back books on the desks.

Reflected in the glass are the buildings of Bodie in a state of arrested decay.  Want to know more about Bodie?  Click here.

Weekend Reflections is hosted by James at Newtown Area Photo

Mid-morning Moon

Walking through the campground I looked up and saw this gibbous moon, framed by several trees.

See more views of skies around the world at SkyWatch Friday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.



Wet Dog

Jingles enjoyed a romp in Skelton Lake

Find more watery sites at Watery Wednesday, hosted for us by 2sweetnsaxy.

Duck Pass Hike

While in Mammoth Lakes I hiked with friends up towards Duck Pass.

The hike begins above Lake Mary and follows along a pleasant stream.

 It goes past Arrow Lake and then Skelton Lake.

 At Barney Lake we stopped for lunch.  We looked at the pass.  No one was enthusiastic about going over the pass to Duck Lake.

 I propped my camera on a rock for a group photo.  It was an odd angle and I tripped running to get into the shot.  I made it on the second try.  I'm the one on the left.

 Back at the trailhead we explored what remained of the Mammoth Consolidated Mine.

This hike starts here, at the trailhead parking at the far end of the Lake Mary Campground.

You can find more world views at My World Tuesday, hosted for us by Klaus, Sandy, Wren, Fishing Guy and Sylvia.