North Lake

North Lake is located close to Bishop, CA. It is one of the most popular places among photographers in the fall when the aspen turn bright gold and small shrubs turn orange. The road from the highway into the lake area is a two mile, one way, steep (with no barriers) scary ride!! We visited North Lake in May, well before the aspen even leafed out. We returned often in the fall to check on the trees as they slowly progress to their ‘peak color’. The best day of all . . . well it rained!! Enjoy this collection of our many trips.

Taken in the spring when there was still ice on the lake.

Taken in the spring when there was still ice on the lake.

There are not many places to stand for getting a good photograph. By and large, photographers were courteous to share that meager three square feet.

There are not many places to stand for getting a good photograph. By and large, photographers were courteous to share that meager three square feet.

We knew that these would be gorgeous in the fall.

We knew that these would be gorgeous in the fall.

Sunrise.

Sunrise.

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Color was starting.

Color was starting.

From the creek that drains the lake.

From the creek that drains the lake.

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From the road or parking lot (I can’t really tell).

From the road or parking lot (I can’t really tell).

From the road.

From the road.

This was our view as we parked.

This was our view as we parked.

Taken from the passenger seat, this is across the valley as we headed up the steep road to the lake.

Taken from the passenger seat, this is across the valley as we headed up the steep road to the lake.

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I suspect it is possible to get tired of these photos of just the one lake from essentially the one spot!!! We never tired of photographing it, however. LOL

I suspect it is possible to get tired of these photos of just the one lake from essentially the one spot!!! We never tired of photographing it, however. LOL

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A small creek just at the start of the uphill drive.

A small creek just at the start of the uphill drive.

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If you were brave, you could set up your tripod on top if this big rock.

If you were brave, you could set up your tripod on top if this big rock.

Looking down the road on the way back.

Looking down the road on the way back.

We had come down from the mountain and were headed back towards Bishop. I looked to the side and this was my view!!!

We had come down from the mountain and were headed back towards Bishop. I looked to the side and this was my view!!!

Looking back towards the turn for North Lake.

Looking back towards the turn for North Lake.

Do we really want to go home? Not really.

Do we really want to go home? Not really.

Kati Heads North Again

Kati just loves fall and winter in northern Arizona.  She sent these images as the best of her autumn colors of a photo-trip taken several weeks ago along Hart's Prairie Road and Aspen Corner.  The sunset was captured from a lookout not far south of Flagstaff heading home on I-17.  Several of the macro photographs had Kati on her belly!!!  She was looking for that special bokeh that Christopher O'Donnell gets at 24mm. I have tried doing that.  Not easy!!  Good job Kati.

I would find it hard to move from this spot.

I would find it hard to move from this spot.

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Chris O'Donnell would approve!

Chris O'Donnell would approve!

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Good night!

Good night!

Ramsey Canyon

Ramsey Canyon is referred to as the 'hummingbird capital of the world'.  Its tall canyon walls and presence of Ramsey Creek keep it cooler than the surrounding desert and an ideal place for wildlife, especially birds. There are 15 different varieties of hummingbirds that can be found here.   Ramsey Canyon is part of The Nature Conservancy’s international conservation program cooperates with several agencies to both preserve and better understand fire management, stream restoration, and protection of rare species.  When we arrived, just as the Information Center opened, it was very cold!  We were hoping for some fall color and were surprised at just how brilliant some of the trees were.  It was probably just past 'peak' but we took it all in!  For the birders in our group, we were told that two Trogon males had been spotted in the area.  We, of course did not see them.

You walk under this branch to start walking up the trail.

Resting areas with benches and chairs (even some rocking) makes it easy to simply sit and enjoy the beauty around you.

I believe this is a Coues deer.  We spotted several of them at different times as they came down to the creek to get water.

For Rick.

Interesting root!

Taken with iPhone 7+

How does Greg find images like this?  I expect these creatures to move at any moment!

Remnants of an old house.  Greg and Ann hiked much further up the trail than Tom and I.  They reported that beyond the first loop the fall color dropped off dramatically.

This is Greg's image.

Taken with iPhone 7+

Taken with iPhone 7+

Haha!  My neck curved like this tree trunk as I tried to turn it right side down . . . or up!

It was warmer as we walked back out of the Information Center.

We had our picnic lunch at this creek side table.