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.

Rockport Sea Fair

Rockport sits right on the coast of Texas and is sometimes considered part of the San Pedro Island winter escape destination for snow birders. It has scenic fishing piers, abundant birdlife, great beaches. It was also ground zero for Hurricane Harvey!! My brother is staying at an RV park not far from the beach. He has been there for several months and was quickly welcomed into the community and put to use as the resident photographer. When the city had its annual Sea Fair, the Chamber of Commerce asked him to photograph as much of it as he could. He spend three days waking around the venue with two cameras, several lens and a huge flash. Here are some of the photographs he took of the activities.

Fair ribbon cutting ceremony.

Fair ribbon cutting ceremony.

Sunset from the top of the Farris wheel.

Sunset from the top of the Farris wheel.

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Cutting up the floor with Grandpa.

Cutting up the floor with Grandpa.

President of the Chamber of Commerce with his daughter.

President of the Chamber of Commerce with his daughter.

Vendor from Ghana, Africa.

Vendor from Ghana, Africa.

Day playing band.

Day playing band.

Mr. Cool with daughter. Why do I not think that is his last name?

Mr. Cool with daughter. Why do I not think that is his last name?

Singer and fiddler of the band Asleep at the Wheel

Singer and fiddler of the band Asleep at the Wheel

All members of the Jeep Club that gathered for the parade.

All members of the Jeep Club that gathered for the parade.

Jeep Club veterans and dependents only.

Jeep Club veterans and dependents only.

This mermaid teaches kayaking.

This mermaid teaches kayaking.

Volunteers handing out water.

Volunteers handing out water.

Young Hawaiian dancers.

Young Hawaiian dancers.

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Ready, GO!

Ready, GO!

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Look at the little boy’s face.

Look at the little boy’s face.

Latin music singer.

Latin music singer.

Local radio celebrity and Sea Fair music coordinator.

Local radio celebrity and Sea Fair music coordinator.

These are the Emerald Girls. When off stage they clean restrooms and wipe off tables.

These are the Emerald Girls. When off stage they clean restrooms and wipe off tables.

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View of crowd forming to watch the Spazmatics band. Steve used his most powerful flash to light up the whole tent.

View of crowd forming to watch the Spazmatics band. Steve used his most powerful flash to light up the whole tent.

Spazmatics Band

Spazmatics Band

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Contest winners for the dessert food category.

Contest winners for the dessert food category.

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La Reina, a Latin singer.

La Reina, a Latin singer.

The man, an original of Asleep at the Wheel band which started in 1870.

The man, an original of Asleep at the Wheel band which started in 1870.

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Jeep parade.

Jeep parade.

Oh, so close to Louisiana you would expect candy and treats to be thrown to the crowd!

Oh, so close to Louisiana you would expect candy and treats to be thrown to the crowd!

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Watching it all in comfort of home.

Watching it all in comfort of home.

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No knee taken here.

No knee taken here.

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United States Coast Guard demonstrates a sea rescue.

United States Coast Guard demonstrates a sea rescue.

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A very special thanks to Steve for sharing.

Sagehen Meadow

The meadow is located along a dirt road off Highway 120 which goes along Mono Lake. It is a very popular fall foliage location, but more importantly it is a year-round destination for bikers, hikers, snowshoe hiking, campers and equestrian riders. There is a 20 mile loop which is used by bikers in the summer.

We heard about this fall color spot just as it peaked. There is a road to the summit but it requires a 4 wheel drive. Tom explored the road leading to the summit but we decided we had plenty to photograph in the meadow. While the hill was impressive, I felt the real opportunity was in getting some more practice in pano-photography!

Ah, this could be fun!! Road as we approached our destination.

Ah, this could be fun!! Road as we approached our destination.

Yep, I would say it is peaked!

Yep, I would say it is peaked!

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Two image pano.

Two image pano.

Two image pano.

Two image pano.

Seven image pano.

Seven image pano.

Lenticular clouds are commonly seen in this part of the country.

Lenticular clouds are commonly seen in this part of the country.

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Seven or eight image pano. That is Mono Lake on the right.

Seven or eight image pano. That is Mono Lake on the right.

OK! OK! You have hung around long enough! Welcome to our world. Where do you come from?

OK! OK! You have hung around long enough! Welcome to our world. Where do you come from?