Big Bear Lake

Carol Freshley September 14, 2016

Rick sent me a few photos with the following message so I could share them with everyone: "Just got back from a few days at Big Bear Lake, CA and thought I'd share a few images. While we were there we took in the Old Miners Annual Parade. Included is a shot of the village area down town. During the parade there were a few interesting characters. First was an old soldier dressed in current battlefield gear. Look at his face to see his age. More interesting was the old photographer. Turns out he really is a town photographer and runs a photo studio specializing in the old time sepia portraits. A couple more of the Bear Lake dam area and the costal marine fog taken on our way down the mountain this morning.’ I called him up and asked, "Where are the rest?" Talked him and Barbara into sharing some more with all of us.

Small town USA parade.  Gotta love them. — Small town USA parade. Gotta love them.

Wow!  Talk about capturing character and personality.  Only problem is he is using a Canon!! — Wow! Talk about capturing character and personality. Only problem is he is using a Canon!!

I have never been able to capture bubbles like that.

Not an easy capture either.  Great bokeh. — Not an easy capture either. Great bokeh.

Thanks very much to Rick and Barbara. You gave us some very different views, including some really interesting characters.

Scouting Lake Tahoe

Carol Freshley September 13, 2016

Our goal was to 'scout' opportunities around Lake Tahoe. Scouting is an interesting concept, a useful tool (no doubt) and terribly difficult to accomplish. For Tom and me the idea of scouting quickly turns to 'get it while I am here and the light is perfect'. No surprise that we did not complete our scouting trip as we planned. No regrets, however.

First shot of the morning.  Right away we could see the advantage of scouting.  This is NOT where I would return next time to capture a sunrise.  Why?  There is no view of the iconic island in Emerald Bay. — First shot of the morning. Right away we could see the advantage of scouting. This is NOT where I would return next time to capture a sunrise. Why? There is no view of the iconic island in Emerald Bay.

Just down the road we see a very short pull-out.  It is already occupied by one car but we ease into the remaining space.  We meet a fellow photographer, Mark, an ED physician in Tahoe to ride in the Tour d'Tahoe on Sunday.  He has be… — Just down the road we see a very short pull-out. It is already occupied by one car but we ease into the remaining space. We meet a fellow photographer, Mark, an ED physician in Tahoe to ride in the Tour d'Tahoe on Sunday. He has been to this very spot every time he comes to ride the 72 mile route that benefits childhood diabetes. He tells us this is the BEST spot for morning light. We make ourselves comfortable. Yes, the small figure is a paddle board surfer.

This is a long shutter speed.  I did not use an ND filter but for some reason the water changes color with my longer shots.  Hmmmmm. . . — This is a long shutter speed. I did not use an ND filter but for some reason the water changes color with my longer shots. Hmmmmm. . .

We watch with excitement as the sun slowly works its way down the mountain.  How long before it reaches Fannette Island? — We watch with excitement as the sun slowly works its way down the mountain. How long before it reaches Fannette Island?

My photography editing dilemma for the day.  I like this crop as it tends to reveal more of the detail.  It is a virtual copy of the image below, just cropped. — My photography editing dilemma for the day. I like this crop as it tends to reveal more of the detail. It is a virtual copy of the image below, just cropped.

I liked this image because it gives more of a sense of place for the island.  Good news is I can have both! — I liked this image because it gives more of a sense of place for the island. Good news is I can have both!

We were so concentrated on the lake that I almost missed what was behind me.  I believe this could be seen from the trail head to Eagle Falls. — We were so concentrated on the lake that I almost missed what was behind me. I believe this could be seen from the trail head to Eagle Falls.

This old tree fascinated me.  I have no idea what kind of tree it was.  If you know, please let me know. — This old tree fascinated me. I have no idea what kind of tree it was. If you know, please let me know.

We move up the road.  A new look. There were plenty of paddle boaters. — We move up the road. A new look. There were plenty of paddle boaters.

To Tom, scouting means you can head down an incline, over rocks and tree trunks, in search of possible images worth capturing.  He was drawn by this small waterfall.  I was too scared to scamper as he did and I was being pestered by wasps.… — To Tom, scouting means you can head down an incline, over rocks and tree trunks, in search of possible images worth capturing. He was drawn by this small waterfall. I was too scared to scamper as he did and I was being pestered by wasps. Glad he went on down.

We then headed for the Rubicon Trail.  We only hiked the beginning of it, not nearly enough, reminding ourselves that we were 'scouting'.  LOL — We then headed for the Rubicon Trail. We only hiked the beginning of it, not nearly enough, reminding ourselves that we were 'scouting'. LOL

This diver was with a group that we later met up with in the parking lot.  I asked which one of them this image belonged to and got an email address to send the photo to him. — This diver was with a group that we later met up with in the parking lot. I asked which one of them this image belonged to and got an email address to send the photo to him.

Water so clear that it appears as molten glass!

From above this image caught my attention because of the pattern.  Have never seen a wake like that before.  If you zoom in you can even see a pretty nice tattoo on one of the men's back. — From above this image caught my attention because of the pattern. Have never seen a wake like that before. If you zoom in you can even see a pretty nice tattoo on one of the men's back.

Two is better than one.  Maybe these are Tahoe wakes! — Two is better than one. Maybe these are Tahoe wakes!

There are many private properties around Lake Tahoe but there are also plenty of public access to beaches.  On this Saturday the parking was nil and the beaches were full.  Tom stayed behind in case he needed to move the car and I grabbed … — There are many private properties around Lake Tahoe but there are also plenty of public access to beaches. On this Saturday the parking was nil and the beaches were full. Tom stayed behind in case he needed to move the car and I grabbed a couple of beach shots with my iPhone. This side looking left.

This side looking right.  In spite of the parking hassles, I found it nice to see so many families out enjoying the lake and spending time in nature.  I can go back any day of the week when the kids are in school and their parents at work.… — This side looking right. In spite of the parking hassles, I found it nice to see so many families out enjoying the lake and spending time in nature. I can go back any day of the week when the kids are in school and their parents at work. Only problem is, I run into a lot of white haired old farts with black noses poking around looking for the best spot to photograph what they dare not climb up or down or dip their toes in. I am one of them!

Before our trip back home we stopped to rest for a few minutes in a parking lot.  Tom spotted this car, a McLaren P1.  Perfect complement to the emerald green and deep blue of Lake Tahoe. — Before our trip back home we stopped to rest for a few minutes in a parking lot. Tom spotted this car, a McLaren P1. Perfect complement to the emerald green and deep blue of Lake Tahoe.

We returned home and felt like we really wanted to return to the lake and check out the late afternoon light. We hoped that the Tour d'Tahoe was finished and the crowds had thinned out. I chose to hike the trail to Eagle Lake as far as the Vista Point. It is one steep hike! Tom stayed below and got a better selection of shots. Personally, I did not care for the afternoon light as much as the early morning light. Fannette Island is shaded by mountains before the golden hour even starts and the reflections either not there or are dull and uninteresting.

Not a bad view of Emerald Bay, what there is of it.  I would imagine that when the Vista point was chosen 50 years ago these trees were smaller! — Not a bad view of Emerald Bay, what there is of it. I would imagine that when the Vista point was chosen 50 years ago these trees were smaller!

The one and only square inch position from the Vista Point that you can see the Tea House on Fannette Island.  Fully extended to 300mm. — The one and only square inch position from the Vista Point that you can see the Tea House on Fannette Island. Fully extended to 300mm.

This photograph was taken at the first stop we made yesterday.  By now, getting Fannette Island was not so important.  Now we had some clouds too! — This photograph was taken at the first stop we made yesterday. By now, getting Fannette Island was not so important. Now we had some clouds too!

From the main lookout on Emerald Bay late in the afternoon.  The water really is a very dark blue at that hour! — From the main lookout on Emerald Bay late in the afternoon. The water really is a very dark blue at that hour!

Tom scampered back down the rocks.  Change in light and clouds. — Tom scampered back down the rocks. Change in light and clouds.

Well, Tom has now thoroughly 'scouted' this site!

Taken from the huge parking area at the top of the road, a favorite spot.  A ranger came through the parking lot and announced with a loud bullhorn that people without proper permits had ten minutes to clear out of the parking lot or be tickete… — Taken from the huge parking area at the top of the road, a favorite spot. A ranger came through the parking lot and announced with a loud bullhorn that people without proper permits had ten minutes to clear out of the parking lot or be ticketed. You would have smiled at the number of people running to their cars! Nice of the range to let people know.

You can already see shadows coming down the mountain.  Soon the island will be too dark to photograph. — You can already see shadows coming down the mountain. Soon the island will be too dark to photograph.

Manzanita Lake

Carol Freshley September 9, 2016

Manzanita Lake is the largest lake in Mount Lassen Volcanic National Park. It has a large campground, lots of day use areas and best of all . . . it has the possibility of getting some really good shots of Mount Lassen reflecting on the lake.

There are very few times that I leave the house with a specific image in mind and then smile when I see it on my computer screen.  This is just about a perfect match.  That is Mount Lassen on the right and part of Chaos Crags on the left.&… — There are very few times that I leave the house with a specific image in mind and then smile when I see it on my computer screen. This is just about a perfect match. That is Mount Lassen on the right and part of Chaos Crags on the left. The lake was really that blue! I had a big smile on my face!

There is a one mile plus a bit trail around Manzanita Lake.  To get to the shore where you can see Mount Lassen requires that you hike a little over half way around.  We stopped along the way, of course. — There is a one mile plus a bit trail around Manzanita Lake. To get to the shore where you can see Mount Lassen requires that you hike a little over half way around. We stopped along the way, of course.

The campgrounds were full and the picnic areas were bustling.  There were kayaks and canoes out on the lake and overall the feeling was one of fun and relaxation. — The campgrounds were full and the picnic areas were bustling. There were kayaks and canoes out on the lake and overall the feeling was one of fun and relaxation.

There are lots of logs just hanging out along the shore.

And some old logs have been left on the shore.

I ventured out into some marshy grass for this one.  The mosquitoes were out in force! — I ventured out into some marshy grass for this one. The mosquitoes were out in force!

Even though I had not spotted Mount Lassen I was very much enjoying this hike.  You would enjoy it as well.  Pretty easy walk. — Even though I had not spotted Mount Lassen I was very much enjoying this hike. You would enjoy it as well. Pretty easy walk.

Tom arrived on the 'scene' before me.  I could spot him ahead of me on the shore and I knew he had arrived because he was no longer moving.  AHA!  I did not have much further to walk. — Tom arrived on the 'scene' before me. I could spot him ahead of me on the shore and I knew he had arrived because he was no longer moving. AHA! I did not have much further to walk.

We watched this guy fish for quite a bit.  We could see his line glittering as he threw it out onto the water.  Catching that glitter was another matter. — We watched this guy fish for quite a bit. We could see his line glittering as he threw it out onto the water. Catching that glitter was another matter.

After getting some good photographs of the mountains and lake we rounded a corner on our way back.  This group was getting ready to dive and Tom caught the action.  The water was very cold and when they surfaced they were screaming!  … — After getting some good photographs of the mountains and lake we rounded a corner on our way back. This group was getting ready to dive and Tom caught the action. The water was very cold and when they surfaced they were screaming! Tom got the whole series and has sent them the photos.

That's all folks. Thanks for walking along with us.