Ten Lakes

In September 2007 I took my first DSLR, a Nikon D40, out for a test drive, an overnight trip to Ten Lakes Basin in Yosemite. That was a big fire year too, and smoke marred the view to some extent, although the "California Fall Firestorm" that struck Southern California was still several weeks away. That year, about 1.5 million acres burned. That's about 2 million fewer acres than have already burned this year.

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Passing the Baton

 

Summer passes the baton to autumn, and autumn says Holy cow! Who turned the racetrack into a steeplechase? 

But autumn, always up for a challenge or adventure, quickly shakes off her surprise and shows her true colors as she blazes down the course. These blazes are from the Eastern Sierra of September 2003.

There's something special about golden leaves. The way they warm the light, the way they glow, even on a chilly day. The way they remind us how precious this moment is. Chlorophyll fades, having done its job. Nourishment is pulled into branches. Leaves are sealed off. 

The abscission layer is coming. Get ready to fall.

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Ready for His Close-up

 

Smile, you're on Bobcat Camera.

Excellent!

Like we say in the city so much these days,
stay safe, Kitty!
(Click on images to view larger.)

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High Country

 

September can be a great time to be in the Sierra High Country. After having our pick of campsites, we woke up with Thousand Island Lake pretty much all to ourselves. 

I don't recall the last days of summer back then, in 2011, as being particularly fraught or portentous. Nothing like it seems this year, anyway. Thankfully there are still places to go to experience the beauty, peace, and majesty of nature, to recharge the spirit for the work that needs to be done back home.

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Dewy Mornings

 

Jeweled Orb on Tomales Point Trail
(9/2/11)

Setting Moon from Grandview Park

(9/30/12)

It's been fairly warm and damp the last couple of mornings, without much breeze even on the exposed hilltop at Grandview Park which I circumnavigate in the dark these days. No point bringing the phone camera. We'll be hiking on Mt. Tam this morning, hoping to beat the return of smoke which the weather forecaster warned about.

As for Point Reyes, it looks like the Woodward Fire is close to 100% contained. The new General Management Plan Final EIS is also out, and it's not looking good for seeing our national park prioritized for nature and wildlife instead of cattle ranching.

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