Category: Southern California

Volcan Mountain Snow

~ lawrencepallant ~ 3 Comments

In early April a cold storm blew through San Diego, leaving a trace of snow in the mountains. I took the opportunity to head up to Volcan Mountain not knowing what I would find. I spent most the day walking on a short trail and stopping to take photos along the way. As I the started the hike, snow was falling the wind was blowing. Here are some shots from this day.

To see the full collection from this day, click here.

Trees in Yard
While driving through Santa Isabel, I was met with heavy snow. I pulled over to take a few photos of trees in a yard of one of the homes.

Snow in Santa Ysabel

Farmhouse
Snow was falling on Wynona Road, but barely sticking. I stopped to capture this farmhouse with three horses by a fence. As I captured the scene the fog and snow almost completely obliterated the scene.

Farmhouse

Snow-Crusted Manzanita
At the start of the Five Oaks Trail there are manzanita trees hugging the trail. If you look carefully you will see the snow blowing sideways.

Snow-Crusted Manzanita

Five Oaks Trail
The Five Oaks Trail on Volcan Mountains was beautiful in the falling, windblown snow.

Five Oaks Trail in Snow

Snowy Impressions
I love how these trees are huddled on the ridge, as if having a friendly gathering. When taking photos of trees, I try to position myself to allow for a separation and space between each tree. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes not.

Snow Impressions

A Conversation
If these trees could talk to each other, what do think they would be saying? When I am out taking photos, I sometimes like to imagine a metaphor and my subjects as living characters with persona in a story.

In Conversation

Guardian on a Hill
This is one of the oaks that was in the background of the previous shot.

Guardian

Green Fields
On the way home, I stopped again near Santa Ysabel. The snow had melted revealing a green carpet around the oaks.

Green Meadow

Lake Henshaw in the Fog

~ lawrencepallant ~ 3 Comments

In early December I saw a forecast for a foggy morning at Lake Henshaw. I have captured some of my favorite shots at this lake, so I hoped I could capture something different. I was thrilled when I was able to find scenes that I had not imagined before. At this time of year, some of the willows are barren of leaves, but others still have fall color. Very beautiful.

To view large versions of this gallery, click here .

Ghosts – I started my morning waiting for the fog to thin to allow a clearer view of these three willows. While I waited, I took several shots of these trees with a long exposure to smooth out the water, but I liked this one best with the water ripples, 1/3 second exposure.

After waiting more than an hour I decided to explore for more compositions and found the scene below,

Willow & Reeds – As I worked my way along the shore of the lake I found this cluster of willows.
Broken – A raft of coots swim by a willow with a bent limb. When I saw them swimming in the direction of this tree, I set up to photograph them as they swam by.
Titans – I imagine these trees are having some sort of dialogue or relationship between them.

After photographing for a few hours, the fog began to thin. I quickly tried to get back to the first scene with the three willows. But I didn’t make it. By the time I got there the fog had completely dissipated. It changes fast.