Putah Creek

Carol Freshley August 27, 2016

We are parked at Solano County Park which is located on Putah Creek. We drove up the creek to the dam at Barryessa Lake which discharges water into the creek. On the one side we saw verdant life along the creek. Across the road we saw the devastation from last year's fire. In several areas there have been fires on both sides of the creek.

Those three dots at the bottom of the image . . . in the creek . . . they are beavers at play.

Some trees are dead.  Other trees flaunt green leaves. — Some trees are dead. Other trees flaunt green leaves.

Some trees are partially dead, confused but trying to live.  Others are very much done with life. — Some trees are partially dead, confused but trying to live. Others are very much done with life.

As we got close to Berryessa Lake we began to see moss on trees.  I was surprised.  There is about 24.22 inches of rain, mostly in the winter.  Plus, a marine layer exists that finds its way as far as the dam.  Both weather facto… — As we got close to Berryessa Lake we began to see moss on trees. I was surprised. There is about 24.22 inches of rain, mostly in the winter. Plus, a marine layer exists that finds its way as far as the dam. Both weather factors support some moss on trees.

The burned hillside gives a pink glow at sunrise.  The left hill is recovering from a fire two years ago and the right side is burned from the fire just one year ago.  The creek supports a narrow verdant world for birds and beavers. — The burned hillside gives a pink glow at sunrise. The left hill is recovering from a fire two years ago and the right side is burned from the fire just one year ago. The creek supports a narrow verdant world for birds and beavers.

While the RVs camp on one side of the road, day use picnic revelers have the spot across the road.  The whole complex is huge.  There is a boat ramp and I have seen kayaks or canoes for rent but not when Tom took this image. — While the RVs camp on one side of the road, day use picnic revelers have the spot across the road. The whole complex is huge. There is a boat ramp and I have seen kayaks or canoes for rent but not when Tom took this image.

Budgets are tight and this Nature Center appears to be unmanned most of the time.  There is space inside for classes. — Budgets are tight and this Nature Center appears to be unmanned most of the time. There is space inside for classes.

There must be 30+ peacocks freely roaming the park.  We have little puffball babies and ugly adolescents.  The males are molting and any attempt to display is probably met with total disinterest at this time. — There must be 30+ peacocks freely roaming the park. We have little puffball babies and ugly adolescents. The males are molting and any attempt to display is probably met with total disinterest at this time.

All for now. We are happy campers with large trees on both side of our home. When I look out the front window I feel like I am living in a tree house!

Salmon Cascades

Carol Freshley August 17, 2016

A short distance from the entrance to the Sol Duc waterfalls there is a simple sign that reads 'Salmon Cascades'. There is quite a bit of effort going into protecting and in some cases reclaiming the waterways that salmon require to return to the site of their birth to spawn. We passed on the opportunity to photograph the cascades going in but had a little bit of light left on the return. We checked it out.

The color of the water really impressed me.  Check out that aquamarine color between the two sets of rocks.  It is so clear that you can see below the surface! — The color of the water really impressed me. Check out that aquamarine color between the two sets of rocks. It is so clear that you can see below the surface!

The water is filled with air as it comes over the rocks and looks a bit frothy as it enters the stream below.  My guess is that salmon, jumping up over the rocks would appreciate that extra oxygen.  I wanted to find a golden salmon down th… — The water is filled with air as it comes over the rocks and looks a bit frothy as it enters the stream below. My guess is that salmon, jumping up over the rocks would appreciate that extra oxygen. I wanted to find a golden salmon down there . . . not on this day!

Easier to get slow shots at the end of the day in a forest than rapid 'action' shots.  Just crank up that ISO! — Easier to get slow shots at the end of the day in a forest than rapid 'action' shots. Just crank up that ISO!

You know, it is harder than heck to shoot in a small space with Tom!  He gets these great shots and in this case you get to see my effort to do what he does. — You know, it is harder than heck to shoot in a small space with Tom! He gets these great shots and in this case you get to see my effort to do what he does.

As we left the park we rounded a curve and there was this entry station bathed in just enough light . . . We actually turned around and went back to get it from the curve.  It was a great, magic-filled day and this image was the icing on our de… — As we left the park we rounded a curve and there was this entry station bathed in just enough light . . . We actually turned around and went back to get it from the curve. It was a great, magic-filled day and this image was the icing on our delicious cake!

Cabin Creek

Carol Freshley June 1, 2015

We planned on hiking Horton Creek. A long 8 mile hike! When we got to the parking lot we changed our minds. As hordes of photographers crossed the road headed for Horton Creek, we headed the opposite direction and walked a narrow trail to the waterfall on Cabin Creek. What a great little waterfall and we were by ourselves. It seems this nice creek and waterfall is a well kept secret. The waterfall will be dry in the summer but the pond will probably still have some water that comes up from underground. I am keeping the secret as I loved the serenity and peacefulness that came with an uncrowded path. Oh, and the hike to the waterfall was a whole lot shorter. Short enough that several returned to the car to get a different lens.

So how many ways can you photograph a waterfall? Well, it appears the answer is some multiple of the number of photographers and their ability to walk the scene!! Add to that number the variety of lens and cameras, the ever changing light of clouds developing overhead and the hunger factor (determines how long they will hang around shooting a scene). Then, there is always the 'subtle' non-statistical factor of, "wow, this is pretty nice here".

A nice composition!  Hi Dave! — A nice composition! Hi Dave!

This is not the first time that Karen has stirred a rattlesnake on a hike!  As we carelessly trounced around in deep underbrush we managed to avoid one of these.  We think of rattlesnakes as being desert dwellers, not in lush green vegetat… — This is not the first time that Karen has stirred a rattlesnake on a hike! As we carelessly trounced around in deep underbrush we managed to avoid one of these. We think of rattlesnakes as being desert dwellers, not in lush green vegetation. Beware as you hike up north this summer.

Rick started us off on this photo journey.  This image reflect the mood I found at this waterfall. — Rick started us off on this photo journey. This image reflect the mood I found at this waterfall.

Sometimes it is good to change your mind and go in an opposite direction! The day was a special treat for me, personally. I was shooting with friends, the weather was great, the creek and waterfall were unexpectedly wonderful. May each of you have days such as this. Many of them!