Yosemite Tree and Mist in Winter Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

Wandering Camera – Yosemite Birthday Surprise

Yosemite Tree and Mist in Winter Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

Hello Everyone! Welcome to this month’s Wandering Camera.  Winter is full of birthdays at our home.  Mine was in early January.  I like to spend it quietly hiking with my camera, and eating my favourite meal cooked by my husband.  This year he got me a pair of snowshoes, and, serendipitously, there was a huge snow storm just a few days before my birthday.  Naturally, I had to spend it at Yosemite.

 

 

Yosemite Badger Pass Snowshoe Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

 

I wanted to snowshoe on my birthday.  However, a change of weather in turn changed our plans.  We ended up going to the Badger Pass snowshoe trail the day after.  It was a crisp, cold and sunny day in the snow with a lot of smiling faces.  We seem to be always the last ones to get off the trail.

 

 

 

Yosemite Badger Pass Snowshoe Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

 

One of these days I will learn to leave the mountain trails before darkness falls.

 

 

 

Yosemite Hoarfrost Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

The next day, we were at the park before sunrise.   The temperature that morning was -11C.

As we were wandering about,  we noticed that all the trees in a meadow had turned white with Hoarfrost.  It forms at very cold temperatures.  We promptly put our snowshoes on, and went off walking in the knee-deep snow to the grove of trees to see them up close.

 

 

Please click on the image thumbnails to see the pictures –

 

 

The low winter sun was shining behind the tree branches,  reflecting lights from a myriad frosty diamonds.  It was breathtakingly beautiful. 

I wish I had brought some soap water and straw, could have tried making ice bubbles.  Something to look forward to next time!

 

 

 

Yosemite Black Oak Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

The last morning there I wanted to spend in a little more time in the snow before heading out.  “A little more” ended up being close to two hours.  As my husband said, it was hard enough to keep me away from snow before.  Now with the snowshoes, I was unstoppable.  One last look and a last photo, then it was time for the drive home.

 


 

 

The Birthday Surprise

 

Yosemite Tree and Mist in Winter Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

 

The weather forecast for my birthday was cloudy skies, but no rain.   Then, all of a sudden in the afternoon, it started to rain and then snow began to fall.    I was out of the car faster than a lightning bolt, beelining for the trees.

There was a not a single grown-up in the vicinity, only children playing.  I felt very happy to be part of that group.

 

 

 

Yosemite Tree and Mist in Winter Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

 

When we left the trees,  the storm clouds started to break on the north side.  If we were there, we would have seen the most amazing post-storm pink and red sky.   However, with the time it would have taken us to get there, we would likely have missed the light completely.  So we decided to drive into the clouds instead.

 

 

 

Yosemite Gateway To the Valley View Winter Mist and Storm Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

 

I could not have been happier.   Blue hour in winter is my most favourite time for photography.  That day, Mother Nature added storm clouds and mist, and this birthday girl was over the moon. 

After setting up the camera, I watched the clouds and the mist flowing and playing in the meadow and the mountains behind until complete darkness surrounded us.   My surprise birthday present from Mother Nature. 

 

 

 

Painting with fountain pen ink @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

 

Once we got back to the hotel, my husband gave me the other set of birthday gifts.  Then he busied himself with cooking while I played with my newly-acquired inks and pens.

 

 

 

Painting with fountain pen ink @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

The Dragon and the little boy

 

This is a painting I started with the fountain pen inks I got for my birthday.  A story for another day.

 

 

 

Yosemite Gateway To the Valley View Winter Mist and Storm Photography @ InkTorrents.com by Soma

 

 

March marks the end of outdoor time for me due to severe pollen allergies that cause chest constriction.  Until October, fresh air is basically off limits except for a very limited time early in the morning when the air is completely still.

Spending a birthday in cold winter rain and snow and walking in -11C temperatures is probably not most people’s cup of tea, but it was a flask-full of tea for me!   You will have to excuse me for being head over heels in love with the subtle and quiet beauty of winter and all that is considered dark and gloomy weather. 

 

I look forward to seeing your photos and reading about them.

 

Wandering Camera art and photo linky party @ InkTorrents.com by Soma Acharya

 

Wandering Camera starts on the last Thursday of every month.  Photos, art and creative-themed posts, including other linky parties are all welcome.

You can continue to link up multiple posts.  

Please add a link back to this website. 

Have fun!!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.

 

 

Leave a comment

 

Wandering Camera – Clearing Storm

Yosemite Clearning Storm | Whims And Fancies

 

Welcome to Wandering Camera.

 

This month I get to share a few clearing storm photos from the Sierra Mountains with you.  This is at my most favourite campgroud there.  It is at just over 10,000 feet in elevation.  Days stay cool, and nights get very cold.  Weather changes here frequently. 

 

Sometimes, if you are lucky, beautiful Mother Nature treats you with a rainstorm, which sets the sky on fire.  The ground reflects that light.  The smell of petrichor envelopes you.  You stand there unsure if the chill in your spine is caused by the cool wind or the spectacular drama that is unfolding around you.

 

 

Yosemite Clearning Storm | Whims And Fancies

 

 

We were resting back at the campground after a mountain walk on one of the many trails around there, when suddenly the rain came, followed by a full rainbow.

 

 

Yosemite Clearning Storm | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Then the dark clouds gave way to fiery orange and red ones against the background of an electric blue sky with just a hint of purple showing through.  We stood there speechless with admiration.

I took these photos while I was still figuring out my camera.  I am hoping for another opportunity to photograph a clearing storm in the Sierras.

 

 

Yosemite Clearning Storm | Whims And Fancies

 

 

I took this photo in Yosemite National Park during a different visit.  It was pouring rain in the early evening.  After my husband and I carried my photo backpack, stand etc through the snow to the photo spot using a couple of giant umbrellas, the waiting began. 

It started getting darker around us with rain continuing to happily patter on our umbrellas.  Then, just as I was ready to give up and pack everything up, it happened.  The rain stopped, the storm clouds parted, and Half Dome and the surroundings were covered by a beautiful purple-orange glow.

 

 

Yosemite Clearning Storm Painting | Whims And Fancies

 

 

Going through these photos left me nostalgic and inspired, so I sketched this scene, and hoping to start painting it later today.  It has been a while since I have been to the mountains, I think it’s time!

 

Camera And Photography Linky Party | Whims And Fancies

 

I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page.  Please pay a visit to some of them.

 

 

 

Leave a comment

 

Enter your email to receive new inspirations, product reviews and pro-tips
icon
error: Content is protected !!