This Wandering Camera started with an innocuous conversation that turned into a morning excursion. A few weeks back, my husband and I went to get haircuts during a cold and wet morning. The lady who cuts my hair is usually very quiet. However, the weather outside got us talking about Muir Woods. She had visited Muir Woods recently after a rainstorm and loved how the forest transformed into a wet and misty place.
I am one of those few people who love winter. When we lived in southern California, we used to come up to San Francisco during the winter months to enjoy the crisp and cold, wet and windy weather, often visiting Muir Woods as well. Sadly, even though we live so much closer to it now, we haven’t gone there once since we moved up here to northern California. After having that chat with her though, it was inevitable that we visit.
I would have loved to photograph the forest after the rain, but I happily settled for an early morning cloud layer before the sun broke through it. Muir Woods is about a 70-mile drive from our place. So, to get an early start, we woke up while it was still dark outside.
The place was exactly as we remembered it. I even recognised a couple of the mighty coastal redwood trees by the markings on their trunks from our visits all those years ago.
Even though the redwoods dominate this landscape, we saw many other plants growing in the forest under the shade of the tall trees.
After a couple of hours, the sun was high enough to come through the forest foliage. Only a few rays could penetrate the thick canopy of leaves high above us.
I love how dramatic the fall leaves look against the dark background of the redwood trees.
As the sun continued to rise, some of the early morning magic started to dissipate, so we decided to head back.
Downpour – a marker and colour-pencils drawing
Although we didn’t get to walk in the rain, it was still wonderful to visit the forest. We had a fabulous downpour last week and it is continuing into this week. Both my husband and I love to walk in rain and snow, they make us ecstatically happy. We will be revisiting Muir Woods very soon, this time hopefully wearing our wet-weather clothing.
I will be going into my winter hiatus soon to enjoy my favourite season, so there won’t be a Wandering Camera next month. We will resume again in January.
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36 Comments
Kim Sharman
Hi Soma, I know I have commented previously on this beautiful post filled with your beautiful trees but I am checking to see if WordPress will accept my comment. I have been having trouble with other WordPress blogs. Hope you are enjoying your Winter hiatus.
Sandra Walker
Sandra
Sandra Walker
This is the second time it has deleted my entire comment and just inserted my name! grrrr… I’d said that your serene photos reminded me of Cathedral Grove, on Vancouver Island, where I got to walk just a teeny bit (little kids, pets, a DOWNPOUR) and how I’d love to visit the redwoods forests one day. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas, New Year and ‘see’ you in 2019!
Kim Sharman
Seeing your lovely photos of Muir Woods reminded me of my trip to San Fran this year. I remember strolling along the many paths looking heavenward through the canopy of those glorious Redwood trees. They are magical aren’t they.
nessjibberjabberuk
What magnificent trees. I don’t think I have ever seen trees so tall.
Julie
Stunning images!
Angie
Your photos have captured several phases of the Woods – so lovely. My favorite shots are those looking upward at the redwoods. I admire that you like walking in the rain and snow. I can manage a little bit of rain and mist, but it is not my favorite. Snow, on the other hand – I could walk in that all day. Thanks for hosting Wandering Camera, and enjoy the season!
denthe
|How gorgeous it is there ….. Love those redwoods ♥
Lady Fi
So beautiful!
Mary
These are my favorite types of photos. When you have the light and color peeking through all the darkness. And you certainly found the best place to shoot them. Just look at those magnificent trees!
Cheryl Brickey
Beautiful pictures, you really captured the feel and emotion of the forest with your photographs. I love seeing how the light plays with the leaves.
Susan Mann
What a beautiful selection of photos. I do love the forests, they are beautiful trees xx
Mascha
Stunning photos of famous woods, looks like a great trip (wish, I were there).
I like your drawing and the light through petals in the last photos.
Sorry, that I’m so late: have just a fulltime jov´b witrh the care of my 92years old mother… in last months I had not post, but I try to blogging again.
Have a lightfull Advent season :)
Jennifer A. Jilks
I’ve been there! It’s a lovely spot. What a wonderful reminder!!!!
Kaja
How nice to revisit a place you have loved. Your photos are beautiful; you have a knack for capturing the spirit of a place.
Raisie Bay (@RaisieBay)
How lovely that a conversation with your hair dresser could lead to such a lovely trip. Fabulous photos.
Ericka @ A Quiet Girl's Musings...
I have very fond memories of my two visits to Muir Woods. I find the coastal redwoods (as giant sequoias, too) utterly fascinating. I also find it fascinating that such a natural gem such as MW is located so close to a city such as San Francisco. I’ve often wondered how many Bay Area residents have never visited Muir Woods. You captured some lovely pictures and I’m glad to hear that you had such an enjoyable visit.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
Your photos are amazing. I love the variety of colours and the sense you’ve captures of the height of some of those trees :)
Valerie-Jael
Wonderful photos and art, I love those huge trees. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie
Lady Fi
Such beautiful and soothing shots.
peppylady (Dora)
Isn’t the Red Wood something my son lives in southern Oregon.
Coffee is on
gillena
‘Downpour’ is gorgeous Soma
Happy PPF
Thanks for dropping by my blog
Muchlove
A ShutterBug Explores
What a beautiful place and your photography of is divine ~ beautiful!
Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Christine
Gorgeous photos and a nice art piece!
Dixie
I’ve been captivated by the redwoods since I first heard about them. Giants of wonder…simply amazing. I know I would lay on the wet ground and stare up at them.
Love the “Downpour” card.
Wonderful photos, Soma! Thank you.
Carol S.
Your photos turned out amazing! The month flew by and I didn’t take many photos of anything…darn! Hopefully, January will send me out for the photo adventures I love. Enjoy your holiday hiatus!
DecorCraftDesign
Love the pouring rain effect in your beautiful drawing!
Sirkkis
Thank you sharing this fantastic
camera art. Enjoyable to look at.
Happy PPF
Sue
Hello Soma, I love those mighty Redwood trees – what a wonderful place it is. No wonder you enjoyed your previous and latest visits there.
Your art is lovely – I can feel the force of the rain within it. Well done and Happy PPF!
Tammie
Lovely that your friend inspired you to make the trip. Your photos are beautiful, which is not easy to do in dark places on gray days.
I love winter too, which is partly why I moved to Montana.
Your down pour is beautifully expressed.
Andree G Faubert
Hi Soma, I love your Downpour drawing! It sounds like a lovely place. Enjoy your winter excursions!
Su-sieee! Mac
It has probably been more than 15 years since I’ve walked in Muir Woods.The redwoods will never stop being joyously majestic to me. Your photos do them proud. I like walking in the rain, too, still enjoying a splash though a puddle. Lol. Love your rain sketch. Now I know how to attempt rain on paper. Cheers, Cathy!
Kim
Such a beautiful corner of the world. I remember visiting briefly, many years ago, and marvelling at the trees. Their height, the silence, and the sense of being protected within the woods, safe from whatever lay outside.
Sue Palmer
Beautiful place and lovley photos. Love those big redwoods.
Robin Klein
I wish we lived near Muir Woods. We visited once for an hour on our way north. The positive ions(real thing) really give you a good feeling besides knowing how small& young we are compared to the trees. I truly miss the feeling of being there your fantastic photos brought me right back there. Thanks.
Barbara
Beautiful Photos.