Tag Archives: Amador County
Reflections on a Sunset
Keeping one eye on the road and one eye on the setting sun I found a spot to pull out and grab this shot a few minutes after the sun dipped below the horizon. This is really how it looked. Very little post processing was done. Minor tone adjustments deepened the colors and I punched up the blacks just a pinch. BAM! A bit of vignetting was applied, just enough to soften the corners.
A sunset to me is a vivid reminder of God’s work in my life. As the day closes, reflective thoughts review the opportunities and accomplishments of the day. The colors remind me of the fiery trials endured and the brilliant accomplishments achieved. The fading light brings anticipation of the restful night to come and the peace which passes all understanding. Knowing the sun is just over the horizon is a reminder of God’s constant presence and unfailing love.
Leave your own thoughts about sunsets in the comments.
Posted in Sunset/Sunrise
Also tagged blue, California, Carbondale, clouds, colors, evening, orange, silhouette, sky, sun, sunset, tree, vivid
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Mokelumne River at Middle Bar
“The Mokelumne River is beautiful and wild. It is a door to lasting wonder we can share with our children, and theirs—part of our priceless natural and cultural heritage.” –Foothill Conservancy
It may seem strange to start the new year with a picture of the Mokelumne River in the summer. If memory serves this photo is from late spring or early summer 2009, and the reason I am posting it now is because of recent interest in the photo. A few days ago I received a request to use this image on the cover of a proposal from one organization to another. A subsequent Facebook post resulted in an unusually high number of “likes” and comments, and so I just thought I would share it here.
Mokelumne River by Randy Bayne
Until the request came, this image had been largely forgotten. It got buried in my archives, and even I had just a little trouble finding the original file. The search served as a reminder that I need to get busy organizing my archives with Lightroom and post some of my older images that a lot of you may not have seen yet. It also points out the need for me to get out and do some more shooting along the Mokelumne. I mean, come on, this one is almost three years old.
To learn more about the Mokelumne River and efforts to save it visit Foothill Conservancy.
Posted in Landscape, Nature
Also tagged California, Foothill Conservancy, landscape, middle bar, Mokelumne, River, water
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Western Meadowlark
Recently, I started using 500.px as a photo gallery/portfolio. This image of a Western Meadowlark is one of my first offerings there. It was taken the other day on my drive home from work along Ione-Michigan Bar Road where there are always a lot of Meadowlarks and Kingbirds. I like to drive the 10-mile long road with my windows down in the spring and summer listening to the songs of these birds. When the road is clear I’ll stop and make an image. Usually, the birds take off before I can get a decent shot.
Camera: Canon EOS 30D, Lens: EF 100-300 @ 300mm, Shutter Speed: 1/500 sec., Aperture: f/13, ISO: 400.
Let me know what you think about this shot in the comments below. Thanks.
Windmill Behind Barbed Wire
Another morning commute shot. I stopped because I saw a Red-Tailed Hawk sitting on a fence post. Naturally, the hawk didn’t stick around for his photo, but not wanting to waste the stop, I decided to take this early morning shot of a distant windmill. There’s a good chance I’ll get another chance at the hawk on my way home this evening.
I had considered taking the barbed wire out in post, but decided I like the visual interest it gives to the blue expanse. Blurring the wire keeps it from being a distraction and brings in a vertical element to compliment the horizon.
Scroll below or go here to see this same windmill on another day from a different perspective. This time the hawk stayed.
Canon 30D with a 75-300mm zoom @ 300mm, 1/250 sec. @ f11; ISO 100.
Red-Tailed Hawk
Had to get this one quickly. The hawk had already flown off once landing about a hundred yards away on this post. Just as he was getting ready to leave again, I got the window of my car rolled down and managed to get off one shot with my 75-300mm zoom set to 300mm in program mode. (Canon 30D, 1/320 @ f/8.0, ISO 100)
It isn’t unusual for me to see a variety of hawks on my drive to and from work. The trick is getting the shot. Since I have someplace to be there usually isn’t time to set up or wait for a shot, so most of my commute photography are shots of opportunity. My tendency is to travel with my camera on a basic setting and as I am able to make adjustments if time, opportunity and subject cooperate.
Posted in Nature, Wildlife
Also tagged bird, birds, hawk, photoblog, Red-Tailed, wildlife
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Jackson Valley
An old abandoned stone building in Jackson Valley. Unfortunately, I don’t know any of the history, but it appears to have been a home from the Gold Rush era.
Dailyshoot #457 : Make a photograph of something old. Be sure to show us the character that age can give a subject.
Posted in Landscape, Rural
Also tagged abandoned, black and white, building, old, photoblog
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Barn on Highway 104
Posted in Barns, Black and White
Also tagged barn, black and white, photoblog, sepia
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Jackson Valley Barn
This barn sits just off the road in rural Jackson Valley in Amador Co. Prints are available through my store at FineArtAmerica.com.
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