As we stepped out of the RV in the darkness, we were but two lights and a jingle. Me with my headlamp, Ray with his flashlight, and Angie with her dog tags jingling along beside us.
We bumbled our way down the dusty dirt road, shaking the night-time cobwebs from our minds, towards our first-light destination: Mobius Arch in Alabama Hills.
We first visited this place 3 years ago and fell in love with it. The last 2 years the timing didn’t work out for us to come back, so this year we made it a priority to return to one of our all time favourite camping and photography spots.
Since I have photographed Mobius Arch at sunrise before (you can see that photo here), I decided to do something different this time and I photographed it during the blue hour. The light gives a totally different feeling to the place and we had it all to ourselves.
I found the little arch above nearby. It’s only a couple of feet off the ground but I really liked the framing it gave to the mountains behind. However, about a million mosquitoes were living in that little crevice and, since I forgot the bug spray, I had to make my photo as quickly as possible and get out of there. I could barely open my eyes! The mosquitoes must have been thirsty because they really wanted to drink my tears 🙂
Just before the sun began to rise, other photographers and hikers were arriving in the parking lot, making their getting ready sounds. That was my cue to move on from my blue hour location to explore other, more isolated, spots.
For miles around the unique rock formations playfully transform into goblins and gnomes, while the sensible and serious Sierra Nevada mountains and Mount Whitney, the highest summit in the contiguous United States, supervise from behind.
I could easily spend weeks here exploring, observing and discovering. But our snowbird trip was coming to an end and we had to start making our way back to Canada. It’s bitter-sweet because I love the winters in the desert. Almost as much as I love summers soaking up the salty ocean air in BC.
Anne, what a cool place. Thanks for the great photos. This is yet another place for me to get to.
thanks, Don
Glad you enjoyed the photos Don! It is indeed a very cool place. I hope you get to experience it, it’s well worth it.
Beautiful doesn’t even begin to describe the photos. Great shots. Thanks for sharing a place in California I’ve never been.
Many thanks Linda! There are so many gems in California. It seems I’m always finding out about places I haven’t been to before. That’s why I always try to go to new places, but then sometimes I find a place so good, like Alabama Hills, that I just have to return to and visit again.
Anne:
Wow: The pictures featuring the Whales were incredible. Thank you so much for sharing them so that our Vancouver Island experience could even be more special. Even after 50+ years visiting here the sites and sounds are always exciting and new. Your beautiful photography has even made them more “up close and personal!”
We are delighted to have shared the “Thunderbird” experience with you and will continue to have your beautiful, and we mean beautiful work on “speed dial” to refresh our spirits.
God willing, we will see you again next July, but in the meantime keep doing what you do so well!
Hi Pam! Wonderful to see you here 🙂 I’m so glad to hear that you have been enjoying the photos on the blog. Campbell River is so beautiful and the wildlife makes it even more special. We’ve both enjoyed having you guys as our neighbours and perhaps our paths will cross in Arizona in the winter. In the meantime, keep enjoying this gorgeous place!! Thanks again for your comments.
Hi Pam
Wonderful Website with beautiful Pictures. Thank you for sharing it. Greetings from Switzerland.
Markus
Hi Markus, I know you meant “Anne” 🙂 Glad you’re enjoying the blog and photos, I appreciate your comments.
Uups.. I’m Sorry Anne! Got the Pam from the latest comment above.
Markus