"Day After Earth Day"

A common sight along the Coast Range, the fog bank crept into Sycamore Canyon below as the sun was rising. The combination of pastel skies with a soft, blue rolling fog was a feast for the eyes. With the mountains sporting a rich green wardrobe, the photographic energy I was experiencing on this morning was immense. Meanwhile, my six year old daughter looked on with rolling eyes and shivering hands, impatiently waiting while I covered three or four different comps to insure I had the shot. This does not constitute child neglect, but still I felt some guilt putting her through my selfish paces, not wanting to allow such a scene to unfold without capturing our visual experience. Magnificent was an adjective that immediately came to mind. I haven't felt this way about an encountered scene in quite some time, so the moment was exhilarating. This destination was chosen to hopefully catch some wildflower action, but not much to report in that respect. Still, I had an excellent time exploring uncharted compositions and I am already thinking about next spring for a return trip, if not much sooner. This is truly quintessential California country, so I highly recommend this area. Put it on your bucket list, especially if you don't think you'll ever make it to Iceland or Patagonia or some other exotic location that involves a different country or part of the world. You simply can't go wrong making your way along this breathtaking mountain road along the shoulder of Figueroa Mountain! Oh, and of course, please utilize the Larger preview!

It can be Earth Day everyday! This was the following day. Thanks for your

comments and please view the Larger preview!

An excellent example of the California Coastal Hills Mark.  The fog does make this exhilerating!!  California's variety is so endless!

This is one particular scene that sometimes overwhelms the viewer or the photographer that he is lost as to what to do to document the breathtaking view. A beautiful cold morning landscape and nothing could be better than what you did here, Mark. Again, congratulations. - Lester

Mark...  I see you do have some "smoky" mountains after all.  The Spring green is eye popping, the detail is excellent and the soft sky colors are perfect.   As for daughter... either she'll learn to love or appreciate this as she grows older, or she can add it to her list of things "Dad made me do".  Either way she has a life memory ;-)... Mike

Thanks Steve, Lester and Mike! Well, the four of us think this might be worthy, but for those who voted, this is almost a dud! I thought this "coulda been a contender", but not gonna even crack an egg the way it looks. Woe is me over the paltry ratings. Still, my thanks to your favorable comments. As Bruce Hornsby said so empathetically; "thats just he way it is"!

Stop with the grandeur and beauty of your environment. Just kidding, gave this one a 7 hope it helps.  You sure deserve it, rek.

What a lovely landscape..

Bravo'

I think most people want flowers or something in dramatic backlight.  This doesn't scream but it does speak in a calming way.  You must have to trick the people because I see many images going straight to the top pages but if they were posted anonomously they would be burried in the middle pages and mixed in with all other similar work.  So I agree, it's the way it is.

What a beautiful scene, and so nicely balanced within the frame.  I'm glad you included the light-colored branches in the lower left, and the amount of sky relative to the amount of foreground is perfect.  This really captures the spirit of the place and imparts the feeling of standing here experiencing it all.  Very nicely done.

Excellent work! (6)

Thanks Richard, Shenandoah, Stephen, Maurizio and Steve again! Very kind of you all to comment!

Mark...this is a stunning image that should be hanging on someone's wall.  Miles and miles of fog rolling in over the rich green landscape.  I feel like I am standing right there.  

I have been drawn back to this image . It is beautifully composed and has the surrealistic essence I think much of the California landscape portrays and you have captured so well. Maybe soon, in the near future, every day will be "Earth Day" Thank You