California – "El Camino Thru My Lens"

Hello my fellow travelers! It’s been several months since my last post and it’s time to get caught up on my travels. My last adventures had us traveling through Europe which personally, I can not get enough of and hope to go back soon. As reality would have it, it was back to the states where my next travels would continue and consisted of various visits domestically. Going through my photos, I had different trips to start with, and you will see them all soon. However, I thought what better way to start my posts back home than to share about one of my all-time favorites, Yosemite National Park.

Situated in the central part of California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, Yosemite National Park is one of America’s most well known and awe-inspiring places to visit. Spanning over 1,169 square miles, 95% of its landscape is designated wilderness and provides diverse ecosystems which include ancestral sequoia groves, cascading waterfalls and granite cliffs, which climbers come from around the world to scale.

Yosemite was the third National Park added to the park system in 1890 and played a significant role in the American Conservation Movement. President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir were strong advocates for the preservation of America’s wilderness and Yosemite was on the top of their list. And for good reason.

Managed by the National Park Service, Yosemite is open year round for visitors to experience and enjoy its diverse seasons. Previously, I had visited the park in the Spring, Summer and Winter seasons and was amazed by the beauty of the park. However, as a photographer, my curiosity peaked when I saw photos showing late Fall season colors and the beauty in which the park transitioned to winter. And that was it. I had to experience this and headed off to Yosemite in mid November to capture and witness this spectacle.

Superintendent’s Bridge and Yosemite Valley Chapel

One of the most important things I have experienced when traveling in nature is that the weather can change very quickly and this trip was no exception. Coming in from the South entrance via Oakhurst, the climate changed halfway down into the valley from light rain to snow in less than one hour and soon we were waiting for the snowplow to clear the road for all the motorist. While this was a minor inconvenience, the photographer in me was excited to think that I would have the opportunity to photograph both Fall colors and snow together. The next morning out, all of the colors were out in full display. Vibrant colors of yellows, oranges, reds contrasted against the recent snowfall and it was striking.

As I continued hiking across the valley floor, I was mesmerized by autumn’s final display as winter began to make her presence known. The presence of Half Dome with its snowcap peaks provided a majestic backdrop against the valley floor and showed the contrast between the two season.

Yosemite offers so much to see and learn about and it can be overwhelming with limited time. My goal was to experience as much as possible in a short period, so I contracted with a photography guide to show me the highlights and teach me about the park. I met my guide Courtney, an established photographer, from the Ansel Adams gallery, and off began our four hour tour/hike through the Yosemite Valley floor. I have utilized guides in the past and it is a great way to get a good feel and history of the area you are visiting and this was no exception.

Hiking off the beaten path is a great way to get a sense of nature and is best done when you are either with a guide who knows it well or if you are very familiar with the area. Doing so with my guide, we had many opportunities to photograph, listen to the “quiet” of the valley floor and stay away from the traffic of other visitors.

As we made our way through the floor of the valley, we came across a variety of tree species and other foliage, all of which were beautiful. But when I saw this unique and very different appendage coming out of this tree, I asked my guide Courtney, “what in the world is that?”. He shared with me that it was a mushroom. And with that began my lesson on fungi.

Now when I think of a mushroom, I envision an umbrella like shaped plant supported by a cylindrical stem. I quickly learned there was so much more to fungi. You see, not only was Courtney, my guide, an accomplished photographer, but he was an expert on fungi. How lucky was I to have a knowledgeable guide that knew Yosemite and fungi.

This beautifully unique appendage growing on the side of tree looked more like a decorative piece of cork but was in fact a fungi know as “Chicken of the Woods”. Often this and other fungi’s are forged from the forrest and used in cooking as a substitute in dishes and can be sautéed, fried, grilled, baked or even used in soups. Who knew?!

“Lion’s Mane” Fungi ~ Photo Credit: Courtney Risdon, @sayhitofungi

As we continued our hiked we came across other species of fungi and each time Courtney shared some background about them. One that made a lasting impression on me was a fungi call “Lion’s Mane”. Resembling something from a coral reef, this pretty little fungi was seen around the valley floors. It seemed to be a popular find as we encountered several of these specimens cut in half or with very little of it left. With its soft, bread-like texture, Lion’s Mane appears to be a favorite amongst foragers for cooking, but, like other fungi’s, has a history of being used for eastern medicinal purposes too.

Mother bear and her cub in the valley floor.

This hike was turning out to be not only scenic but also educational, offering insight into the diverse life forms that make up the Yosemite ecosystem. As we moved through the forest, we encountered two iconic residents of Yosemite Valley: a mother bear and her cub. With winter just weeks away, they wandered casually through the grasslands, foraging for food in preparation for hibernation. Hoping to capture a photo, I paused to observe them. While the mother bear remained focused on her search for food, her curious cub briefly wandered off and stopped when he noticed me. As he watched me for a few moments, I could imagine him thinking, “Well I know I belong here but who are you?” It was the perfect moment to capture the image of this little cub.

View of Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge, Yosemite Valley Floor

Within Yosemite, there are many scenic locations to photograph from. The season, lighting and time of day along with the photographers view and interpretation all guarantee that no two photographs will be the same. On this particular trip, I wanted to capture different views of Half Dome and started with the view from Sentinel Bridge. Located on the Eastern side of the valley, this location is famous for its spectacular views of Half Dome and its reflection in the Merced River. It was early evening, and the “Golden Hour,” as photographers call it, was at hand. As I began to photograph, I could see the different hues in the sky and colors of the trees, and the composition was quickly changing. My initial photographs captured Half Dome and its reflection in the river. However, as sunset took place, I soon noticed that the moon was graciously making its way into this sequence and very quickly, this scene had evolved into a tranquil photograph of Half Dome, its reflection in the Merced River and moon in the sunset sky.

The sunlight was quickly changing and so we moved to a different location a short distance away. By now the moon’s appearance was more pronounced and the shadows were bringing out the various textures and layers of Half Dome. It was stunning to see how this new perspective of Half Dome was developing so quickly. The previous days snow on Half Dome was a reminder that the seasons were changing and that Winter would soon envelope the valley. Not a bad way to end the day. My “Thanks” to Courtney Risdon for a great tour and you can read about his fungi adventures on Instagram @sayhitofungi.

The following day, I ventured out again and was happy to see that there still were remnants of Fall throughout the valley. With the morning sun shinning through the trees, all of the colors appeared more vibrant and rich. Fall was giving us one last beautiful view of its autumn colors before winter arrived.

Yosemite floor looking east into the valley.

Yosemite in late fall offers a rare blend of solitude, beauty, and quiet wonder. The crisp air, golden foliage, and occasional dusting of snow create a landscape that feels both peaceful and alive. Whether you’re hiking through misty forests, photographing fungi on the forest floor, or simply taking in the views, late fall is a magical time to experience the park. It’s a reminder that even as the year winds down, nature still has so much to offer. As we wrapped up our trip, we took in the final views of this magnificent place and began our journey home—knowing for certain that we will be back once again to enjoy Yosemite’s breathtaking beauty.

Until next time, we’ll keep exploring, capturing the journey one frame at a time—via El Camino Thru My Lens.

**Prints are available for purchased via my photography web site: www.tresmilagrosphotography.com

Have you ever thought about what your favorite color is? And why is color so important? For me I have multiple favorites because as I look at it, why would I limit myself to just one?! A place that I recently visited that radiates color is the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California.

Located between Los Angeles and North San Diego, the Carlsbad Flower Fields are 55 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers that bloom for a short period every year between early March to early May. It is an event that has been occurring for over sixty years and is an important part of the Carlsbad community. Drivers heading North or South on Interstate 5 can see these beautiful fields from the interstate as their colors wave at them when they pass by on their way to their destination.

A few weeks ago, I made my annual trip to the fields to get my fill of color and beautiful flowers. First off, as you walk in toward the fields you are taken aback by a flood of color and content. It’s almost as if your visual senses just drank a Red Bull and you’re hit with the intensity of the amount of color you see. Once inside you are welcomed to walk on the dirt paths around and among these blooming beauties and it is here that you get the opportunity to get close to admire and “feel” their color. Fields of reds, yellows, whites, oranges, purples, and pinks along with other solid colors are just the beginning. You will then see fields of mixed patterns of the aforementioned colors blended together and every year I seem to come across a new color variation that Mother Nature concocted herself.

But visiting the flower fields to photograph these lovely blooms is just one reason for my yearly visit. My ulterior motive is to just soak in all that beautiful color which brings us back to my earlier question of “why is color important?” Color is intertwined in our daily lives. It is used to provide structure such as in traffic signals telling us to stop (red), go (green) or to yield (yellow). Many cultures utilize certain colors and their vibrancy in daily life or special events. It is embraced when celebrating or acknowledging a life milestone such as a wedding or baptism (white) or the death of a love one (black). Colors have the power to stimulate a thought, action or emotion.

Now you know why I visit the flower fields every year, which is to appreciate and photograph natures beauty and vibrant colors. So whether it’s in Carlsbad, during your daily drive or within your own backyard, you’re invited to take a minute to experience the colors around you. And should you ever find yourself driving down Interstate 5, feel free to “stop and smell the roses”, or in this case the Giant Tecolote Ranunculus blooms at the flower fields in Carlsbad.

Until next time, we’ll sees what comes our way via El Camino Thur My lens.