All posts from California Nature Photography

One of my family's favorite places to hike is the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve, near Temecula. Located in the southern Santa Ana mountains at 8300 acres, the Plateau protects unique ecosystems like Engelmann oak woodlands, riparian wetlands, coastal sage scrub, chaparral, bunchgrass prairie and vernal pools. We had a visit down there in hopes of finding tarantulas on Sunday afternoon (unsuccessful), and I was able to capture this moonrise. You can view more images from the Plateau by visiting my website here.

Owens River Alpenglow, CaliforniaYou can add me to the Galen Rowell school of photography camp. I had never even heard of the Eastern Sierras before discovering Galen's work in 2001. I made my first trip in 2004 and have been going there ever since. Having no interest in mountaineering, I can spend hours just wandering Bishop Creek or the Owens river. Like Galen said, just go where the light is and find some earthbound to match it with. The light doesn't get any better than it does here in the Owens Valley. Though on this morning in September, there were no clouds, the alpenglow on Wheeler Crest was in full effect.See more of my Eastern Sierra pictures.

One of my very first photographic inspirations was Galen Rowell. Before I was a photographer, I knew who Galen was, and I greatly admired his work. I was always impressed by the intimate way in which he connected the viewer to the subjects in his images. On top of that, I have always looked up to him as a human being as well. For lack of better words, he just seemed like a good guy. Those who knew him seem to be able to attest to that.Galen and his wife Barbara lost their lives on the day my wife and I moved to California--August 11, 2002. I remember moving into our apartment in 115 degree heat, turning on NPR that evening, and hearing about the loss. It really was just that: a loss to the photographic community, environmental community, climbing community, and global community. However, I think we're fortunate that Galen's photographs continue to bring us closer to our world. This is due to a lot of hard work by his friend and family, and the brilliance of his photographs becomes quickly evident when you walk through his gallery in Bishop, CA. People walk around silent, in awe...inspired.On my recent Sierra trip, I was able to visit Mobius Arch for the first time. Located in the Alabama Hills outside of Lone Pine, CA, Mobius frames the tallest peak in the contiguous U.S.--Mt. Whitney--perfectly. Although Mobius has many alternative names, my favorite is "Galen's Arch" as a tribute to Galen Rowell.Making these images and thinking about my motivation for taking photos, I'm reminded of part of Galen's writing:The Mountain PhotographerMy interest in photography did not begin with books or mentors, or with any burning desire to see the world through a camera. It evolved from an intense devotion to mountains and wilderness that eventually shaped all parts of my life and brought them together. Photography was never simply a hobby or a profession for me. Once I began taking pictures, it became an integral part of my life.Despite the occasional frustration, that's how I view my photography. I am grateful to have Galen Rowell to thank for both my early and continued inspiration.

I have a fall color blog post for Yosemite on line here:Yosemite Fall Colors October 17 Sugar Maple – October 17, 2009. © Copyright Inge Fernau .Please visit my website for this and more. All images may be purchased or licensed in a range of sizes.Facebook - Magical Glow PhotographyTwitter - Inge Fernau

Creepin', originally uploaded by ParsecTraveller.Head into the hills this month and you just may see one of these large arachnids moving through the grass.It's mating season for the tarantulas, and the males are out and about in search of mates. I found this guy on the trail to the top of Poly Mountain in San Luis Obispo.