My Dam Cafe Display has Ended...

My long standing display at The Dam Cafe has come to an end. I am hoping to be back there in the fall.

Thanks to all who have stopped by and especially those who have purchased photos!

Bill

Southern Oregon...

Nana and I are spending some time in Southern Oregon and took a great drive up towards Mt. McLoughlin. The following scene was taken near Howard Prairie Lake...



Take care all,

Bill

Spring Wildflowers...

Today I had the opportunity to travel to the Sierra Foothills to find some wildflowers. I was not disappointed...


California Poppies...








Fields of Lupine...

It was a wonderful afternoon, filled with beautiful flowers!

Take care all,

Bill

Another Beautiful Tahoe Sunrise...

We were blessed with another beautiful Lake Tahoe Sunrise this morning and I was fortunate enough to capture it...


Sunrise from Dollar Hill...


Another...

Have a great day!

Bill

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Nana and I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Take care all...

Bill

2009 Images of the West Calendar for Sale!

I am proud to announce I have my 2009 Images of the West photographic calendar for sale!




They are now avilable through the online retailer, "Zazzle" at the link above. The calendars is available in three sizes, ranging from 7"x11" to 14"x22" and priced from $17.95 to $23.95. (Look for specials frequently offered by Zazzle)

This calendar will make a great gift for the Holidays and features some of my more popular images of the western United States. Included are shots from Lake Tahoe, Yosemite National Park, the moutains of Colorado and more.

Take care all,

Bill
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Dodging and burning are steps to take care of mistakes God made in establishing tonal relationships! - Ansel Adams

Northern California Fall Colors...

I took a beautiful drive today through Sierra and Plumas Counties in Northern California. The fall colors are at their peak in many locations in this area. Here are some quick shots from the trip...


Aspens along Hwy 89 between Truckee and Sierraville...


Small pond near Sardine Lake...


Backlit oaks along the Quincy - LaPorte Road...


Another scene along the Quincy LaPorte Road...


And yet another...


Old barn along the Beckwourth - Genesee Road...

The weather was beautiful with temps in the 70's, no people and no traffic. All in all, a perfect day!

Bill

Taylor Creek Kokanee...

Nana and I had the chance to hike along Taylor Creek, on the southwest side of Lake Tahoe this afternoon. Every fall, Lake Tahoe's resident Kokanee Salmon make their way upstream to spawn. This creates a spectacular sight as the bright red fish make their way through shallow waters...


Thousands of fish rest in an open pool...


A few Kokanee father up stream...

Cold, windy and snowy here in the mountains of northern California. My fall colors trip has been put on hold due to snow, ice and socked in conditions in the eastern Sierra.

Maybe tomorrow...

Bill

Early Fall in Ashland...

Nana and I spent several days at our Ashland place. The fall colors are starting to change with the cooler nights and mornings. Being at a lower elevation, the Ashland area is a bit behind the Lake Tahoe and Truckee areas color wise. Here are some quick shots...


On the back road to Siskiyou Summit...


Oaks are starting to change...


For Sale Cheap - Low Miles - Only One Owner!


More colors...

Next weekend, I'm hoping to head to the eastern Sierra area near Bishop for more fall colors. Stay tuned!

Bill

Dam Cafe Display...

Just a reminder to everyone that my public display at The Dam Cafe, 55 West Lake Blvd in Tahoe City is full time - year round. I try to change out the work often to reflect the season and mood of the venue.

If you get the chance, please stop by and take a look!

Bill

Bonsai Rock...

Nana and I spent some time this evening on the East Shore of Lake Tahoe at a spot called "Bonsai Rock". This huge granite boulder has several small trees growing out of some cracks that look like Bonsai. It is a popular spot just south of Sand Harbor. I have photographed it before but not at sunset. It was a beautiful evening but unfortunately, no clouds. The post sunset colors were wonderful though...


Bonsai Rock...


Another view...

All in all, a great evening...

Take care,

Bill

New Images in the Gallery...

I have added 18 new images to the online gallery...

I have also changed the cover shot to reflect the upcoming fall photography season!

Take care all,

Bill

Sage Creek Ranch...

I had the opportunity to do a western themed photo shoot at a friend's ranch in Truckee, California. We had been talking about doing this for more than a year. Last Monday, we finally had the opportunity...


Nana enjoys a soak in the afternoon sun...


Sage rides the range...


All geared up...


Sunset silhouette...

We had a great time and came up with some ideas for future shoots.

Nana and I want to extend our thanks to Sage Bourassa, the owner of Sage Creek Ranch for the use of her facilities and hospitality.

Bill
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It's not about moving pixels, it's about pictures that move us. - John Weiss

Good Bye Mom...

On the 30th of July, my 83 year old Mom left this world for the next part of her journey. It has been a difficult year for Nana and me but we will move forward.

I Love You Mom!

Bill

Smoky Skies...

Northern California and Southern Oregon have been hammered for the last month with wildfires and the associated smoke. Visibilities and air quality have been terrible.

I was in Ashland, Oregon this weekend and was able to capture the setting sun, filtered by the smoky skies...



Here's hoping for more favorable conditions for the firefighting efforts!

Take care all...

Bill

Colorado Backcountry Ski Trip...

Nana and I just returned from a backcountry ski trip to Colorado. We stayed at "Janet's Cabin", one of the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association's 29 backcountry ski huts located throughout the Rocky Mountains. Janet's Cabin is located southwest of Copper Mountain Ski Resort at 11610 feet of elevation.

Although photography was not my main objective for this trip, I was still able to capture some nice frames.

For a complete report with dozens of photos, please visit the following online journal:

Janet's Cabin Backcountry Ski Trip - April 2008

Take care all...

Bill

Dam Cafe Display Updated...

I have updated and changed out the photos currently on display at The Dam Cafe, 55 West Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, California.

Stop by if you get the chance and enjoy a cup of coffee and some spring photography...

Take care all,

Bill

Oahu and the 2008 NFL Pro Bowl...

Nana and I left Maui on Sunday the 10th and flew over to Oahu for the Pro-Bowl. We had great seats and enjoyed a great game. It was fantastic to see all your favorite athletes playing together and generally having a good time. The weather was perfect although the traffic both arriving and leaving the stadium was a nightmare.


The NFC beat the AFC, 42-30...


Sunset on Waikiki...


There's a person in that curl...


Windward side beach...


Riding the big waves on the north shore...


NFL Cheerleaders at Waimea Bay...


Our last evening in the islands...

While photographing the big waves and the surfers at Waimea Bay, Nana noticed a group of beautiful women arrive with an escort. The escort was wearing Pro-Bowl credentials. Nana learned this was a group of the NFL Cheerleaders out for some fun. The gals started playing in the surf and were trying to get their escort to take some photos of them with all their digital cameras. He was having some difficulty doing so. Nana went over and started chatting with the ladies and soon was waving me over. I had just been recruited to handle the photography chores. For the next hour or so, I was the luckiest guy in the world.

Take care all and Mahalo...

Bill

Humpback Whales, Maui...

Updated with more photos - Feb 9th, 12:00pm...

I have had the opportunity to photograph Humpback Whales off the west coast of Maui the last three mornings. The first morning, we started out in the pre-dawn light and immediately found whales just outside the Lahaina harbor. We spent a couple of hours photographing the splendid creatures as they cruised in the warm Hawaiian waters. Unfortunately, no breeching behavior was observed nearby.

The second morning, we went out again, this time a bit later in more light. Although there was not as much whale activity, I was still able to capture some great photos.

The third morning dawned clear but a bit more windy. This hampered our ability to see the spouts and thus find the whales. We ended up heading towards the island of Lanai so that we could use it for a wind shadow. We finally found some whales and dolphins. The photo opportunities were not as abundant but still were there.

Here are a few shots...


A little fuzzy in the low light...


Nice fluke shot with good light and color...


This youngster enjoyed playing with the West Maui coastline in the background...


Young Humpback playing right in front of us...


Nice fluke coming right at us...


This big Humpback went right under our boat...


This Humpback waved goodbye as we headed back for the harbor...


Far off breech near the island of Lanai...


Some dolphins cruised along with us for a while...


Humpback calf pokes his nose out of the water...

For some additional whale shots from my trip to Mexico in February of 2005, check the archives here!

Take care,

Bill

Kaanapali, Maui, Hawaii...

Nana and I are enjoying some time away in Maui, Hawaii. We are relaxing in the sun and warm temps - unlike home in the mountains of northern California where the snow is deep and the temps below zero.


Somewhere over the Pacific...


Our condo is on the Kaanapali Golf Course...


The beach ain't too bad either...


Sunset...

I have some whale photography planned as well as some tropical scenary.

Stay tuned for more...

Bill