Afternoon Light, originally uploaded by ronWLS.

Coming down from the top of the world we stopped at Brandy Creek. The sun was getting low the light was right. Wish I would have had my new tripod at this point but I didn’t. Still I like the light and composition of this.

Top of the World, originally uploaded by ronWLS.

Had a chance last week to catch a ride up Shasta Bally. I was on the top of the mountain about 15 years ago but then we had to walk up from Sheep Camp. It was a 4 hour hike up the road. With a four-wheel drive it was closer to 30 minutes.
It is such a great view from the top. You’re able to see Whiskeytown Lake, Redding, the Sacramento River and Lake Shasta among other points of interest. Since our drive up to the top it has snowed and I would imagine the road will be closed the rest of the winter.

So Smokey, originally uploaded by ronWLS.

Here is my entry from July 8th the day I took this photo:

Today was the 3rd day in a row that the readings for Redding air were over 250 in the “Very Unhealthy” to “Dangerous” range. The fires have been burning over a month now and even though most are “contained” it is still very bad. Contained just means that there is a perimeter around the fire and that they should spread any further but there are still burning and filling the air with smoke. I just hope that we don’t have to wait till the winter rains before we see clear blue skies again.

It has been a nasty fire season so far. The past week alone it seemed there was one or two fires every day in the local area. We’ve been lucky so far that no fires have happened in our canyon. About 4 or 5 years ago there was a summer that saw about 4 fires down our ridge. The worst thing is that the fire season is really about to start and fires have been raging for over 2 months already.

Table Mountain

Originally uploaded by ronWLS.

Here we go again. This is another one of those subconscious (almost) photos that I don’t really remember taking at the time but “found” it later when going through the images from this day. It seems to happen once in a while. I guess it comes from working on “seeing” things worth photographing and it’s always a pleasant surprise when it happens.

Misty Crags

Originally uploaded by ronWLS.

Back when I was playing golf all the time (at least twice a week) I didn’t want it raining all the time or rather not on the weekends. Now I don’t mind much but I still like to get a little time in for some photography. At least the same amount of time is NOT required to at least get a few shots.
I went up near the Crags with Brian on this day and got a decent shot here. By the time we drove in the park and went to the lookout area the fog had taken over. Still, there are a lot of dramatic spots in NorCal.

A Light Dusting

Originally uploaded by ronWLS.

Went somewhere this weekend that I’ve never been to before. Crater Lake in California a little north of Lassen National Park. Beautiful little spot but unfortunately I was dressed for 50 degree weather and it was snowing there when we first arrived.
It was worth the freeze though as I got a few nice shots. I would like to return sometime in the spring or summer and take another look.

Moonrise over Redding

Originally uploaded by ronWLS.

Saturday was the lunar eclipse and I missed it. That was only because while it was happening the moon was not visible to us on the west coast. I did get out and finally get this shot I’ve been wanting to do for some time now of the moon rising up behind the eastern mountains. Living on the west side of town I can get an unobstructed view of the eastern range not too far from home.
Someday I will get one of my dream shots. A snow covered Lassen peak with the full moon slightly to the north. The biggest problem with that is figuring out exactly where I need to be to get the right angle. This one will be in B&W. It would also be nice if I have a better camera by then. I think it would make an awesome print if done right.

Mt Shasta from Mary LakeOriginally uploaded by ronWLS.

Winter in Redding is cool. The views of snow covered peaks is quite nice. Having grown up in So Cal there weren’t too many snow covered mountains to see. But what is viewable in Redding is quite nice. Here we have beautiful views in 3 directions. To the west is Shasta Bally. It is a somewhat small peak but it’s very close and usually gets a fair amount of snow. To the east is Lassen peak. Lassen was the last volcano in the Northern California area to erupt. In 1914 a 7 year cycle of sporadic eruptions started at Lassen. Till 1980 and the Mt St Helens eruption it had been the only volcano in the 48 states to have an eruption. Looking east at Lassen peak you can see that it looks to be on one edge of an ancient giant peak that probably erupted thousands of years ago. The real beauty though is to the north. Mount Shasta is an awesome looking mountain that is quite impressive in the winter when covered with snow. Some say that it is way overdue for a volcanic eruption. Maybe, but I’m hoping it goes a while longer without having any activity.
Yesterday it tried to snow in town. There were snow flakes in with the rain but it doesn’t snow enough to stick on the ground too often in Redding. Maybe about once every 4 to 6 years. It’s always fun when it does though.