Sanji-'s photostream

From the many places I've visited and photographed, Mc Way Falls and Big Sur are high on my list of favorites. Unfortunately this trip was not the best and Mother Nature was not very cooperative. A few moments after I completed shooting this panorama, the sun disappeared behind the fog and didn't come out for the rest of the weekend. Oh well! This gives me an excuse to go up there again real soon.

Nikon D3S, 24-70mm f2.8. Really Right Stuff TV-C33 Tripod& BH-55 Ballhead mounted on a PG-02 Pano Gimbal Head.

Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space. I know of no sculpture, painting or music that exceeds the compelling spiritual command of the soaring shape of granite cliff and dome, of patina of light on rock and forest, and of the thunder and whispering of the falling, flowing waters. At first the colossal aspect may dominate; then we perceive and respond to the delicate and persuasive complex of nature.

— Ansel Adams, The Portfolios Of Ansel Adams

I was lucky enough to have a cloud appear over Half Dome & Cathedral Rock which reflected the sunset that was over my left shoulder on El Capitan. The reflected light coming through the canyon gives the amber color to the water of the Merced River. Nikon D3S, 14-24mm f2.8, Really Right Stuff TVC-33 tripod & BH-55 ballhead & MPR-CL II Pano Rail.

To reach Mono Lake on this day, I drove across Tioga Pass through wind, rain, hail storms and rock slides. There were times in which cars weaved through the boulders that were scattered along the highway. I was determined to photograph the Tufas, but no luck. All I saw was more rain. I waited for several hours hoping the rain would fade but packed up and headed home. Half an hour into the drive, I realized that the rain was easing. Hoping for some luck, I returned to Mono Lake and waited. Several hours later, the sun broke through the clouds just for a few moments and gave me the light of day's end. I guess good things do come to those who wait.

Nikon D3S, 24-70mm f2.8, Really Right Stuff TVC-33 tripod & BH-55 ballhead.