Welcome to October’s Wandering Camera! I love October for many reasons, but this particular one is very special to me. Twenty years ago, this east coast girl packed up on the last week of October and left for the west coast in pursuit of something she had read in a science fiction book. I fell in love with the author’s description of California, and sight unseen I moved here. I fall in love with her more with every passing day.
Last weekend we were without power for a very long time due to major Santa Ana winds. The trees were swaying as if the ground itself was shaking them. Colourful autumn leaves were swirling everywhere. Despite the drama, it was a tragic event, really. I was wondering what keeps me here.
As you know, I love camping in the high sierras at 10,000 ft. for the cold weather it brings in September. It is a respite for me from the summer heat. Despite my wish of seeing the sun colouring the rolling clouds over the high mountains at sunrise and sunset, the day started out quite mundane.
Nonetheless, we got up before sunrise at 5:30 AM and drove up to one of the many glacial lakes to see the sun blazing on the mountains. We were not disappointed.
As if mother Nature heard me, she started rolling in a few clouds later in the day.
I was trying hard not obsess about photography this time, and busied myself the next day with a bit of sketching of my new tent at the campground.
However, when the clouds continued to billow overhead, it was very hard not to heed that call. My husband, who knows me very well, smiled and we drove to one of our favourite spots on Tioga Pass a little before sunset.
The 360-degree amphitheatre play of light, shadow, and colour unfolded around us slowly over the next hour.
The clouds turned from white to orange to purple and pink.
Then back to orange again on the other side of the mountain.
It was getting really dark around us and we were the only living beings there apart from the trees to witness the drama that only Mother Nature can create.
We finally left when the last light of the day had truly started fading away into night. There was an intense pink glow around us still, and it was very hard to part myself from it. Mesmerized and hypnotized, I wanted to stay there forever and become part of the mountains and the trees.
That’s why stay here in California. I wanted to write something summarising my life here, but how do you capture twenty years of photographic journey in just one single article! So I decided to share just one intense hour with you.
Celebratory Giveaway
Today is my favourite holiday, plus as a celebration of life here in California, I am doing a giveaway. This giveaway is for those who subscribe to my blog via email. This is where I share my photos and work in context and I get to communicate with you directly and the most. Thank you for reading and for all the wonderful comments!
Please make sure you follow me and leave a comment. If you spread the word about the giveaway online, leave another comment mentioning that. To make things fun, tell me at least one thing that you love about where you live in the comments, I would love to know.
Giveaway has now ended.
Also, don’t forget to link up on Wandering Camera. I love visiting you and reading a bit about your world, where you have been visiting, and what you have been creating.
You can add any number of links to your posts, or write a new post to link up.
Please add the badge or a text link back to this site on each post that you link up. You can also add the badge to your blog. I am happy as long as you link back :-)
Wandering Camera is a monthly event that runs on the last Thursday of every month. If you follow me via email, you will get a reminder. All photography and creative-themed posts are welcome.
Have fun!!
I am linking up with the linky parties on my Events And Links page. Please pay a visit to some of them.
52 thoughts on “Wandering Camera – Sunset Hour”
Archie The Wonder Dog November 12, 2019 at 08:20
Stunning pictures – thanks for sharing them!!! And thanks for furtling!
Nikki - Notes of Life November 10, 2019 at 06:09
Wow! What stunning photos and what an amazing place! I’d love to visit one day :)
Anne Sweet November 10, 2019 at 03:36
I so wish I could have been there with you, what gorgeous sights and so brilliantly captured. Thanks for sharing them, and your sketch.
DawnyK November 9, 2019 at 19:44
Thank you so much for sharing about your journey. One year ago, hubby and I decided we would move to northern Florida after 20-years in New Jersey and all my life in the North-Eastern US. I now love seeing the palm trees as I walk my dog in the evenings. Neighbors light beautiful palms at night. They make my heart sing. The feeling is so open and available here. It’s the most enjoyable place I’ve ever lived.
Kaja November 8, 2019 at 07:02
Wow, just wow! Your photos are always excellent but you have surpassed yourself with these.
Susan Mann November 7, 2019 at 08:08
Wow those are amazing. The top one has to be my favourite. Those colours xx
Andrée G Faubert November 6, 2019 at 16:55
Hi Soma, what stunning beauty. I would want to stay there too! I’m glad that you were able to do some painting also. They are always such fun. I live outside of Ottawa, Canada and my favourite thing is my daily drive on the parkway along the river. It’s been the inspiration of quite a few of my art quilts. It’s great that you live somewhere that you choose and love.
rupam { xhobdo } November 6, 2019 at 03:03
Awesome pics. Greetings from India
betty-NZ November 5, 2019 at 21:05
Your post on ‘My Corner of the World’ is great to see this week!
Photo Cache November 5, 2019 at 18:37
These are beautiful shots.
Michelle November 5, 2019 at 10:37
Such fabulous photos with delicate sunset colors! And a lovely painting! I’ll be subscribing. Thank you linking up to Creative Compulsions!
Tammie November 4, 2019 at 16:22
Your photos are so beautiful. So lovely that you got up and went to the mountains and then shared them with us.
Your painting is beautiful too! The tent one will surely always hold memories for you.
Fun also to hear that you are from the east coast and were drawn to and fell in love with Calif.
A bit like my story of loving Calif. and being drawn to Montana and falling in love instantly and moving here. Falling in love with a place is a rich and deep experience.
Zenia Rene November 4, 2019 at 16:01
AMAZING shots and I love your writing too! Thanks for sharing.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting November 4, 2019 at 07:01
Beautiful photos. It brings up many memories for me as we’ve been there many times–DH is a native Californian and we take a road trip back there most every year, often time over that pass. Your painting is beautiful, also.
The Joyful Quilter November 3, 2019 at 17:28
Your photos are spectacular, as are your paintings!!! Off to sign-up for email updates (and a chance to win one of your prints.)
betty - NZ November 3, 2019 at 00:14
Wow! It’s so awesome to see your skies and scenes!
NatureFootstep PhotoArt November 2, 2019 at 14:36
it is a beautiful world and sunset,
Nancy Myers November 2, 2019 at 13:26
This was a lovely post to read. I enjoyed all the photos you shared. Your artwork is beautiful, thank you for the chance at the giveaway. I have lived in Michigan all my life and I love it. We have lakes and rivers, changing seasons (autumn is my favorite for the riot of colors). We can travel from south to north and see all types of terrain. There is so much to do and explore here.
Beth November 2, 2019 at 11:51
Your photography is extraordinary–such a wonderful eye you have. Your art is lovely too. Makes me want to go camping. :D
Rain Frances November 2, 2019 at 07:12
Hi Soma :) Your photos are just fantastic! Another blogger has mentioned the same as you, she is in love with California, but wonders why she stays…also mentioning power outages with the raging winds. We went through the same the last few days with no power here in Quebec. I think that living in the mountains is worth it anyway! The beauty is all around us, as you’ve shown in your photos! Your tent sketch is very cute! I love your wandering camera event and I will surely subscribe by email, because I’d love to join in! Your Autumn Forest Walk is brilliant!
A ShutterBug Explores November 2, 2019 at 07:09
Gorgeous nature photography and lovely sketches too ~ Can see why you love CA ~ I like the cool crisp air of MA ~ and the ever changing seasons ~ Enjoy ^_^
Happy Day to You,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Sheryl November 1, 2019 at 23:32
Wow Soma what beautiful amazing pics the colours in the pics are stunning,Thankyou for sharing your lovely pics with us my friend xx
Susie November 1, 2019 at 21:11
Your photography is stunning , Soma!! You must camp in such isolated spots . Thanks for sharing this special hour of clouds, colors, mountains, lake and grandeur , little Renaissance lady!!
Susie
Tracey November 1, 2019 at 19:12
Stunning photography, love how you captured those rolling clouds. Beautiful watercolours holding the colours of the seasons.
Happy PPF Tracey.
Valerie- Jael November 1, 2019 at 15:43
Lovely art and your photos are stunning, I can understand why you love the place so much. Happy PPF, have a great weekend, hugs, Valerie
gillena November 1, 2019 at 15:22
Lovely photos and art
Happy PPF
muchlove
Nancy A November 1, 2019 at 13:24
Love your pictures. We have been over Tioga Pass at least 3 times. The last time we were traveling with our 2 oldest grandchildren. It was the end of June, and my husband and the grandkids had a snowball fight. They lived in Alabama, so this was a lot of fun for them. I took the pictures, so I didn’t join in. Six years ago we moved from central IL down to Tuscaloosa to be near our oldest daughter and her husband. I do really miss the fall colors that we had in IL, but we are really really enjoying being close to family for the 1st time in our lives. We love our church family, and I belong to a great quilt guild. And of course, I can’t leave out the great football at the U of A.
Christine November 1, 2019 at 12:39
Beautiful photos and lovely art!
Linda Calverley November 1, 2019 at 12:33
Beautiful photos, it looks a wonderful place to live.
Hazel November 1, 2019 at 10:39
Oh wow…!! I love skies and photographing them myself, and can appreciate these from an artistic viewpoint as well a technical photography one too. What a gorgeous place to be!
Susan Mann November 1, 2019 at 08:14
Those are gorgeous photos. I do love pictures of skies and these are gorgeous xx
Kate November 1, 2019 at 04:00
Gorgeous photos! What a great place to camp and photograph. So sorry it’s been such a dreadfully dry and windy autumn. I live on the wide open plains. Our sunrises and sunsets can be spectacular.
Ruth November 1, 2019 at 02:42
Gorgeous light you have captured. They are lovely and atmospheric and evoke a lovely mood.
Kim October 31, 2019 at 23:41
Stunning photos of magical places, Soma. I don’t wonder the call of California called you all those years back. Having seen a little of your area in person I have to agree with you that you live in a little patch of paradise. What do I love about where I live?? How long have you got?? =) I love the peacefulness, the far off mountains, the wide blue Aussie skies…….but most of all the garden that surrounds my little abode. I love how I am blessed each day by the flowery delights Mother Nature gifts me.
Lady Fi October 31, 2019 at 23:31
Gorgeous shots! And a very nice giveaway!
Susan Spiers October 31, 2019 at 18:22
Love, love your photos! Living in South Mississippi with it’s humid climate, nature affords me a great deal of beautiful colors of flora & fauna all year round! I have been collecting pics of the wonderful flowers for a collage of sort! Thank you!
Marie Beers October 31, 2019 at 17:32
I love your photos. I now live in Northern Alabama. Even though it’s hot during 3 months of the summer we do have 4 seasons. Tonight seems more like winter than Fall as we are under freeze warnings for next 4 nights. 29 degrees. The heat will have to go on tonight.
Linda October 31, 2019 at 17:03
your pics make me want to start painting again!
Carolyn Montgomery October 31, 2019 at 14:41
gorgeous pictures! hope your part of the state is safe from the wildfires.
Sherry B October 31, 2019 at 13:35
You take such beautiful pictures! If I can ever afford it, I want a good DSLR and to take photography classes. I live in central NC. I love it because winters are fairly mild, and it’s only four hours west to the mountains and four hours east to the beach.
Mary October 31, 2019 at 13:05
What a beautiful journey you have made. There is little as gorgeous as our Sierras! Your photos capture all the reasons one chooses this crazy state of ours to call home.
Carol October 31, 2019 at 12:47
California is indeed a beautiful place and your photos are gorgeous. That first one is amazing!
Kim October 31, 2019 at 11:15
Goodness, Soma, moving across a country based on a writer’s description, that’s very brave. But your photos clearly demonstrate the love you have for your adopted state, and I think that having such beauty nearby must be inspiring and invigorating on a regular basis. I love where I live, and each morning, we crest a hill on the way to work, and get a teensy glimpse of Loch Lomond, with the Trossachs behind. This country and its landscape makes my brain go quiet, and while that is probably a strange description, it’s a silence that is part awe, part contemplation, and completely wonder at the good fortune we have to have landed here :)
Anita Holland October 31, 2019 at 11:07
stunning pictures
Dixie October 31, 2019 at 10:30
My, O my! Such wonderful pictures!
I love the sunset with the pinkish, purple hue on the water.
I can certainly see why you love to live there, Soma.
Your autumn print is lovely.
Angie October 31, 2019 at 10:27
Soma – that purple is an incredible color to experience in a sunset. We share your love of the outdoors, and there is something so blessed, magical and mystical about a night like that, alone with Nature, that keeps us going back. Happy Halloween, and enjoy your weekend!
Kathleen Kingsbury October 31, 2019 at 09:49
Beautiful photos, Soma. I love my small town area in western NY state for it’s changing and changeable seasons. Meaning you never know what you are going to experience, weather-wise, in any given season!
Susan October 31, 2019 at 08:21
I have been following your blog for several years now. I always enjoy your photography, art work and quilting. There are many things I love where I live in the Great Lakes State. First is a wonderful symphony orchestra. Also the museums and other cultural opportunities. Secondly, the beauty of nature never very far away.
Sandy October 31, 2019 at 04:21
Beautiful. Thank you for the virtual trip to the mountains. I live on the Central coast (Monterey Bay), and try not to take it all for granted. My favorite thing is the variety and abundance of wonderful fresh food, at my fingertips all year long. I’m not an email subscriber, but I enjoy your blog very much.
riitta k October 30, 2019 at 23:34
Stunning photos indeed! I love the pink and purple coloring, fabulous. Wishing you a good start to November.
sue October 30, 2019 at 23:23
Such beautiful photos, I can see why you love living where you do. I love living near the beach.
Mascha October 30, 2019 at 22:36
How good, that you made these photos – they are marvellous! Tell about a famous time you had…
I’ve subscribed your blog via email already for a long time, but it comes always a day later…but I since have it in my bloglist on the sidebar, I find it faster.
Happy Halloween from Germany :)