Photo of the Month: December 2009
December Photo of the Month: Eastern Sierra Sunset, Owens Valley CA
This month’s photo was taken on December 31, 2006 at Farmers Pond in the Owens Valley just outside of Bishop CA. Farmers pond is one of the best places in the Owens Valley to get reflections of the Eastern Sierra Escarpment, at least when the pond is there. The pond is owned by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and they don’t always keep water in it. Many times during the year the pond is completely dried up. (As a side note, when the pond is dry in August and September it can be a great place for sunflowers.)
On this evening I didn’t go out there to shoot pictures. I took my mother in law out there to show her where the pond was at. I had my camera with me, but I really didn’t think the sunset would be that great. In a way I was right. The only clouds that turned color were these ones, and though they’re pretty, I’ve seen much better.
I didn’t care for this image at first. I think I was disappointed in it because the sunset wasn’t all that great. I began to appreciated this image more after it had set in my files for awhile. Once I got over the initial disappointment I was able to see the beauty of the image itself.
I think what makes this picture work is how the clouds frame the mountains and how they form a natural vignette on the frozen pond. The colors reflecting on the pond and on the snowy mountains also add to the scene. I would say that this is now one of my favorite sunset photos from the Eastern Sierra.
Prints of this image can be purchased at 25% off the regular price
through the end of December 2009.
Purchase Eastern Sierra Sunset
Funny…I remember as if it was yesterday when you posted this image. I think it wasn’t too long after you had gotten your new camera from Tammy’s family??
Hope all is well with you and yours…I still miss the daily image…:-( I don’t think there will ever be a website that has as much attention to theirs as you do to yours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you coming out this way any time soon??
Hey Susan,
This picture was shot with my Minolta, before the new camera. I didn’t get the new one until July of 2007.
I’m not making any promises, but we may be out there for Mule Days next year. Don’t hold me to it though because it’s not for sure yet.
Hey that would be great!! If you are….I am sure you will be up the canyon….you’ll have to stop by!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’ve seen many a sun set behind those mountians but never one like that. I like the way the mountains are framed and lit up, as if they are praising God’s creation…Beautiful!! That’s about 10 days after the winter solstice, so the sun would of been heading back south. I’ve enjoyed viewing your time lapse videos as well. Some of the best images of the Sierra Nevada are right here on your website!
Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Shannon.