Sunday, May 27, 2012

B&W Memorial Day Weekend

Friday afternoon we drove up Highway 18 to Green Valley Lake (near Big Bear in the S. CA mountains) to take care of some business, then continued down the back side of the mountain on 18 to 247 and out to 29 Palms. Such an interesting drive! I remember taking a plant ecology class years ago at Cal State Fullerton, and my professor (Dr. Jack Burke) took us on this same route for a field trip. Much of my scientific knowledge has long since been forgotten, but it's a radical change from one ecosystem to another (pine forest and mountain oak on the front / wet side of the mountain to pinyon pines, yuccas and even Joshua Trees on the back / dry side of the mountain). The transition is abrupt and incredible and is driven by moisture (or lack of), which I think is the key point Dr. Burke was trying to help us appreciate and see first hand.

I like the way some of these photos look in black & white (especially the desert vistas), so I decided to do the post in b&w.
Fog rolling off the surface of Big Bear Lake... made it look like a big jacuzzi!
Deer along Highway 18, North Shore
Back side of the mountain... agricultural area at junction of 18 and 247; incredible cloud cover!
Abandoned desert cabin along Highway 247
High, lonesome desert along Highway 247, view south.  My favorite shot from the afternoon.
As you can probably tell, I used Photoshop to help create the photo above. I took a photo of the crescent moon on Friday night, and combined it with the photo of this old desert road and landscape. Fun stuff!


Linking with and Weekly Top Shot at
Happy Memorial Day and have a great week!
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22 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlMay 27, 2012 at 8:04 PM

    i liked the deer - looked like a really detailed pencil sketch. and the 3rd pic is my fave. :)

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  2. RoanMay 27, 2012 at 8:07 PM

    I like the abandoned building. The clouds are amazing. Good call on the b&w.

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  3. GaelynMay 27, 2012 at 9:08 PM

    A delightful drive through contrasting landscapes. The B&W worked well for these. I like how you added the moon. Guess I'll be trying to figure out that's done when I get PhotoShop.

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  4. John @ Beans and I on the LooseMay 27, 2012 at 9:15 PM

    Oh man, you are nailing these black and whites! Those last four are stunning. What is your secret trick?

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  5. Karen @ Pieces of ContentmentMay 27, 2012 at 9:21 PM

    Wonderful photos. The hovering cloud cover amongst the dry landscape looks amazing. Your last is really amazing. Must be fun to have PS.

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  6. AngieMay 27, 2012 at 9:26 PM

    WOW!!! Gorgeous photographs and those skies!! Beautiful. :)

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  7. LeahMay 27, 2012 at 10:06 PM

    Love these uncle pete!!

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  8. HansHBMay 28, 2012 at 12:25 AM

    A great b&w post!

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  9. NancyMay 28, 2012 at 4:13 AM

    Beautiful clouds! Amazing.

    Thank you for sharing at Your Sunday Best this week. xoxo

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  10. AnonymousMay 28, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    That last photo is incredible!! Love the black and white!

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  11. NelliesMay 28, 2012 at 7:05 AM

    Impressive set of photos again, I really enjoy watching them. Have a great Memorial Day!

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  12. TeresaMay 28, 2012 at 7:18 AM

    It is amazing what kind of feel a black and white photo can have, versus a color especially where light prevalent--what an impact it makes...great set of photos!!!

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  13. BarbMay 28, 2012 at 7:45 AM

    Love these. I'm planning on driving up to Big Bear along this back road next month so this selection of pics is reinforcing my decision :) I enjoyed the ecology lesson, too. I have a background in agricultural studies and I still love this stuff.

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  14. AnonymousMay 28, 2012 at 11:17 AM

    Wow, that photo composite is fabulous! Love it! Thank you for sharing on Weekly Top Shot #32!

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  15. From The HeartMay 28, 2012 at 11:37 AM

    I am continually amazed at what beautiful photos you take and post! I love the deer!!!1

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  16. SandyMay 28, 2012 at 2:09 PM

    Always amazing photos here. I don't have a favorite. They're all really good and interesting! =) Happy Memorial Day.

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  17. EG CameraGirlMay 28, 2012 at 2:11 PM

    You have captured how desolate the area is and how alone someone must feel to live anywhere near there.

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  18. Connie SmileyMay 29, 2012 at 3:05 PM

    Wow, those shots are gorgeous in black and white! Your favorite is mine, too.

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  19. Pearl MapleMay 30, 2012 at 3:20 AM

    fabulous collection of images, B&W sure lets the details of a beautiful view shine through

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  20. Gail DixonMay 30, 2012 at 9:10 AM

    Lovely b&w images! Thoroughly enjoyed!!

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  21. SandyCarlsonMay 30, 2012 at 6:27 PM

    Amazing colors, textures, density!

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  22. AnonymousMay 31, 2012 at 9:54 AM

    Gorgeous gorgeous shots!

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