The Sun radiates through the patchy dense fog in the redwood forest in the afternoon along a trail in the Redwood National and State Parks area in northwest California. At lower elevations the skies had cleared, but up here on a ridge there were still dense patches, yielding blue sky and just the right thickness of fog to let the forest break the Sun's rays up into individual beams. The peacefulness was as sublime as the quality of light. Because of the fog, everything was slightly wet giving the ferns on the ground a nice sheen. I had never seen light like this before. 95% of this image is a single exposure, with another exposure blended just at the Sun to restore some highlights slightly.
Tags: CA Redwood california copyrighted crepuscular damnation del norte del norte coast ferns fog forest national park path rays sheen sky state state park sun trees
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A path winds through the old and new growth redwoods in the Redwood National and State Parks area of northwest California. It's August and the source of summer moisture for these giants is in full view: the fog. The summer months see dense fog penetrate the Redwood forests, condensing on everything and adding several inches of water to the ground to sustain these majestic giants until the rains arrive again. I love the sense of depth the fog adds as it does battle with the sun along the coast each day. The wetness and the fog brings out the rich colors of the undergrowth which seems to be dominated by lovely ferns that give the whole forest a prehistoric feeling.
Tags: Redwood bark coastal copyrighted damnation del norte del norte coast ferns fog forest green national park path state park trail trees
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A large bull Roosevelt Elk seems to be smiling as he lays in the grass next to a small herd. Aside from two juveniles, this was the only large bull in this herd. Presumably then he was there to watch over and protect his harem of females (and the baby elk there too). So I surmise that this handsome elk is smiling as life is good right now. No challengers could be seen nearby on this day, though the next day I saw six larger bulls that would likely put this guy to the test in the coming months. Other bulls I spotted had not yet shed their velvet, and some had antlers twice the size of this guy's. These elk were in the Prairie Creek area of the Redwood National and State Parks.
Tags: 101 CA Redwood antlers california close up copyrighted creek elk furnace creek male national park portrait prairie roosevelt state
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A Roosevelt Elk walks the virtual catwalk between me and a busload of tourists along the road. I love this shot because it conveys the sense of scale of these enormous beautiful animals. Roosevelt Elk are the largest species of elk. Males like this one can reach 1300 pounds! This one had already shed the velvet from his antlers. He was in a group of three males (no harem). He's probably been battling for mates about now during the rut. I wouldn't want to face off against that enormous rack of antlers!
Tags: 101 Redwood adult antlers bull ca california cameraphone catwalk close up copyrighted creek elk male mature national park portrait prairie prairie creek roosevelt state tourists
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Light from the low sun tunnels through the redwood forest and fog in this tranquil scene in the Redwood National and State Parks area of northwest California. I was struck by the sheen from the wet ferns and the way the light was able to penetrate through the underbrush here.
Tags: Redwood backlight ca california copyrighted crepuscular damnation del norte del norte coast ferns flare fog forest lens flare national park path rays sheen sky state state park sun trees wet
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