Images in the Backcountry Blog » Local Scenes

Lake Yosemite at Sunset

Mike Matenkosky — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:24:48 +0000

I drove out to Lake Yosemite in Merced to photograph the Lunar Eclipse that morning. I also planned on photographing the moonrise that evening from the same location. I should have just stayed at the park all day! I went back around 3:30 and parked at the back side of the lake, at the Old Lake Road parking lot. I wanted to use the old tower as a focal point so I walked the dirt road until I got to the tower. I rarely see the lake that calm (water), so it was a nice treat.

I got a few photos, including the sunset. Only 15 minutes to go until I should see the moon. All of a sudden I say a maintenance truck in the parking lot and I heard voices asking about whose van is that. It was mine. I didn’t realize they locked the gate at 5pm, so I had to “run” back to the van before they locked me in for the night.

As I was “running” back, I’d stop and see if the moon was visible. It wasn’t. There was a low bank of clouds that obscured it. Only until I got half way home did I finally see it, but it was too late.

Going to try again next month, this time I’ll park the van outside the gate like some of the other fishermen!

Lunar Eclipse at Lake Yosemite

Mike Matenkosky — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 16:55:56 +0000

I just couldn’t resist getting up early to try and photograph the Lunar Eclipse here in Merced. I thought the old theater would be a interesting subject because it’s one of the Merced landmarks. I got there around 5:30 and realized that by the time the full Eclipse were visible, the trees and buildings may obscure the moon. I took a few shots, but nothing worth while to post. My back-up plan was to drive out to Lake Yosemite.

I wanted to frame the moon, the “tower” and maybe the reflection off of the lake. Unfortunately the gate was locked, so I had to shoot from “outside” of the park.

The Lunar Eclipse

Lunar Eclipse from Lake Yosemite

Reflections from Lake Yosemite

Reflections from Lake Yosemite

Sunrise over Merced

Sunrise Over Merced

Sunrise at the Merced NWR

Mike Matenkosky — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 23:47:23 +0000

I haven’t visited the Merced NWR since October, I thought I’d take a drive and see how the conditions were. My “mission” was only to see how the pools were filling up and if I happen to take a few pictures along the way, it’s icing on the cake. With that in mind, I got up at 5:30AM Saturday so I could possibly photograph a nice sunrise…if the conditions were right.

I was a bit disappointed from the lack of water. Doesn’t look like anything changed in almost 2 months. I do hope they continue to fill the pools with water.

Despite the low water, I “managed” to photograph the sunrise and spilled my coffee in the process. Thankfully it spilled on the ground and not in the van or on the camera.

I was happy to see (and photograph) a Black-crowned Night Heron…a first for me. I had to remove my teleconverter to be able to compose the Great Egret 10 feet away from me…another first. Usually for me, those guys fly way before I get close enough. Got a few shots of a White-faced Ibis as well.

All and all, I would say it was a good morning and hope to get back soon.

Great Valley Grasslands

Mike Matenkosky — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 20:53:46 +0000

Since fall is here, I wanted to photograph the fall colors in the Sierra. Unfortunately the location I picked is not quite ready, so I postponed my trip for a few more days. Another thing I wanted to do is see if the Merced NWR and the San Luis NWR had started filling the pools for the migrating birds. I also wanted to try and capture some new pictures of the Tule Elk at the San Luis NWR.

I got up early Friday morning to hit the San Luis NWR at first light and on my way home, stopping at the Merced NWR. When I arrived at the stop light at the junction of highway 140 and 165, I see a big sign saying that 165 was closed except for local travel. I decided to take the detour route and hope I can get there in time.

As I got near Gustine, I drove by a portion of the Great Valley Grasslands. There was a nice river, some mist/fog over the river and the sun was facing east. I took the small road and parked.

I stayed here for about an hour and left. Since I was still curious if I could get to the San Luis NWR, I continued. I was able to get there and WOW…I haven’t been there in a few years. They are building a nice welcome center there. The Elk were a bit too far for me to take any pictures though.

I stopped at the Merced NWR and the pools are being filled right now so another few more weeks and they should be done.

Here’s some of my favorite shots from the Great Valley Grassland morning.

Pictures of Atwater Community Bible Church

Mike Matenkosky — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 21:23:03 +0000

I’ve been wanting to shoot something for a few weeks now, or maybe I should rephrase that…photograph something for a few weeks now. I was recently playing around with The Photographer’s Ephemeris (TPE) program and decided I’d try to it out here in town. According to TPF, the moon rises at 7:36 this evening (Tuesday) and my church would be an interesting subject. I envisioned the church/steeple/cross in the foreground and the moon as a background, while the sky would be still visible.

I went outside to look at the sky and I see clouds. Not very promising if you’re planning on photographing the moon. Since the church was only a mile away, I packed my gear and set out. If the moon didn’t show, maybe I could get some nice sunset pictures…since I handle the church’s website.

As predicted, I had a nice sunset, but capturing the moon was a different story. I forgot about the trees on the horizon and the fact that by the time the moon was high enough to view the moon and church….it was too dark . I had to think of a plan ‘B’. I decided to obscure the moon by shielding the church steeple. It would make a nice halo around the steeple and cross.

So all and all, I think it turned out okay…

Open House from Wendel Rosen

Mike Matenkosky — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 17:57:47 +0000

Yesterday, Stacy and I attended the 5th Anniversary Open House Party for the Wendel Rosen Modesto office. Why you ask? About a month ago I was contacted by a art consultant to furnish a couple of photographs depicting the central valley. I gave him my suggestions. A few days later they agreed on two 18 x 36 prints. I provided the prints and they did the matting and framing.

I debated on taking my camera. I didn’t want to be “the guy with the big camera”, so I took one of our point-and-shoot cameras. Here’s the final product…

“Sandhill Cranes Overhead”

Three Trees at 70MPH

An Evening at the Merced NWR

Mike Matenkosky — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 22:52:06 +0000

I haven’t driven out to the Merced National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) in over 6 months. I figured it was time to make the short trip and see what was happening. As I figured, the pools are starting to fill again and the Snow Geese and Ross’ Geese have returned. Since I had a late start and I saw some interesting clouds, I decided to focus my attention on capturing some landscape shots.

I was hoping to see water in the pools around the Bittern Marsh Trail, but there wasn’t enough water yet, so settled for the viewing platform. As you can see, we had a great show!

You can see the Geese on the first image.

And as always, never pack until it’s black…

Merced NWR with Dave

Mike Matenkosky — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:01:05 +0000

This post is a bit late, but that night I started to get chills/sick, so I went to bed. Anyway, I’m still ‘kicking’, other than a nagging cough (again). Dave Miller wanted to visit the Merced NWR and since I practically live there, well maybe just once a week, I was the unofficial guide for the day. We met at Denny’s in Atwater under a blanket of fog….go figure. We drove out to the refuge and I hopped in to his car and made the loop. The conditions could be better, so as we ended the loop we made another loop, this time I drove. By that time the fog was starting to burn off and we got some better photos, at least he did. We decided to not drive over to the San Luis NWR so we parted. I went back home and set up my ‘Matenkosky NWR’ and Dave drove the loop again!

Dave

Black-necked Stilt

Cooper’s Hawk – My first!

Back at the ‘Matenkosky NWR’ – Dark-eyed Junco

White-crowned Sparrow

Merced NWR – Bittern Marsh Loop at Sunset

Mike Matenkosky — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 03:08:14 +0000

I wanted to try and find a new place to photograph the Merced NWR for sunset. Since the rangers filled the Bittern Marsh Loop with water this season, I figured I’d give it a try. I’ve hiked this loop in the past, so I knew there was a nice little bridge there. Once I got there, I couldn’t find a good spot to photograph the water, clouds and the approaching sunset. I had to move quickly to find another spot before the colors disappeared. Ever see how fast a ‘crippled’ guy can run? I found a suitable location and captured one of the most awesome sunset series from Merced NWR so far!

Bittern Marsh Trail

Bittern Marsh Loop at Sunset

Panoramic View of Bittern Marsh Trail at Sunset

Saint Catherine’s Church Revisited

Mike Matenkosky — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 20:53:19 +0000

This is the last series of photos from my last trip to Hornitos California. I didn’t plan on photographing this church as I already have a shot from a few years ago, “Saint Catherine’s Church”. But, when I saw the clouds move in, I couldn’t resist…and besides this time I can walk! I sat down on the ground to try and capture as much of the clouds as I could.

Saint Catherine’s Church in Color

Saint Catherine’s Church in Black in White