Lee Vining

Photographer's Note

"There are always some people in the mountains who are known as "hikers". They rush over the trail at high speed and take great delight in being the first to reach camp and in covering the greatest number of miles in the least possible time. They measure the trail in terms of speed and distance.
One day as I was resting in the shade, John Muir overtook me on the trail and began to chat in that friendly way in which he delights to talk with everyone he meets. I said to him: "Mr. Muir, someone told me you did not approve of the word 'hike'. Is that so?" His blue eyes flashed, and with his Scotch accent he replied: "I don't like either the word or the thing. People ought to saunter in the mountains - not hike! Do you know the origin of that word 'saunter'? It's a beautiful word. Away back in the Middle Ages people used to go on pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and when people in the villages through which they passed asked where they were going, they would reply - "A la sainte terre", 'to the Holy Land'. And so they became known as sainte-terre-ers or saunterers. Now these mountains are our Holy Land, and we ought to saunter through them reverently, not 'hike' through them."

Now, whether the derivation of saunter Muir gave me is scientific or fanciful, is there not in it another parable? There are people who "hike" through life. They measure life in terms of money and amusement; they rush along the trail of life feverishly seeking to make a dollar to gratify an appetite. How much better to 'saunter' along this trail of life, to measure it in terms of beauty and love and friendship. How much finer to take time to know and understand the men and women along the way, to stop a while and let the beauty of the sunset possess the soul, to listen to what the trees are saying and the songs of birds, and to gather fragrant little flowers that bloom along the trail of life for those who have eyes to see!"
--- reference: Albert W. Palmer - "The Mountain Trail and its Message (1911)"

In this view, Mono Lake 'tufa' and the distant Sierra Nevada.

I wish everyone a lovely and happy Valentine's Day.

ikeharel, No_One, bukitgolfb301, Kamilutka, Romano46, annjackman, tyro, SnapRJW ha puntuado esta nota como útil.

Critiques | Translate

ikeharel (113427) 2014-02-14 9:01

Good morning Ray,
A fantastic view of the lake, with its unique rocks formations. Smooth water surface mirror perfectly the mountains on far.
No trees on the slopes and around, that reason made me read about on Wikipedia, and found that the surrounding elevetion is higher than 2000m above sea level.
An impressive barren landscape, well collected on a bright day.
Have a nice weekend,
Ike

dta (98848) 2014-02-14 9:45

Hello ray ,
A superb wild landscape , with a great clarity , a splendid reflections , and the fine effect of the elagant clouds .
Regards

No_One (4) 2014-02-14 10:07

Hi Ray
A beautiful deep view across this rugged land. The formations in the lake give it an edge, a sharp edge while the mountains beyond create depth and the wow factor that only a mountain range can bring. What a bonus to have gotten this reflection too.
The wispy clouds in the sky are a gentle addition to the jaggedness down below.
Nice one! Thanks as always
Noel

Silvio1953 (221729) 2014-02-14 11:53

Ciao Ray, great view of fantastic lake, fascinating reflections, beautiful landscape, wonderful natural colors, excellent clarity and splendid light, very well done my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

bukitgolfb301 (54014) 2014-02-14 12:35

Hi dear Ray, how are you?

Wow another stunning landscape image at all.
Perfect shot in all points, the best postcard indeed!
Various blue colors are so fantatsic to see.

All the best and have a good night! TAKERO

npecanhuk (79329) 2014-02-14 18:21

Hi Ray!
That's certainly a wonderful and unique place!
That's a very beautiful picture of it!
Sharpness, exposure, colors, horizontal format, chosen pov and composition are all excellent!
TFS - congrats,
Cheers,
Neyvan

Kamilutka (8107) 2014-02-15 1:19

Hello Ray,
I enjoyed your note very much. I do agree with every single word of it. And if it comes to the picture I think it is truly lovely. I have never seen such a landscape apart from some cave formations.
The quirky rocks' shapes are very eye catching and the hills in the background counterbalance their roughness with more gentle lines.
Very beautiful colors and great light
Best regards
Kamila

rbassin (27472) 2014-02-15 1:50

Hello Ray
Un superbe paysage avec de bons reflets.
Bonne couleur bleue dominante.
Bon W-E
Roland

Romano46 (18472) 2014-02-15 7:07

Ciao Ray
altro paesaggio da mettere in partioclare evidenza per la sua notevole bellezza.
Alla nettezza dell'atmosfera si unisce una cura del colore quasi maniacale ed una composizione particolarmente pregevole.
Complimenti
Ciao e buon fine settimana
Romano

annjackman (23019) 2014-02-16 0:06

Hello Ray,
I read your note -it is wonderful. So I have lingered over this super shot and remembered the day many years ago that I visited this unique place. The subtle colours of the rocks are magnificent against the blue sky and the reflections in the water.
A very well photographed landscape - TFS.
Kind Regards, Ann

tyro (30513) 2014-02-16 13:20

Hello Ray,

You have written the most wonderful and informative note about the Scottish-American John Muir! I quite agree with his views on "hiking" and that "sauntering" is a much more appropriate way to travel through areas of beauty such as this. And how interesting to learn the origins of the word "saunter" too - thank you for that!

Being born in Dunbar in East Lothian, Muir would probably also have been familiar with that wonderful Scots word "stravaig" which means to "wander aimlessly" - it can be used as both an intransitive verb and also a noun. So you can "stravaig" around a lake or you can go for a "stravaig" through a valley or along a country path. Yes, far preferable to hiking which always gives me the impression that you walk quickly, bent over and looking at nothing other than the ground right in front of your feet!

But to your photograph. This is a delightful scene and you have captured it perfectly. Your picture breathes peace and serenity and the light on the mountains is beautifully soft, bringing out all the colours and textures in them, a vision repleated in the glorious reflections in the calm water of the lake. And those jutting sharp peaks of rock appearing from the water make a magnificent foreground feature.

Lovely composition, glorious light and colours, perfect exposure and exquisite details and sharpness.

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

yquem46 (38752) 2014-02-16 13:30

hi ray
I like the mild light and pastel colors on this Mono lake, famous for its rocks
A nice blue sky with a few white clouds and the mountains at the bg, for a very pleasant picture
have a nice sunday, best regards
patrick

Corry (4508) 2014-02-17 9:44

Bonjour Ray

Très beau paysage de montagnes avec ce lac parsemé de rochers. Très belle netteté de l'image. Bien fait.

Yvon

Miguel82 (47110) 2014-02-22 3:05

Howdy Ray! what a nice picture as a gift for Valentines day! some little islands of rocks on the lake, fantastic panorama, a dry landscape of hills and mountains in the bg, thanks for your support Ray, have a good saturday

SnapRJW (31631) 2014-03-01 2:35

Hello Ray - How much I appreciate your note! I am a saunterer and my slow progress annoys the male members of my family no-end. I stop, not only to catch my breath, but also to look at the scenery I pass through and stopping to smell the daisies is very much me. I see too that you are a landscape lover, this one is superb. I like the geological detail emerging from the lake, so otherworldly and a fine detail in this well-composed and clean image. A delightful shot, I'm glad you sauntered and didn't hike. Have a good weekend. Rosemary