Friday, February 5, 2010

Lush Green in the Deep Forest

This is Russian Gulch Falls, found about a mile up an easy trail in the redwood forest just outside the little town of Mendocino in northern California. I've always loved the light that was present on this day.. you might not expect the shady, deep forest to have much character light-wise, but as you can see, it does. There is a super soft quality to the already cloudy light filtering through the canopy of trees that highlights the greens, but still allows the beautiful deep shadows in the rocks and decaying wood.
Of the 3 main wine country regions in northern California (the others being Napa and Sonoma), Mendocino is the most remote and least commercialized. The winding road to get here travels past gorgeous vineyards in the Anderson Valley, straight into dark redwood forests and along the wild rocky coast up to the town, which is full of art galleries and boutiques but still manages to remind you of the nineteenth century.
I really wish this area was a little closer to home for me.. it's a bit too far to drive unless we're staying for a while, so we have to fly to Oakland and still drive 3 hours from there... well worth it though.
What I feel is that the picture-taking process, anyway a greater part of it, is an intuitive thing. You can't go out and logically plan a picture, but when you come back, reason then takes over and verifies or rejects whatever you've done. So that's why I say that reason and intuition are not in conflict--they strengthen each other.
- Wynn Bullock

13 comments:

storybeader said...

it's absolutely beautiful there. And the water has so much movement! I'm thinking you weren't using a camera's phone here! Love the ferns!

Gaelyn said...

I love being surrounded by the green light and energy in such a forest as the Redwoods. It feels like ancient wisdom. You've captured this so wonderfully, I'm sure I've been there.

The Giraffe Head Tree said...

High on my bucket list is this place. Thank you for sharing your photo and prose with us for each vicarious visit is precious.

Azure Accessories said...

Wonderful...the green is so lush...I've never been a huge fan of green, but since I've been designing jewelry I've found myself drawn to green more and more...

Of course water will always catch my attention...I can almost feel a delicate spray coming from the falls...
Cheers

Amy Lilley Designs said...

Mendocino is one of favorite spots...for its beauty!! When I lived in SF I made a couple of sojourns up there for a good week @ a time...if I just close my eyes, w/ your image as a reminder...I can go back...:))

Unknown said...

That is really pretty!

The Retired One said...

Spectacular!
Just awesome!

Ashrays said...

your spot on with what you say about the light in such situations, nice one Mark!

Joanne Olivieri said...

Stunning greenery - just so lush and alive.

Rebecca Mecomber said...

Wow! That's just so beautiful.

Unknown said...

Wow Mark,this shot is gorgeous.
I really love the greens and the big trunk here.

I hope you have a better weather than we have here in Corsica !

John E Adams said...

Just stumbled on your blog and work during my lunch break today, very beautiful Mark and I am and looking forward to following future posts!

An added pleasure to see to this beautiful post - I lived here during my last few years in California 30 years ago, glad to here it is still in good shape -;0)

Cheers,

John E Adams

Lynda Lehmann said...

Just gorgeous, Mark, a primeval gorge. I can practically smell the sweetness of the damp and decay. A mystical spot, for sure...