There is more to my life than selling oil paintings of Tulare County scenery. I spend a lot of time in Mineral King in the summer. It is a great source of inspiration, because it is the most beautiful place in Tulare County. (Go ahead and argue with me – present your case! I’m ALWAYS on […]
Unusually Wet Summer in Mineral King
It has been an unusually wet summer in Mineral King (along with measurable, puddle-making rain in Three Rivers 3 times in July!) Most of the times I have gone up the hill, it has been wet. Rain, hail, drizzle, fog, overcast. It’s all good. It’s all very good. I pray for rain every day, and I […]
Mineral King, Real and Painted
Time for some Mineral King, because I had a rough painting week with all those “Little Bit Too Hards”. I can paint Mineral King! Yes I can!! This is the first time I am painting Farewell Gap with that giant red fir on the left gone. GONE. Cut down. Bye-bye, big fir. Hello little red […]
Thanksgiving Day in Mineral King
We could have gone to a traditional Thanksgiving Day family gathering, but we seem to be establishing our own quirky traditions instead. (Our family is quite flexible and forgiving.) Rather than write on and on, I’ll let the photos do the work.
Seeking Inspiration in Mineral King
As a studio painter, I rely on my camera and memory. I’m continually seeking the best light, the most advantageous angle, the brightest colors, the most details and anything else that can be recorded. What is inspiration? Something that motivates me to take photos, to paint, to draw. It was another beautiful day in Mineral […]
Looking For Red Leaves in Mineral King
No red leaves at the Honeymoon Cabin. No red leaves here either. Let’s go hiking and see if there are any red leaves further up the valley. Yellow tunnel ahead – no red leaves there. Entering the yellow tunnel – maybe there will be red leaves on the other side. Yeppers, just above Soda Springs! […]
Feels Like Summer, Looks Like Fall in Mineral King
Last weekend the fall colors were beginning to show in Mineral King. Weird, because it sure still felt like summer. Rather than blather on about the endless heat, I’ll just shut my yap and share some photos. See that reddish tree? I wonder if it the same one I spent a weekend chasing back in […]
Early Signs of Fall in Mineral King
The color and the light and the feel of the air changes in September. It is still green, but not quite as. The deer get weird. The squirrels get busy. This is a chicaree messing around with a red fir cone. They drop them like bombs in the early morning on the roofs of […]
Trail Guy’s Latest Mineral King Hiking Photos
Trail Guy is retired so he hikes every week in Mineral King. I am not retired so I work. He photographs Mineral King so I post it on this blog. Lucky Trail Guy. Lucky You. Lucky me, because I get to do what I love and (sometimes) even get paid for it. If you let […]
A Mineral King Day Hike
Trail Guy led a group hike up to the Empire Mines last year. It was fun, informative, and a good time was had by all. So, he was asked to lead it again this year. I only took a few photos this time, because all my photos are looking repetitive. You can see more of […]