California Coastline and Landscape Photos: Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer

Point-Lobos-State-Natural-Reserve-California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:33:02 GMT

]]>The "golden hour" and an all too brief, but unforgettable, sunset at a jagged rock outcropping in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

Point- Lobos- State- Natural- Reserve- California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:23:11 GMT

]]>The "golden hour" and an all too brief, but unforgettable, sunset at a jagged rock outcropping in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:20:02 GMT

]]>The "golden hour" and an all too brief, but unforgettable, sunset at a jagged rock outcropping in Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

Crystal Cove State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:25:58 GMT

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Natural Travel, The Race Track, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 16:06:23 GMT

]]>“The Race Track

Our long anticipated trip to “The Race Track” was one of near misses and joyful discovery. First, although the dirt road was in good condition, the dusty drive back to this area seemed to take an eternity. It probably didn’t help that we stopped several times along the way, spending considerable time at the Ubehebe Crater and then at the Joshua tree forest.
Second, and of greater concern, once we arrived at the ancient dry lake bed known as the “Race Track,” we did not see any of the “moving boulders” or other landmarks associated with this area. “Could the boulders all have been washed away, or maybe even moved by poachers?,” we wondered aloud. Surrounded by the Cottonwood Mountains and the Last Chance Range, the area was certainly picturesque, but not what we had come to see.
As it turned out, the touted racetrack is on the far South end of the vast lake bed; “just like in the pictures.” Thinking back on the whole scenario, we were all a bit myopic in our initial view of the lakebed. We also had a mistaken sense of distance in this other worldly setting. Like so many places in Death Valley, there were simply no familiar points of reference to discern distance or scale. Understandably, even experienced travelers can easily become disoriented and lost in this borderless terrain.
Mysteriously, the movement of boulders across the dry lake bed has created long track marks in the mud, some up to 3,000 feet long. Some track marks form perfect straight lines, others are curved and a few are in curious “zig zag” patterns.
Although no one has actually seen the rocks move, geologists explain that the boulders slide across the dried mud floor when rainfall turns the hard mud into a slick surface. Strong wind is also a factor in the movement of rocks across the flat, unprotected lake bed. Described as “playa,” the dry silt forms remarkably consistent polygonal patterns across the entire expanse of the lake bed.
Irreverently, after a bit of contemplation in this wondrous place, my brother, Brian, declared the theory of the moving rocks to be hoax. He shared some of own conspiracy theories to account for the distinct tracks in the mud. Brian explained that pranksters or park rangers must have pulled the rocks across the lake bed using long ropes attached to vehicles; or, that the rocks were periodically rolled across the lake bed from low flying aircraft, just like bowling balls, etc. So much for the wonders of nature and our childlike suspension of disbelief … “

Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer & Steve Stilwell,From Rock to Sand: Death Valley Landscapes, 2007.

Crystal Cove State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:27:12 GMT

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Crystal Cove State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:27:11 GMT

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Garrapata State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:16:17 GMT

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Garrapata State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:16:07 GMT

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Cook's Meadow, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:41:35 GMT

]]>Cook’s Meadow: A Morning to Remember

"During our hike to Cathedral Beach, we met an avid California photographer who recommended Cook’s Meadow for some morning photography. While we were grateful for the tip, I was also somewhat skeptical about this particular location. The meadow appeared to be too close to the Yosemite Falls bus stop, a busy tourist site. The snow covered terrain also looked barren and lifeless, at least compared to the nearby park landmarks.

Acting against my better instincts, I hiked into the snow covered meadow at about 4:30 A.M. the next day morning in near total darkness. After trekking along the meandering Merced River for about a half hour, I found myself still alone and fairly deep into the meadow. The moment the sound of my footsteps came to a halt, I was shrouded in total silence and a kind of profound stillness that defies description. After turning off my head lamp, I relished the solitude and a strong sense of belonging in nature. Reflecting back, as cliché as this may seem, this was one of those rare moments where I could actually “hear myself think.”

Simultaneously, as my eyes slowly adjusted to the darkness, I was treated with a placid visual wonderland. The crisp snow covered meadow seemed to extend without borders, punctuated by the black river water and leafless trees in stark silhouette. Steam was rising from the river and tree line, cloaking a good part of the valley in a mysterious mist. Peering further across the expansive valley, I next recognized the blue-gray outlines of massive Half Dome and Cathedral Rocks.

Quietly, in the pre-dawn light, I set up my tripod and photographed the frozen meadow from various vantage points. The resulting photographs can only partially capture the true beauty and essence of this tranquil setting. My memories of the whole experience are far more lucid and multi-dimensional than the best photographs from the trip. Yet, were it not for this photography venture, I would have never been in Cook’s Meadow at daybreak for such an inspirational experience."

Excerpt from working draft, "Winter Serenity: Images from Yosemite National Park," © 2012, Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer.

Garrapata State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:17:43 GMT

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Garrapata State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:18:12 GMT

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Garrapata State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:24:59 GMT

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Garrapata State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:18:30 GMT

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Garrapata State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:33:12 GMT

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Three Brothers 1, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:02:16 GMT

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Chill in the Air 2, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:02:15 GMT

]]>Golden mountain wall reflections on a cold winter morning.

Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:02:51 GMT

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El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:46:49 GMT

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Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:07:18 GMT

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Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:09:04 GMT

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El Capitan Reflection, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:53:33 GMT

]]>"Photographs and literature celebrate the ever evolving character of Yosemite National Park. The park is said to take on truly unique, awe inspiring qualities with each change of season. Although it would be wonderful to experience the park in every season, I will certainly return to wondrous Yosemite Valley in the quiet of winter. And, likely, for yet another winter trip after that …."

Excerpt from working draft, "Winter Serenity: Images from Yosemite National Park," © 2012, Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer.

El Capitan Reflection, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:51:32 GMT

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El Capitan Aglow, Yosemite National Park

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:42:34 GMT

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Winter Morning Mountain Tops Aglow, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:09:58 GMT

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Winter Morning Mountain Tops Aglow, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:13:08 GMT

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Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:56:15 GMT

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Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:55:40 GMT

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Half Dome, Yosemite National Park

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:58:47 GMT

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Three Brothers, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:14:16 GMT

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Yosemite Valley Last Light, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:12:49 GMT

]]>Pink dusk skies, viewed from Inspiration Point.

Pink Dusk, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:00:06 GMT

]]>"Also known as Inspiration Point, this vantage point is a photographer’s dream come true. It offers the vast classic view of Yosemite Valley, with distant Half Dome framed by El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls, basked in dramatic cross lighting."

Excerpt from working draft, "Winter Serenity: Images from Yosemite National Park," © 2012, Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer.

Cathedral Rocks, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:13:19 GMT

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Merced River Reflections, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:46:54 GMT

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Merced River Reflections, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:48:37 GMT

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Merced River Reflections, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:52:03 GMT

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Merced River Reflections, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:32:04 GMT

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Merced River Reflections, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:34:15 GMT

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Merced River Reflections, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:38:26 GMT

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Redwood Trees at Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 14:17:06 GMT

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Redwood Trees at Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:01:15 GMT

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Bixby Bridge, Highway 1,Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:18:42 GMT

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:56:15 GMT

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:04:33 GMT

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:04:33 GMT

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Archway, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:00:31 GMT

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Archway, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:09:06 GMT

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:56:48 GMT

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:50:34 GMT

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:50:33 GMT

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Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:50:33 GMT

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Misty Big Sur Coastline, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:14:31 GMT

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Misty Big Sur Coastline, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:16:14 GMT

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Above the Ocean Fog, Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:05:29 GMT

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Plant Life Above the Fog, Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:07:56 GMT

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Plant Life Above the Fog, Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:08:36 GMT

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Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:12:18 GMT

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Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:11:00 GMT

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Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:09:10 GMT

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Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 13:10:05 GMT

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Andrew Molera State Park, Big Sur, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:09:14 GMT

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Cayucos, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:27:29 GMT

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Cayucos, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:28:36 GMT

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Delmar Beach, Southern California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:30:20 GMT

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Delmar Beach, Southern California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:30:57 GMT

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Devils Gulf Course, Death Valley National Park

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 13:38:16 GMT

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Badwater Salt Flats, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:07:30 GMT

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Badwater Salt Flats, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:01:06 GMT

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Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:22:10 GMT

]]>Published in Shutterbug, September, 2008:

Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer was captivated by the rich light and long shadows while photographing at Mesquite Flat Dunes in Death Valley National Park. He worked with a Nikon D200 camera and a Nikkor DX 18-70mm lens and B+W circular polarizer. He had his camera mounted on a Gitzo G2220 tripod and a Manfrotto 486 head to steady his f/25 at 1/3 sec exposure.

Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:25:28 GMT

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Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:21:17 GMT

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Footprints in Sand, Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:26:18 GMT

]]>"In the Spring of 2007, our party of aspiring landscape photographers and avid hikers made a long planned trip to Death Valley. They mainly hoped to capture some images of the sand dunes, a true icon of the vast American Southwest. Once at the park, the team found so much more to explore: pastel-colored badlands, salt flats, ancient lake beds, volcano craters, water fluted canyons, Joshua tree forests and abandoned mines."

Excerpt from, From Rock to Sand: Death Valley Landscapes, Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer & Steve Stilwell.

Mesquite Flat Dunes, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:28:16 GMT

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Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:23:54 GMT

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Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:45:51 GMT

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Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:27:16 GMT

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Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:11:11 GMT

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Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:37:36 GMT

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Zabriskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 16:15:52 GMT

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Brian at Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 13:18:42 GMT

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Marcus Reinkensmeyer in the Merced River, Yosmite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 19:53:29 GMT

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Marcus at Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite National Park, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 20:51:23 GMT

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VIDEO: Ventura Pier, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 13:10:21 GMT

]]>A quick "how to" instructional video about white balance settings on a DSLR camera, at a pier with artificial lighting in pre-dawn light.

Point Reyes Limantour Beach Grass

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 13:15:52 GMT

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Muir Woods Bootjack Trail River Cascade, California

reinkensmeyer@me.com (Marcus W. Reinkensmeyer) — Sat, 30 Mar 2013 16:40:02 GMT

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