Ever passed a place and the conditions were never right?

I drive past this landmark twice every time I drive up to the eastern Sierra, I believe it's called the haystack. The light and conditions never seemed compelling finally on one return trip The light and shadows seemed special. I know anyone who drives up from the LA Basin has seen this rock. Olympus E-500 Iso 100 f/16 1/80

I can't recall that rock specifically, but the general landscape certainly looks familiar as I ride my sauna to the ES... can't wait for winter and the relief it brings an AC-less car :)

The light is certainly better here than on a typical day, albeit it still a bit harsh. I've never stopped at RR canyon for the same reasons, always boring light when I pass through.

Floris,

No air conditioning sucks. One time when I drove through the 14 cutoff from the 5 it was 117 degrees and 80% humidity. It thunder stormed on the summit, a good opening for the trip. Anyway this rock is on the West side of 14 just before the cutoff for Lake Isabella. I use landmark games to help pass the time on the long slog to the Owens Valley. The bit of Hwy from Dove Springs road to the Lake Isabella cutoff is called " Rabbit Splotches" . One late spring the cottontails in this area were committing mass vehicular suicide leaving fur smears in abundance, hence the title " Rabbit Splotches" .There's an associated game that resembles " I spy with my little eyes." That was invented by my daughter and I.

Thanks for the comment Floris and in that 117 degree heat we had air conditioning thank the gods. Red Rock Canyon has good light at dawn. No surprise really.

Paul

Paul, I do like how the deep shadow separates the fg and bg. You caught the light on your subject but I wouldn't mind seeing the haystack a little more dominant in the scene. I've been here once before on the backside once at sunset. The roads are interesting, I had to getting out of the SUV to check the clearance. Gotta love the local BLM land.
I still haven't stop in that shack of place that is some kind of indian reservation type of fort / swapmeet right near here on the 14. There are plenty of places that still haven't been knocked of the list because of bad lighting.



One a side not I was think of taking the cut off but google maps is saying it's longer than just heading on down to the 58 which seems like a long way.

I don't normally drive up the 14 hwy when going up to the eastern Sierra (generally use the 15 hwy to the 395), so I'm not quite sure what this landmark is. I do know there are a lot of nice rock formations near the junction of the 395 and 14 hwys. But I never seem to be there when the light is quite right either. In this image I like the composition and variation of light captured here. The placement of that prominent rock formation in the bg is perfect. I also like this with a little crop off the top and bottom. Nice to see something a bit different.

Just got back from a blistering and blindingly bright week to the White Mtns and Bishop. It was BRUTAL. I have no images made there worth sharing. All I did was seek shade and drank water. I drive there a lot and can't recall this somewhat insignificant pile of rock (to me!) Perhaps I saw it and thought it was a mirage!

Jefferey,

I don't envy the conditions you put yourself through in the Whites. This last weekend was perfect fly fishing weather ( unusually not windy ) but except for the color not great photography weather.Same conditions as you experienced. The rock is prominent but in the heat waves rising from the ground could be mistaken for a mirage. I'm sure you'll see it ( if you look ) on the West side of 14 driving on one of the few two lane blacktops left between Mojave and Mammoth.

Paul