HIGH ALTITUDE CAPTURES

While vacationing in Big Bear, California last week, we decided to ride the ski lift to the top of the Snow Summit Ski Resort.  It was an incredible, incredible ride to the top.  Once there, it seemed natural to hike around and begin capturing some of the scenery to share with you.

Big bear Lake as seen from the summit, 8200 feet above sea level.  The inlet at the very top of the lake was the setting for my night shots of the moon and my encounter with two bats!  Click here to read that adventure.

 At this elevation, I didn’t know exactly what I would find.  To my surprise, I discovered beautiful wildflowers and various insects who apparently could survive without additional oxygen in the thin mountain air (at least, I didn’t see any tiny oxygen tanks on their backs).  Pictured below is a wild hornet enjoying a tasty pollen snack.

This was an absolutely gorgeous wildflower with vibrant color.  The bee in this shot was so busy he didn’t even notice me as he gathered his pollen to return to the hive.

This black wasp didn’t seem to stay in one place long enough for any sampling of the sweet nectar readily available.  He was by far the most difficult to photograph.  He was camera-shy, I guess.

I must confess – the flower below was not at the summit with the earlier shots.  I discovered this beauty while walking in the shopping village at Big Bear.  I just couldn’t “bear” to leave it out.

Thanks for stopping by.  I’ll see you tomorrow.

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~ by photographyfree4all on August 3, 2010.