Cloudy with a 100% of Spectacular

Kearsarge Station, Owens Valley

There is nothing wrong with blue skies. In landscape images, a pure blue sky can be a bit boring. That is why clouds are a landscape photographer's best friend.

Last of the ice at Grant Lake

There have been summers where I have complained of a cloud drought. You will not hear me complain about the lack of clouds in 2022 or 2023. Using Waynes World speak, 2022 has been cloudalicous.

Last of the Ice a Silver Lake

For the last several months the clouds have been amazing. They have sometimes been complex, threatening, angry and other times o majestic hanging in the mountains

I thought it would be an excellent blog post to pair these images with great quotes about clouds.

Here we go on our cloud trip and quotes

“We pledge to fight 'blue-sky thinking wherever we find it. Life would be dull if we had to look up at cloudless monotony day after day.”
― Gavin Pretor-Pinney, The Cloudspotter's Guide:

Iris Field in Bishop

“Thirty-nine years of my life had passed before I understood that clouds were not my enemy; that they were beautiful, and that I needed them. I suppose this, for me, marked the beginning of wisdom. Life is short.”
― Iimani David

Pine Creek

I’m sure it is a great mistake always to know enough to go in when it rains. One may keep snug and dry by such knowledge, but one misses a world ofloveliness. -- Adeline Knapp

Lower Owens River near Independence

“Clouds are the most egalitarian of nature's displays, since each one of us has a good view of them, so it really doesn't matter where you are.”
― Gavin Pretor-Pinney, The Cloudspotter's Guide

Well, I hope you enjoyed all these clouds as much as I did. Now it is time to float away…

Best Images 0f 2021

It is that time of year where folks publish their best images of the previous year. Here is my list.

Locations include:

• Owens River

• June Lake Loop

• Bishop Canyon

• Bridgeport

• Sage Hen

• Silver Lake

• Gull Lake

• Mammoth Lakes

• Round Valley

While 2021 had its issues it was a great year for photographing the Eastern Sierra.

Would love to know what you think of the images and which one you liked the best.

Wishing you an awesome 2022!

Five Reasons to Buy a Wall Calendar

With all the technology we have at our fingertips why would anyone want to buy a wall calendar these days.  Think about it.  We have calendars on our phones, calendars on the computer, calendars in our Email application, calendars on our watches, and even the date on our car stereo.

The wall calendar should be as dead as a doornail. Yet the more accurate phrase is “the wall calendar is dead, long live the wall calendar!”  What magic gives this lowest timekeeping device alive and well?

Here are my top five reasons the low tech “wall calendar” thrives in this technology-driven society:

1. In our high-tech screen-driven world, images and information are fleeting.  This creates a human desire for something physical and more permanent.  We have two calendars in the house.  One in the kitchen and one in the main bathroom.  I usually make two calendars, one of the Eastern Sierra and one of Dodger Stadium.  We catch ourselves regularly stopping and looking at the images.  It takes us back to places and experiences we love.

2. It is like having Christmas twelve times a year.  The calendar in the kitchen is too high for my wife to reach.  On the first of each month, one of the first things she asks me to do is to flip the page on the calendar.  She looks forward to seeing what the next image is going to be. It’s like opening a present! Some of the images have a special meaning because, as my “Photographer’s Assistant” she told me to take them!

3. Wall calendars bring people together.  You can write something on a calendar for a specific date.  From that point on everyone can see it without having to ask Alexa.  We have a group of longtime friends with who we get together several times a year.  With kids, sports, and work it is hard to schedule things.  We have a planning party every year to map out the things we want to do together for the next year.  You should see the calendars come out at that event. If you have a friend that really likes a particular topic a quality wall calendar on that topic is a great way to provide an inexpensive gift that still has a very personal touch.

4. I think having a wall calendar hanging up is also a character statement.  Let me give you an example.  In the Book Blue Highway, the author takes a trip around the US trying to drive only on “Blue” highways, meaning back roads.  In the book he stated he could predict the type of meal he was about to have by the number of calendars the restaurant had on its walls:

“No calendar: Same as an interstate pit stop

One calendar: Preprocessed food assembled in New Jersey

Two calendars: Only if fish trophies are present

Three calendars: Can’t miss on the farm-boy breakfast

Four calendars: Try the ho-made pie too

Five calendars: Keep it under your hat, or they will franchise”

Now think about it.  The last road trip you made.  If the joint had a calendar or two, usually of a local youth sports team or a local business, the food was pretty good and the service was friendly.  Now think about the last time you saw a calendar at a McDonalds.  Enough said.

Well, maybe one last point for my Highway 395 friends.  Our first impression of the Aberdeen Resort was a Margie standing in front of a wall calendar hanging next to a rotary phone.  The food was off the chart.

Aberdeen Resort

5. The benefits of buying from a local or small-time artist that focuses on a place or thing you love.
  In my case the Eastern Sierra.  You are supporting a local artist.  That artist will put some of that
money back into the local economy of the place you love.  If that was not enough, the calendar will
bring you back to your happy place all year long.

We have several calendars up on the walls of our house. The connection between calendars on the wall and good food that the Blue Highway author makes is true. The BBQ at the Kent house is pretty tasty.

Reverse Seared Rib Eye

 After reading this you have the desire to buy a wall calendar of the Eastern Sierra check out mine at the link below.

2026 Eastern Sierra Calendar

Begin 2026 with the Eastern Sierra Calendar from Bob Kent Photography—beautiful photos showing the area’s wild beauty and changing seasons. Each month displays colorful skies, tall mountains, and classic landscapes, bringing the Eastern Sierra’s charm to your home. A year-round tribute to nature’s beauty.

This year has something new. QR code that leads you to the story behind the picture!

Early Morning Around the Loop

The June Lake Loop is the gift that keeps on giving for a landscape photographer who focuses on the Eastern Sierra.  It is so beautiful and diverse you cannot go wrong taking images in the “Loop”.  Plus, people who love the area never get tired of looking at images of the area.  I guess the old saying applies; “When in doubt…” head towards the “Loop.”

This early morning, I originally intended to head out east on Highway 120 to explore parts of Sage Hen that I have not been at yet.  Driving north on 395 I realized I had gotten on the road too late to get there before the sunrise.  There was now this debate in my head between keeping to the plan and turn right on HWY 120 or go to plan “B” and turn left on HWY 158 and go into the “Loop.”  The voices in my head kept arguing Plan A, no Plan B, no Plan A…

The Tail of the Isthmus - Grant Lake

With the title being “around the Loop” you can guess that I went with plan “B” and turned left into the “Loop.”  There is a small isthmus on the north side of Grant Lake. It has this grand view of the lake and Reverse and Carson Peaks.  I have taken pictures there before but was not completely happy with the results.  I went back to the isthmus.  I arrived early enough, trying not to wake up the folks sleeping in the van, to be able to poke around a bit to find the perfect spot for sunrise.  

Looking East at Grant Lake

With my composition locked I had some time on my hands.  As the scene unveiled around me, it presented some additional looks that I was able to capture before getting my sunrise image.  It was cold with just a touch of wind to wipe out the chance of a glass reflection from the lake.  However, it was still enough to project the colors from the mountains.

First Light - Grant Lake

On the way back to 395, I noticed this awesome road scene so I quickly pulled over and changed to my telephoto lens. I am so glad I did, just love this scene.

Looking West into the June Lake Loop

All in all, a nice set of images for a plan “B.”  As I said earlier you really cannot go wrong taking images around the “Loop.”