This image of Mammoth Mountain is a reaffirmation of the power of persistence. Trying to get a great image of this iconic mountain has taken me years.  I have spent countless hours going here and there, down dirt roads to find the perfect spot to get a good image of the mountain.

It always seemed that what I thought would be a suitable location had something that detracted from the scene. Either the pine trees were in the way or there were too many buildings in the scene, etc.

It turned out the mistake I was making was that I assumed I had to go somewhere remote to get the proper angle.  It turns out the two best locations I have found are within half a mile of my home.  One is less than two hundred yards from my door! 

The morning, I took this image was so beautiful.  It had snowed the night before.  The storm clouds were still hanging over the mountain.  Mammoth Mountain is a snow magnet but most of the time when a storm breaks the clouds are usually to one side of the mountain, not directly over it.  When I saw that the clouds were over the mountain, I grabbed my camera and walked out to see what I could get.

It only took me walking a hundred and fifty yards and about a half hour to get this awesome capture!  After all those years of driving down dirt fire roads, one of the perfect spots was right under my nose!

Persistence and timing are key ingredients for a great photography.