This subject is featured inIssue #2of The Luminous Landscape Video Journal 

The Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest

Bristlecone Pine, 1999

About 15 miles south ofBishopisBig PineCalifornia. HereHwy 168continue to the east and in few miles leads to the road to theAncient Bristlecone Pine Forest. At the end of the road lies thePatriarch Groveat some 11,320 feet of altitude. These trees are among the oldest living things on earth. Some have been dated as more than 4,000 years old. One of the most surreal landscape on the planet.

Bristlecone Moonrise, 1999

The night before the full moon was scheduled to rise simultaneous with sunset at our plannedDeath Valleyshoot we found ourselves photographing 11,000 feet higher up in thePatriarch Grove. The moon obliged by rising a half hour before sunset showing exquisite detail due to the thin cold mountain air. 

Taken with 300mm Schneider Apo-Tele-Xenar lens.

Bristlecone Horizon, 1999

On my first trip to theAncient Bristlecone Pine ForestI had no success in photographing them. I shot in harsh afternoon sunlight and neglected to use a polarizer. This trip I know better what to expect and consequently came away with some stronger images.

Photographed with a Schneider 90mm APO-Makro lens

Coral Sky, 1999

I used a coral-tinted split neutral density filter to hold back the sky for this photograph. It’s a bit over-the-top but it does convey the other-worldliness of this unique location.

Sunset at Bristlecone, 1999

The day was over. We packed up our gear and started the long drive from thePatriarch Grovedown to the town ofBig Pineand the valley below. Rounding a bend we saw this scene, with the moon just kissing the cliff-side and its barren trees. A perfect close to a great day of photography.