#lakemanly — Public Fediverse posts

“Morning Clouds, Lake Manly” — Morning clouds and distant mountains reflected in Lake Manly, Death Valley.

Arriving at Lake Manly to photograph on this late-February morning, I would have rated the conditions as “OK but not stupendous.” I was hoping for a colorful desert sunrise over the reflecting waters of the temporary lake, but clouds muted the intensity and color of the light. My practice is to not give up but to instead find other ways of seeing the landscape. I kept photographing, and soon realized that the morning was special in different ways than I had expected…more: https://gdanmitchell.com/2026/05/27/morning-clouds-lake-manley/

#deathvalley #lakemanly #photo #photography #photoOfTheDay #lensCulture #landscapePhotography #photographyLovers #naturePhotography #fineArtPhotography #nature

“Lake Manly Shoreline” — Lake Manly and desert mountains with morning clouds.

A spectacular cloud deck floated above Death Valley on this winter morning. While the clouds were a bit too thick to let brilliant sunrise colors develop, they created a very dramatic sky and its reflection on the surface of Lake Manly. The photograph looks north across the lake from its salty southern shoreline…more: https://gdanmitchell.com/2026/03/20/lake-manly-shoreline/

#deathvalley #lakemanly #classicmono #photography #photoOfTheDay #lensCulture #landscapePhotography #photographyLovers #naturePhotography #fineArtPhotography #nature

“Panamint Sky” — Morning winter sky above the Panamint Range and Lake Manly.

Lake Manly, the ephemeral lake that appears in Death Valley’s Badwater Basin in unusually wet seasons, is gradually shrinking once again. It was very large in early 2025, and again quite large early this year. It is starting to dry out and it will likely begone soon. For now though, it is still impressive, especially if you stand at its edge early in the morning, and doubly so when clouds fill the sky…more: https://gdanmitchell.com/2026/03/09/panamint-sky-2/

#sky #deathvalley #lakemanly #clouds #photo #photography #photographer #photoOfTheDay #lensCulture #landscapePhotography #photographyLovers #naturePhotography #fineArtPhotography

“Distant Mountains, Reflection” — Manly Lake reflects distant mountains and morning haze.

The scale of Death Valley is monumental. It is one of the few National Parks where you encounter distances so great that faraway features disappear into the light and haze. The absence of familiar reference points like trees makes it harder to comprehend these distances. It is perhaps a mile to the nearby hills in this photograph, but the distant mountain range is many tens of miles away…more: https://gdanmitchell.com/2026/02/07/distant-mountains-reflection/

#deathvalley #lakemanly #desert #photo #photography #photographer #photoOfTheDay #lensCulture #landscapePhotography #photographyLovers #naturePhotography #fineArtPhotography

“Telescope Peak, Lake Manly” — Panamint Range and Telescope Peak reflected in Lake Manly, Death Valley.

This photograph incorporates at least two elements that might surprise people unfamiliar with Death Valley National Park — a large lake and snow-dusted mountain peaks. Telescope Peak, the highest point on the Panamint Range summit ridge, rises just above 11,000′, putting its summit in the alpine zone. It is normal to see snow there during the winter months…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2026/02/02/telescope-peak-lake-manly/

#deathvalley #desert #mountains #lakemanly #photo #photography #photographer #photoOfTheDay #lensCulture #landscapePhotography #photographyLovers #naturePhotography #fineArtPhotography

“At the Edge of Lake Manly, Sunrise” — Solitary figure at the edge of Lake Manly and the reflection of a desert mountain sunrise.

Most of my landscape photographs include little or no evidence of human presence. But sometimes including a human figure can transform a photograph. (I suggest obscuring the figure with the tip of your finger to see how much it changes things.) The person obviously provides a focal point, but also invites viewers to imagine themselves in the scene…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2026/01/19/person-at-the-edge-of-lake-manly-sunrise/

#deathvalley #nationalpark #lakemanly #desert #photo #photography #photographer #photoOfTheDay #lensCulture #landscapePhotography #photographyLovers #naturePhotography #fineArtPhotography

Lake Manly has returned to Death Valley after winter rains, but NPS is discouraging boating and urging visitors to protect the fragile basin. A rare desert lake making a brief comeback. #DeathValley #LakeManly #NationalParks #Climate #DesertRain

https://www.8newsnow.com/news/local-news/death-valleys-lake-manly-returns-after-recent-rains/amp/

“Wading Lake Manly” — A person wades in the shallow water of Lake Manly, with early morning Death Valley mountains reflected in the water.

Even after photographing for decades, I’m still often astonished by how the presence of a small human figure can crystallize and focus a scene. (To understand this, use your finger to cover the person and note how different the photograph feels.) I’m not sure if it is simply due to adding a focal point or something about how our brains respond to the presence of other people…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2025/12/30/wading-lake-manly/

#Landscape #Mountain #Nature #Outdoors #People #deathvalley #nationalpark #desert #lakemanly #landscapephotography #photography #photo

“Lake Manly Sky” — Early morning clouds and the Panamint Mountains reflected in Lake Manly, Death Valley.

As a landscape photographer I spend a lot of time trying to predict the light. But it is a fickle thing, and it often changes in ways that cannot be anticipated. That was the case on this winter solstice morning in Death Valley. We drove down to Badwater to photograph Lake Manly, the occasional lake that forms on the playa after heavy rains. We arrived before sunrise, and for a brief moment the light was brilliantly intense… before the sun moved behind clouds to the east, laving a softer effect…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2025/12/28/lake-manly-sky/

#deathvalley #nationalpark #desert #sunrise #lakemanly #nature #landscape #landscapephotography #photography #photo

“Panamint Sunrise, Lake Manly” — The winter solstice sunrise illuminates the Panamint Mountains, reflected in the surface of Lake Manly.

We were in Death Valley National Park just before Christmas, arriving the afternoon before the winter solstice and departing on Christmas Eve Day. There are lots of reasons to visit this landscape in the winter, including the reappearance of Lake Manly for the second time this year. In prehistoric times this Lake was much larger and deeper, but in wet years a remnant appears, and shallow water spreads across the lowest part of the valley...continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2025/12/27/panamint-sunrise-lake-manly/

#deathvalley #DEVA #sunrise #desert #lakemanly #nature #landscape #reflection #landscapephotography #photo #photography

Lake Manly II

Lake Manly located in Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park s is a temporary lake formed by the large amount of rain that had fallen in the park during the winter of 2023-2024.
This serene landscape depicts an arid mountain range reflecting in the still waters of the lake. The clear sky and undisturbed reflection emphasize tranquility and natural beauty. https://pixels.com/featured/lake-manly-ii-bill-gallagher.html #LakeManlyII #BillGallagherPhotography #BuyIntoArt #AYearForArt #DeathValley #LakeManly #Nature

Lake Manly
Lake Manly is a serene landscape located at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park. It showcases a vast temporary lake reflecting the image of a mountain range under a clear blue sky. The tranquil water creates a perfect mirror image of the picturesque scene, exuding a sense of calmness and natural beauty. See the full image here: https://pixels.com/featured/lake-manly-bill-gallagher.html
#LakeManly #BillGallagherPhotography #BuyIntoArt #AYearForArt #DeathValleyNationalPark #Reflections #Patterns #BadwaterBasin

“Desert Mountains and Lake Manly — Morning light on desert mountains with flow patterns in the distance.

This photograph might be a bit disorienting. I wonder what you see at first? Some desert mountains with an unusual sky in the background? But what to make of that white area at the far right? And then, what kind of “sky” are we looking at? If I’m right, at some point you might have a bit of difficulty putting all of these elements together into a whole that makes sense. There is an explanation…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/05/12/desert-mountains-and-lake-manly/

#lakemanly #deathvalley #nationalpark #desert #nature #landscape #photography

“Afternoon Light, Lake Manly” — Light beams above the snow-capped Panamint Mountains and Lake Manly.

These beams of light — sometimes known among photographers as “God light” — are a common afternoon feature in Death Valley. The valley runs roughly north-south, and there are tall mountain ranges on either side, with summits rising up to 11,000’+ at Telescope Peak on the west side. Consequently, direct sunrise and sunset are blocked from much of the valley floor, However, some time after sunrise and before sunset the light passes though canyons and gaps in the mountains, and this is the effect when it illuminates atmospheric haze…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/05/09/afternoon-light-lake-manly/

#lakemanly #deathvalley #nationalpark #mountains #desert #nature #landscape #travel #photography

“Salt Pond” — A salt pond and surrounding playa terrain near Lake Manly.

Lake Manly is not the only body of water on the Death Valley playa during this unusually wet year. That lake occupies the lowest area near Badwater, but there is a lot of water in other locations up and down the valley. I photographed this pond from Damte’s View, high in the Black Mountains. I was there before dawn, but I made this photograph much later when the early shadows had retreated back across the valley and the playa was in sunshine...continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/05/04/salt-pond/

#lakemanly #deathvalley #nationalpark #desert #water #nature #travel #landscape #photography

“Lake Manly, Mountains, and Haze” — Blue morning haze softens the contours of desert mountains beyond Lake Manly, Death Valley.

Haze is a factor to be reckoned with when photographing in a vast landscape like Death Valley National Park. It is there even on “clear” days, and over long distances its effects can be substantial. Details are muted (especially in shadows), the colors shift toward blue, and atmospheric instability can make subjects literally shimmer. (That makes it virtually impossible to get sharp focus in some situations.) It used to leave me nonplused, but eventually I thought about how to use these characteristics — after all, they are part of the scene…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/05/01/lake-manly-mountains-and-haze/

#lakemanly #DeathValley #nationalpark #desert #mountains #landscape #nature #travel #photography

“Clouds, Lake, Desert Mountains” — Morning clouds above the Panamint Range, reflected in the smooth surface of Lake Manly.

This photograph may look a bit familiar if you follow my posts. I previously shared a landscape orientation (wide) version of a similar photograph, made just moments before I exposed this one. The Panamint Mountains are in the distance, under sunrise light, and the shadow of mountains to the east still falls on the lower slopes. This is reflected in the waters of Lake Manly…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/04/26/clouds-lake-desert-mountains/

#lakemanly #reflection #deathvalley #nature #nationalpark #landscape #desert #clouds #travel #photography

“Flooded Playa, Mountain Shadow” — The shadow of a mountain retreats across a flooded playa in morning light, Death Valley.

It is hard to make sense of the landforms of Death Valley when you are within the valley. It is so vast and so flat that your view is often a combination of what is right at your feet and what is many miles away. A more comprehensive view comes from ascending to a high point in the mountains on either side of the valley. From these elevated perspectives you can see things that are otherwise invisible…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/04/20/flooded-playa-mountain-shadow/

#lakemanly #deathvalley #nationalpark #desert #nature #travel #landscape #photography

“Sunrise, Lake Manly and Panamint Mountains” — Sunrise on the Panamint Mountains reflected in the ephemeral waters of Lake Manly

This is a photograph that is normally not possible in Death Valley — The image of a snow-capped mountain range reflected in the extensive waters of a gigantic lake. These are the Panamint Mountains, rising to over 11,000 feet on the far side of Death Valley. This winter the playa was covered by the shallow waters of ephemeral Lake Manly...continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/04/17/sunrise-lake-manley-and-panamint-mountains/

#deathvalley #nationalpark #sunrise #lakemanly #desert #reflection #nature #landscape #travel #photography

“Flooded Playa” — The flooded landscape of the playa near Manly Lake, Death Valley.

This is another in a series of photographs of the floor of Death Valley near Badwater, photographed from high in the Black Mountains early one morning. Following a historic storm in August of 2023, this part of the valley flooded, partially reconstituting the historic Lake Manly. There is still a lot of water, and many areas of the playa are currently inaccessible…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/04/11/flooded-playa/

#lakemanly #deathvalley #desert #nationalpark #nature #landscape #travel #photography

“Pre-Dawn Clouds, Lake Manly” — Pre-dawn clouds fill the sky above the Panamint Mountains reflected in Lake Manly, Death Valley.

The brief interval between darkness and the arrival of the morning sun may be my favorite time of day in the desert. Everything is still and quiet, and I’m often the only person around. The temperature is comfortable, and sometimes as close to cool as it will get. The light changes perceptibly, transitioning from deep twilight blues toward the intensely warm colors of sunrise. And I have a full day ahead of me…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/04/09/pre-dawn-clouds-lake-manly/

#deathvalley #desert #dawn #clouds #lakemanly #nationalpark #landscape #nature #photography #bluehour #blue

“Lake Manly Shoreline, Desert Mountains” The dark Panamint Mountains rise in the distance beyond the shoreline of ephemeral Lake Manly.

Typically I might simply not attempt to photograph this scene. The glaring sunlight, while somewhat filtered by the clouds, was brightly lighting the white sand deposits along the shoreline of Lake Manly. Distance, haze, and backlight combined to mute the details of the Panamint Mountains. And this light was harsh, not the softer light of early morning or evening. But somehow I felt that the composition and the drama of the light and atmosphere held some promise…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/04/08/lake-manly-shoreline-desert-mountains/

#lakemanly #deathvalley # #desert #nature #landscape #blackandwhite #monochrome #photography

“Mountains, Wash, and Reflection” _ A large wash near the base of the Panamint Mountains is reflected on the surface of Lake Manly.

This is a kind of Death Valley photograph that you won’t often see — mountains reflected in the quiet surface of a huge lake. This is Lake Manly, the reconstituted remnant of a much larger lake that filled the valley long ago. Between a historic tropical storm late last summer and better-than-usual rainfall since then, the lake reappeared and persisted. It currently covers many square miles in the Badwater area of the valley…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/04/06/mountains-wash-and-reflection/

#deathvalley #nationalpark #desert #arid #lakemanly #nature #landscape #photographychallengepicture

“Dawn Clouds, Lake Manly” — Dawn clouds and the distant Panamint Mountains reflected on the surface of Lake Manly, Death Valley.

I was not surprised to see quite a few people when I visited Death Vally earlier this month. Not only is this the peak season in any year, but the temporary reappearance of Lake Manly has been all over the media. In fact, that’s one of the big reasons I chose to go at this particular point. Over the years I have learned that it is often possible to escape the hordes just by going to a slightly different location than the most obvious ones. So I bypassed the “usual places” when I went out to photograph the lake on this morning — and I went very early, while most people were still sleeping!…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/03/26/dawn-clouds-lake-manly/

#deathvalley #nationalpark #desert #lakemanly #clouds #Dawn ##landscape #travel #nature #photography

“Morning Clouds, Lake Manly” — Morning clouds drift over Lake Manly and the distant Panamint Mountains, Death Valley.

I made my annual visit to Death Valley this past week. While there I realized that it has been 25 years since my first encounter with the place, and that I have been photographing there every year for about two decades. In addition to the usual attractions, this trip focused on Lake Manly, the temporary resurrection of the prehistoric lake that once filled the valley. The lake reappeared after intense tropical storm rainfall last year and was augmented by more recent heavy rains…continues: https://gdanmitchell.com/2024/03/23/morning-clouds-lake-manly/

#deathvalley #deva #lakemanly #desert #nationalpark #sunrise #landscape #nature #travel #photography

Death Valley's Fleeting Lake Captured in Satellite Image
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https://www.newsweek.com/badwater-basin-death-valley-lake-manly-satellite-images-1880364 <-- shared media article
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#GIS #spatial #mapping #earthobservation #lakemanly #water #hydrology #deathvalley #imagery #satellite #badwaterbasin #precipitation #rainfall #hurricanehillary #extremeweather #atmosphericriver #copernicus #sentinel

Paddleboard Death Valley! Lake Manly has been reborn, drawing kayakers, tourists & me with my paddleboard. Just in time for super high winds. I put in just past Badwater. I had to remove my big main fin to keep from dragging. And eventually … open water! I couldn’t stand for long, as it was so windy plus I kept dragging if I tried. Went for about a mile - fantastic!
#deathvalley #lakemanly #sup

https://geotripper.blogspot.com/2024/02/echoes-of-watery-paradise-in-forsaken.html #lakemanly #deathvalleynationalpark #deathvalley There is a simply astounding phenomenon happening in Death Valley right now: the faint echo of a very different past. More pics at the link.