Tahoe Tree

Something was missing in my portfolio. I had to get the classic Tahoe shot on the eastern shore. Large rocks, clear, turquoise water, mountains in the distance, all the things we know and love about Tahoe. I've had people ask me if I had anything like that before, and it gnawed at me that I didn't. So I made the decision that for the next couple of months, I would explore as much of this part of the lake as I could until I got it. 

I set out in the afternoon for Whale Beach, excited for what the day may bring. Snow had just fallen, but the roads were clear, chain control had just ended, and the mountains were white as could be. Parking on the eastern shore is always difficult, and the fresh snowfall made it even more so. I finally found a spot that I wasn't sure was legal, grabbed all my gear, and began my trek through the snow, hoping not to come back to a ticket or something. 

It was about a mile hike to Whale Beach, and when I got there, this tree island surrounded by large rocks immediately got my attention. I tried a couple angles, and nothing really seemed to work, but I wanted to explore more of the coastline, so I kept going and figured I would stop again on the way back.

When I came back, I tried a couple more angles, and then decided to just hang out on the beach for a bit. As I was sitting there, I noticed this little trio of rocks in the water before the island that gave the perfect setup in the foreground to complete the frame. I quickly got my tripod and camera out and started taking photos. I sat there for over an hour, watching the clouds move in and around, taking a couple photos every 5 or 10 minutes as the clouds and the lighting changed. And then there was one brief moment where the clouds were thick, and a little light pierced through illuminating the tree and the scene before me. This was it, I had achieved my goal. All because I needed a break and wanted to sit on the beach and relax for a moment. Sometimes the shot just finds you when you least expect it.