Beyond the Zen Center: the Natural World of Tassajara Valley: Photography by Dan Quinn https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812 <span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;">Tassajara Zen Mountain Center nestles along Tassajara Creek, in a deep valley surrounded by rocky chaparral-covered hills. Sunlight leaves the valley early each evening, lingering on the surrounding peaks. The Creekside itself is verdant, even in high summer; surrounding lands are sere. Fire is always present, actual or potential; smoke occasionally dims the air and masks the view. Throughout the week, we monitor the Timber Fire in the trackless wilderness between us and the Pacific &ndash; evacuations will be ordered if the fire gets closer than 5 miles, but it pauses at 7.6 miles until the week concludes.</span><br/> <br/><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;">Upstream of the Zen Center, the creek moves underground for a while, beneath a boulder-strewn streambed. Green plants thrust roots deep, savoring nourishing moisture even in this dry time.</span><br/> <br/><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;">A swing set sits in a clearing there, incongruous, inviting. Swinging back and forth, I find my feet naturally pumping in rhythm, my body bending backwards and forwards, pumping the swing&rsquo;s arc wider and higher. (The workshop teaches me, be aware of gravity holding me to Earth&rsquo;s surface, aware of the solid ground supporting me. Here, I am aware that acceleration is also a sister force to gravity, adding or subtracting: at the bottom of the swing, I press more strongly into the swing; pausing at the top, I am weightless for an instant before patient gravity calls me back for another swing.) Swinging backwards, I lean back, watching upside-down trees rush toward me.</span><br/> <br/><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;">A small wood fragment, the size of my hand, rests lightly on the dry grass &ndash; amazingly light as I pick it up. It is scorched on one side, charcoal, and untouched on the other. [It reminds me of a small statue on the zendo altar, charred to charcoal on one side, original wood on the other, probably rescued from the burning zendo?] I wonder &ndash; where did this fragment come from? I see no sign of recent fire elsewhere in the clearing. Was the woodchip tossed aloft from a raging fire, whirled through the air, then transported miles before dropping here? If so, we are lucky the smoldering ember went out in the air, and didn&rsquo;t light another fire right here.</span><br/> <br/><span style="font-family:calibri,sans-serif;">Downstream from the Zen Center, the creek runs free. Butterfly, lizard, and dragonfly inhabit the green world; larvae devour the body of leaves, leaving only the veins. Wading into the calm creek, one can see reflections of surrounding cliffs behind floating leaves.</span> en-us Dan Quinn capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:16:55 GMT Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:03:32 GMT Landscapes Scenic https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/img/s/v-10/p1583481212-10.jpg Beyond the Zen Center: the Natural World of Tassajara Valley: Photography by Dan Quinn https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812 120 120 Sunset from the Valley https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FBB2

]]>Clear skies, not much smoke. 8/11/2026, 5:53 pm the afternoon of our arrival.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Sunset from the Valley https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FBB2 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:17:41 GMT Clear Skies https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6F9AC7

]]>The same hilltop, two days and an hour later (after a day with no camera). Sunlight has left the treetops in the valley. 8/13/2026, 7:16 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Clear Skies https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6F9AC7 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:30:02 GMT Twilight Fades https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FCAB

]]>Seven minutes later: 8/13/2026, 7:23 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Twilight Fades https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FCAB Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:17:47 GMT Twilight https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FDE3

]]>8/13/2026, 7:06 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Twilight https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FDE3 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:17:52 GMT Rocky Chaparral https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FE78

]]>Above the Suzuki Roshi Memorial, the ecosystem suddenly switches from woodland to dry chaparral. 8/13/2026, 7:15 am. All in the Earth's shadow now.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Rocky Chaparral https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FE78 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:17:55 GMT Tassajara Creek behind Stone Cabins https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FED9

]]>Clear water, clogged bottom. Is this moss, fungus, or something else?8/11/2026, 6:28 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Tassajara Creek behind Stone Cabins https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E61FED9 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:17:57 GMT Upstream: Reflections in Placid Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6F9B45

]]>Sunlight approaches Tassajara Creek. A bird (dove?) leaves the creek, ready for the day. Just below here the creek bed is dry and full of boulders -- documented in the other gallery. Here, very little current can be detected. Downstream behind the cabins, the clear creek happily flows over a clogged mossy bottom. 8/16/2026, 7:13 am after zazen.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Upstream: Reflections in Placid Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6F9B45 Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:30:05 GMT Lone Tree Reflected in Placid Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620009

]]>Warm light reflected in cool shadowed creek. 8/16/2025, 7:10 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Lone Tree Reflected in Placid Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620009 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:03 GMT Cool Stones, Warm Light https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620093

]]>8/16/2026, 7:08 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Cool Stones, Warm Light https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620093 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:06 GMT Quiet Sip https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6F9B6D

]]>Shy chipmunk ventures to quiet stream, unaware of nearby photographer. A long refreshing drink, a quick glance around, then it melts back into the underbrush. 8/13/2026, 9:43:57 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Quiet Sip https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6F9B6D Sun, 23 Aug 2026 23:30:08 GMT Merriam's Chipmunk (Neotamias merriami) https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620145

]]>Upstream of the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center on Tassajara Creek. 8/13/2026, 9:43:58 am, still drinking. This is the only chipmunk found naturally in San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Santa Cruz counties -- I don't know about Monterey County, but I can guess also here.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Merriam's Chipmunk (Neotamias merriami) https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620145 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:10 GMT Alert Chipmunk https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62017C

]]>8/13/2026, 9:44:00 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Alert Chipmunk https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62017C Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:11 GMT Departing Chipmunk https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6201EE

]]>8/13/2026, 9:44:01 am. Sensing movement, I quietly brought my camera to my eye and was able to see this shy animal.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Departing Chipmunk https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6201EE Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:14 GMT Streamside https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620254

]]>Bank of Tassajara Creek above the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. This is the chipmunk's stone. 8/13/2026, 9:44:48 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Streamside https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620254 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:16 GMT Streamside https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6202D7

]]>Bank of Tassajara Creek, 8/13/2026, 9:45:00 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Streamside https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6202D7 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:18 GMT Dry Streamside https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62033F

]]>Just below the pool, Tassajara Creek disappears under boulders. The trail goes across there. 8/16/2026 7:15 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Dry Streamside https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62033F Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:21 GMT Dry Cliff near Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620362

]]>On the same side of the creek as the Zen Center, upstream. Colorful xeriscape. 8/13/2026, 9:40 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Dry Cliff near Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620362 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:24 GMT From Grassland to Riparian https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620395

]]>Looking across grassland near the swing toward upper Tassajara Creek and a peak beyond.8/13/2026, 9:35 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) From Grassland to Riparian https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620395 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:28 GMT Inviting Swing https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6203AE

]]>Looking toward upper Tassajara Creek. 8/15/2026, 7:56 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Inviting Swing https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6203AE Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:31 GMT Charred Wood https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6210D4

]]>8/14/2026, 7:13 am. iPhone photo.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Charred Wood https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6210D4 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:28:19 GMT Charred Wood https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6210D9

]]>8/14/2026, 7:13 am. iPhone photo.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Charred Wood https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6210D9 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:28:21 GMT Still Standing https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5ECB9FF6

]]>Half-burned statue in the new temporary zendo. Was this rescued from the burning zendo? 8/13/2026, 9:58 am. iPhone photo. Please leave a comment if you know the provenance of this image, hisory, what it represents.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Still Standing https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5ECB9FF6 Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:02:41 GMT Still Standing (Reverse) https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5ECBA01F

]]>Less burned on this side. 8/13/2026, 9:57 am.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Still Standing (Reverse) https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5ECBA01F Fri, 28 Aug 2026 21:02:43 GMT Creek Crossing https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6203D1

]]>Near where we walked down to experience the boulders in the Tassajara creekbed. 8/15/2026, 7:38 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Creek Crossing https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6203D1 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:33 GMT Butterfly along Lower Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6203FF

]]>8/13/2026, 1:59 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Butterfly along Lower Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6203FF Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:37 GMT Lizard on Boulder https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62040C

]]>Along lower Tassajara Creek, 8/13/2026, 2:00:28 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Lizard on Boulder https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62040C Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:38 GMT Lizard https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620419

]]>8/13/26, 2:01:04 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Lizard https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620419 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:40 GMT Black Dragonfly https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620425

]]>8/13/2026, 2:32 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Black Dragonfly https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620425 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:41 GMT Consumed Leaves https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620434

]]>Chandu pointed out the larvae devouring the soft part of these leaves. Lower Tassajara Creek, 8/13/2026, 2:55 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Consumed Leaves https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620434 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:42 GMT Leaves and Reflections on Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62044B

]]>Calm creek, quiet reflection. 8/13/2026, 3:01 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Leaves and Reflections on Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62044B Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:45 GMT Leaves and Reflections on Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62045C

]]>8/13/2026, 3:01 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Leaves and Reflections on Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62045C Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:47 GMT Leaves and Reflections on Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620476

]]>8/13/2026, 3:00 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Leaves and Reflections on Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E620476 Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:50 GMT Leaves and Reflections on Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62048C

]]>8/13/2026, 3:02 pm.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Leaves and Reflections on Tassajara Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62048C Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:53 GMT Standing in the Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62049E

]]>Dan ventures into lower Tassajara Creek with camera. 8/13/2026, 3:02 pm. Nice Cell phone photo by Chandu.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) Standing in the Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E62049E Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:55 GMT From the Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6204AA

]]>Dan climbs out with wet legs. 8/13/2026, 3:05 pm. Cell phone photo by Chandu.

]]> capturethelight@mac.com (Photography by Dan Quinn) From the Creek https://capturethelight.zenfolio.com/260812/e5E6204AA Sat, 22 Aug 2026 21:18:56 GMT