Earth Day 2020

Posted on by

Earth Day 2020

Earth Day evokes images of wild places: broad vistas of desert, ocean and mountains.

The Wilderness Act of 1964 defines wilderness as “an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammelled by man, where man himself is a visitor who does not remain.”[29]

Earth Day is about protecting these places and keeping them wild.

The raw nature of wilderness and its inherent aesthetic beauty often leave me short of breath, amazed at what I see and grateful for the chance to be a part of it.

Baker Lake, North Cascades
Prussik Peak, Enchantments
Point of the Arches, Olympic National Park

In the wilderness is freedom. There is no one to tell you what to do. Knowing these untrammled places are there, and that you can go visit them is integral to sanity, to survival.  They say that wilderness can heal a person and I believe it’s true.

Pictures speak words, they say…

Skagit River
Bryce Canyon National Park
Point of the Arches
Artist Point
Double Rainbow, Fir Island
Spider Gap and Upper Lyman Lake
North Fork, Skykomish River
Isolation Lake – Upper Enchantments

Five National Parks: Images from 2018

Posted on by

As I started to review images from this year, the theme of “National Parks” kept coming to me. So here are some of my best images from 5 National Parks this year…

Zion National Park

I visited Zion NP for the 4th time, always a marvel…

Here is an image from a new place, for me: Double Alcove Arch!

And for those who have not heard of the Subway…

“The Subway”, Zion National Park

The Subway, Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

They say the night skies at Bryce are magical…they say right! This is from a short 2 day trip to Bryce in April…

Milky Way, Bryce Canyon National Park

 

North Cascades National Park

I have visited this park more than all others combined. I made the boat ride this year to Hozomeen, along the shores of Ross Lake near the Canada Border, and spent a night at Hozomeen Lake…

Hozomeen Lake, North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park turns 50 in 2018! Here is a link to a wonderful new book, by Lauren Danner, “Crown Jewel Wilderness: Creating North Cascades National Park” which chronicles the efforts of many to create NCNP.

And a shout out to my all time favorite camping place, Sahale Glacier Camp.

Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park

 

Olympic National Park

My only trip this year, out west to the Olympic NP was back in February… as always dreaming of my return…

Sea Stacks at Point of the Arches, Olympic National park

 

Yellowstone National Park

I just returned from a Christmas trip to Yellowstone…Cold, crisp mornings, with no one about…I am still digesting the wonder of the place…

Oh, and here is my favorite image from 2017:

Winchester Lookout and the Aurora Borealis, North Cascades

Star Trails above Winchester Lookout, Northern Lights on the horizon

To purchase prints, here is the link.

For information on North Cascades Photo Tours, this is the place!

And, 2018 Calendars are still available! Get them while they last!.

My Favorite Images of 2014: Part 2

Posted on by

Thank you all for the wonderful feedback! Every month I am learning new skills and integrating things, be it with image capture or photoshop…I am definitely looking forward to 2015!
Here is my next set of 12 favorite images from this year. I hope you enjoy them!

Isolation Lake Panorama, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Isolation Lake Panorama, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Tulips and Stormy Skies

Tulips and Stormy Skies

Barn and Dandelions

Barn and Dandelions

Lake Ann from the Maple Pass Trail, North Cascades

Lake Ann from the Maple Pass Trail, North Cascades

Mount Rainier Milky Way

Mount Rainier Milky Way

Mount Shuksan from Skyline Divide

Mount Shuksan from Skyline Divide

Padilla Bay Sunset

Padilla Bay Sunset

Mount Baker and Park Butte Lookout

Mount Baker and Park Butte Lookout

Sunset in the Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Sunset in the Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness


Mt Adams and Pacific Crest Trail, Goat Rocks Wilderness

Mt Adams and Pacific Crest Trail, Goat Rocks Wilderness

Tractor and Sky, Skagit County

Tractor and Sky, Skagit County

Virgin River at Night, Zion National Park, Utah

Virgin River at Night, Zion National Park, Utah

My Favorite Images of 2014: Part 1

Posted on by

I shot many images in 2014. As I review them there are some that capture my imagination. Here are the first 11 images:

Spider Meadows, Glacier Peak Wilderness

Spider Meadows, Glacier Peak Wilderness

Skagit County Barn: Early Morning

Skagit County Barn: Early Morning

Mount Adams and Split Rock, along the Pacific Crest Trail in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

Mount Adams and Split Rock, along the Pacific Crest Trail in the Goat Rocks Wilderness

Padilla Bay

Padilla Bay

Crystal Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Crystal Lake, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Skagit Valley

Skagit Valley

Liberty Bell and the North Cascades Highway

Liberty Bell and the North Cascades Highway

Samish River

Samish River

In the Subway, Zion National Park, Utah

In the Subway, Zion National Park, Utah

Stormy Skies at Maple Pass, North Cascades

Stormy Skies at Maple Pass, North Cascades

Skagit River Bridge

Skagit River Bridge

Colchuck Lake, Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Colchuck Lake, Enchantments, Alpine Lakes Wilderness

Images from Zion

Posted on by

Here are three images of iconic views in Zion National Park.

First is the view of Zion Canyon from atop Angel’s landing.

Zion Canyon from atop Angel's Landing, Zion National Park, Utah

Zion Canyon from atop Angel’s Landing, Zion National Park, Utah

Here is a view of the Subway, part of the like along Left Fork Canyon.

In the Subway, Zion National Park, Utah

In the Subway, Zion National Park, Utah

And lastly this shot was captured on the highway bridge over the Virgin River.

Virgin River at Night, Zion National Park, Utah

Virgin River at Night, Zion National Park, Utah

Astrophotography Images – Recent Efforts

Posted on by

Capturing nighttime images along the coast is a challenge, so much moisture in the air cuts down star visibility. However this image from Shi Shi Beach came out okay. The glow on the horizon is the small town of Neah Bay. And there are several campfires along the shore. Night sky at Shi Shi Beach

Zion National Park is famous for its night skies, this image is taken on the bridge along the main park road, looking down the Virgin River. Orion really shines in this shot!
Zion National Park: Virgin River and Orion

The Baker River is a wild river, its northern end far away from any signs of civilization. The streaks in the sky are satellites.
Baker River Stars and Footbridge

This last image is from Palouse Falls State Park, in eastern Washington. The campfire in the canyon illuminated the walls with a wonderful orange glow…
Paliuse Falls and Milky Way

Left Fork Canyon and the Subway, Zion National Park

Posted on by

Zion Subway Panorama Panorama of the “Subway”, Zion National Park

Most Zion visitors stay in the valley.
Zion National Park Zion Valley from the Angel’s Landing Trail

There are other parts of the park to visit. In order to not let some of these other areas become as overrun as the main valley a permit system is in place to limit the number of people. I am quite happy for this, solitude is one of my most valued commodities.
zion people 1004 Admiring the canyon…

One hike available is called Left Fork Canyon, aka “The Subway”. The subway name is from a short section of the hike (the entire trip is 9 miles) where the canyon walls curve and it looks like you’re inside a subway tunnel.
Zion National Park and the "Subway" Subway

The hike can be done two ways: From top to bottom as a through hike, you’ll need to cars, one to park at each end. This also necessitates that you have experience in rappelling, climbing and in many seasons, you’ll need to bring a wet suit. Zion National Park and the "Subway" Rappelling down into the Subway section of the hike

The other option is to hike the trail from the bottom up, to the Subway entrance, and then turn around and hike back. This trip is also 9 miles (4.5 miles each way), but does not require climbing skills or a wet suit. Zion National Park and the "Subway" Entrance to the Subway

The bottom up hike starts with a scramble from the parking area down to the creek. From there you just follow the water course until you come to the subway entrance. Max and Ella 1em

Along the way are a myriad of pools, grottoes and fantastic views as the canyon becomes more and more narrow. lfc-2m Grotto along Left Fork Canyon

tree-9m1 Trees in the canyon

There are also a very well preserved set of dinosaur tracks right along the trail. Dinosaur Prints Dinosaur Prints Fossilized

The Subway itself is a true wonder of nature, the smooth, etched walls of the canyon curve overhead while emerald green pools of water glisten. lfc-6m1

subway 1234567em

subway 1234568m12em

subway and people 124em

subway and people 123em

The canyon itself arcs with a slit above revealing beautiful red rock towers jutting over the floor striated with luscious hues.subway 1112m

subway 123456em

subway-1m

lfc-10m

subway-111m

If you want to pay this holy canyon a visit, go on line and apply for a permit WELL in advance of your trip.

This is a hike you will not soon forget!

Zion Canyon, Zion National Park

Posted on by

One of the most commonly captured images is from this view point, on the bridge over the Virgin River. The main highway makes a sharp curve and crosses this bridge. You will often see the bridge lined with photographers.
This shot was taken at about midnight, with a Canon 6D and a Rokinon 14mm lens.
I just got lucky on the satellite crossing and of course Orion looks stunning hovering above the scene…
Zion River and Orion

Left Fork Canyon, Zion National Park

Posted on by

This has been officially added to my list of all time favorite hikes. Last week was my second visit and I was even more enamored than before…
Left Fork Canyon, Zion National Park
Sometimes known as the “Subway”, Left Fork Canyon is out of the main section of the park. To get there you need to go north on the Kolob Reservoir Road, out of Virgin. Permits are required for ANY hiking there, which is a wonderful thing as it makes for a real wilderness experience which is totally unlike hiking in the Zion Canyon part of the park.
The “subway” name comes from the shape of the canyon walls, as you can see here.
Left Fork Canyon, Zion National Park
This last shot I managed from inside the subway using my new 14mm lens. Left Fork Canyon, Zion National Park
A truly stunning location. Make sure to book a permit before you head down there next time, you will not be disappointed!