What A Way To Close Out The Year

The Skagit River flows out of the Northern Cascade Mountains. Man's footprint is not to be seen. I did see bear prints, but no bears. I was talking to a local and they said they have had bears take the fish right off their fishing lines. I don't know if they were more; angry at the lost fish, or amazed at the sight of it. . . . . HAPPY NEW YEAR and Thanks for visiting my Photo Blog. I hope to see you next year.

Skagit River Bank

After spending a day exploring the Skagit River, looking for Bald Eagles, I understand why the eagles winter in this region. Now if I can just locate the eagles.

My Xterra - Traveling Partner

I actually thought about walking all the way to my Xterra and driving it out of the image. I'm glad I didn't. Besides I thought, The image needs some sense of size. The silver trees could be mistaken for brush. "Take the picture".

An Enchanted Dwelling

Whenever I am on a new photo quest and I haven't been in the region before, I always look forward to the things and places I see that I did not anticipate. Nice.

The Edge of the North Cascades

I was up hours before dawn, drove for hours to locate the Bald Eagles along the Skagit River. I did see some eagles but from a great distance. Fascinating area to travel through. Then I saw this image. I was happy to have made the trip. I'll still get some eagle images, just not on this trip.

Maybe . . . .

The day after Christmas can seem.  As barren as sand without a stream.  It's just a patch of sand they say. Then they turn and walk away. Having never tasted the calm of a place like this. Among the sand and the broken sticks. Peace on Earth was proclaimed yesterday. Maybe it will come another day.

May Christmas Cheer Stay With You All Year

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.

Crystals and Rose Leaves

I fear the magic of the ice crystals on the rose leaves don't transfer to this image as I had hoped. One of the realities of winter, i.e. most of the color is gone.

More Frost

As I was taking this image, I seemed to feel more cold. The chill was definitely there. Does that make sense?

All Things Frosty

This morning I looked out the window to a frost covered landscape. I ventured out to find frost covered things.

My Props Could Use Some Improvements

Sometimes you just have to go with what you have to work with. This is one of those cases.

More Zola Cafe Love

It was dark, smooth jazz playing. People quietly talking. The smell of good food in the air. I'm going back.

Zola's Cafe Jazz

You walk through the door's of Zola's Cafe and without realizing it you've left your concerns behind. The ambiance; the art on the walls, the coffee, the fireplace with leather sofas and the food, "it's to die for". Did I really use that phrase? Oh, and the weekend music. I loved it.

I'm A Proud Parent

We hosted all of our kids this last Thanksgiving. Ten people in the space usually used by three went better than I expected. Our daughter Troi Nicole was fixing her makeup in our bedroom mirror. I saw it, snapped the image and I'm very pleased with the result. I hope Troi likes it as well.

iPhone To The Rescue

I was caught without my camera and Santa made his appearance at the Lake Wilderness Tree Lighting event. I did have my iPhone and it saved my hide.

Horse Ranches Of San Ynez Valley

San Ynez valley in Santa Barbara county is a horses haven. This is one of the horse ranches located just below the foothills. This is also the valley the "Horse Whisperer's" institute is located in.

Nature's Handiwork

The outcroppings in the American Bad Lands are amazing. Natures version of the Pyramid.

What A Metropolis

Denver is quite a city. While visiting one of our sons, we went Denver sight seeing. New buildings, old buildings and funky buildings. One very comfortable next to the other.

Bad Lands Revisited

When crossing America from west to east the impression I'm left with is how much space exists in the west. Nevada to Utah to Colorado, amazing rock walls and unique outcroppings, like this one.

A Big Crack Treasure

My best buddy Claud has acreage near the Olympic mountains. Recently I was walking his property, looking for interesting mushrooms to photograph. I came upon this old wagon wheel assembly. Wouldn't you like to know the journey this wheel had taken?

What I Saw On My Way To Somewhere Else

I had to travel through the Hoods Canal area on my way to somewhere else. It was early in the morning and I had to deal with quite a lot of fog. Then suddenly the fog started to lift and this is what I saw. The Olympic Mountains.

Ducks Being Ducks

These mallard ducks seem to have a charisma that exceeds their reality. When I see them I always expect more personality than I see. Maybe it's just me.

Something Unexpected

Sometimes, while out on a photo shoot, something appears that you were not expecting. That was the case with these mushrooms. They were tucked in among the autumn leaves as mushrooms are apt to do.

By The Light of an iPad

An iPad fit for a couple of princess's.

Time To Give Industrial Photography A Little Love

I was in downtown Seattle testing out a new lens. I like the shot but didn't buy the lens.

Late Afternoon Quiet

It was the clouds that dictated my stopping on route to the Olympic Peninsula. As evening was approaching over Hoods Canal the scene was not one to miss.

Winter Wonderland Hike

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go. (in the mountains that is)

Answer: Mountain Loop Highway

Question: "What is black and white and blue and wet?"

Marble Fork of the Kaweah River

The trail starts by following the north side of the Marble Fork of the Kaweah River. The single track wanders beneath tall pines and passes several small forest meadows. After a few creek crossings and two bridges, you will exit the forest and gain the first clear view of the Tokopah waterfall. To the south, an impressive peak named, the Watchtower, rises 1,600 feet above Tokopah Valley, making the landscape even more dramatic.

I Wish You The Best During This Holiday Season

I first noticed these unusual plants, I hesitate in calling them flowers, on a winter's hike. Actually it was early May in the Sequoia Mountains near Lodgepole. This image was post processed using "Posterization" to give the image it's unique look.

The First Day Of Christmas

The Advent Calendar is a great way for the kids to extend their expectations regarding the Christmas season. Today is the first day for the Advent Calendar, twenty three more windows to open before Christmas.

The Sand Dunes Call For Me

The whisper of the wind as it rustles the sand dune grasses. Calling for my return, when summer comes again.

The Joy Of Tranquility

This image was taken just beyond the base of Bridal Veil Falls, located on the Columbia Gorge. You can stand above the falls but you can't see where the water tumbles too. With a little effort, you can walk the trail that leads down below the base of the falls. I recommend it.

Within The North Falls Gratto

I think of this image as a place that Frodo Baggins would have passed by on his Hobbit Adventures.

LaPush In The Early Morning

The smell of the early morning mist coming off the ocean shore almost makes it worth the getting up part. When you add the waves breaking on the rocky coastline, now you have the reward.

As Seen On "Twilight"

I was recently near Forks, Washington. When my wife saw this image she exclaimed, "I saw this image on the Twilight movie".

The End Of The Fall . . . Series That Is

This is the last posting from my journey to the northern Oregon waterfalls. I hope you enjoyed seeing the images as much as I enjoyed capturing them.

As The River Runs

No, I didn't place the leaves on the log. But I may have if they were not already there.

Down Stream From Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is shaped like a brides Veil. As a waterfall, the name is more impressive than the falls. The stream also has more charm than the falls. I still climbed up the steep hill to get a view of Bridal Veil Falls.

Streams Aplenty

During this trip to the Columbia Gorge Waterfalls, I was reminded that the autumn season was rapidly coming to an end. The leaves are tumbling out of the trees, twirling as they glide to the ground.

View From The Backside Of Water

This is the view from the backside of North Falls in the Silver Falls region of Northern Oregon. The trail takes you within a Grotto, behind the falls.

Too Much Perfection, That's What I Think

I just couldn't pass on the pool at the base of Multnomah Falls.

The Bridge Over Multnomah Falls

A closer view of the falls and the bridge over it.

Rain Drops Keep Falling On My Lens

My initial set of images were mared by rain drops on my photo lens. Oh well, I had to wipe off the lens before every shot. The day was a joy. Drops and all.

Early Morning Rain At Multnomah Falls

Multnomah Falls in the rain. I took a couple days to explore the waterfalls of northern Oregon. I drove most of the night. Got setup to photograph Multnomah Falls when it began to rain, not heavy but steady. I have a special rain cover for my camera and it saved the day.

Landing Or Taking Off?

I took the image and I think of it as a photo of a Bald Eagle landing. The truth is that this eagle was lifting off its perch.

Could This Be Next Week?

This image was captured last winter, but the weather man thinks this scene may look like next week. We will see.

Our Five Year Old Princess Wants It

When our five year old, self proclaimed Princess, saw this photo she proclaimed, "I want to live in that house. Can you buy it".

The Backside Of A Flour Mill

I felt compelled to revisit the old flour mill. I wanted to see what was on the other side. Now we both know.

A Fish Tale

Today I went looking for Bald Eagles that I was told were in the area. I found no eagles but I did find the salmon the eagles feed on. This image was taken at the Soos Creek Fish Hatchery Locks.