Peak Wildflower Bloom at Mount Rainier National Park
August 27, 2012 A heavy snow pack and beautiful summer weather have conspired to produce a stellar wildflower bloom in the subalpine meadows of Mount Rainier National Park. I found the meadows in peak bloom this weekend in the Paradise and Mazama Ridge areas, with lupine, paintbrush, bistort, aster, arnica, sitka valerian and more all [...]
Columbia River Gorge – Day 5 – Eagle Creek and Punchbowl Falls
Thursday, April 26 Another rainy day … perfect for photographing waterfalls, streams and wildflowers again. Today’s adventure: hiking up Eagle Creek to shoot Punchbowl Falls, a classic Pacific Northwest shot. Extra tennis shoes and hiking socks my backpack, I headed up the trail 1.9 miles to a rocky beach just downstream of Punchbowl Falls. You [...]
Columbia River Gorge – Day 4 – Waterfalls!
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 Finally, a day of sweet spring rain … exactly what I came down to the Gorge for. Time to photograph the waterfalls, creeks and forest wildflowers along the “wet side” of the Columbia River Gorge near Portland, Oregon. The photo above is Wahkeena Falls, a short hike up from the Historic [...]
Columbia River Gorge – Day 3 – Rowena Plateau & Klickitat River Loop
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 I spend this morning’s sunrise up on the Rowena Plateau, part of The Nature Conservancy’s Tom McCall Nature Preserve just west of The Dalles, Oregon. Rowena Plateau offers wildflowers and great views out over the Columbia River from basalt cliff tops. I’m there about 30 minutes prior to sunrise to scout [...]
Columbia River Gorge – Day 2 – Dalles Mountain Road
Monday, April 23, 2012 The Dalles Mountain Road is in great shape for wildflowers. Balsamroot and lupine are all in peak bloom. The Road is a favorite April destination, providing “big sky” views across the Columbia River towards Mount Hood. And, important for us photographers, the wildflowers and views are all protected and made accessible [...]
