In the winter of 2009 I attended a nature photography workshop where the morning session focused on bird photography. I was out preparing for the session when I looked up and noticed one of the most stunning sunrises I have ever witnessed.
Few times in my life have I seen the sky that brilliant and colorful. What really made this special was the clouds. What a great way to start the day.
Even though I was prepared to take photographs of birds, I couldn't resist but to try to capture the essence of the moment in this amazing sunrise.
This limited edition image is available for purchase here.
This image of the plains of Wyoming was made on a road trip to Grand Teton National Park in the summer of 2009.
I made this photograph as my wife was driving the car about 70 mph down I-25 heading toward Jackson Hole, WY.
I was awestruck by the great variety of beauty on this stretch of drive. If you looked west, you could begin to see the Teton Range in the distance. Looking east, it was as flat as could be... for miles on end. As beautiful as the mountains were to the west, there was also great beauty to the east.
I found the clouds especially interesting and so I decided to make several shots as the car sped down the road.
For me, this image represents the understanding that nature’s beauty does not only reside in its mountains and streams.
This limited edition image is available for purchase here.
Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park is a well-known spot for nature photographers. Most of the shots you will see of said lake are in any season but winter - for good reason if you don't enjoy the cold and wind.
What you cannot see in this photograph was the extreme wind gusts and the near, or below, zero temperatures of this excursion in the winter of 2009. Nevertheless, I awoke early and hiked out to the lake to prepare for what I hoped would be a stunning sunrise.
As the magic moment approached, I was out on the ice that, come spring, will be the water of Bear Lake. The sunrise on this particular morning was not stunning as I hoped. Nevertheless, there were several moments of sheer brilliance. What caught my eye in this particular scene was how the light of the sunrise was reflecting off the ice below.
I truly believe that nature has numerous ways to show her beauty. Where this typically happens in the warmer months, it is not constrained by any means.
This image is available for purchase.
I am humbled to announce that one of my photos, Solitude, will be featured during the first half of the month of February over at Outdoor Photo Gear. This is a true honor.
Many of you have e-mailed or sent me a message on Twitter informing me that my image is on their site and inquiring if I gave permission. Rest assured, everything is on the up and up. I do appreciate everyone's vigilance.
Be sure to visit www.outdoorphotogear.com or follow them on twitter @opgear.
While you are there, take a second to glance at their wide stock of gear to meet the needs of anyone looking to make photographs in the outdoor gallery belonging to Mother Nature.
In the fall of 2007, I was enjoying an afternoon at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.
It was here where I encountered one of the most unique wildlife scenarios of my life. This female mule deer approached me with absolutely no fear and genuine curiosity. Camera always at my side, I began making photographs of this deer. She had no problem with the noise of the camera and allowed me to photograph her from different angles and perspectives. At one point, she even came up and smelled the lens attached to my camera.
This really was a special moment and I was grateful that such a wonderful animal had as much of an interest in me as I did in her.
I have photographed a lot of wildlife. This deer is still the only one that has approached me close enough to smell my camera gear.
Sometimes the wildlife is just as curious as we are.
This image is available for purchase.
