Nocturne of the Oaks

Enchanted Forest

Eluvial Lantern

Rainbow Road

Mesa Arch Oculus (untitled)

Viridian Lookingglass

Windows to Time

Secret Sunset

NewYorkLand

Daybreak in Swan Valley

Sagebrush Sunrise

Unknown Shores

Redwood Creek

Duality

Frozen in Retreat

Venice Abstract

Roadside Aurora

Crystal Ball

Lambent Damnation

La Cova Mallorquina

Hedgehog

Shell Rock Chiaroscuro

Deep in Fern Canyon

Look Up

Waterfall World

Planet of the Ferns

Fern Grotto

Crystalline Floe

Fern Grotto #2

Planetary Guardian

Galactic Guardian

Mountain Boardwalk

Mirror Mirror

Camping in the Sky

Camping Planet

Golden Prague

Rocky Moonrays

Petrichor

Harvest's End

Astral Vineyard

Polar Whorl

Granite Frame

The Deep End

Snowed In

Stars and Stones

Monolith Ablaze

Violet Green

Amaranthine Road

Cascade of Colors

Eagle Tree

Eruption

Sorcerer's Stone

Moonstone Arch

Emerald Skies

Oaken Ascension

Riomaggiore Incandescente

Chiocciola

Porto di Vernazza

Blazing Rays

Milky Marsset

Les Vignes

A Littering of Lilies

Galactic Emissions

Amethyst Skies

Malign Faucet

Ft. Bragg Sunset

Growth

Galactic Fireworks

Arcata Bottoms

Cats and Dogs

Il Pescatore

Teton Spectacular

Starlit Cove

Stellar Field

Valdemossa on Fire

Thorny Skies

Oaken Arms

Rollie Pollie Hill

Spyrock Sunset, Fall

Spyrock Sunset, Spring

Shrouded Tarn

Milky Forest Warp

Reclamation

Robson River Rapids

Cosmic Spray

Orick Bridge Sunset

Winter Wolf

Vibrant Heavens

Middle Falls

Stony Skies

Prismatic Haze

Grand Prism

Cascade Creek

Blueberry Lake

Crown of Thorns

Waterfall Walkway

Scorpius Rising

Thor's Anvil

Night Watchman

Perspective

Dark Tentacles

Dark Tentacles (crop)

Line of Reflection

Under the Dome

Lady of the Morning

Amethyst Arc

Sea Cliff Planet (untitled)

Weitchpec Morning Fog (untitled)

Hideout

Burney Falls (untitled)

Ursa Maris

Fisherman's Delight

Riomaggiore Sunset Planet (untitled)

Rockshower

Verdant Window

Children of Giants

Terrazze e Trenini

Ghost Ship

Idaho Idyll

Snake River Sunrise

Emerald Window

Underwater Aliens

SkekBad's Land

Underwater Aliens (crop)

Chaos Orb

Tetrad of Blood

Winter's Crown

Pirate's Cove

Midnight Hot Springs

From the Top

Teton Milky Rainbow (untitled)

Kneeland Sunrise (untitled)

Ice Cave (untitled)

Ions and Dust

Rainbow Road (alternate version)

Dreadnought (wide crop)

Dreadnought

Fire and Ice

Fire on the Mountain

Valley of Jupiter

Great American Eclipse

Cosmic Fireworks

Barrage of Color

Tranquility Falls

Corona

Rockfish

Teeth of the Night

Glowing Rhododendron (untitled)

Infrared Lupines (untitled)

Moonstone Reflecting Pool (untitled)

Last Light

Bouquet

Twin Rocks Blood Moon (untitled)

Nocturne of the OaksIntense airglow adorns the sky during a one-night break between winter storms. Having hiked into this location, usually accessible by road, I dropped my pack and scouted around for a shot. I've always liked this lone stand of oaks, and though they were illuminated by overzealous outdoor lighting, they still stood as a dark contrast against the vibrantly lit thermosphere. This fantastical snowy hillside was captured in Humboldt County California.

Enchanted ForestPeering through a wooded window into the fantasy realm beyond. As I was setting up for this shot, expecting nothing special, the fog suddenly descended shrouding the hillside in a misty cloak. These spectacular lupines were captured in the coastal hills of Northern California.

Eluvial LanternThe setting sun casts a cloak of shadow across the barren wastes of Canyonlands National Park. Far below, the Green River slowly erodes millions of years of accumulated sediment, carving the desert into new patterns.

Rainbow Road

Mesa Arch Oculus (untitled)A well-known feature in the Utah desert, presented in a new light: starlight. The famous Mesa Arch competes with the Milky Way Canyonlands National Park. While most go here for sunrise, I spent my time enjoying some of the darkest skies around.

Viridian LookingglassI found this lake by looking at satellite imagery, and was intrigued by the small island. It's well off-trail in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness in central Oregon. Getting this shot involved hiking a mile back and forth through dense forest in pitch black. As luck would have it the great conditions held out and there was no wind, giving me perfect reflections of the stars.

Windows to TimeOur galaxy bears witness as time first buries then reveals our landscape. I captured this wondrous sky on a short foray into Utah between art shows in Arizona. Snow had fallen the week before, leaving traces of white scattered throughout the towering columns of clay. Though no more was coming down, it was still in the high teens when I captured this image, and I spent the better part of the night stomping back and forth trying to keep warm. These unmistakable red hoodoos are found in Bryce Canyon National Park. This is the highest 'step' in the Grand Staircase, an expose of geological time.

Secret SunsetA hidden treasure on the Oregon coast: Secret Beach. This unmarked location features a number of small islands and a beach punctuated by basalt outcroppings. The fog was rolling in as the sun went down but, just before the finale, a path cleared through the mist and illuminated the beach one last time.

NewYorkLandThis is one of the most technically challenging images I've created. This is a composite of nearly 300 photos from Times Square and the top of a nearby building in downtown Manhattan. Painstakingly aligned and projected to create a seemless image that presents the city as its own little planet.

Daybreak in Swan ValleyWhile working in the area I drove past this vantage point several mornings in a row, just after sunrise. Convinced it was worth it, when the week was over I decided to get up even earlier and catch the pre-dawn light as it crept over the mountains. To great effect! The clouds, though threatening to block the sunrise, did not disappoint and instead mirrored the contours of the land and lent a fantastic swath of color to the scene. This stunning sunrise was captured in the fertile Swan Valley in eastern Idaho.

Sagebrush SunriseWhile working in the area I drove past this vantage point several mornings in a row, just after sunrise. Convinced it was worth it, when the week was over I decided to get up even earlier and catch the pre-dawn light as it crept over the mountains. To great effect! The clouds, though threatening to block the sunrise, did not disappoint and instead mirrored the contours of the land and lent a fantastic swath of color to the scene. This stunning sunrise was captured in the fertile Swan Valley in eastern Idaho.

Unknown ShoresObscured by darkness, the rugged Oregon coast hosts the Milky Way. This magical scene was as fleeting as it was stunning. Starting with a fully fogged in sunset the air cleared just as the last of the light faded, leaving just enough to catch the red glow of the fading light. Within minutes of finishing a panorama, the fog rolled back in, thick, shrouding the sky. I wound up with a shot during each of these phases, creating an interesting series.

Redwood CreekHiking earlier in the day I had scouted this location. Then, as the light faded in the foggy twilight of a coastal sunset, I ran back out the trail to do some long exposures of the creek. This babbling brook is located in Limekiln State Park in Big Sur California.

DualityLight and dark, Earth and sky, finite and infinite; dualities duel in this image of our planet floating in space. Captured in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Frozen in RetreatThese natural wonders are disappearing fast. Jokulsarlon lagoon in the south of Iceland has quadrupled in size since the 1970s, due to glacial retreat caused by rising temperatures. The drifting chunks of ice provide a spectacularly unique backdrop.

Venice AbstractGetting weird in Venice Italy. This is the Campo Sant'Anzolo, one of many piazze found in this wonderful city. Shockingly deserted after midnight, I had the streets to myself as I took in the nighttime air.

Roadside AuroraUnable to drive while distracted by the ghostly whisps of the northern lights, we pulled our rented Fiat Panda over on a deserted stretch of road west of Reykjavík Iceland. The in car thermometer read -12C! Fighting to retain control over numb fingers, I shot this 360* panorama and then jumped back in the car and cranked the heater.

Crystal BallOur Earth sits majestically on a pedestal of trees in this sunrise capture from Crater Lake National Park in Oregon.

Lambent DamnationThese beautiful rays were imbued with a rufescent glow by the myriad of fires burning in California and Oregon. This majestic redwood forest lies along the Damnation Creek trail in Northern California.

La Cova MallorquinaIt took a bit of hiking and a bit of scrambling to get to the cave floor. Then a traverse along a ledge over the water. I’m surprised I didn’t lose the camera on this one; scaling the wall of the cave --hanging over the Mediterranean Sea-- to capture this view. This cathedral-like cave is located on the island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain.

HedgehogThis picturesque lake is located in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness in central Oregon. To find this unnamed vernal pool, you'll have to hike nearly 10 miles, ending up well off-trail. This was the first panorama I shot, as I discovered it right at sunset, with perfect light. A truely magical sight.

Shell Rock ChiaroscuroI had been watching the clouds drift around this rocky face all day. Then suddenly the light broke through and illuminated just a bit of the mountain. It only lasted a few moments, and the play of light was gone. Captured in the inland hills of Mendocino County in Northern California.

Deep in Fern CanyonDeep in Fern Canyon the iconic high fern-covered walls eventually become more shallow, and yield to more greenery. This is one of those places, of which there are many, where you can only get past (without getting your shoes wet) if you’re tricky. The ferns hanging from every surface make it a spectacular place to enjoy and photograph.

Look UpToo often when hiking we forget to look around, spending the whole excursion staring at the ground and sweating. This image was captured deep in Fern Canyon, although this is not the usual picture of the steep walls of fern from which it derives its name. This verdant canopy is located in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Northern California.

Waterfall WorldThis impressive network of falls looks fine during the day, but in the dark with long exposures it gives it a much softer feel. I had to sneak back into the park at night, climbing through a cave on the way, to get this shot. Though it may not look it, the myriad falls produced an impressive din. I am used to near-silence when shooting nightscapes, so it was quite disconcerting as I wouldn't have been able to hear anyone, or an animal, approaching. These artful wooden walkways snake their way through several miles of trail, and past hundreds of waterfalls, at Plitvice National Park in Croatia.

Planet of the FernsFerns reaching out in all directions. This is a projection of a 360* panorama taken in a small tributary on the edge of Fern Canyon, part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Humboldt County California.

Fern GrottoLooking through a window in the mossy slope, inwards to the majestic Fern Canyon. This rivulet is part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Humboldt County California.

Crystalline FloeDelicately balanced on ice, trying to spread my weight so as not to break though, I gingerly prepare to shoot a 360* panorama on a partially frozen river... It is hard to tell the scale in this image, so for reference: some of those icicles are close to 15 feet long! With some of the best hexogonally faulted basalt to be found, Svartifoss was my favorite waterfall in southern Iceland.

Fern Grotto #2Surrounded by moss, ferns, slugs, growth, and decay. This encapsulates life in Fern Canyon, part of Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park in Humboldt County California.

Planetary GuardianA lone oak stands guard over the Earth in this scene captured in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Galactic GuardianThis oak stands at the ready under the vast arch of the Milky Way. Captured in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Mountain BoardwalkWe came across this stunning vista while backpacking on the Berg Lake Trail. The snow-capped mountain in the background is the majestic Mt. Robson. This was the only part of the trail with a boardwalk, sitting by itself several miles in.

Mirror MirrorWhile driving the ring road in Iceland we found this perfect mirror on the Holtsós lagoon. I'm glad I ran down to the waters edge and started shooting quickly, as this fleeting visage only lasted a few minutes before the wind picked up and the mirror was gone.

Camping in the SkySurrounded by mountains, a lake, mid-sunset. What better place to set up camp? Captured in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area of Northern California.

Camping PlanetSpending leisure time wisely while on a rock floating through space. Captured in Joshua Tree National Park in southern California.

Golden PragueOverlooking the center of the city from the castle battlements. Prague is a beautful city in Czechia, and one of my favorite European cities.

Rocky MoonraysBeautiful moonrays shine over the Jumbo Rocks area of Joshua Tree National Park in this shot captured at the perfect coincidence of sunset and moonrise.

PetrichorThese epic sunrays were our reward after a morning of hiking off trail, in the rain, on a gnarly slope, through dense 10' high brush. There had been thick fog and drizzle for hours when the clouds finally parted, and the sun made it's way out from behind the mist. This trail is located in the Mt. Hood National Forest in Oregon.

Harvest's EndThough the harvest may be over the colors still on display, both on the ground and in the sky. This picturesque vineyard is in Napa County in Northern California.

Astral VineyardThis vineyard in Napa California tries in vain to absorb light from the stars. Unfortunately, light pollution is rampant near cities, to the degree that the stars themselves are nearly obscured from view behind a luminous veil of our own creation. Turn off the lights!

Polar WhorlIce and stone meet at the edge of the water in this 360* panorama taken at the popular Jökulsárlón glacial lagoon in Iceland.

Granite FrameA monolith surrounded by yet more stone. Yosemite's Half Dome takes center stage in this 'oculus' view of the famous landmark. This vantage point can only be obtained through a serious hike, followed by a steep climb. Though hard to reach, this point, "the Diving Board", is well known. This location was immortalized in Ansel Adams 1927 photograph "Monolith".

The Deep EndThe Diving Board is a spectacular prominence in Yosemite National Park. Perched precariously at the top of a cliff, it's quite a feat to reach this point! It's well off the beaten path and well worth the hike; one of the few places at this overcrowded national park where you can still find solitude. It also rewards the adventurous with an amazing view of Half Dome, as immortalized in Ansel Adams 1927 photograph "Monolith".

Snowed InWhile it probably wasn't the safest place to be the view was excellent! This was taken on a day trip from Salzburg Austria into Berchtesgaden. You have to take a boat to get to the trailhead, and the ice had only just melted enough to get that far. Most of the hike was fine, but towards the end it was on snow and ice. By the time I reached the point where this photo was taken I was sinking up to my waist. I hadn't planned on a snow hike, so was just wearing light boots and regular pants...

Stars and StonesA sight to behold: Half Dome under the stars. The light pollution from California's central valley attenuates the stars only slightly, and adds a colorful haze on the horizon. This vantage point can only be obtained through a serious hike, followed by a steep climb. Though hard to reach, this point, "the Diving Board", is well known. This location was immortalized in Ansel Adams 1927 photograph "Monolith".

Monolith AblazeHalf Dome basks under the the radiative glow of the fiery belt of our galaxy. This vantage point can only be obtained through a serious hike, followed by a steep climb. Though hard to reach, this point, "the Diving Board", is well known. This location was immortalized in Ansel Adams 1927 photograph "Monolith".

Violet GreenLupines surroud you as the world slowly fades away into Humboldt fog. This was captured during a particularly gloomy sunset in the hills of Redwood National Park in Humboldt County California.

Amaranthine RoadWhen I set out, I had been seeking a wider composition with the Milky Way higher in the sky. While killing time I found that the galactic core lined up perfectly with this stretch of road. Serendipitous discoveries like this keep photography both exciting and rewarding. This photogenic stretch of road is located in Redwood National and State Parks in Northern California.

Cascade of ColorsA double rainbow rides the mist at the bottom of Yosemite's Vernal Falls. Hidden here in the trees you can stay dry, but go just a bit further down the Mist Trail and you'll be soaked by the spray.

Eagle TreeThis wolf tree presides over the night, surrounded by the Milky Way. This was captured in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

EruptionThe stars pour forth from Twin Rocks, a local landmark in Mendocino County California.

Sorcerer's StoneA magical device found amongst the rocks and pools of Moonstone Beach in Northern California.

Moonstone ArchThe winter Milky Way displaying its full splendor over Moonstone Beach in Northern California.

Emerald SkiesThe most technically complex picture I'd taken up to this point. This magnificent scene required a star-tracker to shoot 90-second exposures without star trails. The Milky Way arches across the sky above Mendocino County California.

Oaken AscensionThe Milky Way streams out of a large oak tree in Humboldt County California.

Riomaggiore IncandescenteRiomaggiore is beautiful during the day, but it really shines at night! After shooting sunset, I waited through the blue hour to capture the city at its most luminous. This is one of five small towns in Cinque Terre Italy.

ChiocciolaThis is not a drone shot. Standing atop the spiral staircase at the top of Castello Doria, the whole town of Vernazza can be seen. One of the five 'lands' that make up Cinque Terre in northern Italy.

Porto di VernazzaCinque Terre Italy is a coastal community of five small towns connected by rail, as well as a hiking trail. We started hiking at the northernmost town and wound up here in Vernazza by lunchtime. This is the view from the trail, overlooking the harbour, before before it changes from dirt to cobblestone and stairs.

Blazing RaysSome of the finest crepuscular rays I've ever seen! The last of the clearing cloud cover left a slight haze above the mountaintops giving just the right conditions for a spectacular show. These sunbeams were captured in Berchtesgaden Germany.

Milky MarssetMars sets on the eastern horizon as the Milky Way arcs across the sky in this shot from the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Les VignesSurrounded by rolling hills of grapes in all directions. Finding the perfect location for this shot took many hours of research, catching the last rays of the sun took patience. In order to get this perspective I had to duct tape my tripod to the trellis and use a remote to actuate the camera. This shot was captured in Napa County California.

A Littering of LiliesThese water-lilies almost look alien (or possibly like a pac-man convention) floating in the reflective black of this one of 10,000 lakes. The epic clouds --so common in Minnesota-- bring a sense of foreboding to the shot. I couldn’t locate a collective noun for lilies so I suggest everyone start using this one.

Galactic EmissionsThis prominent oak tree stands on a hillside in the hills of Humboldt County California.

Amethyst SkiesMatching magentas with the stars above, this field of lupines holds its own. Each year, around May, the Bald Hills area of Redwood National Park in California explodes with vibrant colors as the flowers spring to life.

Malign FaucetThis waterfall was just one of many in the incredible Malign Canyon near Jasper in Alberta Canada

Ft. Bragg SunsetThis beautiful walking path traverses the cliff's edge as it meanders past the many coves and beaches of Fort Bragg in coastal Mendocino County California.

GrowthA maple in the redwoods. Captured in the Owen R. Cheatham grove in the inland forests of Humboldt County California.

Galactic FireworksA wintertime image of the Milky Way complimented by the appearance of the comet C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy). Captured in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Arcata BottomsI was hiking in the Ma-le’l dunes and on the way back to the car I decided to run to the top of one of the easternmost dunes. I was rewarded with this fantastic view of the Arcata Bottoms with ominous clouds overhead preparing, in typical north coast fashion, to rain.

Cats and DogsA lone wolf tree watches over its territory. The tracks of a usurper, a mountain lion, lead off into the distance. This snowy hillside was captured in the inland hills of Northern California.

Il PescatoreA lone fisherman prepares his bait as he readys himself for some night fishing. This was captured in Riomaggiore Italy, one of the 'five lands' of Cinque Terre.

Teton SpectacularIt's hard to know what to expect from the sky. Standing in the cold, listening to a nocturne of coyote calls, I was surprised to find the aurora glowing red on the northern horizon! The Milky Way rises over the Grand Teton Mountains in Wyoming.

Starlit CoveNature's decorations; captured on Christmas Eve in Fort Bragg California, this image shows the Milky Way erupting from the Pacific Ocean.

Stellar FieldEach night the stars are taken out to pasture. This sky was captured in the coastal hills of Humboldt County California.

Valdemossa on FireRight place, right time, wrong reason. While catching a bus back to Palma from the picturesque village of Valldemossa our bus engine ignited the insulation around it and filled the cabin with smoke. After some fast thinking from the driver we were back on the road half an hour later, richer for having witnessed the sunset from this perspective where there is nomally no place to stop.

Thorny SkiesShot while watching the Perseid meteor shower, this panorama managed only to catch a few. Instead, starthistle dominates the eastern (upper) horizon of this shot captured in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Oaken ArmsThere were wildfires around Northern California this summer sending their smoke to Mendocino County. Though generally a nuisance, the smoke makes for some epic sunbeams! These stretched from one horizon to the other. In order to adequately capture the scene, I had to set my tripod up in a tree.

Rollie Pollie HillA verdant pasture of goldenfields highlights this image taken in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Spyrock Sunset, FallI'll never get over this view. The inland hills of Northern California are some of the most beautiful in the world. Here, we display our fall colors in the sky.

Spyrock Sunset, SpringThe spring always brings, along with its verdant greenery, a number of rainstorms to fuel its renewal. These storms provide ample oportunity for epic sunsets from my backyard in the hills of Mendocino County California.

Shrouded TarnIt seemed like a good idea to hike back on the far side of the lake, making our journey into a loop. It was not; there is no trail and the rocks and low brush which we had seen from afar turned out to be massive boulders and 6-ft high deer brush. Then, halfway through the scratch and scramble a surprise storm came over the mountains and started dumping rain, making our progress that much more slippery and exhausting. The moral of this story is that when it’s pouring rain you should always get your camera out.

Milky Forest WarpThe forest envelopes the sky as the moon hides in the shadow of the Earth. I woke up at 4am for this shot, but with good reason. This early April morning was a full eclipse of the moon. Knowing that the coast would likely be fogged in at this time of the morning, I headed inland and up into the hills. After driving a ways out a dirt mountain road I found a likely looking spot, hopped a fence, ran through dew-covered grass, and then stood in the same place for half an hour. Although I did shoot some telephoto shots of the moon being eclipsed, the star of the show was the temporarily revealed Milky Way arching across the sky. Fortunately I started this panorama from the top down, because by the time I finished shooting the ground, clouds had rolled in and covered the whole sky.

ReclamationThe floor has sprouted a carpet of moss, matching greens with the outside forest as this abandoned building melts back into the earth near Stone Lagoon in Northern California.

Robson River RapidsWe went on a three-day backpacking trip in early October in the mountains northwest of Jasper. Although it was freezing cold the scenery was well worth the hike!

Cosmic SprayThe stars pour forth from Twin Rocks, a local landmark in Mendocino County California.

Orick Bridge SunsetIf you don't look at just the right second you'll whiz past this gorgeous vista. This spectacular valley is found along the winding Redwood Highway, just north of Orick in Humboldt County California.

Winter WolfThis lone pine has stood the test of time. Captured just before sunrise, it presides over a snowy meadow in this winter scene from Northern California.

Vibrant HeavensBands of atmospheric airglow combined with some hydrogen-alpha emisions from deep space objects combine to create a wondrous view. This beautiful spectacle was captured over the inland hills of Mendocino County in Northern California.

Middle FallsThough just one of the many beautiful cataracts along the Canyon Creek Trail, Middle Falls would be a destination in its own right. This scene was captured in the Trinity Alps Wilderness in Northern California.

Stony SkiesStill water offers a new perspective on the world, you just have to turn your head upside down. This mountainous scene was captured at Upper Canyon Creek Lake in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area in Northern California.

Prismatic HazeOne of the most spectacular features at Yellowstone National Park, this spring is one of many hundreds of similar thermal pools. What makes the Grand Prismatic Spring stand out is its vibrant array of colors. The steam coming off the top of the pool catches some of the color from the pool below and seems to hold a rainbow.

Grand PrismWhen I left my camp site the skies were completely clear. Just over an hour later I had arrived and was nearly finished setting up to shoot. I had scouted the location earlier in the day and knew the galactic core was aligned near perfectly with Grand Prismatic Spring. As I took my first few images, I noticed some clouds rolling in fast. Working fast (no such thing with long exposures), I started shooting my panorama. Within minutes, nearly the whole sky was blotted out. I decided to shoot a few really long exposures for star trails, and after a white noted that the clouds were thinning a bit. I shot a second panorama of the sky, hoping that between the two, I could get a clean shot of the sky. Many, many, hours of selective masking later, I achieved just that. This magical scene was captured at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming.

Cascade CreekThis beautiful creek flows towards Grand Teton, to join with another before emptying into Jenny Lake. Having only set aside enough time for a day hike, this was as deep into the mountains as I made it. Having stopped for lunch a little below this spot, I could see that the trees opened up to meadow just a bit farther ahead. Instead of eating, I ran for it, crashing through the brush and hiking up the hillside to find a composition looking back at the mountains.

Blueberry LakeA beautiful vernal pool, surrounded with big, delicious huckleberries. I had spotted what looked like a small lake with an island on satellite imagery, and knew that I had to check it out. Upon arrival, many miles on trail, and a mile or so off-trail, this is the scene I was greeted by. The timing could not have been better. After capturing this, and several other images, I proceeded to scout for a night time shot, while eating as many huckleberries as I could. This picturesque scene is found deep in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness in Oregon.

Crown of ThornsThis shot took both sweat and blood to produce. Suffering a leg full of thorns on the way, I was extra careful while setting up this panorama under a large cholla cactus. This spiney desert dweller was found in Joshua Tree National Park in southern California.

Waterfall WalkwayThis impressive network of falls looks fine during the day, but in the dark with long exposures it gives it a much softer feel. I had to sneak back into the park at night, climbing through a cave on the way, to get this shot. Though it may not look it, the myriad falls produced an impressive din. I am used to near-silence when shooting nightscapes, so it was quite disconcerting as I wouldn't have been able to hear anyone, or an animal, approaching. These artful wooden walkways snake their way through several miles of trail, and past hundreds of waterfalls, at Plitvice National Park in Croatia.

Scorpius RisingThe impressive Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex ornaments the head of the constellation Scorpius, leading its ascention into the night sky. This old wolf tree is located in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Thor's AnvilIceland's many landscapes are on display as you drive the ring road, perpetually bathed in amazing light, as the sun remains low on the horizon for most of the day. This lone mesa is just one of many geological wonders you'll encounter along the southern coast.

Night WatchmanPeering into the night between long exposures, searching for mythical beasts in the sky. Headlamp on, of course, only for dramatic effect. This whimsical self portrait was captured in the inland hills of Mendocino County.

PerspectiveThe island of Vestmannaeyjar can be seen in the distance. behind the Holtsós lagoon in southern Iceland. I'm glad I ran down to the waters edge and started shooting quickly, as this fleeting visage only lasted a few minutes before the wind picked up and the mirror was gone.

Dark TentaclesSilhoutted oak branches reach menacingly for the stars. I had wanted a shot like this for a while, and spent a lot of time scouting for the right location. These malign trees were found in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Dark Tentacles (crop)Silhoutted oak branches reach menacingly for the stars. I had wanted a shot like this for a while, and spent a lot of time scouting for the right location. These malign trees were found in the inland hills of Mendocino County California.

Line of ReflectionWhile driving the ring road in Iceland we found this perfect mirror on the Holtsós lagoon. I'm glad I ran down to the waters edge and started shooting quickly, as this fleeting visage only lasted a few minutes before the wind picked up and the mirror was gone.

Under the DomeA more interesting projection, just one of many, from the Diving Board. The iconic Half Dome is inverted in this shot looking down the valley. This vantage point, albeit in a more traditional composition, was made famous by Ansel Adams' photograph "Monolith".

Lady of the MorningHaving spend a cold night sleeping rough on the edge of a cliff, I awoke to the sound of a helicopter buzzing around the valley. With little chance of returning to sleep, I figured the next best thing was to capture sunrise from this unique vantage point. Though the sun itself rises behind Half Dome the shadows that it casts on the granite faces make faces of their own. This was taken from the Diving Board in Yosemite National Park in California.

Amethyst ArcMatching magentas with the stars above, this field of lupines holds its own. Each year, around May, the Bald Hills area of Redwood National Park in California explodes with vibrant colors as the flowers spring to life.

Sea Cliff Planet (untitled)

Weitchpec Morning Fog (untitled)Having pursued a failed idea for sunrise, I was out in the hills early. I decided to keep driving and see what I could find. Decending into the valley, I found it full of fog and just starting to thin enough to be pierced by the first rays as they crept over the mountain. This luminous morning was captured in the inland hills of Humboldt County in Northern California.

HideoutRumor has it that this rock shelter was once used by the bandit Black Bart, prior to holding up a stagecoach. Situated on a tributary to the Sacramento River in Northerh California.

Burney Falls (untitled)Once dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world" by Theodore Roosevelt, who may or may not have been on the campaign trail, Burney Falls are impressive! I had, of course, forgotten to bring my tripod head, and had to shoot this 360° panorama without it. I was able to get out on a rock, without getting wet or dropping my camera in the water, and capture the requisite 30 images to finish the pano before carefully making my way back to the shore. This cascade is found in Shasta County in Northern California.

Ursa MarisUrsa Major (the Big Dipper) pales in comparison with this pareidolic bear. There are a myriad of interesting things visible in the sky on a winter's night, but perhaps most notable this evening was the comet 46P/Wirtanen, dubbed the "Christmas Comet". It glows a pale blue-green, and could be seen dimly with the naked eye. These tidepools adorn the rocks at Moonstone beach in Northern California.

Fisherman's DelightA fisherman stands triumphantly on his boat as he returns to harbor. This was a case of right place right time, having been sitting on the jetty killing time until the city lights came on. This was captured in Riomaggiore, part of Cinque Terre region in Italy.

Riomaggiore Sunset Planet (untitled)The clouds parted on the horizon creating a hole centered on the setting sun. What a lucky break! The rays illuminate the village of Riomaggiore, one of the five towns in Cinque Terre, Italy.

RockshowerI generally like sweeping panoramas, but this scene demanded a closeup. This is the bottom of one of the spectacular cascades at Silver Falls State Park in Oregon. Cutting through the trees, the light fell in patches around the base of the falls, illuminating it in spectacular fashion.

Verdant WindowOregon is loaded with waterfalls, but perhaps the highest density are located at Silver Falls State Park. This panorama was shot looking out from a large grotto hollowed out underneath the falls.

Children of GiantsThis redwood remnant sprouts the next generation; clonal saplings that will one day, with any luck, reach their ancestral height. This verdant forest scene was captured in Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park in Northern California.

Terrazze e TreniniThe only city of the five in Cinque Terre to reside on a hill, Corniglia still fits the mold in other ways. Its vibrantly colored buildings interlock, covering a mountain top surrounded by terraced vineyards. A system of tiny grape trains (trenino) criss cross the hillside, making the harvest that much easier.

Ghost ShipA foggy evening on the Oregon coast. These islands were quickly fading into the mist, during the blue hour following the sunset. This was captured along the Samuel H. Boardman Scenic Parkway in southern Oregon.

Idaho IdyllWhile working in the area I drove past this vantage point several mornings in a row, just after sunrise. Convinced it was worth it, when the week was over I decided to get up even earlier and catch the pre-dawn light as it crept over the mountains. To great effect! The clouds, though threatening to block the sunrise, did not disappoint and instead mirrored the contours of the land and lent a fantastic swath of color to the scene. This stunning sunrise was captured in the fertile Swan Valley in eastern Idaho.

Snake River SunriseWhile working in the area I drove past this vantage point several mornings in a row, just after sunrise. Convinced it was worth it, when the week was over I decided to get up even earlier and catch the pre-dawn light as it crept over the mountains. To great effect! The clouds, though threatening to block the sunrise, did not disappoint and instead mirrored the contours of the land and lent a fantastic swath of color to the scene. This stunning sunrise was captured in the fertile Swan Valley in eastern Idaho.

Emerald WindowThe most technically complex picture I'd taken up to this point. This magnificent scene required the use of a piece of specialized equiptment called a star-tracker to shoot 90-second exposures without star trails. The Milky Way arches across the sky above Mendocino County California.

Underwater AliensThis magical scene was as fleeting as it was stunning. Starting with a fully fogged in sunset the air cleared just as the last of the light faded, leaving just enough to catch the red glow of the fading light. Within minutes of finishing a panorama, the fog rolled back in, thick, shrouding the sky. I wound up with a shot during each of these phases, creating an interesting series.

SkekBad's LandA malevolent creature watches over the badlands. Captured in the Bisti/De-Na-Zin wilderness in New Mexico. When I took this image the tempurature was well below freezing and this location is several miles into the wilderness, with no trails. Hiking through the badlands in the pitch black is not an experience I will soon forget.

Underwater Aliens (crop)This magical scene was as fleeting as it was stunning. Starting with a fully fogged in sunset the air cleared just as the last of the light faded, leaving just enough to catch the red glow of the fading light. Within minutes of finishing a panorama, the fog rolled back in, thick, shrouding the sky. The sky wasn't the only thing interesting though. While the panorama was shooting I was laying on the rocks watching the stars, I noticed a slight glow coming from under the water! Not wanting to disrupt the panorama (in case the fog came back), I had to just wait until the pano was finished to see what, if anything, the camera had captured. It was in there! Though the lights had started closer to shore, they had progressively moved out to sea, and by the time the camera was pointed in their direction, they were pretty far out. This mystical scene was shot on the southern Oregon coast.

Chaos OrbA dazzling display of stars shines through thin cloud cover to illuminate Mt Lassen. The volcanic giant is flanked on its left side by a series of lava domes known as Chaos Crags, and reflected in the waters of a lake formed by a violent rockslide caused by the collapse of one of the domes. This geologic wonderland is located in the northeast corner of California.

Tetrad of BloodThis series of images was captured during the course of a full lunar eclipse. The coloration is caused by the same phenomenon that causes the sunset to appear red. Sunlight passes through Earth's atmosphere where the blue light is striped away, leaving only the diffuse red light to bathe the moon in an eerie glow. This one of four 'blood moon' eclipses which occured in a series known as a tetrad, was observed from Northern California.

Winter's CrownA magnificent lunar corona over a snowy hillside. This phenomenon is caused by moonlight diffracting through an otherwise invisible haze of tiny ice crystals. This image involved an all-nighter wearing snowshoes in the inland hills of Northern California.

Pirate's CoveDark and foreboding by starlight, this cove regains its scenic beauty in the light of day. This is one of three very different images taken in succession during the ebb and flow of the coastal fog along the southern Oregon coastline.

Midnight Hot SpringsA beautiful creek winds idly through the desert, interupted by volcanic influence. Steam rises from twin fumaroles under the core of the Milky Way. On the left, you can see three planets aligned: Mars, Saturn and Jupiter. On the right, green atmospheric airglow can be seen. The orange light on the horizon is mostly distant light pollution, and behind the hill on the right the remnants of the setting moon. This image was captured in a brief window between moonset and sunrise in the eastern Sierras of central California.

From the TopFrom the cascade of Skogafoss sprouts the arc of a seemingly permanent rainbow. What a reward for the hike to the top! This is one of many roadside attractions along the southern coast of Iceland.

Teton Milky Rainbow (untitled)From the valley east of the Tetons, a single pine protrudes from the sagebrush. The majestic Grand Teton and its sister peaks grace the horizon, dwarfed by the arc of the Milky Way above.

Kneeland Sunrise (untitled)Having not slept, and spent the entire night taking image after image of the comet NEOWISE, I was exhausted and ready to go home. I was just about to start packing up when I realized that I'd be a fool not to stick around just one more hour to catch the sun rising over the bank of fog that had rolled in over night. This magnificent scene full of cows and fog was captured in the hills of Northern California.

Ice Cave (untitled)This ice cave is yet another example of something extraordinary which is merely ordinary on the island of ice and fire: Iceland. These tunnels reside under the leading edge of glaciers, and are carved by meltwater escaping through cracks in the ice.

Ions and DustA visitor from deep space putting on a show. In July of 2020 the comet NEOWISE passed the perigee of its orbit (point closest to the sun) and developed a stunning double tail. The thin blue line is known as an ion tail, while the wider white tail is composed of ice and dust. I spent several all-night imaging sessions to capture this comet. Well worth the effort, as this chunk of ice and rock won't be passing our way again for thousands of years.

Rainbow Road (alternate version)A host of deep space oddities adorn the sky but the great comet of 2020, NEOWISE, takes center stage. Surrounded by the Milky Way, flanked on the left by Jupiter and Saturn and on the right by the Andromeda and Triangulum galaxies. This artfully winding road and wonderfully dark sky are located in Humboldt County California.

Dreadnought (wide crop)Deep in the Superstitions, Battleship Mountain floats on a rocky berth ready to face any foe. Even here the Milky Way is partly obscured by light pollution from the nearby city of Phoenix. Our influence, unintentionally, reaches further than we might imagine.

DreadnoughtDeep in the Superstitions, Battleship Mountain floats on a rocky berth ready to face any foe. Even here the Milky Way is partly obscured by light pollution from the nearby city of Phoenix. Our influence, unintentionally, reaches further than we might imagine.

Fire and IceA black sand beach studded with diamonds of ice. Fragments of a glacier make their way out to sea and drift back to shore. Illuminated by Iceland's perpetually setting sun, this uniquely beautiful display will not last forever. The glacier from which these "bergy bits" were berthed is rapidly retreating due to a warming climate, abruptly starting around the industrial revolution.

Fire on the MountainMany of the nebulae which punctuate our Milky Way galaxy shine brightly in infrared. Though these emissions are not visible to the naked eye, to a camera sensitive to those wavelengths they glow a fantastic magenta. These cosmic colors stand in stark contrast to the green springtime hillsides of Northern California.

Valley of JupiterOne of my favorite deep space gems, the Rho Ophiuchi cloud complex, rests at the end of a dark finger of intergallactic dust. On the other side of the dust trail, near the core of the Milky Way, the planet Jupiter glows brightly surrounded by a rainbow corona. Though I've many times seen coronae around the sun or moon, this is the first time I've seen it around a planet. The colorful ring is caused by fine ice particles in the atmosphere. This springtime scene was captured in the inland hills of Northern California.

Great American EclipseDubbed the "Great American Eclipse", on August 21 2017, a total solar eclipse passed across nearly the entire United States. This composite image was captured near Mt Jefferson in central Oregon. The main image was captured during totality, and the sequence of solar images were shot with a telephoto lens from sunrise through the duration of the eclipse. Each image appears at the location in the sky where that stage of the eclipse occured, but the center of the sequence has been enlarged for dramatic effect.

Cosmic FireworksThe Perseid meteor shower is reliably one of the best of the year. I decided to dedicate quite a bit of time to documenting the shower this times around. This composite image was made from the meteors captured in over 2000 images of the sky taken over the course of 3 nights. This stunning display was witnessed in Humboldt County California.

Barrage of ColorThe Perseid meteor shower is reliably one of the best of the year. I decided to dedicate quite a bit of time to documenting the shower this times around. This composite image was made from the meteors captured in over 2000 images of the sky taken over the course of 3 nights. This stunning display was witnessed in Humboldt County California.

Tranquility FallsJust another stunning waterfall-filled gorge in Oregon. Typically, long exposures are created with the use of a filter to block light. However, having hiked into this location without bringing one, I decided to try another technique. I simulated the effect of a long exposure by taking nearly 100 photos and stacking them to smooth the flowing water.

Corona

RockfishBryce Canyon's ancient residents are alive and well in this rather abstract view of the national park.

Teeth of the NightI found this lake by looking at satellite imagery, and was intrigued by the small island. It's well off-trail in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness in central Oregon. Getting this shot involved hiking a mile back and forth through dense forest in pitch black. As luck would have it the great conditions held out and there was no wind, giving me perfect reflections of the stars.

Glowing Rhododendron (untitled)Just before sundown, a ray of light pierced the canopy to illuminate the ancient trunk of an old-growth redwood. As the light faded and the bird-song dwindled the forest darkened, and I was left alone to hike back in the dark. This scene was captured in Redwood State and National Parks in Northern California.

Infrared Lupines (untitled)A carpet of lupines covers the hillside, while the arch of the Milky Way crosses the sky. This image was captured in the infrared spectrum, in the hills of Humboldt County California.

Moonstone Reflecting Pool (untitled)A moonstone rises from a glistening pool of water; as the tide receeds, these gems are left scattered on the beach. Perhaps my favorite part of this image is the distorted reflection where the trickle of water coming into the pool disrupts the perfect mirror. This image was captured on the coast of Humboldt County California.

Last LightThe moment before sundown, a ray of light pierced the canopy to illuminate an old-growth redwood. This scene was captured in Redwood State and National Parks in Northern California.

BouquetThese hills are always magical, but this spring was extraordinary. The lupines exploded to life, covering the hills in a blanket of purple. As soon as you near the area, through closed car windows, you can already catch the scent of the flowers. Standing in these fields at night, surrounded by darkness and the lupines sweet fragrance is something quite special. This incredible smell was captured in the hills of Northern California.

Twin Rocks Blood Moon (untitled)A total lunar eclipse illuminates the landscape in an eerie light. This image was captured in the inland hills of Northern California.

info

prev / next

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137 138 139 140 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153

· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·