California is home to some incredible trees including those thought to be the oldest (Bristlecone pines),  tallest (California Redwoods) and massive by volume (Giant Sequoias). Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) can grow to be well over 200 feet tall and have trunks large enough to create a tunnel for a car to drive through. Some of the most impressive specimens in Northern California can be found in Yosemite

Nothing says White Sands National Monument in New Mexico like the iconic Soaptree Yucca plants that litter the dunescape.  The photo below was taken just after sunset in the blue hour under a rising full moon. Surprisingly it is quite a challenge to find a nicely isolated Soaptree Yucca plant in the dunes. While searching for the right yucca, in the right orientation and at the right time I discovered many cool featu

Flooding was so extensive this past June in Yosemite that tons of unique photo opportunities presented themselves. One of my favorites was this view of a flooded meadow near Cathedral Rock. The railing is about 3-4 feet tall to guide visitors to walk around the meadow along Yosemite valley loop road. I can’t say I’ve ever seen the valley so flooded to the point water was coming up the shoulder of the road

On the shore of Lake Geneva outside the city of Montreaux is the Château de Chillon. It is one of the more iconic and photogenic castles in Switzerland. I can only imagine what it would have been like to call it home. From my limited time in the region I can tell you the mountain and lake views were stunning. [tags]photography, travel, Switzerland, Montreaux, Château de Chillon, castle, Lake Geneva [/tags]

One of the biggest challenges I faced while in Yosemite photographing moonbows was ensuring that my camera would not be ruined by the heavy mist at the base of Yosemite Falls. The mist was so heavy that it was equivalent to being in a moderate rain shower with wind.  I was very fortunate to receive a ThinkTank Hydrophobia 70-200 rain-cover just before my trip and it sure helped keep my camera dry in trying conditions

To see the world in a new way sometimes all you need is some different lighting. While out photographing moonbows last month, at Glacier Point lookout, I enjoyed watching Yosemite valley transform as the full moon rose above the horizon.  To my amazement the moon low on the horizon painted the valley a subtle orange hue as you might expect to see during a sunrise.  I shouldn’t have been too surprised as the moo

Photographing Yosemite in the Spring is an amazing sight, particularly this year, with waterfalls flowing in full force. This year I’ve seen more waterfalls in Yosemite than ever before. Seasonal waterfalls were visible no matter where you looked. Even more amazing in these conditions is photographing what you cannot see namely a moonbow or lunar rainbow. Anatomically our eyes cannot see color at night, but our

Yosemite provides an endless well of inspiration, even more so if you stop looking up. Tough to do, but always enlightening when it happens. On a casual walk amidst burnt trees on the valley floor the wind was kind enough to introduce me to some beautiful ferns. The next time you’re walking in your favorite location I recommend listening to the wind as you never know what it’ll introduce you to. [tags]pho