2023: Journeys that had elements of pilgrimage. Chaco Canyon at the start of the year, a plunge into deep time. The remote Trinity Alps and Salmon mountains of northern California in late spring, the winter snows maintaining a fierce grip on the high country. The Colorado high country in high summer. Following the Santa Fe Trail and then crossing the Great Divide on legendary US-50 in the Fall. The austere Basin and Range as the year closed. Enjoy.
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Agua Caliente Park is found at the base of Arizona's Rincon Mountains. There are hot springs, ponds, abundant birds, and a quiet not found in the hustle and bustle of Tucson, which sits just to the west. The image, taken in late afternoon, is looking toward the Catalina Mountains to the northwest.
Desert oasis
Chaco Canyon. The weight of time is palpable. The image is from within the ruins of Chetro Ketl, the late afternoon sun hiding behind the wall. The story of our time there, "Chetro Ketl: By the Light of the Moon", can be found in the "Blogs" section.
In deep time
The early spring sunset comes over the Cascade Foothills. It's not far from home and a place I come to often. I was a little late for the birds, they had all settled in for the night. The changing light of the sunset was irresistible though, the sky's reflection a bonus.
Nightfall
The spring saw the Salt River in flood over the lower basin, not a common condition in the desert. We're on a trail a little downstream from Saguaro Lake and hoping for a view of wild horses (didn't happen). But the wildflowers were out and this image was waiting to be captured.
the salt in spring
The Klamath Mountains of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon are among the most rugged and remote within the lower 48 states. You really do have to go there to get there. If you do, however, the rewards are substantial. Here is a lovely sunset over the Trinity Alps portion.
Trinity
I had gone out for a look at the sunset over the Table Rocks, not far from where I live. It had been storming for awhile in the late afternoon and the sky was interesting. On of the rules for nature photography: once in a while you should turn around. This is what I saw when I did.
summer storm
Rocky Mountain National Park, high summer. I'm above Estes Park on the US-36 route into the park. In a few more miles 36 and 34 will join before making the final ascent into the rarified air (12,183' at the summit) over Trail Ridge Road. As is often the case, this one is about the light.
in high country
Again, not far from home. I've been out before dawn to get to this section of the lower Rogue River, wanting to get the dawn light over these rapids. The light is building from the right (east), the water's moods different on the left and right channels.
red river
Cape Blanco is a favorite, we return there often. It's a land of many different moods, situated as it is on the moody Pacific northwest coast. The light this morning is unusual, with the building light developing to the west, even as the thick cloud bank squelches the light immediately above.
morning at the cape
Not really. It's a stretch of the coast where driftwood has collected. I think it looks like a boneyard. A road runs down to the beach and the driftwood artists are at work collecting new material. These collection "centers" are more common than you might think. It is a forested land.
the boneyard
Fall on the Colorado National Monument. The Grand Valley, Grand Junction, and Grand Mesa are in the distance. US-50 from Gunnison, Montrose, and Delta is coming in along the Gunnison River from the right. The name "Colorado" has been used for other rivers in other places. People here will still refer to the Colorado as "The Grand".
along the grand
Northeast Nevada is a lovely landscape. The state is essentially entirely in the Basin and Range Physiographic Province, but there are so many variations to be found. The valleys are high grasslands, the mountains forested. Twilight is descending over the Ruby Range, as is the winter night.