Freshwater Scenes
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Standing at the water's edge and careful not to disturb the glass scenery before me, I focus on the fall colors reflecting in the calm water. Beaver Dam Pond in Acadia National Park shows off some of the most beautiful details on this cool, autumn day. Fog continues to rise off the pond while dramatic fall colors steal the show.
When I first came upon Avalanche Creek on Trail of the Cedars in Glacier National Park, I couldn't belive the colors. I immediately did a double take because I wasn't sure if I was just seeing things. But it was true and I was watching bright teal water flow through mossy covered rocks. I learned that this water is a beautiful color due to glacial flour (also known as rock flour). This sediment is carried from the glaciers to the lakes and creeks, giving the water that mesmerizing teal color. I really enjoyed this unique setting, the sound of the water falling, the smell of the pine trees, and of course the amazing colors.
During my three week stay in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I got to see Lake Superior in all kinds of different weather. More often times than not, the wind was strong and the waves were plentiful. But on this beautiful night, Lake Superior was calm. The water was gently lapping against the old wooden pylons as the sun set in the distance. Taken in Whitefish Point, which is also known as the Graveyard of the Great Lakes with more than 300 shipwrecks and accidents, I couldn't help but think about the Edmund Fitzgerald shipwreck a few miles offshore and what the waves must have been like on that sad day in 1975.
For just a few fleeting moments, a rainbow appeared over Stanley Lake in Idaho while I was watching the sunset. Thunder was booming in the distance and the wind was whipping around me. The waves were lapping against the shore line and golden hour was in full force while lighting up the distant pine trees. As fast as the rainbow appeared, it suddenly disappeared leaving me with a sense of calm and a photo of that one beautiful moment.
Standing on top of a hill at the end of the Rio Grande Village Nature Trail in Big Bend National Park, I watched the Rio Grande River reflect the changing colors of the sky during sunset. On the left is Mexico, the US is on the right, and in the distance are the Chisos Mountains many miles away. Behind me the small town of Boquillas del Carmen, Mexico was playing mariachi music. The surrounding cliffs and rock formations carried the sound of the music all throughout the valley.
Spending two weeks in the Great Smoky Mountains during fall allowed me to experience all kinds of different weather. One day I woke up to rain and fog, but set off on a hike anyway. As I made my way down the slippery trail with fallen leaves everywhere, I came upon this beautiful mountain creek. The sound of the water combined with the cool mountain air was enough to make me sit and enjoy the scenery.
With over 40% of the park water, Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota has hundreds of islands that dot the area. Pictured here is Bittersweet Island on Kabetogama Lake just off the shore from my camping spot. Through the dense forest, I was able to find a small beach to enjoy the night sky. Stars were shining bright and the Milky Way was splashed across the sky. With the area being so heavily forested, I could hear wolves in the distance howling. Just a few hours earlier, I had a long conversation with a park ranger about wolves, so the sound of howling brought everything into perspective. Truly a unique area and even more unique park, this National Park is one for the books.
On hot summer days in Grand Teton National Park, String Lake is full of swimmers and paddle boarders enjoying the water. But early in the morning before all of the playfulness begins, reflections like this can be seen. When I first approached the shoreline and saw this view, I felt I had to hold my breath as to not disturb the delicate scenery before me.
Because of the wet environment, boardwalks make up the majority of the pathways in Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida. For the first light of the new year, I enjoyed photographing this boardwalk as it wraps around the cypress trees like a maze. The greenery and Spanish moss lit up in the sunlight and a beautiful yellow glow was cast all around from the sunrise. Numerous birds could be heard in the background splashing around in the water.
Standing at Artist Point in Yellowstone National Park, I watch Lower Yellowstone Falls in the distance as it cascades down into the canyon. The lighting from the sunset shows off the golds and pinks of the canyon walls. The canyon beneath me (Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone) is up to 1,000 feet deep which is explains why I feel so tiny among the landscape! (Landscape Orientation) Point in Yellowstone National Park, I watch Lower Yellowstone Falls in the distance as it cascades down into the canyon. The lighting from the sunset shows off the golds and pinks of the canyon walls. The canyon beneath me (Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone) is up to 1,000 feet deep which is explains why I feel so tiny among the landscape! (Portrait Orientation)
Standing at Artist Point in Yellowstone National Park, I watch Lower Yellowstone Falls in the distance as it cascades down into the canyon. The lighting from the sunset shows off the golds and pinks of the canyon walls. The canyon beneath me (Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone) is up to 1,000 feet deep which is explains why I feel so tiny among the landscape! (Landscape Orientation)