Landscape

Cathedral Sunrise

Golds, pinks, and yellows all mixed in with different lines and shapes...this was one incredible place to watch sunrise! Located in Nevada, Cathedral Gorge State Park has endless lookout points that showcase the spectacular landscape. For this photo, I chose Miller Point as my sunrise spot. As the sunlight illuminated the cliffs, the spires began to glow and the details of the landscape came to life.

Great Salt Lake Sunset

Sunset over the Great Salt Lake in Utah was a sight to behold! The thick, salty water seemed to soak in the colors of the sunset more than fresh water or even the ocean. Mountains lined the lake in th distance, but everything blended together creating an endless sea of colors. Earlier in the evening I went for a swim (float!) in the lake and for this picture I was standing knee deep in the water...the thick water felt like cool gel against my skin. And afterwards I could feel the salt cracking on my body. It was such a unique experience and I'm so happy I finally got to see and feel the Great Salt Lake! Picture also available in my Panoramic Gallery.

Grand Canyon Sunset

I'll never forget the first time I walked over to the edge and saw this view for the first time. Now I understand the word "grand" in Grand Canyon National Park. Located in the very remote North Rim area of the park, Cape Royal has panoramic views and drop offs that make my legs feel weak. Watching the sunset in the west, the colors of the canyon mixed with the colors of the sky looked like an endless rainbow. I stood at this point long after the sunset unable to move and wanting to experience it all over again.

Lamar Valley Sunrise

On my way to do some wolf watching in Lamar Valley (also known as the Serengeti of North America), I stopped at the edge of the valley to watch the sunrise. The valley is huge with miles of open land full of bison, pronghorns, bears, wolves, badgers, bald eagles, osprey, deer, and coyotes. Although most of my time was spent behind binoculars watching the wildlife, I still wanted to capture one beautiful photo of the valley in its entirety. Photo also available in my Portrait Gallery.

Stormy Reflection

As I walked through the forest to Trout Lake in Yellowstone National Park, I had no idea what to expect or what the lake looked like. The decision to visit the lake was last minute as I was driving by and saw a small parking lot. As I got out of the car, thunder was rumbling in the distance, but with it being such a short hike, I was curious to see past the thick pines of the forest. Quickly, I made my way through the backwoods and came upon an opening in the trees...I was greeted with this amazing view. The reflection of the mountains on Trout Lake was crystal clear, the storm continued to rumble in the distance, dark gray clouds moved across the sky, and golden sunlight from the sunrise continued to light up the land.

Yellowstone Lake Sunrise

Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone National Park is unlike any other lake I've seen...this lake is full of geysers along the coastline and under the water. Sunrise at the lake was especially beautiful because the cold morning air made the hot steam from the geysers even more pronounced. Picture also available in my Portrait Gallery.

Wildflowers in Grand Teton National Park

Everything about this scenery makes me happy! A bright blue Wyoming sky, a stunning Teton Range backdrop, and a beautiful mess of colorful wildflowers entwined with each other. I was biking along the Jenny Lake Pathway on a warm summer day when these flowers caught my attention. I loved how everything was so vibrant. I laid down on the side of the pathway to capture this photo. It perfectly sums up that beautiful day!

Yellowstone Falls

Standing at Aritist 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! Picture also available in my Portrait Gallery.

Teton Reflection

My visit to Grand Teton National Park was full of unpredictable weather and lots of low hanging clouds. Each day was a waiting game on whether or not the clouds would clear and the Teton Range would be visible. Luckily for this sunset, I got to experience an incredible reflection, splashes of pinks and purples, and clouds that danced in the sky. Grand Teton peak sits in the middle of the Teton Range high in the sky at 13,776 feet. Picture also available in my Portrait Gallery.

Snake River Golden Hour

Warmth from the sunrise has flooded the valley! Watching the sunrise from Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton National Park, I got to witness blue hour, the first light, and then finally golden hour. Golden Hour, as shown in this picture, is the hour after sunrise when the yellow sunlight begins to fully light the scenery and the shadows take on different shapes and shades. The Teton Range shows off all of its glory as the Snake River waits for its turn in the sunlight. This photo is also related to "Pink Snake River" and "Snake River First Light" in my gallery.

Snake River First Light

Every sunrise I watch has dramatic lighting that splashes over the landscape at different moments. Although I love each of these moments, one of my favorites is when the sunlight first hits the landscape at its highest point. Here, the sunlight hits Grand Teton at an elevation of 13,776 feet. These moments of brief sunlight only last a few minutes as the sun quickly rises and warmth floods the valley. Taken from the Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton National Park, this photo is also related to "Pink Snake River" and "Snake River Golden Hour" in my gallery.

Pink Snake River

Soaking in the scenery from Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton National Park, I wrap my coat around my body and wait for the sun to rise. I stare at all of the details before me like the framing pine trees, the winding river, and the snow capped mountains. Grand Teton mountain sits high in the sky with its jagged edges and stunning beauty. This spot was made famous by Ansel Adams in 1942 so naturally my mind wanders and I start thinking about what this spot was like back then. There are a few other photographers around me and I wonder what they are thinking too. Before long, my attention is back to the scenery before me because the magic is too strong to ignore. This photo is also related to "Snake River First Light" and "Snake River Golden Hour" in my gallery.

Stanley Lake Rainbow

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 mode while lighting up the distant pine trees. As fast as the rainbow appered, it suddenly disappeared leaving me with a sense of calm and a photo at that one beautiful moment.

Rainbow in the Plains

It's amazing how far you can see in the eastern plains of Denver. As I was driving around the Wildlife Refuge, I noticed a rainbow in the distance under some thick clouds. It was positioned perfectly against the nearby trees and made for a bright, cheery picture.

Bradley Key Sunset

Standing on a rocky, swampy, and beautiful beach on the very southern tip of Everglades National Park in Florida, I watched as the sun set behind Bradley Key in the distance. This area of the park is very beautiful with its mixture of different environments from wet, freshwater swamps to a big, open, ocean. Where the two waters mix, it can look pretty murky, but the combination of wildlife and plantlife make this area so unique and fun to learn about.

Milky Way Mountains

Deep in the backcountry of Big Bend Naitonal Park, I watched the center of the Milky Way rise over the Chisos Mountains. The beautiful details of the Carina-Sagittarius Arm can be seen as it reaches high into the sky. Jupiter and Satarn sit just above the mountains. Some details of the Milky Way make their appearance like the Lagoon Nebula. Back on earth, miles of black desert stretched around me. I felt like a tiny spec with my camera standing on the ground so far away. In order to recreate what I was seeing and feeling, I took two photos and layered them together for this final image.

From Sunset to Stars

Marathon, Texas boasts some of the darkest skies in the country plus some of the most vibrant sunsets. I spend every evening watching the sunset and star gazing so I had an idea to capture my two favorite things about Marathon and blend them together into one picture. Deep orange covers the sky with the mountains as a perfect silhouette. A lone windmill works hard in the distance. And the night sky travels up into deep space where millions of stars twinkle. The Beehive Cluster can be seen in the middle of the dark sky. This picture shows exactly why I love Marathon so much.

The Big Dipper

Ever since I was a little girl, gazing upon the Big Dipper in the night sky has always been magical. Part of the Ursa Major constellation, these are some of the first stars I look for when star gazing. It brings a sense of comfort and familiarity to me. These good memories inspired me to take this photo and recreate what I see and feel. I enhanced the seven bright stars that make up the Big Dipper in order to bring the magic to life. Happy star gazing!

Auriga Constellation

When I star gaze, I find myself drawn to some of the darker parts of the night sky. Whether I am using binoculars or the naked eye, I can see faint fuzzy areas that draw me in and make me want to look deeper. This is where it can get really fun with a camera because with long exposures, I'm able to bring out lots and lots of stars that we can't always see. The inspiration for this picture came from learning that there are three star clusters in the Auriga constellation. Making a pentagon shape, five stars can be spotted as the outline. Within the pentagon are three star clusters known as M35, M37, and M38. And as a bonus, I captured M35 in the upper left section of the photo. I love knowing that even in the darkest parts of the sky, millions and millions of stars are there waiting for me to discover.

The Window

Looking through The Window in Big Bend National Park, the desert floor can be seen for miles. The Window is located in the Chisos Mountains section of the park. Formed by water, this carved-out view perfectly frames the landscape. I felt as if I could reach out and touch the distant mountains, but reality set in and I realized I am one tiny speck in this huge park.

Super Pink Moon

One of the reasons why I love Marathon, Texas so much is because of its beautiful unobstructed views in every direction. I woke up early to watch the once in a year event known as the Super Pink Moon of April 2020. After I made my way over the railroad tracks and through some tall grass, I was greeted with this view overlooking a ranch. Birds sang as the sun rose and the super pink moon set over the mountains. The clouds mixed in with the moon were fun to watch because it allowed me to see movement and just how fast the moon was setting.

New Year Sunrise

Happy New Year! For the first sunrise of 2020, I was excited to be deep in the Everglades area in Big Cypress National Preserve with no service and no connection to the outside world. I was surrounded by the peacefulness of the swamp plus the sounds of the wildlife waking up. Cypress trees dripping with Spanish moss turned a beautiful golden color. The water was still except for the occasional great egret walking through. Experiencing the first light of the new year was a great way to start the year!

Big Cypress Boardwalk

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 in 2020, 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.

Sandy Evergreens

Standing in the cold, clear water of Lake Superior with rocks in between my toes, I'm mesmerized by the different landscapes before me: evergreen trees, white sandy beaches, and a body of water that looks just like the ocean. After spending three weeks in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I realized there is no shortage of beautiful scenery like this in the area. With hundreds of miles of coastline, the options are endless. The bonus of this particular photo was that I was camping just behind the trees, so I had this view every night for sunset. Twelvemile Beach, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.