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 the stunning 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. I was in absolute awe.

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 the 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!

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.

Teton Wildflowers

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. 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.

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.

Idaho 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 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.

Everglades Island 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 the island of 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, a 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 Saturn 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 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 spent 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.

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. 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.

Sunrise 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, 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.

Michigan Sunset

Standing 726 ft. above Lake Superior on Brockway Mountain in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I watch the sun as it dips below the thick clouds and lights up the vast land and cold water. Thick forests, endless water views, and miles of rocky beaches all sit below me. I can't help my imagination as I visualize big ships making their routes across Lake Superior as well as what it must look during the harsh winters. But for the moment, I enjoyed the warm, inviting sun as it lit up the land before setting for the night.

Artist Palette

In an otherworldly landscape, Artist Palette in Death Valley National Park is full of colored minerals. Depending on the time of day, the intensity of colors change with the sunlight. I visited this spot multuple times during my stay in the park. Sometimes it was to take pictures, but most of the time it was to just sit and enjoy. I watched these rocks turn different colors from sunrise to sunset and even during a rare, desert rain storm.

Golden Devils Tower

Standing in an open field with nothing around for miles, I look at Devils Tower in Wyoming as it rises up before me. It is the only rock formation in all of the area and gives me strong mythical vibes. I know Mother Nature is amazing, but I can't help wonder what the magical qualities are behind this magnificent beauty. One thing I do know for sure is that Devils Tower is the place to be for sunset as it soaks up the golden light. The small moon also makes an appearance high in the sky as it gazes down upon the land.

Spilling Water

With water up to my knees and waves crashing all around me in Moloaa Bay, Hawaii, I watched with amusement as ocean water spilled over the rocks in front of me. Being immersed in the elements was such a phenomenal experience and something I can still feel to this day when I look at this photo. Cold water, warm salty air, loudness all around me...these are just a few of the things I remember about this moody sunrise.

The Calm Before the Storm

While backcountry camping in Colorado, I was lucky enough to watch Fourmile Lake go through two different incredible thunderstorms from the (kind of) safety of my tent. Watching how the scenery before me reacted to the thunderstorms is something I'll never forget. From the deep, loud thunder echoing through the mountains to the thick rain and hail covering the landscape, I can still hear and smell all of the commotion. I took this picture just before the first storm while the lake was still smooth glass and showing a reflection of the incoming storm.

West Mitten Butte Blue Hour

I've never seen so many different colors in one landscape while visiting Monument Valley Tribal Park in Utah. Rich pinks, reds, yellows, and blues seemed to suround me in every direction. With each passing minute, the colors changed intensity with the setting sun. Blue hour was in full effect and I watched as West Mitten Butte came to life with its vibrance, deep crevices, and beautiful formations.

West Mitten Butte Silhouette

As I was watching the sunrise in Monument Valley Tribal Park in Utah, I noticed how West Mitten Butte took on an incredible silhouette appearance against the brightening background. The beautiful rock formation reminded me how spectacular Mother Nature is as she creates her own work of art.

Grand Teton Fence

I love the look of the fences in Grand Teton National Park. Along with the open land and mountains, this fence created a sense of coziness for me as I watched the sunrise. During this cool, summer morning, I watched these clouds as they took on a feathering, wispy look across the sky. It felt like my little space in such a grand park was complete with all of the surrounding elements.