Portrait

Arizona Sunrise

I absolutely loved all of the Saguaro cacti in Saguaro National Park, Arizona! They dotted the landscape no matter which direction I looked. One morning during sunrise, I noticed this beautiful prickly pear with a Saguaro cactus in the background. I put all of the focus on the prickly pear as the soft, desert sky took on different colors of the rising sun. I really enjoyed creating this fun photo while also still capturing the simplicity of the desert.

Pink Rio Grande

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.

Summer Reflections

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.

Full Moon Bluebells

While I was watching wolves and different wildlife in Hayden Valley in Yellowstone National Park, a full moon made a beautiful appearance on the horizon. The sun had already set and blue hour was in full effect. Colorful hues surrounded me in every direction. The green meadow was sprawled out before me, but the bluebells were the flowers that caught my attention the most. The vibrant blue petals glowed under the full moon and beckoned me to lay down on the soft earth while daydreaming. I combined two photos of this scenery in order to bring the image to life.

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 Landscape Gallery.

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.

Wyoming Horses

Driving along the beautiful open roads of Wyoming, these two horses caught my attention with their gentle nature and affection for each other. The dark red dirt of the Wyoming landscape was the perfect backdrop as they embraced each other among the green grass and yellow flowers.

Glacier Creek

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.

Rainy Alligator

Everglades National Park in Florida has the most wildlife I have ever seen in my life. Miles of boardwalks led me through the park and all I had to do was sit there and let all of the wildlife come to me. It was such an amazing experience! For this photo, I arrived at sunrise and as I drank my coffee under my umbrella and listened to the heavy raindrops, this huge alligator started swimming through the swamp right past me. The way his body curved through the water was such a beautiful sight. He was so quiet and calm. What I remember most about this moment was the feeling of being alone with him. It was just him and I with no other visitors around. The rain added to overall feeling of an incredible moment.

Key West Sunset Celebration

Every night in Key West, Florida, there is a sunset celebration at Mallory Square. It was such a joyous occasion to be a part of! Not pictured are the street entertainment, music, and the smell of salty ocean air. I loved watching the seagulls dance in flight and along the top of the water. As the sun was setting, huge streaks of sunlight shot high into the sky above the horizon. The colors changed by the minute until the sun fully set.

Great Horned Owl

For a couple of weeks, I watched this owl from a distance as it perched high in the sky and watched the ground below. It became a daily ritual wondering where the owl was and getting excited when I would finally spot it. Sometimes it would be early in the morning, during sunset, or late in the night when I would get a glimpse of its wings soaring through the night. Then one day, we finally came face to face as it relaxed in a tree during golden hour. Its piercing eyes held my gaze for awhile before flying away.

Desert Vibrance

Sunsets are always spectacular and a beautiful experience, but sometimes I witness sunsets where I am absolutely blown away. This was definitley one of those sunsets and the colors just kept coming! I kneeled low to the ground to bring out some of the wildflowers against the background. The sky showed off swirls of colors in wave-like patterns. Truly a vibrant desert sunset like no other!

Desert Moon

Everything about Big Bend National Park is magical to me. I was greeted with a new scene each night while backcountry camping. On this particular evening, the moon sits high in the sky during blue hour. I loved the colors and the simplicity of the huge desert sky before me. I combined two photos of this scenery in order to bring the image to life.

Stormy Desert Sunset

While backcountry camping in Big Bend National Park in west Texas, I watched the sunlight as it peeked through a gap of dark, stormy clouds during sunset. The effect created a spotlight on a prickly pear cactus, lechuguilla plant, and creosote bush. The vibrant green colors of the desert plants shined brightly against the darkened Chisos Mountains in the background.

Starry Night Boots

Marathon, Texas has some of the darkest skies in the country. Known for its Class 1 Dark Sky, the town turns into magic every night as the stars and the Milky Way light up the sky. These old boots sitting on a fence have always grabbed my attention the few times I've visited Marathon. Located on the perimeter of Marathon Motel & RV Park, I captured the details of the boots and fence against the twinkling stars and Milky Way. When I view this picture, I can smell the fresh desert air, hear the silence, and feel the extraordinary energy of Marathon, Texas.

Flora of the Desert

Different flora of the Chihuahuan Desert light up during sunrise in Big Bend National Park. Fog hugs part of the Chisos Mountains in the background. Sunrise in the desert is often a dramatic experience with the change in temperature from the cool nights to the warm days. When I first arrived to this spot, it was cold and the sky was pitch black. Within minutes, the colors of the sky changed, the desert plants turned golden, and the warm sun spilled over me.

Boulder Beach Sunrise

Sitting on cold, wet boulders on Boulder Beach in Acadia National Park in Maine and being inside the elements of this sunrise was incredible. Everything around me was glowing in the light and the salty ocean air wrapped around me like a blanket. The waves crashed within feet of me as seagulls began searching for their breakfast.

Starry Minnesota Island

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.

Splash of Fall Colors

Standing high on Middle Sugarloaf Mountain in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, I catch my breath from the steep hike only to realize my breath is being taken away again...by the view. Thousands of color-changing trees are sprawled out below me. Using the zoom on my camera, I decide to focus on the details of one, small section. Each individual tree can be seen, but from afar, it's a vibrant splash of fall colors.

Graveyard of the Great Lakes

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.

Dancing Northern Lights

Sitting on the beach at Whitefish Point in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, I watch the sky intently and wait for the forecasted Northern Lights to appear. I have never seen them before so this is a big moment for me. I also don't know what to expect and what they look like. Suddenly as the sky gets darker with each hour of the sunset and the Milky Way begins to illuminate, I see a glow in the distance that seems to radiate and pulse with the color green. I can't believe my eyes! I realize that watching the Northern Lights dance in the sky is one of the most calming and beautiful moments.

Badwater Basin Sunset

Among all the beautiful sunsets I’ve witnessed, one of my favorites was at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park. Seeing the salt flats go on for miles with all kinds of patterns was a neat experience. The salt crunches under your feet and before you know it, your shoes are bright white from the salt. The mountains in the distance look so close yet so far. Depth perception is tricky in Death Valley. At 282 feet below sea level, it’s the lowest point in North America!

Smoky Mountains Creek

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.

Sandpiper at Sunset

I felt at one with this sandpiper as we both enjoyed the waves washing over us. Camping in Galveston State Park, I enjoyed daily walks on the beach during sunset and watching the birds dance with the waves. After the sunset, the sky took on beautiful hues of pink while the ocean turned a vibrant blue. This sandpiper seemed content as he frolicked around in the colorful water.