California

Hot Serpent

The eastern sierras near Mammoth are known for epic winter recreation. But the area is also a hotbed for volcanic-heated hot springs. Several hot springs are in view in this image as they flow into Hot Creek. Location: Eastern Sierras, California.

Tranquility

Just after sunset, the glow from the nearby cities of Reno & Tahoe can be seen over the eastern sierras and Mono Lake. This long exposure was captured along the shores of the South Tufa Area looking north toward Paoha Island. Location: Mono Lake, California

Tufa Forest

At first glance, the tufas of Mono Lake feel alien with their oddities. However, they are uniquely iconic in their earthly forms. In this spring photo, the formations are illuminated by the setting moon over the Sierras behind the camera. Just as the Milky Way rises behind the formations to the east. 🌌🌔 What is not seen in the image are all the half-dollar-sized spiders hiding in the nooks and crannies. 😬 Location: Mono Lake, California

Alien Architecture

On this cool and crisp spring night, the rising Milky Way' core pops behind the tufas of Mono Lake. Location: Mono Lake, California

General Midnight

The galactic core of the Milky Way rises over behind Canby's Cross at the Lava Beds National Monument in Northern California. The cross is a memorial to the only US General killed in combat in US history. Location: Lava Beds National Monument, California

Jetty Dawn

Sunrise on the Lighthouse Jetty of Crescent Harbor in California. Location: Crescent City, California

Golden Dawn

This amazing sunrise at the Crescent Harbor looks over the B Street Pier to Whalers Island on the opposite side of the harbor. Location: Crescent City, California

Sun Baked

A California Sea Lion poses in the warm spring sun on a dock at the Crescent City harbor. Location: Crescent City, California

Bloody Talons

The Klamath Basin is the home to the largest concentration of wintering Bald Eagles in the lower 48 states. Often in the winter, a single trip through the southern basin can tally several hundred eagles. This eagle was pitched on a power pole having just eaten lunch. The pole is recently stained red from the blood of the prey. As are the eagle's talons. Location: Klamath Basin

Purple Haze

A blue-hour sunset in far Northern California appears purple in the haze over the Shasta Valley. Captured about 30 minutes after the sunset on the valley floor, the faint last light of the day illuminates the top of snow-covered Mount Shasta in Siskiyou County. In the far distance, the last glow of yellow backlights the Siskiyou and Trinity Mountains. The city lights from Weed, California can be seen at the foot of the Siskiyou Mountains. US Highway 97 stretches across in the distance, illuminated with the headlights of cars as they travel around the magnificent mountain. Throughout the valley, several homes and structures of various types can be seen. Location: Siskiyou County, California, USA.

An Evening with Shasta

This beautiful sunset was captured on a steep hillside on the north side of the Shasta Valley in Northern California, USA. In this composition, the viewer is looking southeast across the valley, over the jagged rocks of Sheep Rock, and into the snow-capped peak of majestic Mount Shasta. The greyish-purplish area on the mountain is the burn scar of the 2021 Lava Fire. Captured during January warm spell, I should have not had access to this location. I would normally be under several feet of snow. Sadly, the area is under severe drought that continues. Location: Siskiyou County, California, USA

Twilight Mountain

In far Northern California sits the majestic 14,000' peak of Mount Shasta. This beautiful volcano dominates the landscape for hundreds of miles. The twilight sunset seen here was captured on a crisp January evening with the Deer Mountain and Grass Lake to the left, jagged Sheep Rock in the middle, Mount Shasta and the Shasta Valley on the right. Location: Siskiyou County, California, USA.

Newell Grain Growers Facility

Located near the BNSF tracks in far Northern California is this beautiful and rustic grain storage facility. I believe the facility is still in use by the Newell Grain Growers. The building has been around for what feels like forever, while patiently waiting for the hands of time. This image was captured in January 2022.

Winter Slumber

This lonely tree is patiently waiting for the arrival of spring. Captured in January 2022 in the Tule Lake National Wildlife Refuge near the Lava Beds National Monument.

Huntin' Does

This beautiful five-point buck was captured in the middle of a herd of does. At the Lower Klamath Lake National Wildlife Refuge in January 2022.

Evening Sniff

Why did the deer cross the road? To catch a sniff of what was on the other side. This majestic four-point buck deer crossed the road on a cool January evening in 2022 along the edge of the Tule Lake NWR and the Lava Beds National Monument.

What Are You Looking At?

Several sea lions sit on a dock in Northern California. One is looking at the camera. Location: Crescent City, California.

Sleeping

A sea lion uses a pair of rumps to prop its head like a pillow while sleeping on a dock in Crescent City. Location: Crescent City, California.

Resting My Eyes

I am not sleeping, you are sleeping. A dark-colored sea lion fights sleep while sitting up. Location: Crescent City, California.

Cat Nap

This sea lion is taking a cat nap on a dock in Crescent City, California. Location: Crescent City, California.

My Spot

A pair of sea lions bark at each other as they fight over territory on a dock in Crescent City California. Location: Crescent City, California.

Hot & Cold

In July of 2020, the Caldwell Fire erupted south of the Lava Beds National Monument in far Northern California. The fire was fueled by hot dry winds and quickly grew to over 80,000 acres. Location: Tulelake, California

The Greatest Generation

One of the most unique sculpture displays is located in Northern California just off US Highway 97 north of Weed. The Living Memorial Sculpture Garden is home to several metal displays depicting military life and heritage. This display is called "The Greatest Generation" and was constructed in honor of those who fought in WWII. The sculpture is inspired by the raising of the flag at Iwo Jima. Location: Living Memorial Sculpture Garden, California.

McArthur's Myst

Located in Northern California east of Redding, is McArthur-Burney State Park home to Burney Falls. A 250-foot wide, 129-foot tall waterfall. Where much of the falls water seeps directly from the rock face. Location: Burney Falls, California

Morning Adventure

While camped at the bottom of Mount Shasta in Northern California, I woke up early to capture sunrise on a cold spring morning. As the sun began to rise, a fresh cup of coffee was brewing on the stove. The sounds of songbirds and the distant whistle of a train horn filled the gentle morning breeze with a joyful serenade. I set up my camera in the middle of the dirt road where I camped nearby and waited for the perfect moment. Light began to illuminate the thin clouds over the mountain. In just moments, sunlight hit the highest peak as it crested the horizon. In what seemed like hours but only minutes, light began to fall on the glaciers, peaks, and valleys of the volcano. At this moment I was at peace. Unfortunately, later that year in a very hot and dry summer. A thunderstorm rolled over the mountain. Lightning struck a high-altitude pine tree just below the tree line and the Lava Fire was born. The wildfire raged on the mountain and burned for several weeks. Severe damage was done to the forest, wilderness, trails, and historic railroad architecture. The Lava Fire burned through this location eliminating the natural green beauty of the valley. Where just a few short weeks earlier, I stood in awe of the majesty of Mother Nature. Before she reminded us of who truly is in charge. Location: Mount Shasta - Klamath National Forest, California