Snow & Ice
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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
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.
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.
Siskiyou County, California
In early July of 2022 small patches of snow could still be found at Crater Lake including this one inside the caldera at Discovery Point. On this cool summer evening, the winds at the surface were calm but winds at cloud level were fierce. Blowing from the south to the north. Working the wind to my advantage a long exposure created mystical streaking cloud formations and showcased the rotation of the earth through the stars in the sky. Location: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon.
One of my all time favorite images and best sellers is "Whitebark and the Wizard." It is an amazing piece but, I never liked how faded the galactic core appeared. For several years, I planned to recreate the image. I patiently waited for the right time of year - to position the Milky Way just right. With just the perfect amount of moonlight to illuminate the foreground, whitebark tree, and Wizard Island. It all came together when a beam of headlights kicked off from Discovery Point to add a little something extra to the capture. Location: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon.
On a warm night in July 2022, Mother Nature kicked off an amazing display of the Northern Lights. The aurora was visible as south as Northern California. On this night, I visited Crater Lake, Oregon with the hope of capturing the lights over the park and they did not disappoint. Through some planning, I realized the best views of the aurora on this night would not be over the lake but rather over the northwestern side of the park toward Mt. Thielsen 15-miles north. Location: Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
White snow-covered Wizard Island pops against the deep blue color of Crater Lake. Winter is by far my favorite time to visit the lake, it is when the park is at its most beautiful.
A unique panorama of the entire Crater Lake caldera. Looking left to right on the pano, the Sinnott Overlook can be seen inside the caldera rim followed by Watchman and Hillman Peaks. Wizard Island and Llao can be seen before looking further right. On the right, Mt. Scott and Garfield Peak round out the pano. Location: Crater Lake, Oregon
The Sinnott overlook is one of the few places to stand inside the Crater Lake caldera. In this image, the large boulders used to construct the overlook can be seen in front of the reflection of Watchman Peak in the lake. Location: Rim Village, Crater Lake NP, Oregon
The Sinnott overlook is one of the few places to stand inside the Crater Lake caldera. In this image, the large boulders used to construct the overlook can be seen in front of the reflection of Watchman Peak in the lake. Location: Rim Village, Crater Lake NP, Oregon
Winter reflections of the Crater Lake caldera are a wonderous spectical to see in person. On this day, the wind was so still the reflection gave the illusion that the rim was twice as tall and the water was made of clouds. Location: Crater Lake, Oregon
The wind rarely stops blowing across the Crater Lake, but when it does, it acts as a large mirror reflecting the rim, islands, and sky. Creating an amazing optical illusion. Location: Crater Lake, Oregon
There are several peaks that circle the Crater Lake caldera. The one seen here is Hillman Peak on the western side of the caldera. I just love how the snow has fallen across the peak and inside the rim. The patterns, the shadows, and if looking closely one can see the tippy tops of evergreen trees buried in the snow. Location: Crater Lake, Oregon.
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.
Yosemite National Park, California
Siskiyou County, California
Yosemite National Park, California
Shasta Valley, California
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
