Forests & Trees
Step into a world brimming with verdant wonder as you advance on a journey through my epic forest and tree photography. Immersed in the lush, untamed beauty of nature, every frame boasts a symphony of colors and textures. Towering giants reach for the sky, their branches intertwined in a dance of resilience and grandeur. Delicate sunrays filter through the emerald canopy, painting a mystical backdrop for cascading waterfalls and hidden trails. Allow my lens to transport you to a captivating realm, where the serenity of the woods and the steadfastness of ancient trees converge in breathtaking harmony.
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.
This lone doe surprised me on my way back to camp at Lava Lake Resort in July 2022. I had just photographed an amazing sunset over the lake when this young lady popped her head up right in front of me. I had the opportunity to watch her for a moment. She stayed in place just long enough for me to compose this shot and catch her chomping on some fresh dinner greens.
At 7532' / 2296m of elevation, Mount Ashland is a dominant peak in the Southern Oregon Skyline as is Mount McLaughlin seen in the distance. Atop of Mount Ashland sits the only ski resort in Southern Oregon. Its tallest and most iconic double chairlift, Ariel, is a skiers bucket list ride. The views from the top of the lift extend over one hundred miles in every direction possible. Here we stand on granite boulders on a clear evening looking north across the Siskiyous, over the Rogue Valley, and into the Cascade Mountain Range. In the very far distance, the peaks of the Crater Lake rim Diamond Peak can be seen. Location: Mount Ashland, Oregon.
The Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon glow in the setting sun. Ridge shadows give way to the evening haze. It feels like you can almost see the Pacific Ocean from here if it were not for the last bit of the Coast Range in the distance. Location: Oregon Siskiyou Mountains
The Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon glow in the setting sun. Ridge shadows give way to the evening haze. It feels like you can almost see the Pacific Ocean from here if it were not for the last bit of the Coast Range in the distance. Location: Oregon Siskiyou Mountains
In the southwest Oregon Coast is the Samuel H. Boardman State Scening Corridor. Arguably some of the most iconic Oregon Coast landscapes can be located here. Here along the Pacific Coast Trail the morning sun is beginning to peek through the coastal fog through the branches of the Douglas Fur forest. Location: Southern Oregon Coast
Siskiyou County, California
A National Park Ranger once told me that Crater Lake has two seasons, winter and August. This is one of the truest statements I have ever heard about the park. Summer days in the park are often warm, sometimes downright hot. While the nights can be cool and crisp. Before you can enjoy the night, there are epic sunsets to behold. 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
Southern Oregon is full of spectacular views - mountains, valleys, forests, rivers, and so much more. One of those special locations is the vista from Chase Mountain in southern Klamath County. On this afternoon, thunderstorms were rolling across the basin. Clouds were zooming by thanks to the high upper level winds. For a split moment, a rift opened up in the canopy allowing a bright shine of light to gleam through into the Klamath River Canyon below. I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to capture this unreal phenomenon. Location: Klamath County, Oregon
Siskiyou County, California
Yosemite National Park, California
Shasta Valley, California
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
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
A cool crisp blue hour morning at Gerber Reservoir in Southern Oregon just before the sun rises over the horizon. Location: Gerber Reservoir, Oregon.
