cascades

lake whatcom
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lake whatcom
i found this scene one fall morning before work. it is very quieting for me and captures the always rising and drifting mist of the coastal foothills in the northwest.

glacier peak
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glacier peak
glacier peak is a remote volcano in the 576,865 acre glacier peak wilderness along the rugged cascade range. It2019s 10,540 foot summit dominates this incredibly wild and beautiful area. I camped on top of portal peak for a few days waiting for some good shots and to sniff the fresh air. every day was clear and at sunset you could watch the clouds drift up the valleys like commuters lazily coming home after a days work until fog and mist shrouded everything and sleep comes. every dawn, the clouds would leave again. this photo was taken at sunrise as the clouds went off to spread rain and make shapes for dreamers who look up in a moment of boredom.

focus on fairhaven
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focus on fairhaven
I used some tilt for this shot so that only the cute and wonderful little borough of fairhaven would be in focus. across bellingham bay, the shore drive on the lummi indian reservation is a great drive because of the view of mount baker and the sisters range.

lake padden path
lake-padden-path.jpg
lake padden path
i was finishing a mountain bike ride behind the lake when i noticed that the sun shines right into this tunnel of alder branches in the late afternoon. i noted the time, came back the next day and waited for some folks to enter the frame.

maple leaf
maple-leaf.jpg
maple leaf
while doing some 201Cbefore work201D errands one morning, i saw this japanese maple leaf dancing in the wind on a spider thread. after shooting a roll of film to make sure i got the leaf in focus, i stood there watching......... breathing.

north cascades sunrise
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north cascades sunrise
the top of winchester mountain is fairly sharp and gets quite a round dome of snow on it by springtime. i thought it's shape went well with the mountains to the northeast as the sun just began it's daily duty of lighting up the world.

winthrop ponderosa forest
winthrop-ponderosa-forest.jpg
winthrop ponderosa forest
winthrop ponderosa forest
ponderosa forests are magical because of the aroma they waft into the wind of rum raisin or vanilla. they rarely grow so close as to crowd out the sun, remaining open for the light to visit and stay a while which lets grasses and all kinds of flowers grow where they please.

winchester boulders
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winchester boulders
this boulder was probably split apart by the freeze thaw cycle of water seeping deep into cracks. it almost looks like an egg that has given birth to some unknown being. i rarely shoot black and white, but this shot seems fitting for the media.

portal peak
portal-peak-2.jpg
portal peak
taken in glacier peak wilderness at sunset with the clouds coming home for a moisture recharge over the snow fields. this wilderness area is just the most beautiful I have seen. the light was incredible the way it lit up the small tundra plants and the small summit cairn. just under 7000 feet, portal peak is a great place to feed cordura packs and wool hats to marmots.