End of an year

At first glance, it just seems like a regular sunset view over the Puget Sound by Seattle in the Pacific northwest. But observe closely and you can spot the telltale signs of high altitude winds from the layers of undulating cloud patterns in the sky. These high altitude cloud patterns are the result of layers of wind blowing over mountain ranges that dot the western coast of Washington state. And these layers will often catch the colorful sunset light, adding to extra drama in the image.

A Washington State Ferry departing to Bainbridge island from Seattle adds to the visual interest in this scene overlooking the sound.

Here is to a closure on 2024, a tumultuous year for many in this world.

Seattle
WA USA

Endless Mountains of the North Cascades

It is not particularly easy to get a bird's eye vista of the North Cascades mountains. Unlike the Sierra Nevadas or the Rockies, where several high-altitude roads provide easy access to trailheads, one must really work to climb high up and get those airy vistas. Or head to the trails of Mt Rainier National Park that snake upwards from the Sunrise visitor center.

While hiking along the Skyline trail on a late summer afternoon, I turned back to take a glimpse of the Nisqually valley with the river cutting through the rocky tree-covered slopes of the lower Cascades. Through the summer smog, one could glimpse the silhouette of a series of endless mountains making up the horizon view, each one hiding new vistas and new opportunities to explore. I tried to capture the grand beauty of the scene, but a camera can only do so much. This was shot at ISO 1600, at F/11 for 1/1500 (the only reason for such a high ISO was that I forgot to change the settings)

Mt Rainier National Park
WA USA