I certainly count myself to be blessed to be living within a stone's throw of the Mighty Tahoma, even though my opinion might change when the big one finally erupts. Being this close affords me opportunities to visit the beautiful alpine terrain in different seasons. Late in the summer, I chanced upon a bountiful bloom of purple lupine flowering on the grassy slopes of Mount Rainier. The backlit flowers provided the perfect foreground to juxtapose against the colossal snow-capped slopes of Rainier.
Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA
A National Parks Journey - Glacier Bay National Park
Theodore Roosevelt National Park was my 49th National Park that I had visited on my journey to the 63 parks. And my 50th had to be special. When I raised it to my partner, she recommended that we visit the spectacular Glacier Bay National Park. At first glance, the name just brought up imagery of vast mountain ranges getting slowly carved by glaciers, and long fjords bristling with tidewater glaciers descending down from the peaks. But after visiting there, I realized that it was so much more than that.
The park isn't easy to access - but it certainly isn't the hardest one to access in the 49th state. It required two flights to get to the lightly populated island of Gustavus, and the Park itself featured only one hotel and one campground, despite encapsulating a substantial area in Alaska. But it was its remoteness and lack of accessibility that made the experience so much better. Compared to the crowds in parks of Utah, this felt completely isolated. And yet, the Park had so much to offer, featuring rich history and culture that felt alive, and, of course, bountiful nature.
Colorful displays in the visitor center tell the story that led to the creation of the park, starting with the rapid advance of the Grand Pacific Glacier in the 18th century that pushed away the Tlingit settlements who had lived there for hundreds of years. In addition, tastefully done ranger programs tell the narrative of the lives of the Tlingit disrupted by the advance of the glacier, the creation of the Park and the subsequent conflict with the Tlingit, as well as the efforts taken now by the Park system to preserve, protect and enrich this rich cultural heritage. And finally, the day cruise into the tidewater basin, which I highly recommended, showcases the complex ecosystem in the nutrient rich waters of Glacier Bay which served as home for humpbacks which rear their calves, seals and sea lions who are year-round denizens, plethora of migratory seabird species, and the iconic grizzlies fishing along the undulating shoreline.
And to frame all this is the vast glacial landscape where tidewater glaciers descend down from the snow-capped peaks to meet the freezing waters of the Pacific. It is a landscape so challenging to explore except by water. And I hope to return one day to explore its rugged backcountry.
Glacier Bay National Park
AK USA
Spring in the Air
My normal travels during April would have taken me to seek out the bountiful spring blossoms across the state and country. But this is not a normal year. Most of my planned travels have taken a backseat to the ongoing pandemic. I just hope the beautiful blooms continue to happen, providing sustenance for the tiny pollinators that are responsible for this kaleidoscopic shows of color.
As for now, if the long road ahead seems daunting, pause to think how far we have come, and how much impact we have already had in containing this pandemic.
Southern California
Spring Greens
The golden hills of California stay golden for a reason - the lack of rains through summer and fall. So when the rains do appear, the golden hills of California turn green, the barren oak trees sport new leaves, and colorful wildflowers sprout across the state. And as a nature photographer, hunting around for such idyllic Californian landscapes was an endeavor I looked forward to every spring.
I found this beautiful scene while on one such trip out to the Table Mountain Ecological Reserve near the town of Oroville. Here is to hoping that this year is just as colorful.
North Table Mountain Ecological Reserve
CA USA