The surest sign of fall across north-western US and most of Canada is the larches changing to a golden yellow in unison. Out in the PNW, this synchronized phenomenon happens like clockwork across all the major larch forests in early October. And for the most part, these forests lay hidden in the higher altitudes and require a bit of effort to get up and see the golden palettes.
And even though the show is brief, I savor every moment of hiking under a canopy of vibrant orange larch forest.
You can purchase my 2024 calendar at this link. And as before, all proceeds get donated to the Sierra Club Foundation
Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest
WA USA
Idyll in the Wild
And finally, not all winter destinations in the Pacific Northwest are of snow-covered landscapes. There are a few low-altitude destinations that are accessible year around, and provide spectacular vistas for photography on crisp winter days. This is one such location in the Olympics that I visited on a rare sunny day in the Pacific Northwest
Olympic National Park
WA USA
A National Park Journey - Yellowstone National Park
For all the hype that was Yellowstone, my first visit to this park, that was popularized by the various representations of Old Faithful in cartoons and movies, failed to live up to expectations. While the entire geyser basin with its innumerable hotsprings, geysers and colored thermal pools were otherworldly, it felt repetitive. Except for the Grand Prismatic Spring with its cornucopia of colors, Yellowstone didn't capture my heart the way Grand Teton did on my first visit there.
I really didn't grasp all the intricate machinations of Yellowstone until subsequent visits where I got to ascend mountain peaks that gave an overview of the vast landscape that stretched in all directions, and where I got to observe the intricate relationships between the flora and fauna, and between wolves, grizzlies and vast herds of bison. I realized at that point that Yellowstone offered far more than what met the eye: the complexity of the ecosystem and the unique land was far more than what I could comprehend. I don't think photos can ever do justice to this, but that didn't stop me from trying during those visits. This image was of a summer sunrise in Hayden Valley, with the morning rays catching the rising fog from the warmer waters of the Yellowstone River.
Yellowstone National Park
WY USA
The Texture of Sunset
It had been a long and cold day, and my energy was sapped the lack of any sunlight on that long drive down the Oregon Coast. As the sun disappeared behind the grey mass of clouds, I thought it was going to be the last light of day, and I was getting ready to turn back.
And it was around then that I started seeing tinges of color on the horizon, a pale pink that was slowly starting to spread over, seemingly breathing blood to the the sky. And within a span of minutes, the western horizon was laced with a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows and pinks. On the smooth surface of the sand bar that only appears at low tide, the colors of the sky reflected like a Roarsch painting in vibrant technicolor.
A seagull braved the cold winds to pose for me (or so I like to think) for this colorful sunset on the Oregon coast.
Tillamook County
OR USA
Grade of Light
As a photographer, I crave sunrises. The appeal of this short window of time is the game of chance one plays in being at the right light and color. There are occasions where you are at the right place but the light isn't there, and then there are others when the light is amazing and you are stuck staring at it from a bedroom window. When both come together, it can create a unforgettable yet fleeting moment.
And every sunrise is unique; it can range all the way from the clouds on the eastern horizon taking on an deep pink tinge that slowly creeps across the sky, to beautiful alpenglows in mountain country, to something as simple as this: a gradation of different hues of a pre-dawn sky reflecting on the still waters of a lake
See a few more different sunrises in my 2021 calendar created in support of the National Park Foundation, available here: https://www.lulu.com/en/us/shop/sathish-jothikumar/2021-photography-calendar/paperback/product-gpj74q.html
St Ignace
MI USA
Hidden Gems
In my four days of wandering the Appalachian foothills, I found that the real wonder of the region is not in the Smoky Mountains or the famed Blue Ridge Parkway, but in the national forests that surround the east to west spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Peaceful lakes with undisturbed trails and bountiful waterfalls adorn the undulating and lush landscape of the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests.
I enjoyed the serenity of one such lake in western North Carolina far more than I thought I would, and it was only my first day in this beautiful part of the country.
Nantahala National Forest
NC USA
Heart of the Isles
I had never expected a country filled with beautiful scenery, with windswept mountains alternating with blissfulyl green hills, with rugged coastlines interspersed by petite towns, to be also so culturally rich and full of character and passion. It was a study in contrast going from the capital city of Dublin, where tradition and modernity wove a tangled web of commerce and industry, to the pastoral countryside replete with old castles, charming town centers, delightful bed-and-breakfasts, and the ever-ubiquitous Irish pubs with lively folk music.
It wasn't a country that wowed me with grand spectacle the likes of Iceland and Chile, but it was the hidden charm of the little things that I got to discover exploring around. I wish I could return there under better conditions. Meanwhile, here is a sampling from the heart of the isles
Ireland
One for the Earth
No day passes without news about the endless reckless pillage of the resources of the single planet that currently sustains life. And while that wanton destruction can be gut-wrenchingly painful, I am glad that we have set aside areas for protecting for the future generation. It requires a foresight for selflessness that is hard to find in a society that values short term gains over long term prudence. Let Earth day be a reminder to appreciate this clairvoyance and sense of conservation.
After all, we have but one Earth. Lets take one for the planet. Donate to your favorite earth-friendly non-profit, volunteer with your local charities, or do one little act that will help preserve the delicate balance of nature.
Sabrina Lake Basin
Bishop CA
Cratered Lake
"Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in the office or mowing your lawn..."
Looking back, I am glad my curiosity for what's around the corner peaked at the right time: when I had both the income to travel and when my passion for photography grew. The travel has given me a rich treasure trove of memories and experiences that, accumulated over time, I value more than income I have earned.
Waking up that early morning a few years ago on that tiny village perched over the lip of Laguna Quilotoa proved to be a fortunate choice: I was able to witness a truly amazing spectacle in Ecuador: a glistening blue lake amidst the rugged Andean terrain forming the volcanic spine of the country. This, along with the day-long hike around the lake, is one such experience I will never forget.
Laguna Quilotoa
Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador