Naturescapes

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Welcoming Spring

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The cold winds blowing down from the Cascades chills me to my very bone. The count of weeks without seeing the blue sky even a single day keep increasing. The struggle to wake up at dark to leave in the freezing hours of the morning, and return hours after sunset is getting to me. The dreaded Seasonal Affective Disorder is upon the Pacific Northwest, and trying to keep spirits up in these trying times requires a spirited effort.

It is this dearth of light that makes spring and summer glorious here, where the rays of sunlight evokes a new awakening, a warmth that revitalizes the soul. And that is why I look forward to the next spring, where the bloom of the tulips heralds the welcome to the new year.

Find this image in my 2019 Calendar.

Skagit Valley

WA USA

Election Day

Tomorrow is election day in the US. It is a Constitutional right, nay, privilege to be able to shape the future of the nation. While your contribution may be a drop in the ocean, it is an important one.

In the past two years, the elected officials on one side have put party over policy, religion over science, bigotry over decency, war-mongering over diplomacy, fear over hope, and chaos over peace. That is not, and should not be the norm. The country deserves better.

I am not a citizen. I am an immigrant. But I have been fortunate enough to avail many opportunities this country had to offer. I have spent enough time to call this nation home. And yet I worry about the future of the democratic principles that was the basis of this nation-state and seem to be eroding away.

I cannot vote yet, but I wish I could. For after all I have seen in my travels through the continent, I still believe in the power of the people.

Go Vote.

Image is from a country road in Acadia National Park in the midst of fall.

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When in New Hampshire

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The weather forecast called for partly cloudy skies with pleasant conditions. But where I was, standing in freezing rain and overcast conditions, the sky clearly hadn't gotten that forecast. But all that didn't matter, for what I was seeing was a sublime fall scenery in the heart of New England.

Standing atop Artist's Bluff in Franconia notch that foggy morning, a carpet of gold stretched in all directions, carpeting the Appalachian range. The twin lanes of the Franconia Notch Parkway stretched into the horizon, bordering a still lake reflecting the golden hues.

Immersed in the tranquil scene, I momentarily forgot about the freezing winds and sleet as I rushed the bluff. Until I stopped shooting.

I wanted to stay and soak in the colors, but there was terrain to cover. And I was glad to leave the frozen bluff that beautiful morning.

Franconia Notch State Park

NH USA

The Season of Colors

The changing of seasons is heralded by nature with a spectacular explosion of colors as the deciduous trees of the temperate climes all over the world start settling down for the winter. While there is no one single factor that triggers the change, it is the combination of lowering light levels, temperature drops and other factors that cause the chlorophyll in the leaves to transform to those vibrant reds, oranges and yellows.

The greater Siberia, Central Europe, North-Eastern US, and Eastern Canada are some of the best places to observe this change of seasons. This particular image was from the Upper Peninsula region in the state of Michigan, a sunrise over Lake Superior with deep pinks in the sky complementing the rich colors of post-peak fall colors by the lake.

Here's hoping all of you get to experience a colorful fall!

Munising

MI USA

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The Eve of Fall

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Fall is around the corner. And while some of the trees out here in the PNW have jumped the gun and started changing already, the majority of the foliage around the country will take its time turning over the old leaf through the months of October and November.

A couple of years ago, I got to experience the magic of the changing colors in the beautiful midwest of US in the heart of Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Walking amidst the yellow forest of dogwoods, maples and oaks over trails softened by layers of fallen leaves was a memorable experience. And even in that short time I spent in the park, I got to experience the essence of this beautiful region. This is one of those quintessential scenes in the park - an wooden stairwell leading to the Brandywine falls amidst the dense foliage.

I am looking forward to another spectacular fall season. Are you?

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

OH USA

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Winding down Summer

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As the smoky summer slowly fades to a refreshing fall, I looked back on some of my favorite wilderness outings in the warm halcyon days in the past few weeks. Sunny weekends flew by as the snow melted off mountain tops, converting ski routes into hiking trails, creating space for trees to grow and flowers to bloom; mountaintops became more accessible, making for photogenic treks and indelible memories

This was one such short trek after a volunteering event with WTA, where I climbed up to an stunning overlook near Mt Baker. From atop here, endless mountain ranges carpeted by green conifers and punctuated by deep river valleys stretched in all directions, with the glacier-capped Mt Baker standing proud amidst the northern reaches of the North Cascades

Mt Baker Recreational Area
WA USA

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Nature's Eye

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Walking under that enormous overhang, the waterfall was a column of thundering white, draining amidst the lush vegetation growing from the plentiful mists all around. The overhang under which I was standing was precarious, jutting a dozen yards in front, and enveloping the deep undercut on either side of this vast gorge. It looked like an eye, a white pupil cutting vertically across gorgeous green iris.

To say that this is a unique occurrence is an understatement - there are very few places where I have seen such a deep undercut, let along with a waterfall as massive as this one. Nevertheless, the lower North Falls in Silver Falls State Park, a natural area with ten beautiful and unique falls, is worth multiple visits.

Silver Falls State Park
OR USA

 

 

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Rolling Hills and Red Barns

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I am back after a long hiatus. And while I haven't been posting, I most certainly have continued to shoot, traveling to some amazing National parks in the desert Southwest, as well as exploring the wonders of the Pacific Northwest, such as the Palouse.

The Palouse has always had a special place in my heart. Having first visited it over 5 years ago, the region of rolling green hills, picturesque barns, historic towns, and a charming rustic life, drew me in once again. And perhaps one of the best places to take in the essence of this unique place is witnessing the sunrise atop Steptoe Butte, a conical butte rising 1000ft above the rolling landscape.

From atop the butte, the lines of shadow and light provide an aerial perspective into the sinuous curves of the farmlands,  creek-beds that wind between the hills, red barns, farmsteads and silos that pepper the region, distant windmills capturing clean energy, and the vast agricultural heartland of Washington. The chaotic sleep schedules, the abundance of dust in the air, and the harsh sunny climate does not make it a destination for everybody, but the place certainly rewards the patient and the perseverent.

This was shot from atop the butte with a telephoto lens at F11, ISO 800 at 1/15s

Steptoe Butte State Park
WA USA

A Bend in the River II

As I came across this bend in the river, ensconced in the vibrant coniferous greenery of the Canadian Rockies, I was reminded of another similar bend in the Colorado river near the town of Page, AZ. While the contrast couldn't be more different, there was common thread that connected these two natural wonders, ie, water.

It was water that carved away the deep gorge in the red sandstone layers of the desert Southwest, and it was water that carved away these layers of sedimentary rock of the geologically young Canadian Rockies. While one region was a waterless desert, this one had all the markings of a lush rainforest, signifying the over-abundance of water.

I enjoyed walking in this forest, even as I was getting soaked in the misty rain that was so typical of this breath-taking region of Canada

Banff National Park
AB Canada

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Magical Galapagos

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The vista stretched endlessly. The blue calm waters of the Pacific wrapped around the tiny island I was atop, while in front, right below the setting sun, lay volcanic cones of various shapes and sizes. The landscape was barren, almost a moonscape, save a few pieces of vegetation: the volcanic soil with its poor nutrients and the harsh windy weather aren't kind to flora and fauna.

And yet, Galapagos is one of the best wildlife hotspots. Phytoplankton thrive at this unique confluence of warm and cold ocean currents, resulting in a region rich in biodiversity. Between the unique avian dwellers and visitors, including the blue and red-footed boobies, the magnificent frigatebirds, albatross, and even penguins, the lush and colorful aquatic life swimming everywhere, the giant iguanas and tortoises, and so many more, you can easily lose track of how amazing this destination is.

The Bartelome island, home to this amazing vista, wasn't originally in my itinerary, but due to scheduling issue, I ended up at the top, and enjoyed this expansive view during the afternoon, with the warm sunlight setting aglow the landscape around. And I was glad I made it

Galapagos
Ecuador