It had been ages since I had been to the waterfall, but the moment I entered the glade where the waterfall was nestled in, memories started flooding in: a tall column of stark white water set against the dark and sinuous basalt columns, a gushing creek flowing under a mossy wooden bridge, surrounded by the fresh greenery of spring. I still remembered the refreshing scent of petrichor, the ice-cold spray from the fall, and the thunderous roar echoing through the canyon.
Such was the impact of this lovely waterfall along the Columbia River
Columbia River Gorge
OR USA
The Rocky Frontier
This was one of the most torturous climbs I had ever done, partly due to the fact that it was a fourteener and I hadn't really acclimatized, and partly because I was climbing up in snow which caused traction issues. I still remember reserving all my stamina for the final push to the summit just so that I could have this panoramic view of this amazing mountainscape. Snow-capped peaks towered above the undulating landscape in all directions on this blue-bird day, the last of a rare weeklong stint of sun in the Rockies
White River National Forest
OR USA
Tulip Star
It pays occasionally to dip below the line of flowers to capture a photo of the one
I was looking to capture unique compositions of the tulip fields when I noticed that the sun was very low on the horizon. I realized that I could use the dense rows of tulips to block the sun, and capture a sunstar when the tulips swayed with the wind. After a few trials, this was the final composition
Skagit Valley
WA USA
The Misty Woods
Visiting the Columbia Gorge in the midst of a thunderstorm means that not only are you going to get pelted by rain, but you also get the occasional bouts of sunlight. And that light can add an ethereal and primeval feel to the waterfalls of the canyon. This was one of those waterfalls gushing from the recent rain-showers of April
Columbia River Gorge
OR USA
Odd one out
One of my classic takes with the spring tulip blossoms of the Pacific Northwest is photographing the odd ones out. I seek out the oddball misfits and the mis-colored ones amongst the uniform rows of neatly planted tulips. I presumed that these bulbs were planted either intentionally or they just crept it. Regardless, they form a great subject to add contrast when shooting tulips
Skagit Valley
WA USA
Frozen Sentinels
While we are slowly transitioning from spring to summer in the lowlands of the Pacific Northwest, the mountains are still winter wonderlands, and it will be a while before it takes on a summer coating. Meanwhile, there is still plenty of snow to enjoy.
Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA
Carpet of flowers
Every spring, the streets and parks of Seattle are ablaze with a variety of floral blooms, from the bright cherry blossoms, the vibrant camelias, the regal magnolias, the colorful tulips and daffodils to the tiny flowering plants including daisies, phloxes and bluebells. I found this carpet of lawn daisies at a park in Seattle particularly captivating
Seattle
WA USA
Cabin in the woods
Even though it is spring in the Pacific Northwest, it doesn't feel like one. The temperature still dips below zero in the mountains, and the clouds still bring snow down to the lower elevation. It is in times like these I often fancy escaping to a cozy cabin, complete with a sauna, hot tub and all the creature comforts.
Many thanks to the Pine Marten cabin for this snug cabin which left me filled with hygge.
Packwood
WA USA
Rolling Greens of Palouse
The velvety greens of Palouse have me salivating for a trip to eastern Washington in summer. It is a landscape remarkably different from the urban scenes of Seattle, the lush forested landscape of the PNW or the snow-capped summits of the Cascades. And in the right light and location, Palouse really shines.
Steptoe Butte State Park
WA USA
Above Eagle Falls
The draw of Emerald bay in Lake Tahoe is its unique setting: a large bay in an even larger lake, ringed by mountains and thick pine forests. It used to be one of my favorite haunts when I lived in California, for, in the right light, it offered remarkable opportunities for hiking and photography.
Emerald Bay State Park
CA USA