Vistas of Nicaragua

One of the few things that the central American nation of Nicaragua shares with the Pacific Northwest is the abundance of volcanoes. After all, it is the same ring of fire that stretches down from the Alaskan coast through the narrow isthmus of Central America down to Patagonia. And by virtue of being in the tropics, the volcanoes of Nicaragua can be ascended year around, unlike those of the Pacific Northwest.

Here are views from and of two volcanoes, Concepcion and Mombacha, that dot the Nicaraguan ring of fire.

Nicaragua

Spring in the step

Even though the tulip blooms only last a couple of weeks, they put on a kaleidoscopic show of color that draws in tourists in record numbers. Perhaps it is their fleeting nature that makes them so special - they certainly would lose their charm if their blooms last the entire year.

Which one do you like the most?

Skagit Valley
WA USA

Deserted Alleys

With travel now opening up generally, where are you planning to go next? What are your fondest travel memories?
I still fondly remember walking down narrow alleyways of the walled city in Chefchaouen where every door, walk, step and adornment was dunked in a rich blue color. After immersing myself in the hustle and bustle of a working medina during the day, I returned back early the following morning to capture the place in silence, where the only sounds were those of a barking dog and a crowing rooster.

Chefchaouen
Morocco

Winter Light

On a rare storm-free winter weekend in Washington, I managed to sneak out to the Olympic coast in search of some color after a long spell of the famous PNW greys. Thankfully the sky opened up that weekend for what turned out to be a remarkable sunset. I tried multiple compositions of that sunset, trying to frame the seastack and the small tidepools with the setting sun. This was one such outcome from that memorable sunset

Olympic National Park
WA USA

Light in the glade

Earlier this year, I embarked on an short winter hike on a remarkably sunny day. Hiking through the thin fog that hugged the forest floor, I came across this scene where the sun broke through the fog. I realized this was the perfect opportunity to capture the volumetric lighting enabled by this fog. Specifically, I was looking for the chiaroscuro from the sunlight striking the trees trunks in a specific angle, wile leaving the rest of it in shadows. With the right framing, this can lead to a powerful composition

Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA

Horsetail Falls

Nestled in one of the lush green canyons lining the Columbia river gorge, this waterfall tumbles over an overhang of basalt columns. When I visited this place in spring, I saw the ribbon of white twisting its way through the lush undergrowth. The black walls of the canyon were adorned with fresh growth of mosses and lichens fed by the mist from the gushing falls. From this vantage point, I could spy the trail going under the overhang to give a unique perspective of the waterfall.

Columbia River Gorge
OR USA

Light on the Larches

When I travel outdoors, I am constantly surprised by how life clings on to the barest of environments. While I struggle to grow potted plants indoors, I have found both colorful shrubs and towering trees grow in the tiniest nooks and crannies without any additional help.

Such as this group of larches showing off their golden coat amidst the stark rocky landscape of the eastern Cascades.

Okanogan Wenatchee National Fores
WA USA