Gunnison Canyon

The Black Canyon of the Gunnison River National Park was a majestic spectacle of nature’s contrasts: a mountainous landscape that bore the mark of the Gunnison river’s relentless carving, as well as a serene river canyon that offered a refuge of tranquility in a verdant riparian forest.

I was drawn to this awe-inspiring park by its contrast a few years ago and explored its diverse landscapes, where I felt a surge of curiosity at every turn. I wished I had delved deeper into the mysteries of geology as I gazed down from the cliff’s edge at the profound chasm, whose steep walls were adorned by intricate patterns of minerals that had emerged from the rock.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
CO USA

The lollipop swirl

The ferris wheel in Seattle often features patterns relevant to current affairs. On Valentines day, it featured a red heart, and for the majority of 2022, it featured the Ukrainian flag. But on this day, it featured a pattern I had never seen before - a spiral pattern that reminded me of a lollipop with a swirl. And so, even though the sunset burn wasn't as colorful, the ferris wheel more than made up for it.

Seattle
WA USA

Footsteps to the Past

Every step you take in the sand dunes is a mark of your journey. You may not see where you are going, but you can look back and see where you have been. The wind may erase your footsteps, but it cannot erase your memories. The sand may shift and change, but it cannot change who you are.

Great Sand Dunes National Park
CO, USA


Winter Blues

It is going to be a frigid weak ahead. Icy winds from the north will push the mercury to below freezing in the latter half of the week. And it is likely going to result in conditions that create this scene over the weekend.

How are you going to prepare for the cold wave?

Olympic National Park
WA USA

Seceda

Not many have heard of a place called Seceda. However, the moment one looks at this photo of this jagged peaks, they can immediately recognize this iconic formation. I was fortunately to arrive and witness this amazing scene just in the nick of time. The valley was socked in clouds until the late afternoon, and it wasn't until 3pm did the fog descend revealing this amazing landscape.

Feathered Dust

I was exploring the snowy landscape of Mt. Baker Wilderness last week right after a fresh storm had dumped a few inches of snow. I had attempted to hike up in the dead of the night to catch a sunrise, but it was not as spectacular as I had hoped. The saving grace was observing the motion of snow as the gusts of wind picked it up and blew it around like sand.

Mt Baker Wilderness
WA USA

Glaciers in Fall

There are some photos which require a lot of planning just to get every aspect of the composition, lighting and timing just right. And then there are others which are a consequence of the circumstance of being at the right place at the right time. While on a drive in the Matanuska-Susitna Valluy (the Mat-Su as the locals call it), I spied this amazing landscape of a vast glacier descending behind a colorful meadow sporting fall foliage. I pulled over the next turnout at the right moment just before the view disappeared. The contrast between the vast greys of the glacier juxtaposed by the vibrant reds look far better in print. And you can experience it for yourself in my 2023 calendar, available for purchase at this link.

Mat-Su valley
AK USA

Alpine Meadows

The Italian Dolomit hold a special place in my heart. Its combination of rugged mountain landscape comprised of jagged peaks arising in subgroups without a pattern, interspersed by beautiful alpine meadows with cows still ringing about, and cute Tyrolean villages villages linked by scenic byways make it a haven for the hiker in me seeking better creature comforts.

And this scene from the Seceda area of the Dolomiti highlights the amazing landscape of the UNESCO World Heritage site. And this is one of the 13 photos featured in my 2023 calendar available to purchase at this link.

Val Gardena
South Tirol, Italy

A Lookout to Remember

There is something appealing about waiting at a fire lookout until the sun sets and the sky turns crimson. The crowds that throng the lookout till sunset slowly melt away, leaving oneself to enjoy the solitude of dusk. As time drags on, the deep blue hues of the distant ranges become more pronounced while stars slowly start making an appearance.

Earlier in the summer, I got to experience this moment, as I waited to make peace with the night. And the moment I snapped this composition, I realized that it would be a keeper.

You can find this and many more images in my 2023 Calendar. Use this link, and use the code CM25 to get 25% off today.

Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA

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2023 Photography Calendar

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My 2023 landscape and nature photography calendar is now available for sale through Lulu

This calendar showcases a wide variety of landscapes from the frozen slopes of the Arctic and the Pacific Northwest to the sun-drenched cities of Italy. With the pandemic easing, we have been blessed to be able to travel and explore the different corners of the country and the world. And this calendar has captured my favorite memories and experiences.

And remember, this calendar is for a good cause - all proceeds will get donated to Sierra Club Foundation. We are gifted to have such amazing public lands, and having visited 54 National Parks and many more wilderness areas, I have come to realize the vital importance of our public lands system in protecting and preserving nature, culture, wildlife, and landscapes for the future. The Sierra Club Foundation helps secure protections for public lands and waters, promote healthy ecosystems and communities, and fight for clean air and water, and build a diverse, inclusive environmental movement that reflects and represents today’s American public, and prioritizes important connections between environmental health and social justice.

Seattle WA
USA