After months of gray skies and dreary weather, the sight of daffodils and tulips popping up in gardens, fields and farms is a delight here in the Pacific Northwest. The colorful flowers are fabulous for photography, and several of the biggest bulb growers in Washington and Oregon open their fields for photographers. Tulips start to show their color in March and the blossoming continues into May, with the big fields usually in their prime around the second and third weeks [read more ...]
February 14 is not only Valentines Day, it is the anniversary of Oregon Statehood. Please enjoy some of my favorite images of this wonderful state, and let me know which are your favorites. To view this slide show in a slightly larger format, or to purchase prints or licensing rights, click on this Oregon Photo Gallery link.
Early May is the prime time for wildflower displays in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. There are a number of locations on both the Oregon and Washington side of the river that are great for finding and photographing wildflowers. Here are three of the best places for getting photos with masses of color. Tom McCall Preserve, pictured above, is a Nature Conservancy holding at Rowena on the Oregon side of the River. An easy stroll just a few [read more ...]
The folks at HostelBookers.com came up with a great idea for sharing stories and photos, and one of my online friends, travel blogger Kathryn of TravelWithKat.com encouraged me to join in the fun. So, here I am taking part in HostelBookers 7 Super Shots. 1. A photo that takes my breath away: The Na Pali Coast on the island of Kauai is truly spectacular. Fly along the coast on a helicopter tour, take a Zodiac or kayak into coves and caves, hike [read more ...]
One of the most scenic places on the Oregon coast is Bandon Beach. It’s one of my personal favorites, and I think it is has some of the most photogenic scenery on the entire west coast. The main attraction for photography is the sea stacks – monolithic rock formations that provide dramatic subject matter for photographers in just about any weather condition. You’d be hard-pressed to find a better location for sunset seascapes. Nowhere else on the coast has such [read more ...]
Spirit Falls, Umpqua Natonal Forest, Cascade Mountains, Oregon. A very scenic drive on Forest Service roads in the Umpqua National Forest will take you to a trio of waterfalls between Cottage Grove and Oakridge, Oregon. I found conditions for photography just about perfect the other day for waterfall photography, with soft light overcast light and good water flow in the creeks thanks to recent rains. To add to the attraction, there is still a bit of fall color left in [read more ...]
National Geographic Traveler magazine recently rated coastal destinations all over the world, with a ranking based on, among other things, environmental health and visitor experience. I am very pleased to find that two of my favorite coasts are among the top-rated. Both the Oregon Coast and the Na Pali Coast on Kauai are, according to the magazine, “In excellent shape, relatively unspoiled and likely to remain so.” The rugged and remote Na Pali coast is one of the scenic wonders [read more ...]
September is National Wilderness Month, so proclaimed by President Obama. I’ve had the good fortune to hike and backpack in several wilderness areas recently, and firmly believe that our federally designated Wilderness areas rank right up there with our National Parks as some of the best things about the U.S.A. There are a number of new and proposed wilderness areas in the Pacific Northwest, places that are now protected, or worthy of protection, for future generations. Nationally, The Wilderness Society [read more ...]
The Old McKenzie Pass Highway, OR 242, has opened for the summer after snow plows were finally able to clear both lanes of the road. This part of the McKenzie Pass – Santiam Pass National Scenic Byway is an incredibly scenic route across Oregon’s Cascade Mountains. Traveling west to east, the highway passes through lush old-growth forest characterized by massive Douglas-fir and western red-cedar trees, makes a series of hairpin turns to climb to the central Cascades, and crosses lava [read more ...]
The Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), recently honored the best books in 50 categories at the 22nd Annual Benjamin Franklin Awards™ in New York City prior to the BookExpo America tradeshow. Photographing Oregon was named best book of the year in the Travel category. Judged by a panel of book industry experts including buyers at wholesale and retail levels, librarians, book critics, design experts, and independent publishing consultants, these books have been scrutinized by individuals involved in the very markets [read more ...]