https://www.imagesbylm.com/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/wildlife/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/modernblackandwhite/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/landscape-photography/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/yellowstone/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/horse-photography/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/winter/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/ai-nature-art/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/evo-portraits/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/blog/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/gallery/caddolake/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/page/about/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-badlands-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Badlands-2.jpg The Badlands Not the easiest place to get out too but once you are there, you feel like you stepped on to Mars. New Mexico https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/diamond-trees/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Diamond-Trees.jpg Diamond Trees Beautiful ice crystal trees show off their sparkle near the thermal features in Yellowstone. hellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-fire-below/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Fire-Below.jpg The Fire Below So many predictions as to when people think that Yellowstone might erupt. Hiking through the geothermal areas in the winter, the sounds of hot water bubbling and hissing sounds, clearly explains there is a storm brewing underground. yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-path/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Path.jpg Winter Path I love finding small tight places tucked in the trees that show a path or a direction leading someplace. These type of compositions make for beautiful fine art prints and lead the viewer right into the scene. yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/quotation/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Quotation.jpg Quotation These stray bobby Sock Trees look like quotation marks. Beautiful morning sunrise in Yellowstone. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/slot-canyon-gold/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Slot-Canyon-Gold.jpg Slot Canyon Gold Beautiful slot canyons are such an adventure. A hike through shows so many different compositions to shoot. This canyon is a place where you get sensory overload because of all the beauty around you. I think to myself, where do you even want to start? Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/moss-and-fern/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Moss-and-Fern.jpg Moss and Fern There is something so deeply special to me about the rainforest. This feels like home, home in my soul. This is where I spent my childhood with my mother. Just her and I hiking rainforest trails picking Blackberrys for pie. My Mother is from Washington State and we were here every year to hike the rainforest or Ruby Beach. I think there is no other place on earth that makes me feel more connected to my mother than here. She passed away in 2012 and when I am here, I can feel her all around me like she is right beside me walking with me. Deeply personal and just warms my soul. Washington https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/golden-carolina/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Golden-Carolina.jpg Golden Carolina I was so excited to find this hidden trail!!! Maybe it is not so hidden as it appears to clearly be walked on but as many times as I have hiked here, I have never seen it. I cannot wait to go back and shoot this again in the Fall. I have some new ways I would like to compose this. Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-canyon-strike/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Canyon-Strike.jpg The Canyon Strike The Canyons are beautiful after a hard rain. Monsoon season brings in some epic storms. Once the stone and Canyon Walls are saturated with water, the deep colors and contrast seems to really pop out. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canyon-first-light/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canyon-First-Light.jpg Canyon First Light The drive up to this view is a long steep winding road. I shot this in the month of October and temps were pretty cold. I got to the top and car camped with friends so that we could catch the first morning light in the canyon. Having to start the car several times throughout the night to get warm, the sleeping bag was just not warm enough. Got up early and hiking out in the dark we first photographed the moon over the canyon which was very cool. I will post that image in this gallery soon. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/desert-waves/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Desert-Waves.jpg Desert Waves I am not sure I could ever get tired of shouting out here. Once the sun sets in this epic location, the true beauty of this place is revealed. A wonderful place to shoot stars at night with no light pollution. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/388/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/GJ6A4533-Edit-2-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/387/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/GJ6A4533-Edit-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/monsoon-canyons/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Monsoon-Canyons.jpg Monsoon Canyons I think this is a place that can be initially sensory overload to photograph. I will not disclose this location simply due to the fact that is getting so over-run with people. The last time I was out here to shoot I noticed that someone carved a name into the canyon wall structure. Why, why put you personal stamp on natures work of art, its not yours to mark up. If we do not take care and preserve these unique national treasures, we simply will not be able to visit them anymore. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/october-canyon-storm/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/October-Canyon-Storm.jpg October Canyon Storm I think this image best described the Monsoon Season in AZ. These storms roll in fast and can be very unpredictable. Getting stuck in the Canyon Lands during Monsoon can be deadly due to dangerous flash floods. I have car camped in the desert during a heat monsoon storm and that was one. long night. Pitch dark, heavy rains in this environment can feel very concerning. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/carolina-mountain-time/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/_E3A9706-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg Carolina Mountain Time This is the start of spring in the Carolina Mountains when the colors start to pop. Beautiful pink flowers mixed in with lush ferns make these trails one sunning hike. Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/monterey-magic/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Monterey-Magic.jpg Monterey Magic So Many special places to pull off and shoot in Monterey. It really is where the ocean meets the trees. Where else due you get ocen-scapes mixed with Redwood Forest opportunities. California https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/a-room-with-a-view/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Room-with-a-View.jpg A Room with a View If you had to ask for a room with a view I am thinking this would be it. No rooms out here. This is a hike to get out here. I shot this place with my friend Kim in a huge storm with crazy winds. She is my only friend that is the same as me that would stand out in what felt like you were standing in the shower to shoot. Kim looked at me during this and yelled out "This is Great". This is as water was pouring down her face. I yelled out "Epic" and I could see the water spray off my face. Cold water just soaked us and yet we have never had so much fun! Hard to see but sea lions were out jumping in surf enjoying the storm too. California https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-art-in-caddo/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Art-in-Caddo.jpg The Art in Caddo It is hard to believe there has been no increased saturation in this image. If anything I have to back off the natural color to help reveal the detail in the mosses. Packed full of color in the Fall, the Texas swamps are an explosion of natural color. Caddo Lake https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/cabin-in-the-swamp/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Cabin-in-the-Swamp.jpg Cabin in the Swamp Even though this is a photographers dream place, it is also home to fisherman. Old fishing piers and structures are tucked into the landscape of the Texas Swamps. This one is really beautiful in the trees due to the rusted roof and weathered wood. Caddo Lake https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-relentless-coyote/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Relentless-Coyote.jpg The Relentless Coyote I have no idea how much ground these guys can cover in a day but this Coyote stayed in hot pursuit after another Coyote for quite a long distance. Was not sure if it was male and female of it they were hunting together. The two paced about 30 feet apart and covered a lot of ground. I think photographing the Coyote is under-rated. They are really quite beautiful and watching them never gets old. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/mothers-day/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Mothers-Day.jpg Mothers Day The most precious things are closer than you think. Taken at the farm where I keep my horse. I love a little cow time. Baby belted cow just born, just a few days old here loving on it's mom. This image makes me think of a state fair agriculture and livestock show. I think these two would win a blue ribbon for cuteness. NOTE: This image may be sold as a final sale shortly to a local restaurant and no longer available. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-oreo/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Oreo.jpg The Oreo The most precious things are closer than you think. Taken at the farm where I keep my horse. I love a little cow time. Baby belted cow just born, just a few days old here. This image makes me think of a state fair agriculture and livestock show. I think these two would win a blue ribbon for sure North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/belted-baby-oreo/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Belted-Baby-Oreo.jpg Belted Baby Oreo The most precious things are closer than you think. Taken at the farm where I keep my horse. I love a little cow time. A sweet little baby belted cow just born, just a few days old here. Some call them Oreo's but they are Belted Galloway's. Carolina Dogwood trees behind the baby with sunlight starting to pop through. I about dropped my camera in the mud as I scrambled to set up quickly before he ran off to his mother. Things happen fast at the barn and never a dull moment. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/375/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Colorado-Moose-Early-Morning-Breakfast-.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/in-the-weeds/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/In-the-Weeds.jpg In the Weeds Beautiful early morning light provides a glowing natural filter behind this stunning Cow Moose in Colorado. Mooseville https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/moose-hour/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Moose-Hour.jpg Moose Hour Such a sight to be in the presence of Moose. These creatures are very large and no matter how sweet faced they look, they aren't. When photographing Moose you need to give them a lot of room. They can move very quickly and can be very aggressive. Good to always check your six in Moose country. Colorado https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-mirror/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Mirror.jpg The Mirror Beautiful Coyote jogs along this river in Yellowstone looking for his next meal. Stopping every few steps to closely listen for any sound near the ground. These guys have excellent hearing and sharp eyesight and once they lock in on something the game is over. Cool reflection of Coyote next to river as he gets closer. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/371/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/_E3A1893-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-survival/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-Bison-Survival.jpg Winter Survival Probably one of my most favorite images and by far one of my most favorite moment and also one of the best stories EVER behind this image. This story will be found in my blog, stay tuned for that. Bison here just trying to warm up from a frigid -12 degree day in the warm water from the geothermal waters. It is not uncommon for Bison to have burns on their legs and bodies from the hot water. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-prince/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Prince.jpg The Prince It is not the most common sight to see Elk in the rainforest. I have a very special place I go to see these beauties and if you do not make a lot of noise, they will let you stay for dinner. Washington https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/leadership/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Leadership.jpg Leadership What is it that put one Bison out front where he leads and makes the decisions for the heard. Not always the tallest or strongest. Perhaps it is leadership by assumption or could it be maternal or even nurturing. I love to think about "the why" when it comes to heard behavior. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/lunch-buddy/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Lunch-Buddy.jpg Lunch Buddy These two friends enjoying a little brunch together. I had these two moose all to myself after sunrise for about 25 min before other photographers showed up. By then these two had retreated into the woods. It was a pretty awesome sight. Moose are much larger in person then how they photograph. Colorado https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/confidence/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Confidence.jpg Confidence Wings up, chest out and act like you own the place! The confidence an Egret puts off is really beautiful. They have a certain grace about them and beauty about the, A Snow White Egret takes off at sunset in front of some backlit trees making quite the beautiful image. Caddo Lake https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/owner-3/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/_E3A6840-Enhanced-NR.jpg Owner https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/owner-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/_E3A5219.jpg Owner https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/363/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20151101-GJ6A6216.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/abraham-shoreline/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Abraham-Shoreline.jpg Abraham Shoreline Shooting from the middle of this lake is quite an awesome experience but the shoreline on Abraham is also beautiful. I have not explored the other side of this lake yet and that is a bucket list item for me to explore. My goal is to shoot it in the late spring to hopefully catch the trees in the blue waters. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canadian-snow-melt/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canadian-Snow-Melt.jpg Canadian Snow Melt Rivers flow strong through the Canadian Rockies after a big snow melt. In some portions of the river it is like a washing machine below and not a place you would ever want to slip and fall. I can't help but think of that when I am close to the water shooting. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-badlands/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Badlands.jpg The Badlands The Bisti Badlands look like you stepped into Mars. Hiking in to this incredible place is easy, you have the daylight on your side. Hiking out after sunset can feel a bit scary. Coyotes call out across the desert-lands and feel very close by. It is always a comfort to finally make it back to your rig and shut the door. New Mexico https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/iceland-meadows/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Iceland-Meadows.jpg Iceland Meadows Iceland has the most beautiful meadows and rolling hills. Low cloud banks settle into local hills and mountains making a lush landscape. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/linn-cove-sunset/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Linn-Cove-Sunset.jpg Linn Cove Sunset The Linn Cove Viaduct is a portion of the Parkway that has a stunning view over the Blue Ridge Mountains. There are several ways to photograph this beautiful portion of the Parkway. One view point is shooting up from under the bridge and there is another view point from a higher elevation. But the best time to capture this interesting roadway is in the fall. Blue Ridge Parkway https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/moonstruck/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Moon-Struck.jpg Moon-struck This was a fun image to edit. This was one of my Arizona images combined with a sky replacement overlay and not the actual sky from this landscape. The actual sky can be seen on another image from the same shoot in this gallery of images. Working on certain editing skills can force you to stay in front of changing technology in digital imaging. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/owner-9/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/_E3A1074-Edit-2.jpg Owner https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/god-rays/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/God-Rays.jpg God Rays What a morning in Hayden. I have shot this location a lot but I have only caught it like this once!!!! Not the easiest place to get to in the winter and you have to get there early to catch this light. Even with all of the effort, no garnetee. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/champagne/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Champagne.jpg Champagne Part of the reason I love shooting landscapes so much is I get to see and photograph things that are just hard to describe. My goal is to photograph a landscape that puts the viewer right in the environment I am shooting. If you were standing here on this frozen lake with me, you would feel like you were standing on cold Champagne. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/353/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20230204-DSC01478-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/352/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20230226-DSC03322-Edit-2-3.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-beauty-in-the-rockies/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Beauty-in-the-Rockies.jpg Beauty in the Rockies This scene has so much natural texture that I felt it would look beautiful in a Sepia tone. It still looks beautiful in color. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/tree-light-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Tree-Light-2.jpg Tree Light I decided to hike into an area that is not often explored in the winter, mainly due to unsafe ice and snow. I timed it right on this hike, the signs were down and the trailhead was not obstructed so I went on in. Packed full of landscapes like this with perfect light. This is the image I call "Tree Light". You can see this image in color in the Yellowstone Gallery. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-grove-in-norris/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Grove-in-Norris.jpg The Grove in Norris A new baby pine making its way to catch up with the others in this sunlit grove in Yellowstone yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/owner-7/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/GJ6A4474-Edit-Edit.jpg Owner https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/steamboat-tracks/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Steamboat-Tracks.jpg Steamboat Tracks When I see this image I think of the perfect winter postcard. An inviting thin trail carved out to hike on. As you go further, the trail clearing narrows until it eventually disappears Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/346/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/AS2I1804-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/fog-and-light/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Fog-and-Light.jpg Fog and Light Yellowstone thermal pools in the winter can feel a little mysterious and moody. I love creating shooting with a telephoto on a tripod to get the image as sharp as possible in these tighter compositions. The contrast of the shadows and light create a moody modern landscape. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/looking-for-moose/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Looking-for-Moose.jpg Looking for Moose Just outside of Lamar Valley headed to Pebble Creek, the mission, find moose. Looking over the vast valley in search of Moose it is hard to not enjoy the simple landscape. No moose on this day, just the beautiful Yellowstone scenery. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/343/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC01590-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/342/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/GJ6A3094-Edit-3.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/exploring-the-unknown/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Exploring-the-Unknown.jpg Exploring the Unknown Finding a natural clearing in a forest area with interesting trees that point in a direction is something I will often stop and shoot. The opening in this image pulls the viewer forward to explore what might be up ahead. hellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/mammoth-crystals/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Mammoth-Crystals.jpg Mammoth Crystals Morning light at Mammoth highlights the beautiful ice covered tree branches. I cropped this image into a square 1:1 image to frame the trees in a more modern feel. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/perfect-timing/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Perfect-Timing.jpg Perfect Timing The right morning light, the right conditions and the right temps all play a part in photographing an image like this. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/338/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/GJ6A1782-2-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/out-of-lamar-valley/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Out-of-Lamar-Valley.jpg Out of Lamar Valley On the edge of Lamar Valley the light often plays on the mountain tops. Shooting with a long lens I am able to get into these beautiful places to shoot these overlapping mountains with dappled light. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/emerald-in-the-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Emerald-in-the-Forest.jpg Emerald in the Forest Blue water near white snow is just something I cannot pass up. A tight space in the forest reveals a little frozen waterfall. I have been here in the summer seasons and this place looks completely different. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/oh-canada/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Oh-Canada.jpg Oh Canada Getting out early on this stunning Canadian lake is important if you want to grab the reflections on the calm water. Near Banff https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/forest-blur/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Forest-Blur.jpg Forest Blur Shooting in the Bobby Sock trees after a heavy snow makes for a beautiful simple forest scene. Here I added a little background artistic blur to emphasize the trees in the foreground. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/dinosaur-back/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Dinosaur-Back-.jpg Dinosaur-Back This scene makes me think of Game of Thrones and a Dragons back for some reason. The bumpy texture of the glacier ice looks like a blue dragon or dinosaur is resting here. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-mud-pot/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Mud-Pot.jpg The Mud Pot Passing Grand Prismatic in the winter is very cool. The hot thermal water makes it way down the hill in the cold winter air. Hot steamy water hits the Yellowstone river below for one last puff of steam. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-upper-canyon/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Upper-Canyon-2.jpg The Upper Canyon This is not the most obvious landscape in the Upper Canyon region of Yellowstone. This caught my eye as I was hiking by. I have plenty of images of the upper canyon but not like this. Love the water peaking out between the snowy cliffs. yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/a-quiet-beauty/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Quiet-Beauty.jpg A Quiet Beauty Heading into shoot Yellowstone in the early morning you start to get an idea of how frigid the temps are. Grasses in creek beds look like frozen crystal sticks. I love this particular field and I always want to stop here to grab an image. This field is also a popular place for the Ermine but I have never seen one, only Ermine tracks. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-mood-of-mammoth/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Mood-of-Mammoth.jpg The Mood of Mammoth So many colors in Mammoth that make for such amazing landscapes. Photographing it is one thing but what I cannot deliver to the viewer is the sounds taking place while shooting this. The bubbling sound of the thermal pools pop and hisses indicating that something more powerful lies beneath the Earths surface. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/iceland-storm-clouds/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Iceland-Storm-Clouds.jpg Iceland Storm Clouds This is a moment when you are standing there shooting saying, oh wow, wow, WOW!!! All elements coming together, We have storm clouds, a little light popping through, glacier ice, green grasses, shadows and light. Its like God showed up and said "Lets do this". Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/owner-5/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20160807-GJ6A4102-Edit.jpg Owner Apex https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/umpqua-light-show/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Umpqua-Light-Show.jpg Umpqua Light Show Heading out on my final day of shooting Umpqua National Forest, the light decided to give me a few more images to enjoy. Always great to a long shoot on a good note. Umpqua National Forest https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/travertine-rainbow/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Travertine-Rainbow.jpg Travertine Rainbow https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/a-new-land/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-New-Land.jpg A New Land A new land not yet explored. I found myself down a trail that had always been closed due to dangerous ice conditions non winter. So either the sign was knocked down or the trail was open? Not sure but I decided to proceed on in at my comfort level. I thought, if it gets too dicey, I will just stop and go back. I had a couple scary moments when I could not navigate the depth of my next step. It is never a good feeling when you step and your foot/leg keeps going down without knowing where the bottom is. I did not go as far as I could have but I went as far as my spidy senses said too. Managed to pull this shot out of there. Sooo beautiful back in there. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/simply-frozen-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Simply-Frozen-2.jpg Simply Frozen This is a simple composition of the Bobby Sock Trees in Yellowstone beside a frozen river. Some of the best scenes are very simple. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/322/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC03234-Edit-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canada-night-walk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canada-Night-Walk.jpg Canada Night Walk This image was photographed at night with the moon behind the pines. A cool -24 degrees out. Takes a bit to get going in these temps but when you get moving around and start working your shot, the cold is not so bad. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/320/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC03620-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/mammoth-statues/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Mammoth-Statues.jpg Mammoth Statues There are so many ways to photograph this amazing place. All angles and in all climates but my favorite is winter. Yosemite National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yosemite-winter-branches/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yosemite-Winter-Branches.jpg Yosemite Winter Branches Winter branches in Yosemite frame a window that looks onto a winter landscape. Yosemite National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-art-of-the-pine/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Art-of-the-Pine.jpg The Art of the Pine There are just some trees out there that just stand out from the rest. The interest was up the river for a long snowy river landscape shot. I decided to shoot across the river instead and grab this fun Pine for my composition. Yosemite National Parkte https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yosemite-storm-2023/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yosemite-Storm-2023.jpg Yosemite Storm 2023 This was one epic storm in 2023! Epic winter blast shut down Yosemite where we had to be evacuated out. My friend Kim and I were able to stay in for an amazing 9 hours of epic shooting conditions before the night set in and we had to move on. No power, no water for many towns over outside of Yosemite. No food except for what we had in the car forcing our creativity of survival to stay as long as we could to record this epic event. We pretty much had the entire place to ourselves, no photographers, no people. Kim trying to plug in a toaster to the SUV outlet to warm up a cold bagel while holding the toaster in her lap while I navigated roads in 4 wheel drive was pretty funny. We tried to sleep in the hotel outside of Yosemite where power was out and managed to sleep in layers of clothes. We bought 2 $1.00 Jesus candles at Walmart several days prior and that was our light source at night to preserve batteries. What an adventure, thanks Kim. Yosemite now hammered with a heavy blanket of snow, and now without power, everything would have to shut down and prepare for the new approaching storm of more epic snowfall. With dangerous road conditions to navigate along with fallen trees we made our way out. But not without a camera full of beautiful images of the record breaking snow event. Yosemite National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-in-yosemite/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-in-Yosemite.jpg Winter in Yosemite There is something so magical when mountain tops peak out of moving storm clouds.Here is Yosemite in 2023 during the cold winter blast. Yosemite https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/a-new-dusting/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-New-Dusting.jpg A New Dusting The storm of 2023 kept delivering new winter snow storms while we were in their Yosemite shooting. This new form is rolling across the sky and has now arched over the mountain top ahead. Yosemite National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/313/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC03300-Edit-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-storm-in-the-valley/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Storm-in-the-Valley.jpg The Storm in the Valley The light in this snowy field was worth plowing through the snow to get to this scene. This was from the epic snow blast of 2023 before we were evacuated out. Yosemite National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/sylvan-frost/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Sylvan-Frost.jpg Sylvan Frost Geothermal steam puffs cling to the Pines and surrounding trees creating an ice shell on the bark, trunk and limbs. The constant steam prevents any real growth on the lower portion of the trees giving the tree a bit of a smooth surface, it is really beautiful in winter when the ice and snow build up in this bare forest. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-beauty-of-branches/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Beauty-of-Branches.jpg The Beauty of Branches Amazing how much snow dumped in Yosemite in 2023!!! Tops of trees held on to snow creating a modern element feel. I spent some time shooting these treetops and came away with many different compositions of the branches. I feel I can pair 3 of them together for a gallery series piece. Yosemite https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/this-is-lower-canyon/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/This-is-Lower-Canyon-2.jpg This is Lower Canyon This is Lower Canyon Falls. Lower Canyon which is mostly shaded or it is too cloudy to get beautiful light. I feel like this is a rare and lucky image of the lower falls because I had light on the top. Such a beautiful place, I could see this a million times and this never gets old. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/snow-globe/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Snow-Globe.jpg Snow-Globe I occasionally enjoy some of the artistic opportunities within photoshop. You do not know your full potential until you start creating new art. Unlocking new ideas in professional editing, is a lot of trial and error. During that journey you create some fun errors. I think Bob Ross said it best,"We don't make mistakes, just happy little accidents". Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/ice-curves/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Ice-Curves.jpg Ice Curves A little narrow water current makes it way through the water towards the Icebergs in Greenland. Mosses grow under the ice water creating beautiful patterns. Lots of curves in this image along with interesting leading lines that pull the viewer into the image. Greenland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canyon-ice-falls-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canyon-Ice-Falls-2.jpg Canyon Ice Falls I have always shot this scene with a wider angle lens but on this particular time shooting it, I had brought an awesome telephoto lens that took me closer to the base of the falls. Next time out I will add a little extra reach to my lens and see if I can fine tune this shot by getting even closer to the base of the falls. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/tripod-the-coyote/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Tripod-The-Coyote.jpg Tripod the Coyote There is a little friendly Coyote in Yellowstone that was injured a number of years ago. He has a hurt back leg, probably broken at some point and he is very challenged in this wild environment. With only the use of 3 legs, he has earned the name "Tripod". He stays very close to the road begging for scraps from cars passing by. He will run after a car to grab food and will get right up to the side of a vehicle. It is always important to remember, no matter how much you want to feed them, you simply cannot. The reason he is by the road now is because he has been fed and now it is a matter of time before he will be hit by a car. He is capable of hunting and we must allow him to thrive in his environment. Like anything else, 2 bus lengths away at a minimum. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/cowtroubles/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Cow-Troubles.jpg Cow Troubles I have always been drawn to cows and love to photograph them any chance I get. Out West in some locations I shoot, the cattle run wild. Steers, bulls and cows can have some very unusual horns and they grow in all different directions. In this case, here is a one huge cow with a tumbleweed stuck in its horn. The cowgirl in me says, run in there and pull it off its horn but the logical side of my says stand down Martin. Unfortunately, this cow gets to keep the tumbleweed. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-beauty-of-the-bison/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Beauty-of-the-Bison.jpg The Beauty of the Bison I love a the Bison in Yellowstone. In this image I managed to get in front of a full on Bison charge. We had been watching them and a friend of mine said, "I think they are going to turn around and come back this way". We hurried to get out of the way and get out further in front of them only in time to catch them in a full on sprint towards us. Beautiful to see them sprinting through the snow with snow flying off the feet. Rule of thumb is always no less than 2 bus lengths away. Things can change very quickly, especially when they have their young close by. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/roaring-rapids/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Roaring-Rapids.jpg Roaring Rapids The sound of the water thrashing as it comes roaring down the river is just unreal. Snow melts at higher elevations creating an unusual amount of water in the lower river this year. I have stood on the same river frozen over and walked across it to get to an ice cave. Hard to believe it is the same river when it is not iced over. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frost-bite/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Frost-Bite.jpg Frost Bite I know from spending all day out shooting in negative temps how cold my hands can get. A bit scary when I cannot feel my hands or my hand burn like they are on fire from the extreme cold. Punishing winds add to the the discomfort. All of the discomfort is worth the pain when you are able to travel upon scenes like this. When I see this particular image it takes me right back to the day I was there and it reminds me of the coldness I felt in my hands. Fingers locked up with a good ways still to go before getting out of the extreme climate. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frosted-flakes/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Frosted-Flakes.jpg Frosted Flakes Frost lines the shore of this beautiful Canadian lake creating a 4-5 foot buffer zone of a beautiful artistic frost. Looks like Frosted Flakes cereal. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/across-the-pond/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Across-The-Pond.jpg Across The Pond I have only shot this location in negative temps. I come to this Canadian lake to shoot methane bubbles that are locked under the surface in ice. I have often wondered what was on the other side of the pond. I have seen summer images of beautiful trees in vivid blue waters that I feel strongly come from across the pond. While out shooting on the ice, the most perfect light pops through and touches down in the place across the pond. I thing it is worth a return visit to see what is over there. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/298/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20230226-DSC03594-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/monsoon-light-beam/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Monsoon-Light-Beam.jpg Monsoon Light Beam I love this place in the monsoon season.The most dramatic light reveals lower rocks that look like they were shaped out od clay. Gods handy work on full display. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/296/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC02584-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/check-your-six/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Check-Your-Six.jpg Check Your Six The Landscape Behind You. This is a great example of just turning around from time to time to see what's behind you. Hiking trails you get focused on what's in front of you and where you are going. Turn around from time to time, you might have this at your back. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/294/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/AS2I1134.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bobby-sock-trees/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Bobby-Sock-Trees.jpg Bobby Sock Trees Catching early morning light in the Bobby Sock Trees in Yellowstone. What are Bobby Sock Trees? Dead lodgepole pines near some hydrothermal areas look as if they are wearing white anklet socks, at one time called "bobby socks." The dead trees soak up the mineral-laden water. When the water evaporates, the minerals are left behind, turning the lower portion of the trees white. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/hayden-a-modern-landscape/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Hayden-a-Modern-Landscape.jpg Hayden a Modern Landscape I never pass by this beautiful scene without stopping to grab a shot. Every single time I shoot this cluster of trees, I wonder how I can come away with a different composition. Most want to shoot this scene from far away, wide angle, showing off the vast space in front of the trees. Here I shot with the telephoto to create a different mood isolating the cluster of trees in a tighter space. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/light-in-the-desert/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Light-in-the-Desert.jpg Light in the Desert October in the desert is when things get very interesting, this is the start of monsoon season. This is when storms can be very beautiful to photograph and also very dangerous. These storms can bring on flash floods with very little escape. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/290/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/AS2I1810-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/storm-chasers/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Storm-Chasers.jpg Storm Chasers In the early part of the day in Yellowstone a new snow storm approaches. Light changing on the distant mountain sends a warning of the approaching storms potential. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/icelandpony/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Iceland-Pony.jpg Icelandic Angel Since I am a girl that has been around horses her entire life, I am immediately drawn away from the landscapes in Iceland straight to the Icelandic Ponies. These sturdy little Ponies are pretty tough. They brave the cold temps and also are used for long day rides through the Iceland plains. It is always a special moment to catch them out in an open field. They are very friendly and naturally very curious about people so they usually gravitate right over to people but keep a short distance to observe. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/puffin/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Incoming.jpg Incoming Ahhhh Puffin!!!! These sweet faced little birds are about the cutest things ever! I am still hopeful to capture the epic image of the Puffin with a mouth full of fish but I had to settle for the stretching of the wings instead. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/wolfpack/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Pack.jpg The Wolfpack One of my first winter shoots in Yellowstone, I was fortunate enough to watch a real time wolf attack on a Bison. That was the first time I realized how smart and calculated the wolf and the pack are. The pack works together to isolate the prey like a well practiced team. They run into the heard bumping 3 loose then eventually try to separate the 3 down to 1. Then its game on, survival of the fittest. The day I watched the attack unfold, the bison actually won that round. The Bison survived that day based on the loyalty of the heard, they played a key roll in assisting in the family members survival. More on this story with images on my blog. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/a-winters-walk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Winters-Walk.jpg A Winter's Walk This is the larger version of "Winter Wonderland". This is near Hayden Valley in the winter. You have to get here early by special vehicle to catch this light. yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/light-in-the-falls/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Light-in-the-Falls.jpg Light in the Falls This is the base of the falls at Canyon in Yellowstone. This location is further into Yellowstone in the winter and you need a special vehicle to get out here. Very cold in the lower falls and the ice formations are just grand. yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-mood-of-yellowstone/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Mood-of-Yellowstone.jpg The Mood of Yellowstone A modern moody image of a beautiful location on the way to Hayden Valley. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-grove-in-norris/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Grove-in-Norris.jpg Winter Grove in Norris So many different compositions of my favorite place in Yellowstone. This one is not the most obvious and I feel like it is my little secret as to where it is. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/281/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/AS2I0019-2-Edit-2-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/on-ice/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/On-Ice.jpg On Ice I enjoy shooting the tighter elements of Yellowstone. Ice, minerals, rocks that look unusual that make beautiful photography. hellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canyon-ice-falls/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canyon-Ice-Falls.jpg Canyon Ice Falls I have always shot this scene with a wider angle lens but on this particular time shooting it, I had brought an awesome telephoto lens that took me closer to the base of the falls. Next time out I will add a little extra reach to my lens and see if I can fine tune this shot by getting even closer to the base of the falls. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/light-in-the-valley/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Light-in-the-Valley.jpg Light in the Valley The light in the Valley on the way to Hayden Valley in the winter is just stunning. I have only seen this happen once in this field. I pass by this field all the time and the light has never come back the same way as it is shown in this image. I feel so blessed to have seen this on this particular day. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-winter-trees/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Showtime.jpg Showtime Driving to get to a targeted location had to immediately stop to shoot as the sun popped out to touch the tops of this pine grove in a roadside field. The light was just to pretty to pass up. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-fog-and-pine/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Fog-and-Pine.jpg The Fog and Pine How many times do I stop and shoot fog and pine trees, this never gets old. The fog and steam sift in and out through the pines. Timing the shot to capture the right amount of fog and pine is fun. Simple images like this make fantastic large prints. yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frosting-the-cake/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Frosting-The-Cake.jpg Frosting The Cake More images of my favorite place on earth. When I am lucky enough to catch this place after a huge dump of snow, it looks like frosting or even the Meringue on pie. yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-washout/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Washout.jpg Winter Washout This river is not usually rushing with this much water but due to the snow melting, it was pretty epic. There is a view point from the top of the river but after shooting at the base of the river, I think I prefer this. I do feel I still need to perfect this shot and will shoot this again at a later time. But then again, this might be the most water in the river that I will ever see. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-ice/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Drip.jpg The Drip In the backcountry of Yellowstone are Geothermal pools that put off incredible steam when little eruptions occur. These are sudden blast of hot water and steam. Those blast hit the local tress and stick to the last layer and freeze almost immediatly creating quite a build up. Having temps that stay close to 0 help to create these beautiful dripping ice structures. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/ice-castles/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Ice-Castles.jpg Ice Castles My favorite place on earth is this place right here. To photograph it is one thing but to be here is another. I always turn around and take one last look at it over my shoulder for fear it will be the last time I ever see it again. This place stirs my soul and I honestly cannot write anything here that would take you to this moment and place. So my goal is to always photograph it as best as I can so I can convey the mood to others. It is honestly something else. This image was taken with a 600mm and it was the fist time I took a telephoto down into this place. I was able to get closer and could not wait to see how my images turned out. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/a-brutal-night/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Brutal-Night.jpg A Brutal Night Heading into shoot Yellowstone in the early morning you start to get samples of how frigid the temps are. The first morning light reveals this mother and her baby Bison still in a frozen self made bunker. I could not help but feel how brutal the survival game is in Yellowstone. You have to survive the sub zero temps find food and then there is also the survival of not becoming another hunters meal. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-storm-chaser/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-Storm-Chaser.jpg Yellowstone Storm Chaser Winter storms roll in over Yellowstone bringing epic amounts of snow. These storms look like waves rolling in over the valleys. The movement in the sky can feel a little scary at times. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/snow-blanket/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Snow-Blanket.jpg Snow Blanket Another simple yet beautiful scene. Sometimes shooting with the 70-200mm you get these nice tight elements in nature that make beautiful modern artistic prints. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/simply-frozen/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Simply-Frozen.jpg Simply Frozen This is a simple composition of the Bobby Sock Trees in Yellowstone beside a frozen river. Some of the best scenes are very simple. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/working-the-room/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Working-The-Room.jpg Working The Room A Coyote's focus on finding food is an amazing thing to track and watch. They can cover a tremendous amount of ground looking for a bite to eat. Once they catch the sound of something under the snow, they stop, ears point forward, the head tilts to the side and then the pounce into the snow to grab what lies beneath. They work the area they are in and usually find what they need. Exceptional hunters. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-follower/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Follower.jpg The Follower Hiking in the winter you hear the small things all around you.I have noticed little birds are naturally curious about you and tend to show off a little when they see you. I am not a birder but as I get older I find myself enjoying the birds more and more. I had fun watching this little guy jump around the tree pulling little seeds off the bark. Yosemite National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-leading-line/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Leading-Line.jpg The Leading Line In looking at a scene I am always trying to perfect the entire composition, not just one component. The leading lines might not jump right off the page to the viewer but here I loved the fallen tree bumps leading to the light at the base of the treeline then back out of the frame to the sky. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-landscape-behind-you/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Landscape-Behind-You.jpg The Landscape Behind You The Landscape Behind You. This is a great example of just turning around from time to time to see what's behind you. Hiking trails you get focused on what's in front of you and where you are going. Turn around from time to time, you might have this at your back. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-layers/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Layers.jpg Winter Layers I am always amazed by the quality of light as I approach Gardiner. As you drive in towards the North entrance of Yellowstone National Park between the hours of 2-4, the light jumps from mountain to mountain and creates an image that looks light a painting. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-mammoth-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Mammoth-Forest.jpg The Mammoth Forest Not much grows here in the thermal pools except a scientists dream. A few old dead trees stand but no telling how old they are. By capillary action the trees soaked up mineral laden water, which colors their base and prolongs their decay. The colors on the terraces are a blend of minerals and detached limestone that occurred when water passed up to the surface from lower hot springs below. Once the water hits the open air it looses some of the carbon dioxide and becomes a travertine mineral creating the colorful built up terraces seen in Mammoth. I often wonder what this is going to look like in another 10-50 years from now. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-winter-pines-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-Winter-Pines.jpg Yellowstone Winter Pines You have to go into Yellowstone winter with mind that is like a blank canvas. You do not have a plan, no telling where or what you will shoot. This is honestly the best way to approach things. Maybe you will get wildlife in landscapes or maybe just landscapes. You shoot when things happen, it is just that simple, no plans. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/260/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Pronghorn.jpg Sweet Pronghorn The Pronghorn in Yellowstone are captivating and a lot of fun to photograph. It is honestly without fail that the Pronghorn have a vibe that tells them as soon as I am ready to photograph, turn and go the other way. They are constantly turning away and when you get the chance to have them face you, take your photo. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frostbison/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/January-Bison.jpg January Bison The first couple hours in the early morning in Yellowstone reveal the evidence of a long winters night. The first couple hours in the early morning are the best times to capture the beautiful frosty Bison. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/western-night-tree/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Western-Night-Tree.jpg Western Night Tree I enjoy shooting sunset out here and have stunning images of that but I felt the real fun can after the sun went down. Boosting up the ISO with a slow shutter speed allowed me to capture this isolated little tree. Not another tree around so this one stole the show. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canyons/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canyon-Curves.jpg Canyon Curves One of the most photographed canyons in the world. I am not moved as much by the images I see of this incredible place but I am moved by the feeling of being in the canyon and love the natural beauty of this unique place. This is in my home state of Arizona. I grew up here and these are the places I grew up enjoying with my father. These canyons are now over populated and heavily traveled by tourist now. Nevertheless, always stunning. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/antelopecanyon/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canyon-Crayon.jpg Canyon Crayon These canyons provide some of the most beautiful colors on the slot canyon walls. I grew up here and had not appreciated an image of this place until I saw the work of Peter Lik. I am always looking for an original composition and this place is full of photographic opportunities. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bisti/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Night-in-the-Badlands.jpg A Night in the Badlands I can honestly say this was one unnerving night out in the desert. Out shooting Hoodoos in the Badlands of New Mexico and enjoying photographing these interesting formations. It is always easy to hike in during the day but when you are out shooting sunsets and astro, your hike back is in the dark. The hike out of here was out through a dried up wash at night. If it were not for the dried up wash, I can see how easy it would be to get lost out here. All quiet accept for the Coyotes howling across the vast canyon land as we hike out. New Mexico https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bigsurwaves/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Big-Sur-Crash.jpg The Big Sur Cash Talk about a captivating place. I could watch this wave action for hours. The tan sea foam rocking back and forth as the crashing waves pound the ocean rocks. Cormorants swoop in and out of the surf to grab stunned fish and crabs for their daily lunch. Big Sur California https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bigsurcove/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Blue-Lagoon.jpg Blue Lagoon Blue waters make their way into this beautiful cove in Big Sur. I feel like there is something to discover around ever turn. I stumbled upon this beautiful cove and had a great time taking images of it at different shutter speeds and focal distances. I have no idea what the water source is that creates the small waterfall but what a beautiful place. California https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/monterey-surf/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Monterey-Ocean-View.jpg A Succulent View The beaches along the Monterey coastline are surrounded by dramatic rock formations that hold colorful succulents. I am looking forward to spending more time shooting the elements of the shoreline when I return in 2024. Montery California https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bigsurkeyhole/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Big-Sur-Keyhole.jpg The Big Sur Keyhole Every now and then I shoot a location and think... noooo you did not shoot this in the best way possible. I do love this image but I do think there are so many possibilities on how I could shoot this. When you photograph Big Sur for the first time, it is a lot to take in. I have isolated 4 places that I must shoot again. Burned in my mind of exactly where they are so it is easy to go back. Shooting this again in 2024. This particular spot is very hard to see and you need a very sturdy tripod and a long lens to reach this. I shot this with a 600mm and had to time the waves just right. Now, rethinking things, I have a new idea on how I want to shoot this. Excited to visit here later this year and try out a few new ideas. Big Sur California https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/north-carolina-waterfalls/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/North-Carolina-Waterfalls.jpg Carolina Silk This was shot is a composition of 2 shots. Slower shutter speed for the water and another for the rocks in the foreground. Carolina Mountains https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/blue-ridge-parkway-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Carolina-Pines.jpg Carolina Pines I think that the Carolinas are highly under-rated for landscape photography. Seems like a lot of focus is placed out West in other popular destinations. We really do have some of the prettiest mountain scenery. Here is an image off the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Carolinas. The change in precipitation and climate gives a lot of opportunity for moody scenes filled with drifting fog. Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/248/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/GJ6A6466-Edit-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/247/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/GJ6A0217-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/arizona-canyon/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canyon-Gold.jpg Canyon Gold The colors in the Western sky are always so vibrant in October. Dramatic clouds roll in for the start of the Monsoon season. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/mountain-trail/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Mystery-Ahead.jpg The Mystery Ahead Some of the Carolina trails have a mysterious feel to them. At times a little spooky when you are out hiking alone. On windy days the trees sway back and forth and make a creek that is a bit haunting. Asheville https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/caddoegret/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/No-Egrets.jpg No Egrets We have a lot of Egrets and Blue Herons in the Carolinas and I always stop to just watch them fish. It really felt different to see them in their element in the Texas swamps. The stark white feathers against a tired fall swamp really make these stunning birds pop. When I can capture a wildlife moment in an amazing landscape, that is my most favorites of photography of all. Caddo Lake https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/243/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Laurie-R.-Martin-at-Caddo.jpg Caddo Lake https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/242/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Caddo-Egret.jpg Caddo Lake https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canadian-canyon/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canadian-Canyon.jpg Canadian Canyon One of the most beautiful hikes I have ever been on. I love a frozen landscape. Growing up in AZ with brutal hot summers (which I loved), snow was just a foreign thing. My father would occasionally toss us all in the car and take us up to Flagstaff or Prescott where we could play in the white stuff. It was just enough to be captivated by it. So here I am today, still captivated by it. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canyon-blue/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canyon-Blue.jpg Canyon Blue There is always something so beautiful when you have blue water next to snow. This is Canyon in Yellowstone shooting down into the river below. Just a very pretty S shape to this river tucked in to the white snow covered edges of the Canyon Walls. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/natures-chandelier/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Natures-Chandelier.jpg Natures-Chandelier I spent a lot of time shooting the side of this river in Canada because of the different ice formations on the Canyon walls. The ice mixed in with the Pines is just beautiful. I have a horizontal image in this gallery that is a little different of the same place showing a different composition. I spent all day here taking in the frozen canyon and hope to return here again. It is not always open to hike in due to heavy ice and snow. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/one-last-look/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/One-Last-Look.jpg One Last Look This is my favorite place on earth. I have no idea why I shoot it so often. I have already shot it in the best light, best conditions, yet I still keep shooting it over and over. I cannot explain the feeling that comes over me when I am here. This is my most favorite place on earth to stand. I cannot even articulate the emotion, not sure why? This is my place, this one belongs to me and has a permanent stamp on my soul. Powerful, beautiful, dramatic, quiet, stunning. When I am done shooting and I pack up my gear and put my camera away, I start my hike out. I always stop before the scene goes behind the trees and turn around and take 1 last look for the fear I will never see it again. If it is the last time I ever get to see it, I want to say a proper goodbye to my friend. I do not take a minute of this for granted. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-kaleidoscope/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Kaleidoscope.jpg Winter Kaleidoscope Steam fills the air as the sun comes in this beautiful location. As the sunlight pops through the trees it starts to look like a winter kaleidoscope. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/a-january-hike/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-January-Hike.jpg A January Hike A huge snow blankets the ground overnight in Yellowstone. Getting up and into the park very early is important in order to shoot beautiful landscapes. The snow is still pristine, no new foot prints from hikers. If you can beat the snowmobilers in, you will get the place to yourself. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/cozy-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Cozy-Forest.jpg Cozy Forest I love discovering new original compositions in landscape photography. Sometimes people say, I don't get it, what is she shooting. Ahhhh you'll see!!! Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/moon-glow/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Moon-Glow.jpg Moon-Glow I hike by this all the time in the winter and no matter how many time I see it, I always stop and photograph it. The light can shift and change the entire scene here very quickly. Hiking in..... no shot...hiking out the light becomes different, just amazing! Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winters-grip/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winters-Grip.jpg Winters Grip It is hard to actually describe how cold it is in the winter in Yellowstone. It only takes a moment for your hands to hurt when you pull your gloves off. This scene might convey what a -10 degree day looks like in Yellowstone. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-winter-pines-3/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-Winter-Pines-2.jpg Yellowstone Winter Pines You have to go into Yellowstone winter with mind that is like a blank canvas. You do not have a plan, no telling where or what you will shoot. This is honestly the best way to approach things. Maybe you will get wildlife in landscapes or maybe just landscapes. You shoot when things happen, it is just that simple, no plans. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-crystal-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-Crystal-Forest.jpg Yellowstone Crystal Forest I am pretty sure I have thousands of images of this place. This is my most favorite place on the planet to be. It is fun to photograph. Timing the steam just right to catch a clearing of the fog to shoot the frozen trees is key. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/cold/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/COLD.jpg COLD The best ice formations occur when temps can stay below 0. Steam in the air from geothermal features stick to trees and freezes immediately creating beautiful these beautiful layers. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-cake/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Cake.jpg Winter Cake There are so many things that come to mind when I think of shooting Yellowstone Winter. Most come for the wildlife and totally loose focus on how incredible the natural raw landscape is. This place is nothing short of a miracle and there is just not anything like it in the world. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canada-night-cabin/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canada-Night-Cabin.jpg Canada Night Cabin This is not actually a cabin, I think it is actually a maintenance building but it looks cool at night with the lights on across the frozen lake. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-blue-lagoon/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Blue-Lagoon.jpg The Blue Lagoon This was one of most favorite places to shoot hands down. What a sight! Ice structures piling up on the shoreline in Iceland. The most beautiful blue tones in the ice. Some marked and streaked with a Royal Blue crack and some just dirty from their long journey. Where all have these been, how old are they? Love the bumpy texture next to the calm waters, and to top it off, fog in the distance. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/steam-and-snow/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Steam-and-Snow-2.jpg Steam and Snow This location is constantly changing. Best to shoot it in the morning when the sun is lower. A big challenge to get here in the morning as it can only be accessed by special vehicle and requires a straight shot here to get the light. This entire environment looks so different at mid day. Mornings are bursting with soft blue tones and filtered light. Day time, it looks muddy, brown and flat. Odd how things can be so different at different times of the day based on the location of the sun. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/socofalls/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Soco-Falls.jpg Soco Falls The Soco Falls are beautiful to photograph but the water and mosses in the river are even better. I love getting out in the river in wadders to photograph isolated elements of the river. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/monsoon/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/October-Monsoon.jpg October Monsoon On this particular shoot I had decided to car camp with friends. We had 3 large SUV's and slept in the back so that we would not miss the morning light in the canyon.We had not planned on a total wash out the night we car camped. A bit scary and the fear of a flash flood with no escape occurred. All turned out okay and we were right out the next morning grabbing an amazing morning filled with beautiful light. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/223/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/large/_DSC8141-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/222/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/large/20200105-AS2I0007-2-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/blackbeach/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Crystal-Beach.jpg Crystal Beach One of the coldest mornings I think I have ever been out shooting was here. Cold rain filled my jacket hood and I could not feel my hands. Out in front of me were sea lions playing in the cold surf. Large ice pieces wash to the shore and rest on the black sand. The contrast of the ice against the black sand is really beautiful. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bigsurnight/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Big-Sur-Night-Waves.jpg Big Sur Night Waves It is amazing what you discover when a planned shoot goes wrong. I had traveled to photograph Yosemite in its winter coat and was evacuated due to extreme conditions. Instead of going home I headed to the California Coast with no plan in mind. The coastal highway that travels from Monterey to Big Sur is full of jaw dropping opportunities. I am excited to return there again this year for a deeper dive. Love the winter wave action and feel Jan/Feb is the best time to explore this beautiful coastline. Big Sur https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/texasswamp/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Natures-Crayons.jpg Natures Crayons I was driving down the road in Texas after a day of shooting swamps and for a moment saw the most amazing color and light off the highway. I jumped out with my long lens and was able to isolate this pretty scene off in the distance. It is so odd to travel to an epic destination to get back home and find one of your most fav images from a complex shoot is the unplanned shot you grabbed off a highway. Texas https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/haydenvalley/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Hayden-Forest.jpg Hayden Forest You can pass by this cluster of trees a million times but they're not a single time you do not stop and take a photo. The light is always changing. The same place can look different depending on the light and time of day. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstoneclouds/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Drift.jpg Drift Low clouds drift through on a winter day in Yellowstone. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/216/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/AS2I1093-2-Edit-Edit-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-6/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-5.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-10/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-9.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/213/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC06856.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-4/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-3.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/211/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC06765-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/210/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC06765-Edit-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/209/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC06750-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/208/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC06721.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/owner-4/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/large/GJ6A6467-Edit-2.jpg Owner https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/grizzly/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-King-Grizzly.jpg The King Grizzly When I think of the most powerful animal in the wild, I think the Grizzly. The power in the upper arms, the speed and a no fear sense about this creature is evident. This is exactly what I never want to bump into on a trail and my biggest fear of hiking alone. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/wolf/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Dream.jpg A Winter Dream Watching this beautiful Wolfe in a deep slumber. Not able to get too close so a very steady tripos and a great lens delivers a precious moment. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/westerncattle/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Western-Cattle.jpg The Feel of the West I never pass up an opportunity to photograph Cattle. I am amazed with how different each one looks. Horns pointing different directions and the patterns/contrast in the coat are just beautiful. Toss in a perfect Southwest monsoon sky and you have a stunning Western scene. Arizona https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/soulful/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Soulful.jpg Soulful Equine Art Coming Soon The Carolinas https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/zion-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20151101-GJ6A6216.jpg Laurie R. Martin ~ Along The Way The Narrows in Zion is one of my most favorite places to photograph. The water is pretty cold in October so best to have a wetsuit, proper shoes and a walking pole. Zion https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/200/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Last-Call-for-Color.jpg Last Call for color Timing is everything! Texas swamps have a prime target week for the last of the red colors in the swamps. Still, Mother Nature will do what she wants so there is never a guarantee you will achieve what you have imagined. I lucked out this year and think I caught the small window of color. The week prior, rained with overcast skies and the week after, heavy winds set in and blew it all away. Sometimes the window of time is short for beautiful moments. Caddo https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/olympic-national-park-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/An-Olympic-Morning.jpg An Olympic Morning I was traveling through Olympic National Forest and decided to stay in a small roadside motel near where I like to hike. I woke up early in the morning and pulled back the curtains and saw this beautiful morning out the window. Still in my pajamas, I just pulled my boots on and went right out the door and down to the water to capture the light. It was such a great morning to shoot with the light and the fog. Sweet little ducks drifting into my scene just added an extra special touch to the photography. I was out there for 2 hours in my pajamas taking in the beauty of this morning. Olympic National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/rubybeach/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Ruby-Beach.jpg A Ruby for Mom Not everyones favorite photo but it is my most favorite photo of all that I have taken. It is so rewarding to visit the places I hiked with my mom. I spent my childhood hiking the Olympic Rain Forest and also visiting the close by Ruby Beach. Old black and white photos of my mom and her sisters eating lunch on the beach always make me smile. She wanted to make sure this beach stayed in the mind of her daughter. Beautiful family memories were made here. Coming back years later it is the exact same as I remember it. Smoke from beach fires fill the air creating a moody scene. This opening in the trees lead the viewer down Ruby Beach. A perfect sensory overload of beach smoke and salt air. Thanks Mom. Ruby Beach https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bull-elk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Taste-of-the-Forest.jpg Taste of the Forest This is a place from my mothers home town in Washington State in the Olympic Rain Forest. Abundant with ferns, wildlife and a lush moss filled forest. This is probably one of the most peaceful places for me to be. I hiked this forest on a regular basis with my mom growing up. Mostly to pick Blackberries for pie, gathered in my grandpa's old paint buckets. It is awesome to return and to come across scenes like this, I feel my mom all around me when I am here. The smells of the forest and the sound under my feet when I hike brings me right back to berry picking with my mom. Seeing this beauty in the forest was just the way to end the perfect day. Washington State https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/coyoteyellowstone/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Coyote-Camouflage.jpg Coyote Camouflage Sweet little Coyote in the Bobby Sock trees in Yellowstone. This little guy is working the scene for his next meal. So fun to watch the hunt take place. He takes a few steps and listens carefully for any movement below the snow. If he hears something, he will turn his head with his ear facing the ground. The ears go forward and the tail sharpens. If there is a chance, he will leap and pounce into the snow in a dive trying to grab what is below. Usually a miss but still very fun to watch how hard he works for his meal. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-12/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-11.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/194/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/E-and-G.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/193/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC06491-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/192/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC06467-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-9/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-8.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-13/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-12.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-15/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-14.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-5/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-4.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-3/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-2.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-8/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-7.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-7/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-6.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-11/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-10.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits-14/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-13.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/swamp-egret-caddo/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Fall-On-Caddo.jpg Fall on Caddo Grabbing the last of the Fall colors out on Caddo Lake. This was such a beautiful place to see and I have always wanted to shoot this. I find parts of this lake beautiful but also a little spooky. The majestic Egrets sprinkled within the mossy swamp are stunning in thier environment. Texas https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/180/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Mist.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/carolina-mountain-path/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Carolina-Mountain-Path.jpg Carolina Mountain Path You will see a lot of images in my portfolio of the Carolina Mountains, especially off the Parkway. I spend a lot of time here when I am not shooting scheduled shoots. The forest here is lush, much different than the Redwoods and other forest areas. The Carolina Forest areas feel like a mix of ferns, mangrove and forest pines sprinkled with bright pink flowers. Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/umpqua-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Best-Morning.jpg The Best Morning Landscape photography often requires a lot of planning. In the last 2 months I decided to go with NO PLAN in mind, just go. If I had done the research, before deciding to go, I would have learned the forest I was traveling too had burned down (a fews years back). If I had done the research I would have never shot this amazing morning. Miles and miles of chared trees with little life. This scene sits on the edge of the chard forest, pretty amazing. Early morning cool crisp air on my face, so quiet, only the sound of the water and the smell of pine in the air. Umpqua National Forest https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/owner-19/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Perfect-Morning-.jpg Owner https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/redwoodscalifornia/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Redwoods.jpg Lady Bird Giants Love the moss and ferns in the Redwood Forest. I have always wanted to photograph the Redwood Forest in the snow but have not been able to time it just right. It really doesn't matter what time of year it is, the Redwoods are just beautiful to walk through and when you can get a little light to peep through the canopy, it is just perfect. California https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/blueridgespring/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Blue-Ridge-Blooms.jpg Blue Ridge Blooms I was on my way up to photograph a scheduled shoot on the parkway early in the morning. Fog scattered and rested in the peaks of the Blue Ridge Parkway as I drove up. Looking out my window on the drive it just kept getting more and more beautiful. I pulled off and turned the car off and got my camera out. With no time to set up on a tripod, I rested the camera on my window and shot this beautiful sight. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/174/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canada-Ice-Caves.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/173/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Big-Sur-Canopy.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canadacave/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Below-Zero.jpg Below Zero This was a pretty scary place to be in. I had to hike across a frozen river to get out to this frozen cave. The water below the ice was a very active fast flowing river. Crazy to feel the rapids hit the ice under my feet. Hoping the ice was thick enough, you pray you don't step on a thin spot and fall under the ice into the river. Once in the cave I really just wanted to photograph it and then get the heck out of it. Just because I shoot landscapes docent mean that there are environment that do not frighten me. As I get oder I find myself more focused on safety and just let some shots go. I love life too much to put myself in harms way for a photo. This place felt like I was outside of my comfort zone. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/big-sur-canopy/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Big-Sur-Canopy-2.jpg Big Sur Canopy The hiking a trial around this unique cove in Big Sur is pretty special. A different opportunity at every turn. Below are sea Lions playing in the aggressive surf while Cormorant's wheel in the wind above. Big Sur https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/naturalbridge/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Natural-Bridge.jpg The Natural Bridge Canada is a target rich environment for landscape photography no matter what time of your you go. I started photographing Canada in the cold season in negative temps but now I also enjoy shooting the summer there. My trip usually starts here at this location and ends in Jasper. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/caddofall/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Caddo-in-Bloom.jpg Caddo In Bloom I think we all think of the most vibrant colors when we think of spring flowers. I would have to say Fall on Caddo Lake is just as colorful as any spring color nature can deliver. The Caddo Lake Swamplands are an explosion of Fall color in November. The most vibrant colors of reds reveal themselves in this very short time frame in the swamps. Caddo Lake https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/night-on-acadia/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Night-on-Acadia.jpg Night on Acadia Color for only a few minutes on this stunning Acadia National Park Beach. Out of all of the images I have of Maine, this one is one of my favorites. Acadia National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/acadianationalpark/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Acadia-National-Park.jpg Acadia Thumbprint An early morning in Acadia National Park reveals the first morning light. Had to hike in due to Gov shut down so had a lot of this beautiful place to my self along with a few photographer friends. I spent the first part of this frigid morning shooting this beautiful rocky beach and sunrise. Climbing all over the freezing, wet and salty rocks; it was here that I lost the feeling in my fingertips. Was having so much fun did not realize that I had severe frostbite and had also removed the skin from the tips of my fingers. This was many years ago and the feeling in my middle, pointer and thumbs has not returned. My fingers also now have a smooth surface with no more fingerprint. So when I look at this image I can't help but thing about how much fun I had but also know this it where I injured both hands. Acadia National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/northcarolinamountaintrail/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Carolina-Garden.jpg A Carolina Garden This lush trail has many little forks in it. At times it is extremely foggy so I can see how folks could possibly get lost out here. The fog mixed with the lush forest makes for a favorite scene for me to photograph. Asheville https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-path--less-taken/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Path--Less-Taken.jpg The Path Less Taken When I see this image I think of the Robert Frost Poem, "The Path Less Taken". This trail is in the Carolina Mountains and it has many splits where the trail forks off in different directions. As often as I hike here, I still do not know where all of these trails go. I look forward to future hikes here that will hopefully reveal new compositions to photograph. The Carolinas https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/redwoods/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/California-Redwood-Forest.jpg Forest Lens Flare A little lens flare adds to the direction of the light coming in through the Redwoods. This is in the Redwood Forest in California. California https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/acadiafallcolors/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Falling-for-Acadia.jpg Falling For Acadia Not a planned stop, this right off the road while driving. Pulled off with some friends and down a hill we went to the waters edge to grab these reflections. A little fog settled in on this beautiful Fall morning in Acadia National Park. This is more of a really big pond. https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/icelandwaterfall/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Iceland-Waterfall.jpg Iceland Treasure With all of the volcanic action recently in Iceland, I count myself very lucky to have captured some of the raw beauty of this magical place. Standing behind this powerful waterfall, you get a different perspective of the lush Icelandic scene. Could not help but think about the scene in "The Last of the Mohicans" when they jumped into the waterfall. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canadalake/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canada-Reflections.jpg Canada Reflections I usually love to photograph Canada in the winter in below 0 temps but the summer also has such a lush feel to the forest and lake. Stunning reflections with a mirror image of the surrounding forest make this image one of my favorites. I like it because you have the reflection of the forest but you can still see the grasses and broken trees below the waters surface. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-blue-ridge-parkway/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/North-Carolina-Blue-Ridge-Parkway.jpg The Blue Ridge Parkway How blessed I feel to live in the Carolinas. The Fall season on the Blue Ridge Parkway is one stunning event. I have researched the Blue Ridge Parkway extensively from Asheville to Blowing Rock and have found some of the most unique compositions. You will never walk away with the same image, It is always changing. I am excited to announce that my new workshop schedule will include workshops here several times a year as well as my environmental landscape portrait work with EVO fine art portrait expeditions. We will be hiking up here several times this year to do fine art portrait sessions expedition style with a cap of 4 clients. Spots are limited to 4. To reserve your place on the next expedition, please go to contacts page to link to EVO to schedule your portrait session or simply email me from the contacts page here on this site. I am also booking one on one portrait sessions as well. Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/coloradomoose/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Day-for-Moose.jpg A Day for Moose Headed into a beautiful place to photograph moose for a day. While waiting on a couple friends to meet up in a car park the light was starting to come up. While waiting I went down to this meadow to photograph the light coming up over the trees. There to shoot wildlife but you just can't take the landscape photographer out of me. Colorado https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/mountain-road/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Old-Road.jpg The Old Road I love this hike, Off the Blue Ridge Parkway is a hike I am on often and love the early morn fog up here. Creates a spooky scene. I am always wondering if a Black Bear is going to emerge from the fog. I hike this area often and I am always wondering who in the heck can drive any vehicle up here, this little road is always here and looks like a fairly wide vehicle could use this short road but if you knew how to get up here you would find it hard to understand how any vehicle could possible be up here. The Old Road https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/blue-ridge/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/On-the-Parkway.jpg It 's a Secret I would love to tell folks where this is but I feel like this stunning trail is one little gem I want to keep quiet. I am here often and never see many on the trail. This is near Asheville, NC. Asheville https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/umpqua/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Steamboat-Calling.jpg Steamboat Calling Umpqua National Forest early morning. Stunning views of the river with the early morning fog. As I get older, I find myself wanting to hike more with others. Friends and fellow photographers are fun to be around to collaborate with and laugh with. I also enjoy leading workshops but also love the company of the workshop participants. Forest areas alone as a female at times can feel a little scary. I am usually focused on the beauty of the hike and the environment but there are still at time the crazy thoughts of getting eaten by a bear, bumping into that Grizzly. Also not recommended to watch crime stories prior to hiking alone lol. Umpqua National Forest https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/carolinabirdforest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/In-The-Pines.jpg In The Pines I had to look this bird up to see what it was. I am not much of a birder with the exception of an Eagle but this guy was pretty cool. My research says it is a "Cedar Waxing" from the Bombycillidae family?!? Shot this in North Carolina in Blowing Rock at a mountain lake. I stayed out on a rock waiting on him to return. He circled back to this branch about once every 5 min. I have a bunch of images of him coming and going but this one was the best to show his pretty tail. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/carolinabirds/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Morning-Song.jpg A Morning Song I love an early morning hike in the Carolina Mountains and enjoy watching all the birds and nature waking up to start their day. A little fog rolls in on this particular morning making the start of the day beautiful with this little bird. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/moose-colorado/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Colorado-Moose-A-Mothers-Love.jpg A Mothers Love A protective mother cow moose sits quietly with her new baby. These two blended perfectly into the natural forest and were hard to initially see. The baby stayed mostly behind its mother and I could only see the babies ears for a while. I had a brief moment when the baby lifted up some and I was fortunate enough to grab this shot. The baby went back down and that was it. Night fell and that would conclude this beautiful and rare opportunity. Colorado https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/americanbaldeagle/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Watchman.jpg The Watchman I have several images of this stunning Bald Eagle. I cannot decide which composition I prefer. I have many images of this guy as he held still for at least 3 min before he flew off. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bison/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-Bison-at-first-light-.jpg First Light The most special time of day in Yellowstone is early morning in January when temps are close to -5 degrees, How do the Bison do it? Hunker down in bunkers they create and brave the nights frigid temps. First morning light reveals the survival of a long cold night in Yellowstone. Just an incredible scene and hard to find the words to describe the feeling I have when I see this. I love the Bison in Yellowstone. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/coyote/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-The-Relentless-Coyote-.jpg The Relentless Coyote A beautiful Coyote hunting for next meal in the Bobby Sock Trees in Yellowstone National Park. If this Coyote was not jogging in and out of the trees, I am not sure I would have seen him. His colors blend in so perfectly to the Bobby Sock Trees. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winterbison/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Frosty.jpg Frosty A frosty Bison from a long day of snow plowing. The Bison plow their heads back and forth in the deep snow to make their way down to the lower grasses. The snow below cast a white reflection and shades in the Bisons eyes white. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/babydeer/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Smokey-Mountains-Curious.jpg Sparkles I totally surprised these two playful babies. They did not run off when they saw me, they actually moved closer to see what I was doing. The spots on these playful babies are best described as sparkles. I have several images that I shot where they are a very cool blur as they moved so fast darting left and right. Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/147/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC01499-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/norris/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Tracks.jpg Winter Tracks Winter hikes through the backcountry in Yellowstone show evidence of a small Ermin. Tracks begin and then abruptly end indicating a nose dive into the deep snow. These little guys are about impossible to find and if you are ever fortunate enough to get a photo of one, count yourself lucky. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-winter-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/First-Light.jpg Morning Hikes First Light You have to get up very early in the morning in order to get out to this magical place to catch the perfect light. As you begin the hike in, the sun starts to make its way up. Here is a glimpse of the morning's first light in Yellowstone peaking through the trees on the hike in. You are always thustling to get further in to capture the best light in the best place so not much time to stop, yet it is hard to pass up these moments. yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/landscape-layers/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Landscape-Layers.jpg Landscape Layers After hiking trails in Iceland, I have decided I never want to Glacier Walk. One particular trail I was on that went straight up the side of a massive glacier, displayed a permanent marker that noted the loss of two young men. They had been glacier walking when they fell between the cracks, never to be found.The marker showed the faces of 2 handsome vibrant young guys living life with big smiles. The image of those 2 young men has always stayed in my mind ever since I read that. This image is for them, a reminder that they are not forgotten. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/143/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20160807-GJ6A3882-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/johnson-falls/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Johnson-Falls.jpg Johnson Falls A cold hike into Johnson Falls in January is one cold hike. Openings through the trees reveal these beautiful scenes with ice and snow. I love finding these unique compositions of what most walk right by. Beautiful things are all around us, you just have to look a little closer. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/first-frost/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/First-Frost.jpg First Frost Hiking out on this early morning sunrise in Canada, the sun and sky cast colors on the blanket of snow in front of me. I think growing up as a child in Arizona makes me appreciate snow so much. It has a calming effect on me and oddly I have developed a big tolerance for zero temps. The soft silky surface glows when beautiful light hits it in the early morning creating a quiet dreamy hike. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/140/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20230226-DSC03581-Recovered-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/139/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20230226-DSC03580-Recovered-copy-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/138/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20230226-DSC03557-Edit-Edit-Edit-Edit-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/137/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20230226-DSC03300-Edit-Edit-Edit-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-mystery-of-mammoth-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Mystery-of-Mammoth-2.jpg The Mystery of Mammoth Just a short hike to this beautiful scene. A short hike yet a slippery ice covered hike that requires ice cleats. Love the broken trees that point the way to the hot spring ahead. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-emerald-cabin/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Emerald-Cabin.jpg The Emerald Cabin Well who doesn't have a shot of this. How do you go here and not shoot the lodge with the famous light reflection. On this particular eve it was a cozy -24 degrees out there. What was the most interesting thing was not the lodge reflection but the moon glow looking the other direction. I have another image posted of the pines and the bridge behind me. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-winter-walk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Winter-Walk.jpg The Winter Walk Beautiful but dangerous at times. It is easy to underestimate the cold. Before I set out to hike far from a vehicle I make sure I have everything I need to stay warm. You do not want to loose a glove, so pack an extra pair. The weight of your clothes adds to the challenge of the altitude and the heavy winter air. Not always an easy hike for me with Asthma in these conditions but I do it so often I just power through it. On this hike out I got hit with a huge blast of altitude and cold exhaustion at once. Felt a sudden sick feeling hit me hard. Had to just stop and hold still for a bit and almost went back. Just get a hold of your mind and power through the discomfort of the moment if possible. I talk myself through a lot when I am out in these conditions. Look what I would have missed if I went back. I love the simple forest shots with fallen trees and snow pines. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frozen-yosemite/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Frozen-Yosemite-2.jpg Frozen Yosemite One of the biggest snow storms in the history of Yosemite. Most of the mountain peaks not visible due to the heavy snow. We were able to capture a day of shooting before getting evacuated out. I loved the snow and conditions and wish we could have stayed in. All power out, no warm water, limited food. Even Yosemite lodge evacuated the entire hotel. What an epic event even if it was short. Yosemite National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/night-diamonds/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Night-Diamonds.jpg Night Diamonds The beautiful black beaches in Iceland really make the ice pop that washes up on the shoreline. This was one of the coldest shoots I have ever had, mainly due to my hood filling up with cold water. Pulled up my hood to hike out and all the water in my hood went straight down my back. Hopeful to get to my very small rental to grab a hot shower after a VERY COLD day of shooting to have NO HOT WATER. Always an adventure. Same night I woke up to sheep outside my door. These are the things I love, challenges, not the norm, working through things and getting a positive outcome. May sound like a complaint but these are the things that make the stories that create the memories. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/lush-rivers/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Lush-Rivers.jpg Lush Rivers I do not usually get scared on a trail but this trail was a little dicey. Hiking alone is not always the best idea. I went to shoot the waterfalls here and a big winter snowstorm hit with frigid temps creating a lot of ice on the trail. Portions of the trail were very steep and so slick that I had to sit down and carefully scoot down. The trail got so bad I turned back and did not make it to the falls on this day. Decided to work with what I had and photograph the river on the hike out. Just gives me a reason to go back. Umpqua https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/130/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Lake-Walk.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/ice-ships/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Ice-Ships.jpg Ice Ships I love to study the shape and cuts in Icebergs. As a landscape photographer you are constantly looking at your subject thinking how do I want to frame this? Is it a tight shot to show texture or is it wide angle to capture the dramatic entire scene? With Icebergs, the answer is both. They really do not disappoint no matter how you decide to photograph them. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/a-city-block/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-City-Block.jpg A City Block A City Block... that is how big these Icebergs are in Greenland. As tall as a city building and they can be as long as a city block. To truly appreciate it, best viewed and photographed by sailboat. Extra special when the light pops out and give a little light on the top of the structure. Vibrant Aqua and deep shades of blues with clear blue cracks veined throughout make these icebergs a stunning sight. The closer you get to them the colder the air is on your face. Greenland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/ice-cubes/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Ice-Cubes.jpg Ice Cubes Greenland is best explored in a small dingy when possible. It gives you a chance to weave in and out of the big icebergs. It can be a bit scary if an iceberg turns or if one is calving off a big slab. A big slab coming off can make a big boom and large icebergs make a hissing and cracking sound. Something as small as a dingy motor vibration can send out just enough vibration to affect a structure. Pieces of ice float by from prior breakage making a beautiful element in this image. Greenland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/one-in-a-vermilion/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/One-in-a-Vermilion.jpg One in a Vermilion So many pretty lakes in Canada and all very different. Each one has its own special feature. On this day I decided to not shoot with friends that had hiked further up to a more iconic spot. Instead I stayed back and stayed with this small pond hoping I would get the reflections in the pond. I feel I got exactly what I wanted and passed on getting the images my friends got on the lake. I really enjoy creating my own art, finding my own compositions. Although fun and interesting as they may be, I really have no desire to shoot iconic locations where many shoot from. I would rather make new art and explore the not so obvious. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-crystal-cave/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Crystal-Cave.jpg The Crystal Cave This was a pretty scary place to be in. I had to hike across a frozen river to get out to this frozen cave. The water below the ice was a very active fast flowing river. Crazy to feel the rapids hit the ice under my feet. Hoping the ice was thick enough, you pray you don't step on a thin spot and fall under the ice into the river. Once in the cave I really just wanted to photograph it and then get the heck out of it. Just because I shoot landscapes docent mean that there are environment that do not frighten me. As I get oder I find myself more focused on safety and just let some shots go. I love life too much to put myself in harms way for a photo. This place felt like I was outside of my comfort zone. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/thin-ice/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Thin-Ice.jpg Thin Ice Beautiful yet scary. I walked across this river to get to an ice cave I wanted to shoot. A bit unnerving feeling the water below my feet as it hit the ice. Stayed mostly to the edge and worked my way around this hole in the river to get out to the cave. After hiking out I shot this from the higher elevation looking down. Images of that ice cave are in this gallery. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/abrahams-bubbles/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Abrahams-Bubbles.jpg Abraham's Bubbles This is a very iconic spot to photograph in the winter. It is one thing to see images of this place but it is another to walk on it and explore. Good to bring a broom along to sweep away the prior nights snow so you can see the bubbles below. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/sunset-fog/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Sunset-Fog.jpg Sunset Fog I always say, if you are in Yellowstone and you get color and light, stop and shoot. It is not hard finding a composition so when you have the color, stop and shoot. These moments come and go so quickly and before you know it, the day is behind you with missed opportunities. Small tight shots with a telephoto like this show off the beauty of color, steam, and snow combined. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frosted/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Frosted.jpg Frosted More from this fun and epic shoot in Canada. Ice crystals form on the edge of the lake as we grab the last little bit of light. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/snow-shoes/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Snow-Shoes.jpg Snow Shoes I named this image "Snow Shoes" because of a fellow photographer friend that was snow shoeing with me. The snow was so deep here that there was no way to get out to the waters edge to shoot without them. There is a little finesse to snow shoeing for sure when you have gear, heavy clothes, Parka, camera backpack etc. My friend fell backwards and was flat out stuck. It took 2 of us to unbuckle the shoes and get him on his feet and then put the shoes back on him! Teamwork! It's okay because I was the one down about 30 min later. Always so much fun and shooting in the field is always better with friends. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canadian-hoar-frost/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canadian-Hoar-Frost.jpg Canadian Hoar Frost Beautiful Hoar Frost forms on the lake shoreline in Alberta Canada. These cool flakes look like crunchy crystal frosted flakes. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canadian-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Canadian-Forest.jpg Canadian Forest This was on of my most favorite shoots of all time. Every single place I had lined up to shoot seemed to just come together. That is not always the case. This image is in Canada shot on an early morning with several friends. Really cold this morning and hiking the riverside was a bit sketchy with the snow so deep. Had a friend hiking in front of me that stepped through the ice popping me straight up in the air with all of my gear. Luckily did not go in the water. That would have been a cold hike out. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-ice-walk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Ice-Walk.jpg The Ice Walk It is hard to believe how deep the water freezes on this lake. Huge chunks of ice are piled up on the shoreline of the lake showing the depth of the frozen ice. I am not even sure how deep this lake is in the center but the frozen water holds bubbles in the ice caused by methane gasses trapped under the ice. Not a bad idea to wear ice cleats when shooting out here, everything is a bit slippery. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/116/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Snow.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/geothermal-yellowstone/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Geothermal-Beauty.jpg Geothermal Beauty There are many Landscapes I have shot that I just love but there are some that just stir my soul. This here is a place that I always feel so connected too. I have photographed this same place/scene so many times and so many ways. I have shot this at different focal lengths, different angles..... I could go on. No two images look the same. yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frosted-ice/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Frosted-Ice.jpg Frosted Ice When you are out in these conditions it is usually 0 degrees or close to it. Everything is so quiet and even the sound of a bird landing on a branch is magnified. Occasional drops of snow fall off branches hitting the ground below making a poof sound. All is calm and all is perfect. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/steamandsnow/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Steam-and-Snow.jpg Steam and Snow This location is constantly changing. Best to shoot it in the morning when the sun is lower. A big challenge to get here in the morning as it can only be accessed by special vehicle and requires a straight shot here to get the light. This entire environment looks so different at mid day. Mornings are bursting with soft blue tones and filtered light. Day time, it looks muddy, brown and flat. Odd how things can be so different at different times of the day based on the location of the sun. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winterwonderland/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Wonderland.jpg Winter Wonderland This is near Hayden Valley in Yellowstone. Beautiful God Rays blast through as I hike in. This is the sort of thing that just stops you in your tracks. This is how I view Yellowstone. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/secret-snow-trees/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Secret-Snow-Trees.jpg Secret Snow Trees This was probably one of my favorite shoots ever. I hiked with a great friend that shoots landscapes and wildlife. We took off on a trail and both could not believe what we discovered. The winter scenes and light on this trail were some of the prettiest scenes I have ever seen. Headed back again to shoot this in 2025. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winterpostcard/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Postcard.jpg Winter Postcard When I see this image I think of the perfect winter postcard. An inviting thin trail carved out to hike on. As you go further, the trail clearing narrows until it eventually disappears. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/beneath-the-snow/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Beneath-The-Snow.jpg Beneath The Snow Beneath the snow in Yellowstone is a mystery. If You get use to shooting winter here, it is unrecognizable in the summer. This blanket of snow covers mud, bare land, sticks, fallen trees and pulls in a romantic smooth surface creating a dreamy landscape. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/inthemud/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/In-The-Mud.jpg In The Mud The old saying... "You don't want to get in the mud".... ooor do you? It has been said that microbes from here helped lead to the development of the PCR test, which has been instrumental in creating the covid 19 rapid test to show the spread of the virus. You see, we take care of the planet and the planet takes care of us. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/107/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/DSC01501-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/light-timing/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Light-Timing.jpg Light Timing It is all about the timing in Yellowstone. Pops of light come and go as fast as you can put your camera up to your eye. New landscapes and compositions always emerging and forever changing. I never leave with the same images from here and I am constantly discovering new things I want to shoot. I often shoot something and get home with that image and think, I need to shoot this differently. I learn more and more every time I shoot Yellowstone. Never a once and done. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/105/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Montana-Winter.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/tree-light/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Tree-Light.jpg Tree Light I decided to hike into an area that is not often explored in the winter, mainly due to unsafe ice and snow. I timed it right on this hike, the signs were down and the trailhead was not obstructed so I went on in. Packed full of landscapes like this with perfect light. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-mystery-of-mammoth/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Mystery-of-Mammoth.jpg The Mystery of Mammoth Just a short hike to this beautiful scene. A short hike yet a slippery ice covered hike that requires ice cleats. Love the broken trees that point the way to the hot spring ahead. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/uppercanyon/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Upper-Canyon.jpg The Upper Canyon This is not the most obvious landscape in the Upper Canyon region of Yellowstone. This caught my eye as I was hiking by. I have plenty of images of the upper canyon but not like this. Love the water peaking out between the snowy cliffs. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/lower-canyon-falls/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/This-is-Lower-Canyon.jpg This is Canyon This is Lower Canyon Falls. Lower Canyon which is mostly shaded or it is too cloudy to get beautiful light. I feel like this is a rare and lucky image of the lower falls because I had light on the top. Such a beautiful place, I could see this a million times and this never gets old. Canyon Falls https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/100/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20210201-GJ6A1856-2-Edit-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/thelightinyellowstone/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Light-in-Yellowstone.jpg The Light In Yellowstone Yellowstone winter has pockets of light that just change and appear out of nowhere. Light comes and goes very quickly so no time for a lot of lens changes. I usually have 2 camera bodies on my at all times ready to shoot. One with a long lens and another wider angle lens that can handle a tighter scene like this. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-grove-in-hayden/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Grove-in-Hayden.jpg The Grove in Hayden Shallow fields filled with fallen and new trees blanket the winter ground in Yellowstone. Add in a little steam and morning fog, you have a magical winter landscape image. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/97/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20200107-AS2I1079-2.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstonefrost/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Frost.jpg The Frost Sometimes it is the smallest of details that make a beautiful landscape. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-sticks/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Sticks.jpg Winter Sticks Geothermal steam puffs cling to the Pines and surrounding trees creating an ice shell on the bark, trunk and limbs. The constant steam prevents any real growth on the lower portion of the trees giving the tree a bit of a smooth surface, it is really beautiful in winter when the ice and snow build up in this bare forest. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/crystal-steam-yellowstone/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Crystal-Steam.jpg Crystal Steam Steam drifts off from the hot geothermal pools landing on rocks and trees creating a build up of ice. The layers of ice can have a dripping effect that is really beautiful. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/snowyellowstone/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Diamonds.jpg Diamonds As the sun comes up on a slightly windy day in Yellowstone, sun catches the drifting snowflake's as they fall creating a sparkle in the air. The air looks like it is filled with diamonds. The blanket of snow on the ground also shimmers like it is covered with silver glitter. Some girls like diamonds on their hands, I like mine in the air. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/new-growth/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/New-Growth.jpg New Growth A new baby pine making its way to catch up with the others in this sunlit grove in Yellowstone. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/newpinesyellowstone/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/New-Pines.jpg New Pines Some trails have been effected by fire in Yellowstone and intentional burns created by the forest service can generate new growth. Here we have photographed new pines making their way up to create the next generation of beautiful forest. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstonesimplebeauty/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Beauty.jpg Yellowstone Simple Beauty Yellowstone is honestly a treasure trove of landscape possibilities. Where to shoot, how to compose.... and then there is sensory overload. I am always thinking to myself, slow your brain down Laurie, take in this moment as simple or as complex as it may seem and find your image. Here is a simple scene, yet it delivers a stunning Modern feel that pulls the viewer into the depth of a cold Yellowstone Winter. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/thiswayout/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/This-Way-Out.jpg This Way Out Not much grows here in the thermal pools except a scientists dream. A few old dead trees stand but no telling how old they are. By capillary action the trees soaked up mineral laden water, which colors their base and prolongs their decay. The colors on the terraces are a blend of minerals and detached limestone that occurred when water passed up to the surface from lower hot springs below. Once the water hits the open air it looses some of the carbon dioxide and becomes a travertine mineral creating the colorful built up terraces seen in Mammoth. I often wonder what this is going to look like in another 10-50 years from now. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/onthewayout/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/On-The-Way-Out.jpg On The Way Out Last image I shot on this particular day heading out from a long day of shooting in Yellowstone. The last image of the day always feels like it needs to be a great one to round out the day. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-toothpicks/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Toothpicks.jpg Toothpicks Shooting the layered mountain range with a long lens isolates beautiful pockets of pine trees. yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-grove/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Grove.jpg The Grove This secret place is in Hayden. Not the most obvious spot and most would walk by it not even knowing it was there. The light here streaks across the tops of the young pines and reveals the new growth. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-moonglow/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Moonglow.jpg Moonglow I hike by this all the time in the winter and no matter how many time I see it, I always stop and photograph it. The light can shift and change the entire scene here very quickly. Hiking in..... no shot...hiking out the light becomes different, amazing! Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-winter-coat/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Woods.jpg Yellowstone Winter coat There is something about being out in this crazy cold weather that I just love. A morning like this I can hear everything. Close by the bubbling of the Geothermal fields building up to the top from lower pressure. Sounds of bubbles popping and steam spitting and hissing. Nature out here is just powerful! Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-frozen/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Drip.jpg Winter Drip Mother Nature layers the branches with fresh steam that quickly freezes causing many layers of ice to build up on the branches. You will only get this effect when temps can stay below 30. Even better results like this when it is below 0. The hike out here, well that's a different story! Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/mudvolcano/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Wonderland.jpg Wonderland What a morning in Hayden. I have shot this location a lot but I have only caught it like this once!!!! Not the easiest place to get to in the winter and you have to get there early to catch this light. Even with all of the effort, no garnetee. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-christmas/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-Christmas-Tree.jpg A Yellowstone Christmas Tree I shoot this forest line because I love the foreground with the steam and trees but there is always this one tree that just stands out from all others. I refer to this tree as my Yellowstone Christmas Tree. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-thermal/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Ice-Lands-2.jpg Yellowstone Winter Steam There are many Landscapes I have shot that I just love but there are some that just stir my soul. This here is a place that I always feel so connected too. I have photographed this same place/scene so many times and so many ways. I have shot this at different focal lengths, different angles..... I could go on. No two images look the same. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstonewinter/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Cake-2.jpg Winter Cake There are so many things that come to mind when I think of shooting Yellowstone Winter. Most come for the wildlife and totally loose focus on how incredible the natural raw landscape is. This place is nothing short of a miracle and there is just not anything like it in the world. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/elk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Frosty-Elk.jpg The Frosty Elk What a beautiful sight to see this big feet and frosty Bull Elk. This beauty held still long enough for me to grab this image then slipped away into the deep forest. Western Asheville https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/evo-portraits/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/EVO-Portraits-15.jpg EVO Portraits Please visit www.EVOportraits.com to learn more. EVO Portraits https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/blueridgefall/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/So-Long-Fall.jpg Blue Ridge ~ So Long Fall We are so blessed here in the Carolinas to have some of the most amazing mountain views. I know the popular choice is always Colorado for Fall photos but early October on the Blue Ridge Parkway is just outstanding! Blue Ridge Parkway North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/iron-weed/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/North-Carolina-Iron-Weed.jpg Carolina Iron Weed This is Iron Wed. It is hard to believe it is a weed. I was out trying to catch the fog in a meadow and found that the star of the show was this beautiful weed. A hiker was passing by and told me a great story about the North Carolina Fire Weed. Carolinas https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/acadia-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Acadia-Storm-Clouds.jpg Acadia Storm Clouds This was a sunrise in Acadia that I shot on a very cold morning with a major sinus infection. I spent the entire morning climbing on the cold salty rocks. Did not realize I had lost the skin from the tips of my fingers until my hands warmed up. Still no feeling in the tips of two fingers. All worth it to capture this place. One of my most favorite places and hope to shoot this again in 2024. Acadia https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/73/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/large/The-Art-of-Wildlife.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/wildlifeelk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Art-of-Wildlife-2.jpg The Art of Wildlife Finding beautiful wildlife moments and creating beautiful art is something I love. Working around the image with the natural elements with interesting textures can put the main focus on the wildlife subject. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/buck-deer/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/NC-Deer-The-Sweet-Soul.jpg Fragile There are always the normal visitors but it really never gets old. I am always tempted to see how much trust there is between human and wildlife. This sweet little Buck is a bit more trusting than the normal visitors. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-wolf/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yellowstone-Wolf-Hunter-.jpg Hunter The look of a a big Wolf, what does this face say? Hunter, protector, calculated risk taker, alpha, survivor, beauty? All seem to fit. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/redwood-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Redwood-Morning.jpg The Light in the Redwoods The Redwood forest is a place that you could spend days photographing. Exploring the old growth and mosses are so much fun. I think it is the smell of the damp forest that I love so much. Always a magical moment when gold sun light finds it way through the canopy. Lady Bird https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/olympic-national-park/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Quinault.jpg My Childhood in Quinault I spent my childhood coming to this incredible place with my mother, The Olympic National Forest. When I see this lake my soul is filled with absolute pure love. So many memories here, all are crystal clear in my mind as if it was only yesterday. My moms hometown of Aberdeen, WA brought us back often and placed us within a close drive in to the Olympic National Forest. Waking up from the early morning bus drive up to Lake Quinault was met with waffles in the rustic lodge and a day full of hiking in the Olympic Rain Forest. This is where my love for nature and photography started. My parents both shaped my love for hiking and the outdoors. The rainforest is the most calming place on earth. The quiet in the forest filled with the background sounds of water. The small of the forest floor and the visual of mosses and ferns just soothe my soul. Lake Quinault https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canadian-rockies/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Expedition.jpg The Expedition Walking across a frozen lake will never be among my fav things. Here is an image of my brave fellow photographer friends off in the distance on the frozen lake. Dramatic clouds with the mountain creates quite a beautiful scene. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/66/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yosemite-Window.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/mooseville/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Moose-Country.jpg Mooseville This is not the best image I have have ever shot yet it is my best image. This image is a reminder to me to stay on my own artistic path and to not be pulled onto others artistic path. I was told while I was shooting this that I was wasting time shooting junk and that the real photography was down the road further at a popular lake. I was told this by a photographer that makes his way through photography photographing things other people might like to buy on stock photo. I do not shoot my images for others, I shoot images I like because they move me. Mooseville USA https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/linn-cove/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Tree-Tops.jpg The Modern Parkway I am always a bit puzzled with composing this location. The scene is always dramatic but the camera angle is never quite right. I think it seems best shot wide but I often come full circle and think maybe best not photographed at all. I think I finally found my way with it and felt it is best in a wide angle black and white. I think it is meant to have a modern feel. Linn Cove Viaduct https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-winter-pines/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Pines.jpg Winter Pines There are several favorite places of mine in Yellowstone, this is one of them. It is a place that I feel most walk on by without a second look. It is not obvious but I am drawn to it. Each time I am near here, I take a new image. Never the same and each time I know what I will do different next time. You might see this same location composed differently in other photos I have in my Galleries. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/62/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/20160811-GJ6A5662-Edit.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/redwoods-landscape/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Walk-in-the-Redwoods.jpg A Walk in the Redwoods This light only lasted for a few min. As I dropped down to get my camera out of my backpack, the light stated changing. I almost dropped my camera due to excitement. I managed to only get a few of this amazing moment. Redwood Forest https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-landscape-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Color-of-Hayden.jpg A Modern Forest This is a scene that always stops me in Yellowstone during the winter. It has the most interesting modern feel and I can see this image produced into large prints and also rendered in a beautiful black and white. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/59/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Orchard.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/58/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Haunted-Spring-.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/owner/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Burned-Blur.jpg Owner https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/56/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Badlands-Milk-and-Cookies-.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/55/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Walking-on-Water.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frozen-canada/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Walking-on-Water.jpg Walking on Water There is something unnerving when you are walking on a frozen river. You can feel the rapids under your feet below the ice. Every step you take you wonder if the ice will hold. A short walk out to this frozen ice cave but still a heart pounding time. Felt good to be back on the edge of the frozen river. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/53/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Big-Sur-Treehouse.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/52/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Blaze-of-the-Southwest.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/foggy-asheville/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Orchard.jpg The Orchard I might have found Heaven! This it the reward at the top of the mountain. I hike up early to catch the fog. It is never the same twice up here, conditions change rapidly. To get perfect shooting conditions I study the weather temps and precipitation before I hike up. If all the stars line up, I am going up. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/50/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Sulfer.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/haunted-forest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Haunted-Spring-.jpg Haunted Spring This scene makes me think of the stories of SnowWhite or even the story of Sleepy Hollow and Ichabod Crane. In this image I start out on this trail in almost the pitch dark to I can make it to the top by sunrise. I grab moody scenes like this on the way up and on the way down. As I hike up the mountain I can hear the trees around me make a creepy creaking sound as the wind whips through the trailhead. Heavy fog creates a mysterious feel to this lush forest. Rhododendron blossoms have fallen and line part of the trailhead adding touches of bright pink. As I hike on into the heavy fog ahead I often wonder if a Black Bear will meet me on the trail. I often wonder why I love doing this so much. Asheville https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/forest-fire/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Burned-Blur.jpg Matchsticks I had not completely researched this location before the long trip out here. If I had, I would have learned the forest burned down. No photographers here. I had the place all to myself. Beautiful moody scene with the evidence of new life emerging from the forest floor. Oregon https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/badlandslandscape/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Badlands-Milk-and-Cookies-.jpg Badlands Milk and Cookies This place is just interesting! Odd formations in the desert create a Mars like feeling. Hiking back out of this place is a little scary. You can hear the Coyotes calling to one another across the canyon lands. What a beautiful place. I hope this location can remain in its current state. Not the easiest to find and not a place to go alone. Badlands https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/acadia/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/A-Perfect-night.jpg Acadia Lighthouse I am not one for popular locations but this one I could not pass up. I was able to shoot this image with some great friends that blocked for me so I could go down lower to compose this shot. This is a quick shot as the light changes fast and the photographer line up is a bit brutal. Acadia https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-mammoth/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Mammoth-Steam.jpg Mammoth Steam I am always finding ways to shoot Mammoth differently. I am never after the typical shot. If you know me, you know that this is my most fav place on the planet. Yellowstone will forever be my most fav place, especially winter. Keep an eye out for my upcoming book on Yellowstone winter. Yellowstone https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/zion/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Holy-Water.jpg Holy Water Well all I can think of when I see this image is how amazing God is. Everything from the interesting wall patterns to the vibrant cool blue water. Yes a slight bump in saturation during editing but this is slightly edited, this is how this place looks and feels. Wading and hiking in to shoot this in a warm wetsuit, I am able to be right in the scene. As beautiful as it is, it can all change rapidly here if storms approach. 10 days before I shot this, 8 people lost their lives when they became trapped in this canyon from a flash flood. Zion https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/southwest-landscape-2/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Cloud-Sweep.jpg Arizona Cloud Sweep Monsoon season brings all sorts of cloud action out West. This is my home state and I will never be tired of a Western sky. This takes me back to my childhood hiking with my Dad. I have been fortunate enough to shoot this location many times and it is always different. I love the wispy cloud action in this set of images. Southwest https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/lillies/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Pacific-Early-Spring.jpg Pacific Early Spring I took some time to travel the pacific coast. Growing up out West we spent a lot of time here. I wanted to start in Oregon and work my way to Washington State. A bit too early to catch the bloom of this beautiful field of lush green leaves. The waxy leaves have their own beauty without the bloom. Pacific Coast https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/northcarolina-landscapes/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Carolina-Trails.jpg North Carolina Trails I spend several days up here a month. It is my peaceful place and I will continue to study this place. It captivates me and I feel so connected to it. I love it so much that I bought land near by so I could some day have a small cabin close by. Blue Ridge Parkway https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/southwest-landscape/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Dreamscape.jpg Dreamscape This place is just jaw dropping! Chasing light in the Southwest during Monsoon season. Always some serious cloud action and rock formations that defy logic. Southwest https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canada-waterfall/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/canada-falls.jpg Canada Falls I see a lt of amazing winter landscape but some stand out in my mind more than others. This location in the winter is tough to get too. A cold and slippery hike in eventually reveals a stunning landscape. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bigsur/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Big-Sur-Storms.jpg Big Sur Storms There is a time of year that is best for capturing storms, colorful water and waves. This is truly one of the prettiest places I have ever seen. I will be going back to photograph this again this year. I want more time here to compose my images. I came upon this place by accident when I had to evacuate from Yosemite. What a great opportunity discovering this place. Big Sur https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/northcarolina-waterfalls/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Falling-For-North-Carolina.jpg Falling for North Carolina Welcome to Fall in the Carolinas. My home state is packed full of the most amazing Fall colors. Toss in a magical waterfall and here you go. Blue Ridge Parkway https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/blue-ridge-garden-trail/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/North-Carolina-Night-Garden-.jpg North Carolina Night Garden One of my most favorite places. Timing here needs to be perfect. I have had to hike this location so many times to just understand weather patterns for shooting. To catch perfect light, mist, fog and pink flowers. I almost have it timed down to a 2 week window that occurs once a year. The hike up to the top starts early in the morning, dark, foggy with creeping trees as the sway from wind gust. Spooky yet incredibly beautiful. Blue Ridge Parkway https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/milkyway-canada/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Mountain-Milk.jpg Mountain Milk Finding a special location by accident? Driving to Jasper I caught this beautiful water run off out of the corner of my eye. Not the most obvious place but easy enough to pull over and walk back to this amazing place. I shot this from several different angles and not sure which I like best. Jasper https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/34/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Prismatic-Fountain.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/winter-branches/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Winter-Branches.jpg Winter Branches Yosemite 2023 proved to be a year that will go down in History as one of the biggest storms that Yosemite has ever seen. I was fortunate enough to sneak in right before the rangers closed the gate for what would last months. I was eventually evacuated out but not before I was able to take incredible winter images. It was a small window to make it in before the shutdown so I have named this image "Yosemite Window". Yosemite https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/sleeping-yellowstone-elk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Slumber-2.jpg Slumber There are many locations throughout Yellowstone with beautiful thermal pools. Winter brings frigid temps and these warm basins bring comfort to animals in the cold season. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yellowstone-bison/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Dash-2.jpg The Dash Bison are very attached to their heard and mother Bison are especially attached to their young. Here is mother and baby bison hanging close as the heard sprints down a hill to locate a new field to graze upon. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/motherelk/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Maternal-2.jpg Maternal A very cold Carolina frosty morning in Western Asheville. Here baby elk nurses on its mother in a cold frosty field. Neither were bothered by me and traveled right beside me for a little while. Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/american-bald-eagle/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/American-Treasure.jpg American Treasure The American Bald Eagle. Yellowstone showcases some beautiful wildlife and the American Bald Eagle is always at the top of my list to find on a winter trip out. High in the treetops over looking rivers below is mostly where the perch. What a stunning creature. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/wisdom/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/WISDOM.jpg Wisdom Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/27/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Waterfall-in-the-Woods.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-harvest/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Harvest.jpg The-Harvest Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/in-the-wild/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/In-The-Wild.jpg In the Wild Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/24/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/October-Moon.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/october-wolf/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/October-Wolf.jpg October Wolf Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/pride/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/PRIDE-2.jpg Pride Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/tea-time/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Tea-Time.jpg Tea-Time Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-garden/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Garden.jpg The Garden Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/the-guardian/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/The-Guardian.jpg The Guardian Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/from-the-smoke/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/From-the-Smoke.jpg From-the-Smoke Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/17/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Hush.jpg https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/halloween/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Halloween.jpg Halloween Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/an-angel-among-us/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/An-Angel-Among-Us.jpg An Angel Among Us Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/cold-seas/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Cold-Seas.jpg Cold Seas Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/first-love/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/First-Love.jpg First-Love Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/for-the-roses/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/For-The-Roses.jpg For The Roses Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/friendship/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Friendship.jpg Friendship Digitally Dreamed and Designed By Laurie R. Martin Artist https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/canadianlandscape-jasper/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Over-The-Top.jpg Over the Top Hiking out to grab this shot, it's bear season. Was not sure what would be worse, jumping into this washing machine or surviving a grizzly attack. It is crazy how much your imagination can run off while out shooting. The hike back in the dark was a very fast walk! Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/frozen-ice-cave/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Stolen.jpg Stolen I have learned to look around me to try to see the not so obvious compositions. In this image, the scene was more to the front of this image (check out my image "Walking on Water" for the opposite view). It is interesting to me that sometimes the best images are right behind you, not the intended. Canada https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/bull-moose-colorado/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Colorado-Moose-Halo-.jpg Halo The beautiful Bullwinkle looks onto the day ahead with perfect light framing his face and paddles. I shot this in Colorado in the summer season. Colorado https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/beltedcow-gallowaycow/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/NC-Belted-Galloway-Cows-State-Fair-Blue-Ribbon--.jpg State Fair Blue Ribbon The most precious things are closer than you think. Taken at the farm where I keep my horse. I love a little cow time. Baby belted cow just born, just a few days old here. This image makes me think of a state fair agriculture and livestock show. I think these two would win a blue ribbon for sure. North Carolina https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/iceland-horses/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Icelandic-Horse-The-Farmers-Garden.jpg A Farmers Garden A white angel appears and brings new life into this old farmers tired farm. I could not get enough of this Icelandic farmers homplace. Iceland https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/5yellowstone-bison-survival/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Survival.jpg Survival There is a story behind every image... The story in this moment was one of the most memorable of all my photographic adventures. The story behind this image will be posted in an upcoming blog on this page. Beautiful Yellowstone Bison warming himself in the hot thermal pools. It s not uncommon for the Bison to suffer burns from the hot waters. Yellowstone National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/moose-breakfast-sunrise/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Colorado-Moose-Fireweed-Breakfast-.jpg Colorado Moose Breakfast Wildlife moments in beautiful landscapes. What a morning watching these two feed on purple fireweed in the soft filtered morning light. They did not seem startled with me and kept grazing quietly. Colorado https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/colorado-moose/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Colorado-Moose-Double-Vision-.jpg Double Vision "Wildlife moments in beautiful landscapes are among my most favorite images" Colorado Moose in Mooseville https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/yosemite-snow-fields/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Yosemite-Snow-Fields.jpg Yosemite Snow Fields There is waaaay too much to write about this shoot in this caption. I will have a blog walking all through this adventure. This was 2023, shot this during the evacuation of Yosemite (due to extreme winter conditions). I appreciate my winter shooting buddy Kim for pushing the limits with me this entire trip. We honestly did not leave anything on the table! Only girl I know that would climb under an SUV in freezing cold slush to read a snow chain manual and apply snow chains with me. This ones for you Kim. Yosemite National Park https://www.imagesbylm.com/photo/steamboat/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/images/xl/Steamboat.jpg The Perfect Morning If there was a perfect morning, this was it. No rush to shoot, clouds settled in the trees, up early with the sound of the forest waking up around me. Hot cup of coffee in hand with the rain soaking everything around me. The rain brings out natures natural saturation of rich colors. Oregon https://www.imagesbylm.com/news/ https://www.imagesbylm.com/contact/