Tips and Tricks for Successful Wildflower Photography

Mount St. Helens Sunrise

My favorite time of the year for photography has always been wildflower season! In the Pacific Northwest, you will find several different mountain ranges and regions that showcase incredible meadows. I must admit, my initial attraction came after seeing amazing images of Mount Rainier and Mount St. Helens, bathed in vast amounts of beautiful wildflowers.…

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Mt Rainier Wildflower Photography Part 1

Misty Sunrise at the Pass

During the first couple weeks of August, the slopes of Mt Rainier boast some of the most spectacular high alpine wildflower displays in the Northwest. Wildflowers begin to bloom at the lower elevations in mid-July and are great for macro photography or fog enshrouded forest shots. However, if you want the classic views of flowers…

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High Uintas Backpacking – Amethyst Basin

Amethyst Lake Wildflowers 2

Amethyst Basin in Utah’s High Uinta Wilderness is another popular destination for impressive mountain scenery. It’s a short 13.2 mile round-trip hike, so it can easily be done over a weekend or even as a day-hike. However, I recommend spending a night near Amethyst Lake since that will give you more time to explore and…

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High Uintas Backpacking – Henry’s Fork & Kings Peak

Henry's Fork Lake Sunrise

The Henry’s Fork and Kings Peak area of the High Uinta Wilderness is another great option for summer backpacking. Here you’ll be treated to verdant alpine valleys, sparkling lakes, and a chance to summit Utah’s highest peak! Henry’s Fork Trailhead is easy to access via a good gravel road that is suitable for passenger cars.…

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High Uintas Backpacking – Red Castle Lakes

Fiery Red Castle

With springtime in the air, now is the time to start planning summer backpacking trips! One location I would highly recommend is Utah’s High Uinta Wilderness. Located just south of the Wyoming border in Eastern Utah, this spectacular backcountry area stretches nearly 60 miles east to west and is home to Utah’s highest peak. The…

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Photographing the Dalton Highway – Part 2

Caribou on the Dalton Highway

And now for the best part of the Dalton Highway – the Brooks Range and the North Slope! Before the trip, I had high hopes to see some wildlife in this section of the highway. When I was filling up with gas at Coldfoot, I asked some hunters if they had any luck spotting caribou.…

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Photographing the Dalton Highway – Part 1

The Dalton Highway was originally built in 1974 to support the trans-Alaska pipeline. It takes off from the Elliott Highway north of Fairbanks and runs 414 miles all the way to Deadhorse, stopping just shy of the Arctic Ocean. Unless you have special tour arrangements, you won’t actually get to see the Arctic Ocean due…

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Denali National Park – Guide to Hiking, Photography, and Camping

Coming of Winter

The wilds of Alaska have been a magnet for outdoor enthusiasts over the years. The diversity of scenery is truly staggering; wild rivers rage, endless craggy mountain peaks loom overhead, and rolling hills of tundra and trees beckon. Denali National Park is no exception. While the scenery is truly magnificent, it also boasts exceptional wildlife…

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Ice On The Racetrack

Last week, my friend Jeremy went out on a quick photo trip. Since he had never been to Death Valley, we decided to venture out the Racetrack. With only one day to spend there, we weren’t sure what to expect and we had no idea what the current conditions were like. For those of you…

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Springtime in the Sawtooths

Fiery Sunset

In early May of this year, I ventured up to Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains for some weekend photography. This area boasts a plethora of great alpine scenery and fun hiking routes. So why would you want to go in the Spring? First, the mountains still have snow on them which lend well to photographs. Second, it’s…

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