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  • Purple coneflowers bloom in the prairie as a nearly full moon rises in the east.The Nachusa Grasslands give you an idea of what Illinois looked like hundreds of years ago, before settlers arrived and converted it to farmland. 3,000 acres of this rolling grassland have been restored to their original state in this preserve. Less than 1% of the original tallgrass prairie remains, which makes this a rare sight in Illinois. Sandstone outcrops, many varieties of colorful wildflowers, and numerous wildlife make this a beautiful place. A herd of bison will soon be brought in from South Dakota as well. There are few paths in this preserve, so you have to go off-trail to explore the landscape.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: July 10, 2014
    Nachusa Coneflowers
  • Among the purple prairie clover, milkweed plants shoot up as well as a few coneflowers. Darkness had fallen on the Nachusa Grasslands as the nearly full moon rose higher in the east.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: July 10, 2014
    Moonlight Breeze
  • Once you are in the middle of the Nachusa Grasslands, the views are expansive making the place feel much bigger than it is. On the top of the rolling hills are outcrops made of St. Peter Sandstone.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: July 10, 2014
    Sandstone Prairie
  • The temperature was somewhere around 10 to 15 degrees below zero when I went for a hike besides Piney Creek in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains near Story. There were all kinds of interesting ice formations along the edge of the creek. Delicate frost feathers had formed on top of the clear layers of ice and all the boulders were simply lumps of snow. The water flows fast enough that I didn't see any parts of the creek that were frozen over completely. Standing above snowy trees at the entrance to the canyon is this colorful stained cliff. It doesn't see any sunlight until late afternoon.
    Piney Creek Cliff
  • On the northwest side of the Bighorn Mountains are at least 6 named waterfalls. Some of these waterfalls are an easy hike. Crystal Creek Falls however was not. Located near the top of a valley at 8,000 feet, it's not the distance that made it hard to reach. There is no trail here, and the waterfall is surrounded by cliffs and steep terrain, dense forest, thorns, and large amounts of deadfall. While not as bad as many other areas, pine beetle damage was evident around here as well. Despite the scenic views, by the time I got back I vowed to never go this way again. The terrain and climate in this area varies significantly in a very short distance. About 35 inches of rain falls annually at this elevation, but the dry basin just 10 miles to the west sees only 1/5 of that amount.
    Crystal Creek Falls
  • This is the view from the end of the Piney Creek trail. I tried to get a little closer to the small frozen waterfall, but I stopped in my tracks once the ice started creaking. Despite the subzero temperatures, the ice was never solid all the way across the creek.
    Frozen Piney Creek Falls
  • The Open Door towers above Granite Creek shortly after sunrise in the Gros Ventre Mountains.
    Granite Creek Morning
  • This is Bright Angel Creek at the bottom of the Grand Canyon next to Phantom Ranch.
    Bright Angel Creek
  • On the side of the road near Mantle Rock, Kentucky, lies this scenic area. McGilligan Creek flows between moss covered rocks which looked especially colorful after the rain.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: July 23, 2014
    McGilligan Creek
  • The soft purple colors of sunset are reflected in Pack Creek, Idaho. The red bush was one of many vibrant fall colors visible across this meadow. Normally home to moose, bears, and wolves, it was unusually quiet on this evening. In September of 1805 Lewis and Clark set up camp here before nearly starving to death in the mountains further west. Over 200 years later, it's still a great place to camp.
    Pack Creek
  • After making their way past the bison, this pair of bull moose crossed Soda Butte Creek.
    Moose Crossing Creek
  • Rapid Creek flows past golden aspen trees in the Bighorn Mountains.
    Rapid Creek Aspens
  • This unnamed creek flowed right past my campsite at 10,000 feet in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Golden sunlight filled the valley before a thunderstorm approached.
    Bomber Mountain Creek
  • Clear Creek in Buffalo was looking very scenic on a sunny bluebird day after a fresh snowfall.
    Clear Creek S
  • A small cascade on Beaver Creek flows through a verdant valley in the northern Bighorn Mountains.
    Beaver Creek Cascade
  • Willow Creek wraps around the Palisades Campground outside of Red Lodge, Montana.
    Willow Creek
  • The colors were very muted as the sun set over Soda Butte Creek in the Lamar Valley.  But it was the only hint of color I saw in the sky while I was in Yellowstone.
    Soda Butte Creek
  • This bridge crosses the creek at the southern end of Taggart Lake in the Tetons
    Taggart Creek Bridge
  • There were amazing fall colors at Bass Creek on this morning. It was made even more colorful when the early morning sun peeked through the trees.
    Bass Creek Autumn
  • The snow-covered cliffs of Ten Sleep Canyon glow in the evening sunlight.
    Leigh Creek Cliff
  • I wasn't sure if the storm clouds would move out in time, but they did and made for a spectacular sunset over Fort Peck Lake.
    Sunset at Hell Creek
  • Not being a morning person, I don't shoot that many sunrises. But it's a lot easier while backpacking with an incredible view as my backyard. I set my alarm for 5AM, took a few shots and then went back to sleep. Rain showers and virga were passing overhead, which was highlighted by the rising sun. Few raindrops reached my tent. But sudden violent gusts of wind sometimes filtered down into this valley next to Lake Solitude. These were unpredictable, coming from any direction. It was a very warm morning for this elevation with the temperature over 50°F. But it was a lot more pleasant up here than in Sheridan where it got up to 98°F later in the afternoon. The willows had yet to leaf out and the aspen trees still had that bright green look to them. Some of the hazards of early season backpacking include tricky stream crossings, water and mud everywhere, and trails still hidden under deep snow drifts. It was going to be a long 12 mile hike out with wet shoes. But it's worth the scrapes and blisters to explore amazing places like the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
    Dawn at Paint Rock Creek
  • Paradise Falls is a scenic waterfall in the northern Bighorn Mountains. There are no signs for the trailhead, and you won't find it on most maps, it's sort of a local secret.
    Beaver Creek Canyon
  • Matthiessen State Park is located in North Central Illinois. There are at least 6 waterfalls located throughout the park with several creeks cutting through the gorges. The creek in this shot flows from Matthiessen Lake down to the Vermillion River. The trails alongside the creek are only accessible when the water level isn't too high. Giant's Bathtub is the name of this waterfall and it's located in the upper dells area, not far from Lake Falls.
    Giants Bathtub
  • Franklin Creek flows quietly past sandstone bluffs. After a recent snowfall, this state park was looking especially beautiful. The creek is fed by several natural springs, which flow directly out of the rock. Pioneer families took advantage of this location in the 1830's by building a nearby grist mill powered by a spring.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: January 27, 2015
    Leaning Tree
  • Most of the ice at Piney Creek was covered by a layer of snow. But this portion of the creek was different, and the ice had a beautiful turquoise color. For some reason the water was flowing on top of the ice here, with slush in some areas. If I stood on the wet ice for very long my boots would freeze in place.
    Turquoise Ice
  • The last light on the cliffs of Piney Creek Canyon is reflected in the cold water.
    Gold Under Ice
  • Most of the ice at Piney Creek was covered by a layer of snow. But this portion of the creek was different, and the ice had a beautiful turquoise color. For some reason the water was flowing on top of the ice here. It almost looked like a hot spring was melting the ice in this spot and surging up over the ice. But there are no hot springs in the Bighorn Mountains.
    Water On Top of Ice
  • On a subzero morning at Starved Rock State Park, very intricate and delicate frost formed on this icy creek. I felt like I was destroying a work of art every time I took a step. The golden sunlit canyon walls are reflected in one of the only unfrozen portions of La Salle Creek.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 12/24/13
    Cold as Gold
  • A steep sandstone bluff slopes down to the water at Franklin Creek State Park.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: January 27, 2015
    Sloping Cliff
  • Just before the drenching rain started, I took one last shot and captured this bolt of lightning, reflected in Big Goose Creek.
    Electric Green
  • The sun sets over the hills and prairie of Grasslands National Park. This was taken from the Rock Creek trail in the East Block.
    East Block Sunset
  • This 20 foot high waterfall in Matthiessen State Park doesn't even have a name. You have to hop across a creek and hike up a canyon to find it. The pollen on the surface of the water was continually swirling around the small pool.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: May 10, 2013
    Swirling Falls
  • The sun sets over the hills and prairie of Grasslands National Park. This was taken from the Rock Creek trail in the East Block.
    Butte Afterglow
  • The sky turns a bright red as the sun rises at Glacial Park, Illinois. The colorful sky is reflected in Nippersink Creek.
    Nippersink Dawn
  • Rock Creek Vista is the first scenic overlook on the Beartooth Highway, located at 9,200 feet. Looking southwest, the U-shape of the valley carved by glaciers was obvious
    U-Shaped Valley
  • On winter solstice, the first snow of the season fell in northern Illinois. It was only a couple inches, but it was beautiful at Glacial Park on the edge of Nippersink Creek. After the sun went down on the shortest day of the year, the soft pink and blue colors of twilight set in as the temperature dropped.
    Solstice Snow
  • Fallen leaves accumulate around a small waterfall in Pewit's Nest State Natural Area, Wisconsin. This is the first of 3 waterfalls on Skillet Creek as it flows through this deep and narrow gorge.
    Creekside Leaves
  • Every year, the Western Larch trees turn a bright yellow before winter sets in. They are one of the only deciduous trees with needles. This view was seen near Lolo Creek in Montana. When the sun came out for a few minutes, I had to stop and get some shots of the Larch trees as they became backlit.
    Sunlit Larch
  • It was super windy at the Beaver Creek Overlook at 9,430'. But I sat and waited for the sun to come out between clouds and light up the snowy mountains.
    Bighorn Basin Rays
  • It had been 7 months since I've even heard thunder here in Wyoming. But early May finally brought the first decent thunderstorm of the year. Throughout the evening clouds built up over the Bighorn Mountains before the storm descended and hit Sheridan after 8PM. The high moisture content combined with late evening sunlight behind the storm gave the clouds a greenish-blue tint. The storm wasn't severe, but it brought frequent lightning, small hail, and a drenching rain that made the already flooded Big Goose Creek rise even higher. The photogenic shelf cloud ahead of the rain core showed some impressive structure as it was sculpted by wind shear above.
    Big Goose Storm
  • Piney Creek flows through the Bighorn Mountains west of Story.
    A Peaceful Place
  • Stars rise over Salt Creek in Weldon Springs State Park. This startrail sequence covers shows the stars movement in 73 minutes. <br />
<br />
Date Taken: August 13, 2014
    Weldon Springs Startrails
  • This is the biggest and last waterfall on Skillet Creek as it flows through Pewit's Nest State Natural Area. The fall colors were at their peak and the orange leaves were contrasting with the green moss on the sandstone walls. This deep and narrow gorge is located just outside of Baraboo, Wisconsin.
    Colorful Gorge
  • It was a winter wonderland at Piney Creek, even though it was the 1st of May. Nearly a foot of fresh snow had fallen. When the wind picked up, it filled the air with snow that it knocked off tree branches.
    Caught In the Wind
  • It’s one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. At the terminus of the Castner Glacier in the highest mountain range in North America is this frozen cave. I’m sure it’s easier to get to in the summer. But with 2 feet of snow covering the trail, and moose tracks outnumbering those of humans, I almost gave up on finding it. The cave is not visible until you’re standing right at the entrance. Inside is a world of ice reflecting every shade of blue. Rocks and gravel were locked in the ceiling just waiting to fall. It felt like I was in the belly of a giant beast, examining what it ate for breakfast hundreds of years ago. Down the middle flowed a silty stream. Further back very little light reaches and a water crossing prevented further exploration. Eery booming sounds came from deep within the darkness. But at least I felt safer visiting during the cold season when the glacier wasn’t actively melting. Many maps and descriptions of this place are no longer accurate. Glacier caves are temporary features which change from year to year, and as the Castner Glacier recedes there’s no telling how long this cave will last.
    A World of Ice
  • It’s one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. At the terminus of the Castner Glacier in the highest mountain range in North America is this frozen cave. I’m sure it’s easier to get to in the summer. But with 2 feet of snow covering the trail, and moose tracks outnumbering those of humans, I almost gave up on finding it. The cave is not visible until you’re standing right at the entrance. Inside is a world of ice reflecting every shade of blue. Rocks and gravel were locked in the ceiling just waiting to fall. It felt like I was in the belly of a giant beast, examining what it ate for breakfast hundreds of years ago. Down the middle flowed a silty stream. Further back very little light reaches and a water crossing prevented further exploration. Eery booming sounds came from deep within the darkness. But at least I felt safer visiting during the cold season when the glacier wasn’t actively melting. Many maps and descriptions of this place are no longer accurate. Glacier caves are temporary features which change from year to year, and as the Castner Glacier recedes there’s no telling how long this cave will last.
    Gravel Striations
  • After hearing about a comet named C/2020 F3 (NEOWISE), I finally got to see it for myself on this morning. Not really knowing what to expect, I set my alarm for 3AM. I was immediately blown away by how big and bright it is. Even after most of the stars had faded out against the light of dawn, it was still visible. The long tail stretched at least 5° across the northeast sky. I’m looking forward to getting more pictures of this comet, but that is assuming it holds together. Comets are very unpredictable. 2 of them were hyped up earlier this year, only to break apart before ever getting bright. Then Comet NEOWISE came as a bit of surprise. This was taken at Fort Peck Lake, the largest in Montana. With it’s many coves, arms, and inlets, the reservoir has a shoreline of more than 1,500 miles.
    Comet at Fort Peck Lake
  • After snowing on and off all day, the clouds parted just before sunset and revealed a fiery sky to the west. First one peak would become visible, and then glimpses of even higher summits beyond. The Alaska Range is the tallest mountain range in North America. Not only do these mountains reach high, but they also start low at about 1,000 feet above sea level. This makes even the shorter peaks look impressive. None of the other high mountains of the world are located this far north. The Alaska Range is notorious for some of the harshest weather on the planet. 100 mph winds and temperatures below -50°F are not uncommon in the winter. Except for the occasional wolf howl it was a quiet evening. But the next morning very strong winds would start to blow. It was a warm southerly wind, melting the snow in a matter of hours. The higher gusts kept blowing open the door and bent the chimney of the cabin where I was staying. I never did get to see Denali during my trip, but that just gives me a reason to go back some day.
    Donnelly Sunset Reflection
  • While hiking off trail in the Seminoe Mountains, I came across this bird. I believe it's a gray phase ruffed grouse.
    Ruffed Grouse
  • I went snowshoeing a few miles on this snowmobile trail in the Bighorn Mountains since I had never explored it before. The South Tongue River could only be seen in a few places, it was mostly frozen.
    Snowing On Snow
  • Golden cottonwood trees line the bottom of a canyon in the Bighorn Mountains seen after an early season snowfall.
    White Yellow and Green
  • Big Timber Falls flows through a narrow gorge in the Crazy Mountains not far from Half Moon Campground. The roar of the water can be heard from far away.
    Big Timber Falls
  • Bridal Veil Falls is found in the northern Black Hills just outside of Spearfish. The waterfall cascades about 50 feet down a granite cliff in Spearfish Canyon. The cloudy weather was perfect for shooting with longer exposures.
    Black Hills Cascade
  • This scenic waterfall is near the beginning of the Lost Twin Lakes Trail in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
    Middle Tensleep Falls
  • Crazy Woman Canyon is is located south of Buffalo in the Bighorn Mountains. A steep, narrow, and bumpy road ascends the canyon all the way up to Highway 16. It's a fun drive, with lots of scenic cliffs and rock formations, and plenty of dispersed campsites available.
    Narrow Passage
  • After pitching my tent and eating dinner, I watched this thunderstorm roll into the Bighorn Mountains. There's always something special about a sunset at 10,000 feet.
    Paint Rock Valley Sunset
  • This covered bridge is located just outside of Princeton, Illinois. The bridge was built in 1863 and has a weight limit of 5 tons.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: January 27, 2015
    Red Covered Bridge
  • A waterfall is illuminated under the moonlit sky. The peak in the background is the 8,760 foot Clements Mountain.
    Glacier Moonlight
  • Bridal Veil Falls is found in the northern Black Hills just outside of Spearfish. The waterfall cascades about 50 feet down a granite cliff in Spearfish Canyon. The cloudy weather was perfect for shooting with longer exposures.
    Bridal Veil Falls
  • It was interesting seeing the contrasts of black lava, verdant moss, and glacial ice on Snæfellsjökull.
    Glacier and Moss
  • It was a beautiful day to be in the Bighorn Mountains. Fresh snow had fallen the night before and the clouds cleared out before daybreak leaving sunny blue skies.
    Sun Melting Snow
  • A small pond next to the Wood River gave a perfect reflection of Dundee Mountain. But I had to place my camera very close to the water to capture it.
    Reflection Beside the River
  • Over the last month I've been staying closer to home for obvious reasons. But I'm grateful to have places like this nearby. Lately I've been visiting blocks of public land out on the plains where the snow has already melted. From here I set off cross-country, not following a specific trail. There's a certain freedom that's felt when exploring without a destination in mind. With expectations low, I simply head wherever looks most interesting. From the top of a high hill this is the stunning view I found looking west. The town of Buffalo is tucked away behind the hills but this perspective makes it look like there's nothing around. Cloud Peak at 13,167' is the tallest in the Bighorn Mountains, and it holds the last remaining glacier in the range. The summit is also the 3rd most topographically prominent in the entire Rockies. The flat-topped mountain is flanked by the more jagged Bomber Mountain on the left and Mount Woolsey on the right. I rarely create black and white images, but some scenes are just meant for it.
    From the Hills to the Mountains
  • In between the upper and lower Lost Twin Lakes, there is a waterfall. After raining all morning, the sun finally came out at 1PM.
    Lost Twin Falls
  • In the northern Big Horn Mountains there is a waterfall called Paradise Falls. There are no signs for the trailhead and you won't find it on most maps, it's sort of a local secret. The waterfall is at least 120 feet high, but it's split into several drops and cascades.This is the lower part with the tallest drop. It's tricky to get down here and reach the base.
    Lower Paradise Falls
  • There are many waterfalls and rapids along the trail to Elk Lake in the Beartooth Mountains. This one was the biggest.
    Rosebud Falls
  • It was a beautiful day for a hike in Shell Canyon. The fresh green foliage on the cottonwood trees was catching the sunlight.
    Shell Canyon Spring
  • The North Tongue River flows between snow-covered boulders near Burgess Junction.
    Downstream
  • Borrego Palm Canyon is found where the San Ysidro Mountains meet the Sonoran Desert. This arid region of San Diego County receives only 6 inches of rain annually. But this place is vastly different than the surrounding terrain. Fed by underground springs coming to the surface, lush plants fill the canyon and colorful wildflowers are found around every corner. Even though the water flows year round, it disappears a short ways downstream. Numerous waterfalls tumble over the boulders and I had to be careful not to step on the many frogs hopping around. The dozens of fan palms that grow here are some of the last remaining naturally occurring palms left in California. This cool and shady oasis is the perfect place to visit on a hot afternoon and it's the most popular hike in Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
    Borrego Palm Canyon
  • Abiathar Peak glows shortly before sunset during a brief break in the snow. Snowflakes were in the air almost the entire time I was in Yellowstone National Park. Some of the best views in Yellowstone are found here in the remote northeast corner of the park. On the other side of the mountain is the small town of Cooke City, the highest in the Northern Rockies. It's hard to find a more isolated town in the winter. The closest city with more than 1,000 people is 110 miles away with a 2.5 hour drive. That doesn't include the frequent delays caused by herds of bison, who often travel on the road to conserve energy and avoid the deep snow in the Lamar Valley
    Abiathar Aglow
  • Several feet of dry powdery snow covered the ice at Sibley Lake. It was nearly 4AM on the longest night of the year and the crescent moon was lighting up the cold scene.
    Snowy Sibley Panorama
  • This small waterfall is just beyond the grove of palm trees in Borrego Palm Canyon.
    Flowers and Hidden Falls
  • Mantle Rock is located in rural western Kentucky. The 188 foot long arch is the longest in the US east of the Mississippi River. A thick green moss covers the moist and shady sandstone walls. This place also has historical significance as well. In the harsh winter of 1838-1839 almost 2,000 Cherokee Indians camped in the area as they waited for the nearby Ohio River to thaw. These Native Americans were forced by the government to relocate from the Deep South to present-day Oklahoma. A large percentage of them tragically died during the long journey, on what is known as "The Trail of Tears."<br />
<br />
Date Taken: July 23, 2014
    Mantle Rock
  • This is Missouri's highest waterfall, Mina Sauk Falls. The total height is 132 feet although it is split into several sections. It's a little tricky to get down to it, but it's a great place to cool off on a hot day.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: May 6, 2014
    Mina Sauk Falls
  • This is one of many small cascades above Mina Sauk Falls. The waterfall below this is the tallest in Missouri at 132 feet.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: May 6, 2014
    Above Mina Sauk
  • Lake Falls is a 45 foot high waterfall that flows from Matthiessen Lake in a state park with the same name. There was mist in the air the closer you get to the falls, making it challenging to photograph without getting my camera wet.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: May 10, 2013
    Lake Falls Mist
  • It was the first time I've hiked to Solitude Falls and it was flowing pretty good. This was the start of a very hot day and it felt great to be standing here in the mist of the waterfall.
    Solitude Falls
  • Saskatchewan is called "Land of the Living Skies." I found out why on this night. These red and green pillars moved across the northern skies over Grasslands National Park. The passing clouds only added to the scene. The moonlight came and went across the prairie.
    Land of the Living Skies
  • It was a beautiful day to be in the Bighorn Mountains. Fresh snow had fallen the night before and the clouds cleared out before daybreak leaving sunny blue skies.
    Snowy Meadow Stream
  • La Salle Canyon is a 2 mile hike one way in Starved Rock State Park. There was hardly any water flowing on this frigid morning. The early morning light was shining on the canyon walls.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 12/24/13
    Frozen La Salle Canyon
  • Mission Falls drops hundreds of feet to the valley below as the sun sets. Golden Larch and Aspen trees fill the valley as the seasons change. The 250 square mile Mission Mountain Wilderness contains many snowcapped peaks, alpine lakes, 1,000 foot waterfalls, and numerous wildlife. There are few hiking trails and most are steep and hard to follow. Because of this, it doesn't attract many visitors. Half of the range lies within the Flathead Indian Reservation and the mountains weren't explored by white men until 1922.
    Mission Falls Sunset
  • Aside from the graffiti, this place doesn't look like Orange County at all. Black Star Canyon Falls is a 65' high waterfall found in the Santa Ana Mountains. The waterfall only flows in the spring and winter, and can be reached by hiking 4 miles. The route becomes more difficult at the end and requires climbing up and around boulders.
    Black Star Canyon Falls
  • The trail back from Mina Sauk Falls passes many small cascades as this stream flows down the canyon. There are many beautiful scenes around here, especially if the water level is higher.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: May 6, 2014
    Shady Cascade
  • At 90 feet high, Wildcat Falls is the tallest waterfall in Starved Rock State Park. Starved Rock is located in North Central Illinois and contains 17 canyons, many of which have waterfalls. Each canyon flows into the Illinois River to the north.
    Wildcat Falls
  • I came across this female sage grouse in the Bighorn Mountains while it was raining. This species of bird is nearly endangered and this wasn't the type of environment they’re normally found in.
    Wet Sage Grouse
  • A narrow area of sunlight lights up Roark Bluff above the Steel Creek Campground. I went for a hike before sunrise, but there wasn't much color as a rain shower was about to move in.
    Above Steel Creek
  • This grist mill sits at the edge of Pine Creek in Wildcat Den State Park. It was built in 1848, but has obviously been restored to its present condition.
    Pine Creek Mill
  • Redbud and Creek
  • Up Farm Creek
  • Cold Lick Creek
  • Lost Valley in Arkansas is full of wonders such as towering cliffs, massive boulders, caves, and, waterfalls. This picture was taken inside a natural bridge, looking out at the colorful forest. During the dry season Clark Creek flows underground. The water comes to the surface at the other side of this natural bridge. It flows through and then ends in this pool where it seeps back under the earth. Even though it was raining quite a bit on this evening it didn't make the creek rise any higher.
    Under the Bridge
  • The colors of sunset linger behind Bearhat Mountain in Glacier National Park. The beautiful Hidden Lake wraps around the base of the mountain, before the creek drops to the valley below. Normally there is more snow in this view, but most of it had melted after a hot summer. The distant Gunsight Mountain and Sperry Glacier can be seen on the left.
    Hidden Lake View
  • While skiing the Pole Creek cross country ski trail, I came across this meadow. A tree in the middle cast a long shadow across the snow as the sun came out.
    Casting Shadows
  • The colors of sunset linger behind Bearhat Mountain in Glacier National Park. The beautiful Hidden Lake wraps around the base of the mountain, before the creek drops to the valley below. Normally there is more snow in this view, but most of it had melted after a hot summer. The distant Gunsight Mountain and Sperry Glacier can be seen on the left.
    Bearhat Mountain
  • I loved the color of the water in Lake McDonald. Without a snowcapped peak in the picture, this scene almost looked tropical. Rocky Point is located on the southern end of the lake, near Fish Creek campground.
    Rocky Point
  • I went for a hike at Bud Love Big Game Winter Range on the last warm day of fall. The light and contrasting colors seemed to work better in black and white. I spotted this pillar near the Sayles Creek trailhead and thought it looked like a half-buried raised hand.
    Buried Hand
  • A creek bed buried under several feet of snow forms an S-curve.
    Snowy S-Curve
  • The Pryor Mountains of south central Montana are filled with many towering pinnacles and spires like this one. Last week was my first time hiking in this rarely visited mountain range, going up a deep canyon to the unique Layout Creek Spring. A herd of 160 wild horses live in these mountains, but I didn't see any this time. To get the sun ray effect I went off trail until I found the perfect position to partially obscure the sun behind the pinnacle. Using a smaller aperture produced an 18-point sunstar.
    Pinnacle of Perfection
  • Bass Creek is one of dozens of streams that cut through the Bitterroot Mountains in Montana.
    Bitterroot Stream
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