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  • Diamond Butte Fire Lookout Tower overlooks the Custer National Forest and grassland in southeast Montana. It's the only fire lookout in the eastern part of the state that's publicly accessible and available for overnight rental.
    Diamond Butte Road Sunny
  • 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
  • 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. This was the view from the Sand Turn Overlook.
    Bluebird Day
  • Öxarárfoss is a small waterfall in Þingvellir National Park (pronounced Thingvellir). Morning is the perfect time to look for rainbows in the mist if it's sunny.
    Öxarárfoss Rainbow
  • 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.
    April Snow
  • Kobbefjord is a small fjord just east of Nuuk. The best way to see it is by climbing the 2,533' mountain called Store Malene (or Ukkusissat). It was perfectly sunny when I reached the summit. But it didn't take long before visibility was zero because the weather changes very fast in Greenland.
    Overlooking Kobbefjord
  • 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. I was the first one to snowshoe on this trail.
    Snowshoe Trail
  • Clear Creek in Buffalo was looking very scenic on a sunny bluebird day after a fresh snowfall.
    Clear Creek S
  • 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
  • The courthouse towers are a large rock formation in the middle of Arches National Park. The three spires on the right are known as the "Three Gossips". The early morning light gave the scene more depth and even brighter colors.
    Courthouse Towers
  • As I came back into Sundance, the sun came out and this rainbow appeared, perfectly aligned over Sundance Mountain.
    Sundance Mountain Rainbow
  • Last month I visited Devils Tower when the fall colors were at their peak. Although the tower is mostly surrounded by a pine forest, there are some deciduous trees to the south by the Belle Fourche River. While wandering around before sunset I found this view of the tower above the oak and cottonwood trees. Established in 1906 by Theodore Roosevelt, this was the first national monument in the US. Devils Tower is actually a mistranslation of the Native American name "Mato Tipila," which means Bear Lodge.
    Tower Woodland
  • Fall foliage is reflected in Long Lake in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Up above, snow was falling on the higher peaks.
    Long Lake Reflection
  • The Lost Twin Lakes are found at 10,300 feet  in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. A 6 mile hike from the West Tensleep Lake trailhead, it's the perfect spot for an overnight backpacking trip. The two lakes are in a glacial cirque surrounded by massive granite cliffs up to 2,000 feet high. This was a stitch of 6 pictures.
    Lost Twin Lake Panorama
  • This picturesque church sits at the edge of Esterbrook, Wyoming. The tiny community with a population of 52 is only reachable by dirt road. Towering in the background is Laramie Peak, scarred by a wildfire from 5 years ago. The 10,276' high peak was a well known landmark on the Oregon Trail. It could be seen from up to 100 miles away, which was about 1 week's travel. From the summit on a clear day you can see all the way into South Dakota, Nebraska, and Colorado. The far-reaching views made it the perfect place to watch the solar eclipse when I returned 2 months later.
    Church of Esterbrook
  • A herd of wild mustangs moves across the sage brush in between Cody and Greybull, Wyoming. I counted about 100 horses in this herd.
    Moving the Herd
  • Fresh snow lingers on the eastern face of the 12,324 feet high Bighorn Peak on an October afternoon.
    The Eastern Face
  • A mother mule deer opens her mouth as if to speak. The shy fawn stays in the background. I didn't expect to see deer in the desert. But this family was right by the campground in Arches National Park.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/6/2013
    Mother Deer
  • The Grand Teton mountain range in Wyoming glows from the first light of the day. Scattered fog was moving in between the colorful fall foliage along the Snake River. This same viewpoint is where Ansel Adams took his iconic image, "The Tetons and Snake River". Although 61 years of tree growth means the view of the river is not quite the same.
    Foggy Snake
  • These snow covered trees are found near the 8,000 foot summit of Ch-Paa-Qn Peak, Montana. This peak offers an amazing panoramic view of at least 5 different mountain ranges. As temperatures warmed up above freezing, chunks of snow were constantly falling off the branches.
    Windswept Summit
  • Kingittorsuaq is a 3,885' mountain southeast of Nuuk. This is the view from the summit of Store Malene.
    Kingittorsuaq
  • 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 snow was very deep on this part of the Abisko River near the top of the canyon in Swedish Lapland.
    Upper Abisko Canyon
  • It's not easy to find water that's not frozen in Abisko National Park in the winter. But the river was flowing fast enough here that the middle was kept ice-free.
    Cold Flow
  • Deep within a canyon in the southern foothills of the Bighorn Mountains is found the Outlaw Cave. This area is rich with Wild West history and legends. Only a few miles away is Hole In the Wall, where Butch Cassidy and his gang used to retreat after robbing trains and hustling cattle. There is evidence that at least some outlaws used this cave for shelter, as well as Native Americans before that. The cave is only the size of a large room, barely high enough to stand up in. But it is well hidden from the canyon rim, and the proximity to the river allows for great fishing - the leftover fish bones in the fire ring were proof of that. It took 2 visits before I was able to locate the cave, which is at the end of a steep trail that traverses cliffs above rushing rapids. The land here is just as wild today as it was in the 1800’s.
    Looking Out of Outlaw Cave
  • The temperature topped 100°F as I drove down a dirt road called the Calypso Trail. The terrain of eastern Montana may appear boring at first. But the Terry Badlands area is filled with all kinds of geological wonders including toadstools, pillars, caves, and these natural bridges. I couldn't find much information on this place and getting here wasn't easy. Washouts, sand, and sinkholes make the road in very rough. Any rain will turn it to mud and make it impassable. Once at the end it's only a couple mile hike through fields of biting flies. I didn't even know there would be 3 natural bridges until I arrived. It was tricky to get all of them in one picture until I went underneath. Just past the bridges was a strange tunnel carved by water, with the roof collapsed in places. Some of the only shade in the area is found by standing underneath the bridges which are up to 50 feet long. This is a dry, desolate place, but still it has a certain beauty to it.
    All 3 Natural Bridges
  • These desert plants at the base of Mastodon Peak were looking nice in the early morning light.
    Blooming Yucca
  • A flock of birds flew out of the tree as I stopped to shoot this little abandoned house near St Xavier.
    Fly Away
  • These bizarre sandstone rock formations rise up out of the eastern Montana prairie. They turned gold as the sun set.
    Medicine Rocks Sunset
  • Evening sunlight illuminates the cliffs of Sayle Canyon beyond a grove of aspen trees.
    Aspen Bark
  • While driving the backroads through the Custer National Forest I came across some interesting sandstone formations.
    Turned to Stone
  • As I drove towards the Frenchman Valley campground, this herd of bison crossed the road in front of me.
    Saskatchewan Traffic Jam
  • Eyjafjallajökull volcano erupted in March of 2010, with the giant ash cloud causing the biggest disruption to air travel since WWII.
    Eyjafjallajökull
  • I took a few steps onto the Argentière Glacier, but didn't go too far. The top of the ice was covered in a thin layer of gravel, and there were a couple crevasses on both sides of me. The mountain on the top left is Aiguille du Chardonnet.
    Dirty Crevasse
  • Yellow wildflowers bloom on the hillside above Lower Lost Twin Lake in the Cloud Peak Wilderness.
    Granite Wall Flowers
  • This is one of the most beautiful times of year in Wyoming. The valleys are green and the mountains are filled with colorful wildflowers. This was taken near Red Grade Road. The trees were burnt in a wildfire 10 years ago.
    Burnt Tree Bloom
  • The Tongue River was flowing quite a bit in early June. This was the view in the morning from my campsite while backpacking in Tongue River Canyon.
    Rapid Morning
  • Morning sunlight illuminates an unnamed peak in Montana's Beartooth Mountains. This was the view I woke up to while camping in the East Rosebud Valley in Early May. In this mountain range are found dozens of glaciers, and the largest high elevation plateau in the US outside of Alaska. In the upper reaches of these steep slopes avalanche activity was high. A cornice, which is an overhang of snow caused by strong winds, can be seen on the upper right. Overnight the snow solidified as the temperatures cooled. But once the sunlight touched the snow and temperatures warmed, the snow became unstable and gave way. In my 10 mile hike through the wilderness I witnessed about 20 avalanches, most of them small. Sometimes I would hear them before I saw them, with the noise sounding like distant thunder. See below for a picture of one.
    Beartooth Mountain Majesty
  • After I thought the sunlight was gone on Devil's Tower, it came out once more for just a couple minutes.
    Devil's Tower Last Light
  • The view was amazing from the High Park lookout tower shortly before sunset. This is the view looking north. Meadowlark Lake can be seen on the left. Bighorn Peak and Loaf Mountain are the prominent peaks on the right.
    North of High Park
  • This is the view looking west from High Park lookout shortly before sunset.
    Behind the Pines
  • A bright red bush adds some color to the banks of the frozen Tongue River.
    A Splash of Red
  • These buttes in Petrified Forest National Park are known as the Three Tepees.
    Three Tepees
  • A partial rainbow hangs above the buttes and mesas of eastern Arizona. On this early November afternoon, scattered rain showers drifted across the landscape. The shadows and patches of sunlight revealed the full range of colors that the Painted Desert is known for. This desert was once a forest with a much wetter climate, and a wide variety of wildlife. But now it's filled with petrified logs and fossils. Also found in Petrified Forest National Park are many archaeological sites including pueblos, petroglyphs, and other artifacts, some of which are thousands of years old.
    Painted Desert Rainbow
  • The light of sunrise illuminates one of the first snowfalls of the season in the Bighorn Mountains near Dayton. The switchbacks of Highway 14 can be seen in the valley.
    Fog and Switchbacks
  • The Teton Mountains tower in the distance while rafters make their way down the Snake River.
    Snake River Rafters
  • Tucked away in a dusty corner of northwest Nebraska, the Toadstool Geological Area is a place very different than the rest of the state. It's similar to the Badlands of South Dakota, yet different. The badlands and geological formations here are very brittle and are constantly changing and being weathered away. Many of the toadstool formations that the park is named after are no longer standing.
    Toadstool Moon
  • This was my view while I ate lunch on Cloud Peak, the highest point of the Bighorn Mountains. I timed this 25 mile long, 3 day backpacking trip with the hottest day of the year. While the temperature topped 100°F down in the valley, up here at 13,167 feet it was much more pleasant in the 60's. At this high elevation the boiling point of water is 25° cooler than at sea level. In the cirque 1500 feet below lies the Cloud Peak Glacier. It is the only glacier in the Bighorns and is predicted to be gone 20 years from now. As the compressed snow and ice slowly slides down the mountain slope, it grinds up the bedrock beneath it and forms a very fine silt called "rock flour". This flour becomes suspended in the glacial meltwater and gives the lake it's greenish-turquoise color that changes with the lighting conditions. In the hour I spent on the summit I heard the sound of numerous rockfalls. Some of them would cause a chain-reaction lasting a minute or longer.
    Top of the Bighorns
  • This is what the end of  the beach on Picnic Key looks like. It was almost like quick sand at the edge of the water since my feet would sink deep into the sand with every step. The island on the left is Tiger Key, which is also a popular place to camp.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 12/13/2014
    End of the Beach
  • The waters were almost perfectly calm at Oxbow Bend on this fall morning. Then this lone duck came along, disturbing the reflection. The peak in the background is the 12,605 foot high Mount Moran
    Duck at Oxbow Bend
  • This view of the Rocky Mountains is from the 12,000 feet high Loveland Pass. Hidden in the valley below is Interstate 70, where it crosses the Continental Divide at Eisenhower Tunnel.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/8/2013
    Loveland Pass
  • Delicate Arch is the most famous landmark in Arches National Park. The 65 foot tall arch is depicted on Utah license plates and postage stamps. In the background you can see the snowcapped La Sal Mountains.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/7/2013
    Delicate Arch
  • On an overcast day, the sun came out for a minute over the Abyss Pool in Yellowstone National Park. Located in the West Thumb Geyser Basin, the turquoise pool is 53 feet deep.
    Sunshine in the Abyss
  • On the road to Courthouse and Jail Rock I stopped to photograph these horses in the evening light. They were very friendly, walking right up to the fence as soon as they saw me.
    Friendly Nebraska Horses
  • In the dry climate west of Kaycee, it does not stay this green for very long. But I love the contrast of the greenery with the red rock formations. I came across these 6 horses at the Hole in the Wall Ranch while driving by. They were on the other side of the field but trotted over to greet me as soon as I walked up to the fence. This area has a history of horse thievery. At the end of the 1800's this was the hideout of the Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, which included Butch Cassidy and many other outlaws. They would lay up here after robbing trains or rustling cattle. This rugged country was easily defended with only one way in from the east. While there were shootouts, in 50 years no lawmen were ever able to capture any gang members here.
    The Gang's All Here
  • The Big Snowy Mountains are one of several island ranges found in central Montana, rising straight out of the prairie. But unlike the surrounding mountains in a mostly dry climate, this one has it's own lake. Crystal Lake is interesting for several reasons. It is very shallow and fish do not survive the winter when it freezes solid. The lake bed is made of porous limestone. The water level reaches it's maximum depth in early summer when the snow finishes melting. But then it starts to drain. As I walked along the shore I noticed the water bubbling away in certain spots as it seeped through the ground. By early fall the lake is significantly smaller and in some years it's not much more than a puddle. The color of the water also changes quite a bit depending on the direction and intensity of the sunlight. I liked this turquoise color the best as seen from an overlook called Promontory Point. Next time I visit I want to check out the perennial ice cave which is located at the top of the 8,000' ridge in the distance.
    Turquoise Crystal
  • This snow covered wall is on the west side of Peak 10215 in the Bighorn Mountains. Loaf Mountain can be seen in the distance.
    Snow Wall
  • South of Billings, Montana, rising up out of the Bighorn Basin, is the Pryor Mountains. These mountains are home to a herd of mustangs. Some of these wild horses hang out in the lower elevations near Bighorn Canyon, but the majority are found near the mountaintop at 8,000 feet where the grass is greener. Getting here requires traveling a long, rough, and steep dirt road. On my prior Pryor visit, I didn't get all the shots I wanted and was only able to capture the horses in the middle of the day. But this time I made sure to be in the right place at sunset. The views were amazing into the valley below, and the light was magical. The horses numbered at least 60, but I lost count as they moved around. In the last minutes before the sun set, many of them trotted past me. Shooting into the sun created a dreamy look, but I had to be careful not to blind myself.
    Walking Into the Light
  • The cottonwood trees at the entrance to Big Timber Canyon were starting to turn yellow. It was the perfect day to head into the Crazy Mountains.
    Fall in the Crazies
  • I continue to find that southeast Montana has more photogenic abandoned houses than anywhere else I've been. I could make a whole album of photos. I found this one near St Xavier.
    Of Times Gone By
  • I continue to find that southeast Montana has more photogenic abandoned houses than anywhere else I've been. I could make a whole album of photos. I found this one near St Xavier.
    St Xavier Homestead
  • 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
  • The mountainside next to Red Grade Road is currently filled with colorful wildflowers. I stopped on my way back from a hike to capture them in the evening light.
    Wildflowers and Blacktooth
  • Stull Lake sits on the edge of the Cloud Peak Wilderness and provides a great view of the snow-covered Dome Peak and others.
    Stull Lake in June
  • The slopes of Steamboat Point are beautiful this time of year with lots of blooming lupine and arrowleaf balsamroot wildflowers.
    Steamboat Arrowleaf
  • There are lots of different mesas and buttes to focus in on when the sun sets over the Grand Canyon. This view is from Hopi Point.
    Mesas and Buttes
  • The last light on the cliffs of Piney Creek Canyon is reflected in the cold water.
    Gold Under Ice
  • On my way back from Canada, I stopped at James Kipp Recreaton Area in northern Montana. The cottonwood trees around the Missouri River were at peak color.
    James Kipp Road
  • The 3,824m (12,545 ft)  Aiguille du Chardonnet Argentière towers above the Argentière Glacier. Part of the Mont Blanc Massif, the glacier is 9km long.
    Aiguille du Chardonnet
  • After descending Loaf Mountain, I came across these wildflowers at 11,000 feet.
    Loaf Mountain Wildflowers
  • There were plenty of wildflowers blooming in the upper reaches of Tongue River Canyon.
    Lupine Cliffs
  • Eagle Peak is a 9,167' high peak in the Laramie Mountains.
    Eagle Peak Evening
  • This meadow below "Grandma's Mountain" is one of many scenic views along the Penrose Trail near the town of Story.
    Grandma's Mountain
  • There were many sharp agave and cholla plants on the summit of Coyote Mountain in Anza Borrego Desert State Park.
    Agave and Cholla
  • This was the view from the lower slope of Coyote Mountain with Clark Dry Lake and the Santa Rosa Mountains in the distance.
    Above Clark Dry Lake
  • This natural bridge is found in Makoshika State Park in northeast Montana which is filled with many interesting geological formations.
    Makoshika Bridge
  • This ladder/stairway is part of the Notch Trail in Badlands National Park.
    The Notch Trail
  • Fog swirls around the glossy surface of Beartooth Lake shortly after sunrise.
    Breathing Fog
  • A flowering yucca plant stands out among the swaying grass in the sunrise light. Tucked away in a dusty corner of northwest Nebraska, the Toadstool Geological Area is a place very different than the rest of the state. It's similar to the Badlands of South Dakota, yet different. The badlands and geological formations here are very brittle and are constantly changing and being weathered away. Many of the toadstool formations that the park is named after are no longer standing.
    Yucca Badlands Sunrise
  • San Antonio Falls is a 100 foot high waterfall in the San Gabriel Mountains. It flows year round from springs higher up the mountain. I passed this waterfall on my hike up Mount Baldy.
    San Antonio Falls
  • A common sight in the Ozark Mountains in the spring is to see the white blooming flowers of dogwood trees. This tree was in the woods of Ha Ha Tonka State Park, Missouri.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: April 6, 2012
    Dogwood Blossoms
  • Delicate Arch is the most famous landmark in Arches National Park. The 65 foot tall arch is depicted on Utah license plates and postage stamps. In the background you can see the snowcapped La Sal Mountains.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/7/2013
    Delicate Panorama
  • The 290 foot long landscape arch is the longest in the world. But it is also very fragile and could collapse at any time. In the 1990's the arch lost 3 large chunks one at a time. The trail you see in the picture has been off limits for over 20 years because of the danger from rock falls.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/7/2013
    Landscape Arch
  • Three horses trot across a field in front of the Grand Teton Mountains on a clear day.
    Teton Horses
  • The last light of the day illuminates McDonald Peak as seen from St. Ignatius, Montana. At 9,820 feet, it is the highest peak in the Mission Mountains. The summit contains a grizzly bear protection area that is closed to hikers every summer.
    McDonald Peak
  • Myggedalen is probably the most iconic view in Nuuk. The colorful houses are part of the Old Town, and Sermitsiaq Mountain features prominently in the background.
    Colorful Nuuk
  • Crater Lake is a beautiful lake found at 10,300' in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Reaching it requires a steep off-trail climb. I found it interesting how the color of the lake turned to emerald but only from this viewpoint. It must have had something to do with the height and angle of the sun.
    Emerald Water
  • The Bighorns contain quite a few deep canyons with towering cliffs like this one. I've driven past this canyon near Lovell before but had never stopped and explored it. I knew based on the name alone that there would be lots of color this time of year. Cottonwood trees grow next to creeks and rivers in otherwise dry areas, and turn a brilliant gold in the fall. They get their name from the cotton-like fibers that are shed in the spring. The fibers contain the seed which gets spread in the wind, and can look like snow at times. In the distance the Bighorn River can be seen, with another stripe of golden cottonwoods beyond.
    Cottonwood Canyon Colors
  • After heading down an unmarked road I unexpectedly came across this old cabin with 3 walls standing and a collapsed roof. I don't know the history behind it, but it sure is photogenic. After going on a hike I returned to capture it in the golden light of sunset.
    Dimming of the Light
  • From left to right is Middle Teton, Grand Teton, and Mount Owen. There were just enough clouds at sunrise to make for a good time lapse.
    Middle, Grand, and Owen
  • I came back to shoot these icefalls in Abisko Canyon again since the light was better than the day before.
    Icefalls of Abisko
  • A weakening storm approached the west side of the Bighorn Mountains. The sun came out and this double rainbow appeared. It was so vivid it felt like I could reach out and touch it. At first it was almost a complete circle. I rushed to capture a time lapse and had to keep wiping the raindrops off my lens. I got quite wet as a result, but it was worth it.<br />
<br />
A double rainbow is caused by light reflecting a second time within raindrops. The secondary rainbow is located 8° apart from the primary bow, and is almost double the width. The colors are fainter, and in reverse order (VIBGYOR instead of ROYGBIV.) In between the two rainbows is a darkened part of the sky called Alexander’s Band. The sunlight is always brightest in the center of a rainbow at the anti-solar point. But since this bright light is also reflected opposite the secondary rainbow, that leaves a dark band in between.
    Seeing Double
  • Horses graze under a building thunderstorm near Philip, South Dakota.
    Horses and Cumulonimbus
  • The sky was the bluest blue and the brightness of the snow was blinding. In every direction there were more stunning Rocky Mountain peaks than I could possibly identify. But it wasn't a view I could sit down and enjoy. Quandary Peak is a 14,265' mountain just south of Breckenridge, Colorado. Climbing it was one of the most challenging hikes I've ever done. The entire climb was straight on into the wind. On the summit I measured gusts of 60 mph with a wind chill of -25°F, but it was likely worse at times. Covering every inch of skin was the only way to avoid frostbite. It was all I could do just to remain upright and not have any of my gear blow away. Changing lenses or using a tripod was not an option. Quandary Peak is considered one of Colorado's easier 14'ers and the safest in the winter since the route avoids avalanche terrain. But on days like this, it should not be underestimated.
    South Slope of Quandary
  • The evening light was really nice when I drove past these horses near Riverside, so I stopped to capture them.
    Three Chestnut Horses
  • Even though I was disappointed with how quickly this storm fell apart, it went out with an interesting rainbow. The extra colors at the bottom are called supernumeraries, and they only form when water droplets are nearly all the same size. This was only the second time I've seen a supernumerary rainbow.
    Rare Supernumerary Rainbow
  • The road to Big Timber Canyon in the Crazy Mountains is filled with endless views.
    Road to the Crazies
  • I continue to find that southeast Montana has more photogenic abandoned houses than anywhere else I've been. I could make a whole album of photos. I found this one north of Fort Smith.
    Other Side of the Fence
  • After climbing back down Bear Butte, this cirrus cloud drifted above to the north. I thought it looked like a fish.
    The Fish and the Bear
  • Everything was very green in mid-May in the foothills of the Bighorn Mountains.
    Top of the Two Track
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