Kevin Palmer

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  • At the end of September an early season snowstorm swept through northern Wyoming, dropping up to 6 inches in the mountains and valleys. I spent a few hours in the Bighorn Mountains trying to capture the clash of seasons. The snowstorm coincided with the peak of fall colors, although some trees were already bare. Aspen trees are not as widespread in the Bighorns as they are in other parts of the Rockies, growing only in a few areas. Circle Park is one spot I knew I could find them. The trees in an aspen stand are actually clones of one another, all connected by an extensive underground root system. While an individual tree may only live 100 years, aspen groves as a whole are some of the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth. Aspens can survive wildfires much better than conifers, but they require more sunlight to grow.
    White Fall Foliage
  • Tower Fall is a 132 foot high waterfall in Yellowstone National Park. The road there is closed in the winter so it requires a 5 mile roundtrip hike. The view of the waterfall is limited because there is no way to get closer or find a different perspective. There used to be a trail to the base but it is now closed.
    Frozen Tower Fall
  • Because of the lack of rain lately, the fall colors have not been as widespread this year in Illinois. Many of the leaves are just drying up and falling. But there is still some colorful foliage to be found, you just have to look for it. I found this bright red tree in a local park just before the setting sun painted the sky a soft pink and purple.
    Fall Meadow
  • Of the 3 waterfalls I stopped at, I liked the foliage around Spearfish Falls the best. The upper viewing platform can be seen at the top.
    Fall at Spearfish Falls
  • Vibrant fall colors were above the Bonanza Falls on the Big Iron River.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 10/2/14
    Below Bonanza Falls
  • Just because Greenland doesn’t have trees, doesn’t mean it lacks fall colors. Shrubs and bushes burst with shades of red, orange, and gold. Juicy berries grow among the abundant green moss covering the ground. The first week of October was a bit past the peak, but I found the best remaining colors in a place called Paradise Valley. With numerous waterfalls, snowy peaks, lakes, and views of iceberg-strewn beaches, it’s a spot that certainly lived up to its name. The dark, moody weather was perfect for trying out longer exposures on the falls to give it the milky look. The water in Greenland is some of the purest on the planet. Fed by glaciers and snowmelt, one can drink directly from most streams with no consequences.
    Red Foliage Falls
  • The fog was mesmerizing as it swirled around Spring Lake on this night. That is until it got too thick to see the stars.
    When Clouds Fall
  • 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
  • The trees at Welch Ranch Recreation Area were very colorful on this September afternoon.
    Welch Ranch Fall
  • I wasn't even planning on hiking Tongue River Canyon this day. But once I saw the snow line just a few hundred feet above the river, I was drawn right in. The weather was harsh, alternating between sleet and a fine mist that gets in everything. But the low clouds swirling around the peaks added drama.
    Fall Storm in the Canyon
  • It wasn't even October yet, but the leaves were already beginning to change to yellow at Wildcat Den State Park in Iowa. Most of the trees there were still green but I found a lot of color in this section of trail that goes down into the canyon.
    Beginning of Fall
  • The Lower Falls of the Yellowstone River thunders over a cliff as seen from almost a mile away. At 309 feet high, this waterfall is nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls. It is the largest waterfall in the Rocky Mountains by volume, although the flow rate was a lot less in September when this was taken. The 24-mile long Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone starts here and in some places is over 1,000 feet deep. The canyon walls consist of a volcanic rock called rhyolite, and display a wide variety of colors. Hot springs and other geothermal features are scattered throughout the canyon along the river. If you look closely you can see a viewing platform just above the falls to the right.
    Falls of the Yellowstone
  • There aren't very many waterfalls in the world that allow you to walk behind them and watch the sunset. But you can do just that at Seljalandsfoss on the southern coast of Iceland (foss is Icelandic for waterfall). This is only possible during the late summer and early fall, when the sun lines up and transform the curtain of water into liquid gold. A rain jacket or poncho is essential if you want to get behind the waterfall without getting soaked. The force of the water falling 200 feet and hitting the pool below almost seemed to create it's own wind, with the spray going everywhere. It only took a few seconds before my lens was covered with water droplets. To get this shot I huddled over my camera in a corner, waiting for just the right moment when the sun popped out and no one was walking in front of the falls. This is a popular tour bus stop along Iceland's Ring Road, so it can get very crowded at times.
    Liquid Gold
  • Rampart Falls is located on the Cameron River in the Northwest Territories. In mid-September it was surrounded by colorful foliage.
    Under Rampart Falls
  • 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
  • Water gushes over the top of Manido Falls right before the larger drop. The wooden overlook can been on the other side of the river.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 10/3/14
    Manido Falls
  • Greenstone Falls is one of the bigger waterfalls on the Little Carp River. It is located in the backcountry of the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 10/1/14
    Greenstone Falls
  • This was the lowest of the falls in Paradise Valley before the stream flowed into the fjord.
    Falls to the Fjord
  • Shining Cloud Falls is not an easy waterfall to get to. You can see it in the distance in the canyon below. But you have to make your way down a very steep hillside to get down to it. It's especially difficult while wearing a 40 pound backpack. But once you get down to it, there is a rock ledge that lets you move around easily enough to capture it at different angles. This is a panorama since it was shot at close range and I wanted to include the entire waterfall.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 9/30/14
    Shining Cloud Falls
  • Fall foliage is reflected in Long Lake in the Cloud Peak Wilderness. Up above, snow was falling on the higher peaks.
    Long Lake Reflection
  • Granite Falls is a scenic waterfall next to Granite Creek Campground in the Gros Ventre Mountains.
    Granite Falls
  • Porcupine Falls is a scenic 100+ feet high waterfall in the Bighorn Mountains.
    Above Porcupine Falls
  • This is one of many amazing views you'll see when driving Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park.. If you look closely under the glacier you can see Bird Woman Falls which drops 560 feet. It has a much higher flow in the spring and is a lot harder to see in the fall.
    Crown of the Continent
  • Iceland has no shortage of scenic waterfalls. This one is called Hraunfossar (meaning Lava Falls) and it's located near Húsafell in the western interior. The water splits into numerous cascades as it trickles through the mossy lava field and flows into the Hvítá River. Volcanic activity still heats the many hot springs found in this valley, which includes the most powerful one in Europe. The river is fed by the Langjökull Glacier, the 2nd largest in Iceland. Glacial silt suspended in the water gives it the beautiful turquoise color. A forest of short but colorful birch trees grew around the river, an unusual sight in this mostly treeless country.
    Lava Falls
  • Shell Falls is a beautiful waterfall right by Highway 14 above Shell Canyon.
    Shell Falls In Autumn
  • 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
  • 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
  • On this day I headed up into the mountains with one goal: to capture the snow and fall colors together as two seasons collided. A snow storm occurring when the colors are at their peak is not something that happens every year. I wanted to be there the moment the storm ended and the sun came out, because fresh snow does not stay looking fresh for very long. Temperatures remained in the high 20’s all day and rime ice caused by freezing fog had coated the forest as well. The sun finally came out shortly after 5PM and then soon disappeared behind a nearby ridge. Aspen trees are not as widespread in the Bighorns as they are in other parts of the Rockies. Large clusters of them can be hard to find, but this stand across from Antelope Butte is one of the larger ones that I’m aware of. All the trees in an aspen stand are actually clones of one another. They are connected underground by a vast root system. This makes aspen trees some of the largest living organisms on Earth.
    Autumn Frosting
  • 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
  • A red and green aurora glows above the boreal forest of northern Canada in the fall.
    Night In the Boreal Forest
  • At the end of September week an early season snowstorm swept through northern Wyoming, dropping up to 6 inches in the mountains and valleys. I spent a few hours in the Bighorn Mountains trying to capture the clash of seasons. The snowstorm coincided with the peak of fall colors, although some trees were already bare. Aspen trees are not as widespread in the Bighorns as they are in other parts of the Rockies, growing only in a few areas. Circle Park is one spot I knew I could find them. The trees in an aspen stand are actually clones of one another, all connected by an extensive underground root system. While an individual tree may only live 100 years, aspen groves as a whole are some of the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth. Aspens can survive wildfires much better than conifers, but they require more sunlight to grow.
    September Snow
  • On this day I headed up into the mountains with one goal: to capture the snow and fall colors together as two seasons collided. A snow storm occurring when the colors are at their peak is not something that happens every year. I wanted to be there the moment the storm ended and the sun came out, because fresh snow does not stay looking fresh for very long. Temperatures remained in the high 20’s all day and rime ice caused by freezing fog had coated the forest as well. The sun finally came out shortly after 5PM and then soon disappeared behind a nearby ridge. Aspen trees are not as widespread in the Bighorns as they are in other parts of the Rockies. Large clusters of them can be hard to find, but this stand across from Antelope Butte is one of the larger ones that I’m aware of. All the trees in an aspen stand are actually clones of one another. They are connected underground by a vast root system. This makes aspen trees some of the largest living organisms on Earth.
    Aspens and Snowy Cliff
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Half-awake at 3AM I wandered the banks of the Tongue River in southern Montana. Fog drifted across the water like it was alive, slowing down, speeding up, and stopping. Every tree and bush shifted to an unfamiliar shape. Each breath I took added to the moisture in the air. All evening long the 75% moon hid the secrets of the night sky. Faint colors and dim stars were all drowned out by the bright, inescapable light source. But when the moon set and the fog appeared, it was a different world. The aurora glowed gently to the north while stars I haven’t seen in half a year rose to the east. Though Orion is considered a winter constellation, it first rises in the fall. The early morning hours essentially show a preview of the stars for the following season. Water vapor produced halos around the brighter stars Betelgeuse and Rigel, Castor and Pollux, enhancing their colors. At one point I walked too far into a wall of fog and could see nothing at all. When I woke up in my tent hours later, aside from the heavy dew everywhere, it was like the fog was never even there.
    Halos of Orion
  • From the moment I woke up a deep red glow was visible through my tent walls. As I stepped outside a lone elk bounded away into the woods. There was so much color both in the sky and in the foliage below Cement Ridge in the Black Hills. It was the start of a beautiful fall day with temperatures in the 70's. But this season is short. By the next day it would be snowing heavily with subzero wind chills. The mountain in the distance is Terry Peak, the highest in the northern Black Hills.
    Explosion of Color
  • I nearly had this lake (Deadman's Basin Reservoir) all to myself on this evening. The few trees on the beach were showing their fall foliage.
    Sunset at Deadman's Basin
  • I did not expect to find fall foliage in Death Valley National Park. But these golden trees were clustered around a spring in Emigrant Canyon in the Panamint Range.
    Emigrant Canyon Trees
  • Vivid fall colors fill the valley of the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. This state park preserves one of the largest areas of wilderness left in the Midwest The steep cliffs known as The Escarpment rises 500 feet above the Lake of the Clouds. It is a fitting name since I never did see this lake without a cloudy sky above it. On the other side of the cliffs is Lake Superior. It can just barely be seen in between two hills at the top of the picture. This picture was taken at the beginning of a 28 mile backpacking trip into the wilderness.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 9/30/14
    Escarpment View
  • Though Greenland doesn't have trees, there was still some fall foliage in the bushes and shrubs. This was next to Cirkus Lake.
    Cirkus Lake Foliage
  • I always feel a a sense of urgency this time of year to capture the fall colors before they're gone. Tongue River Canyon is always a great place to hike, and one of the closest trails to where I live. It was extra beautiful on this warm October afternoon. A patch of sunlight came out for just a minute.
    Overcast Sun
  • 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
  • It was a very colorful sunset above the fall foliage on Cement Ridge in the Black Hills. The birch trees were knocked over by a tornado in June of 2018.
    Black Hills Foliage Sunset
  • 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
  • It was a beautiful afternoon for a hike in Little Horn Canyon. This rarely visited canyon had better fall colors than anywhere else I've been in the Bighorn Mountains. These aspen trees were some of the tallest I've seen.
    Tall Aspens
  • 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
  • The Mackinaw River is a very scenic river that flows past rolling hills, bluffs, and woods. There was only a little bit of fall color left on this warm November day.
    Mackinaw Bend
  • This was the view from my campsite on Fort Peck Lake. It was a warm and calm fall evening as the crescent moon set to the west.
    Reflected Crescent
  • With a name like Paradise Valley, my expectations were high for this hike. The scenery did not disappoint with views of the fjord, waterfalls, and amazing fall colors. No trees needed.
    Mixed With Moss
  • The fall colors were at their peak in this meadow above Little Horn Canyon.
    Autumn Wonderland
  • Fall colors are not very widespread in the Bighorn Mountains with the vast majority of trees being evergreens. But I found this colorful grove of quaking aspen trees a few weeks ago next to Long Lake. They are called quaking because of the way the leaves shake in the slightest breeze. Aspen trees are interesting because even though they appear to be individual trees, they are all clones of each other interconnected by an extensive root system. This means they are very hardy and able to quickly grow back after forest fires. Some of the largest and oldest organisms on Earth are groves of aspen trees.
    Long Lake Aspen
  • The fall colors contrasted strongly with the dull gray sky. The views from the Big Carp River Trail were incredible.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 9/30/14
    Western Escarpment
  • During the fall, the zodiacal light, or 'false dawn' shines brightly in the east before sunrise. It is caused by dust within our solar system reflecting sunlight. But it can only be seen in dark skies away from light pollution, which makes Arches National Park ideal.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/8/2013
    False Dawn
  • With a name like Paradise Valley, my expectations were high for this hike. The scenery did not disappoint with views of the fjord, waterfalls, and amazing fall colors. No trees needed.
    Last of the Yellows
  • In October 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 with the tower framed in between two 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.
    Autumn Evening Light
  • On October 21st, Northern Wyoming received it's first snowfall of the season that made it down to the valleys. After the storm cleared out overnight, the temperature plummeted. It was about 10°F up here at 6500 feet in the Bighorn Mountains. I made it to one of my favorite views, the Sand Turn Overlook just as the sun was peeking over the horizon. I was glad to find this tree still showing it's fall foliage, illustrating the clash of two seasons.
    Winter in October
  • This was my first time visiting Starved Rock in the fall. The colors were gorgeous, especially in the area just west of LaSalle Canyon.
    Rooted
  • Between the Black Hills and Devils Tower is found a mountain range that few visit. The Bear Lodge Mountains aren’t particularly tall or noteworthy. But with a large diversity of trees they are beautiful in the fall. In some ways the roads and trails here are frustrating because it always feels like an amazing view is right around the corner, but there are usually a few too many pine trees in the way. You just have to work a little harder to find the best vistas. After studying a satellite map, I zeroed in on this large stand of aspens. The largest aspen grove in the world is 108 acres, and this one is a respectable 72 acres. After a few wrong turns using inaccurate maps I finally reached the aspens. But up close I couldn’t get the pictures I wanted because only the trees at the edge were visible. I needed to be far away to see the entirety. On a neighboring 6,400’ peak I finally found the view I was looking for. Lined up perfectly in a valley 14 miles west and 2,500 feet lower stood Devils Tower, with the Missouri Buttes behind it.
    Devils Tower Aspen
  • With fall off to such a cloudy start, I felt like I had to take advantage of the few hours of clear skies on this night. I ended up in a remote part of Montana, where the deer and coyotes vastly outnumber people. The dot on the map labeled Kirby is a ghost town. I couldn't find any information on what this old wooden building used to be. Perhaps it was a school, or a post office, or a general store. Or maybe it's better not to know, which makes it more mysterious. Frosty overgrown grass surrounded the leaning walls and crooked windows. The light from a distant ranch house (the only one in the area) was just enough to cast a warm glow on the front of the building.
    Timeless
  • The Buffalo National River is one of the only free-flowing, undammed rivers remaining in the United States. Cutting 135 miles through the Ozarks, the Buffalo is surrounded by rugged mountains and steep cliffs. "Big Bluff" where this was taken is the tallest sheer bluff face found between the Rockies and the Appalachians. Dozens of vultures ride thermals to heights above before swooping down at incredible speeds. Some of the twisted juniper trees clinging to the edge have been dated at over 800 years old. After hiking into the wilderness, a path known as the "Goat Trail" takes you out onto the face of the bluff on a narrow ledge only a few feet wide. This is an incredible place especially during the fall.
    Precarious View
  • 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
  • It's difficult to find a village with a more beautiful view than that of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. Set in a deep valley in the Bernese Alps, the name of the town means "many fountains." There are said to be 72 waterfalls cascading over the sheer cliffs into the valley, and it seems the sound of falling water is never out of earshot. The largest waterfall is Staubbach Falls (on the right) and at 300 meters, it's one of the highest unbroken waterfalls in Europe. At the head of the valley is Grosshorn which was covered by a fresh snowfall the day before.
    Lauterbrunnen
  • Since I was camping near Seljalandsfoss, I went over to get a few shots of the aurora above the falls. I wished I could have turned off the spotlights, since they were a bit too bright. The moon was positioned at the top of the falls.
    Seljalandsfoss Aurora
  • This was the tallest waterfall in Paradise Valley  east of Nuuk.
    Falls of Paradise Valley
  • Sermitsiaq is a prominent mountain visible from Nuuk. But the only way to see the glacier and waterfall is by taking a boat tour to the other side of the island.
    Glacier Island Falls
  • This rainbow appeared above Yellowstone Falls seen from the brink.
    Rainbow at the Brink
  • Yellowstone Falls
  • It's difficult to find a village with a more beautiful view than that of Lauterbrunnen, Switzerland. Set in a deep valley in the Bernese Alps, the name of the town means "many fountains." There are said to be 72 waterfalls cascading over the sheer cliffs into the valley, and it seems the sound of falling water is never out of earshot. At the head of the valley is Grosshorn which was covered by a fresh snowfall the day before.
    Valley of 72 Waterfalls
  • ome of the best parts of Iceland are the unexpected spots that aren't on a map. I saw this waterfall in the distance near Rif and followed a gravel road to get closer. But the main overlook was still a ways away, and it looked like I couldn't get any closer without crossing the river. But I watched another group of people make it to the top of the falls, so I followed their tracks. It was worth the effort since the view was much better up close. Svödufoss flows over moss-covered basalt columns below the slopes of Snaefellsjokull volcano.
    Svödufoss
  • 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
  • Iceland has no shortage of scenic waterfalls. This one is called Hraunfossar (meaning Lava Falls) and it's located near Húsafell in the western interior. The water splits into numerous cascades as it trickles through the mossy lava field and flows into the Hvítá River. Volcanic activity still heats the many hot springs found in this valley, which includes the most powerful one in Europe. The river is fed by the Langjökull Glacier, the 2nd largest in Iceland. Glacial silt suspended in the water gives it the beautiful turquoise color. A forest of short but colorful birch trees grew around the river, an unusual sight in this mostly treeless country.
    Hraunfossar
  • For centuries a piece of rock about an inch in diameter has been speeding through space at 158,000 mph. It’s part of a dusty trail shed by the Comet Tempel-Tuttle. Every year around November 18th Earth encounters this comet debris in what’s known as the Leonid meteor shower. At 2:18AM this particular meteoroid was vaporized by Earth’s atmosphere in a brilliant flash of light. For 20-30 minutes afterwards a glowing vapor trail hung in the sky, twisting and turning before dispersing. Beneath Medicine Mountain in the Bighorns, the weather was perfect for stargazing this time of year. Most years the Leonids are nothing special, but they have a history. Approximately every 33 years, a denser stream of debris causes meteor rates to skyrocket. Historical accounts describe hundreds of thousands of falling stars filling the entire sky in a meteor storm. Though numbers were low this year, sometimes it only takes one to make your night.
    Leonid Meteor
  • 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
  • I caught this lucky meteor falling through the aurora at 1:30AM. The northern lights were so dim that I could barely notice them with my eyes, but the camera picked up more of the colors.
    Pillars and Meteor
  • Complete silence surrounded the 11,049' summit of Telescope Peak as the colors of sunset faded away and twilight deepened. This peak at the top of Death Valley National Park is so named because "You could see no further with a telescope." Endless ridges, mountains, sand dunes, and salt flats stretched out in every direction. In the valley on the left is Badwater Basin. Nowhere in North America is lower or dryer, and it lays claim to the hottest air temperature ever measured (134°F). Despite being only 18 miles away, the weather and environment up here at this altitude is vastly different. Temperatures can be as much as 60°F cooler, and a lot more rain and snow falls here than in the surrounding desert. This sustains a forest of bristlecone pines, the oldest species of tree on Earth at up to 5,000 years old. Staying on the summit for the sunset meant descending 8 miles in the dark, but the incredible views were worth the longest dayhike I've ever done.
    Could See No Further
  • The winds were howling on this November day at Loveland Pass, Colorado. It is located at 12,000 feet on the Continental Divide. When I climbed a nearby mountain right after this I experienced the strongest winds I've ever felt. If I leaned forward at a 45 degree angle, the wind would keep me from falling over.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/8/2013
    Mountain Gusts B&W
  • In the middle of September, Yellowstone received its first snowfall of the season. The next morning, this herd of buffalo was found grazing in the Hayden Valley. This valley, which is located in between Yellowstone Lake and the falls, is a popular place to view wildlife.
    Hayden Valley
  • The winds were howling on this November day at Loveland Pass, Colorado. It is located at 12,000 feet on the Continental Divide. When I climbed a nearby mountain right after this I experienced the strongest winds I've ever felt. If I leaned forward at a 45 degree angle, the wind would keep me from falling over.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/8/2013
    Mountain Gusts
  • In the northwest corner of Washington state is one of the wettest places in the US. Up to 10 feet of rain falls here annually, which creates a lush rain forest. The dense canopy blocks out the sun, and the forest floor is covered with moss and ferns. When the massive trees do fall, many of the logs end up in rivers and are carried out to sea, where they become piled up along the beaches. Marymere Falls is a 90 foot high waterfall found not far from the shore of Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. This hot August day was the perfect time to photograph the rain forest, since thick wildfire smoke was blocking out all of the big views.
    Falls and Ferns
  • The stars apparent motion is captured behind the Skyline Arch in Arches National Park. A flashlight was used to illuminate the arch from below.<br />
<br />
Date Taken: 11/6/2013
    Skylines
  • Skógafoss is a 60 meter high waterfall in southern Iceland. In the evening it is positioned perfectly for vivid rainbows to appear in the mist. I got here at the perfect time, once I made it to the top and back the rainbow was already gone.
    Rainbow of Skógafoss
  • This is the lower view of Kirkjufellsfoss. The light had already gone flat by the time I made it down here.
    Cloudy Kirkjufellsfoss
  • The 60 meter tall Seljalandsfoss tumbles over a cliff in the evening sunlight.
    Mist in the Air
  • Kirkjufellsfoss is one of the most iconic scenes in Iceland. Just Google "Iceland" and see how many times it shows up. The name translates to "church mountain waterfall" because of the peak's nearly perfect symmetrical shape. There is a trail (if it can be called that) leading to the top of Kirkjufell which is one of the steepest I've ever hiked. In the evening, tour buses stop here and this small spot is filled with hordes of tourists and photographers lined up tripod to tripod to capture the sunset. But I wanted to avoid that so I came back in the morning when it was much quieter. There was a storm moving in and the sunrise didn't look very promising. But the eastern sky took on an orange glow for a short time.
    Kirkjufellsfoss Sunrise
  • 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
  • It was a dark night deep in the boreal forest, on the edge of the Arctic. Two rivers flowed, one of water, and one of light. While sitting on bedrock of the Canadian Shield, sudden chills enveloped me, caused by a misty fog that I could not see. As a rule before I go on a night hike I try to scout during the day first and record a GPS track to follow later. This was especially important in the Northwest Territories where trails are often poorly marked. After checking out 2 waterfalls I preferred this one. Lower than normal water levels made it possible to stand in the middle of the Cameron River. The only problem was the view faced east. But at this high latitude directions don't matter as much and the northern lights are not always north. All summer long wildfire smoke has dimmed the sun and blotted out the stars, which continued while I was there. But the sky did clear at times unexpectedly. The biggest challenge was getting these clear periods to align with the aurora activity. But camping out nearby ensured I was ready and wouldn’t miss anything.
    River of Water and Light
  • Greenland is the only place I've been able to drink straight from a stream without regretting it. The water is some of the purest on the planet.
    Purest Water On Earth
  • This is the northern overlook at Roundtop Mountain in Jasper, Arkansas.
    Roundtop North Bluff
  • Once the sky became dark enough, a small patch of green aurora appeared in the northern sky. It was all that's left of the strong geomagnetic storm from the night before. This was the only picture I was able to get of this abandoned homestead before the aurora faded away.
    All That's Left
  • I walked the loop around Seljalandsfoss about 3 times, capturing the different angles as the light changed. I was glad I had my rain jacket with me.
    Seljalandsfoss Evening
  • At the base of the 200' tall Skógafoss waterfall in Iceland I saw something I've never seen before: a 360° rainbow. Every rainbow is actually a full circle, but the lower part is almost always blocked by the horizon. There are only a few situations where a full 360° rainbow may become visible. One way is to have a very high vantage point, where you can clearly see below. A steep mountaintop or an airplane window would work under perfect weather conditions. But in this case, it was spray from the waterfall that caused the rare optical effect. The rainbow faded in and out depending on the wind and where I was standing. The amount of mist in the air had to be just right. The sun also needed to be low on the horizon, so that the light would be shining through the mist at just the right angle. The radius of a rainbow from the center (the antisolar point) to the outer edge is always 42°. Since my widest lens only had a field of view of 81°, I couldn't quite capture it in it's entirety.
    360° Rainbow
  • It was interesting seeing the contrasts of black lava, verdant moss, and glacial ice on Snæfellsjökull.
    Glacier and Moss
  • 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
  • A waterfall is illuminated under the moonlit sky. The peak in the background is the 8,760 foot Clements Mountain.
    Glacier Moonlight
  • 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
  • Northern lights dance in the north and the zodiacal light shines in the east. This view was seen from the 6700 foot summit of Cougar Peak in Montana. This sky was untouched by light pollution, allowing the fainter stars and aurora to be visible. This 4 shot panorama covers a large portion of the sky.
    Aurora and Zodiacal Light
  • After shooting the sunrise I returned to my campsite at Setburg. This was the view looking across the bay at the mountains above Grundarfjörður.
    The Fjords of Grundar
  • The lookout at the top of Cougar Peak, Montana, is lit up from the flames of a small fire. The stars of the northern milky way shine in the background.
    Cougar Peak Lookout
  • On a ridge above Ten Sleep Lake was a commanding view of the surrounding valley and peaks. As I climbed upward the snow depth went from 6 inches to 12 inches to 18 inches. Staying on trail was impossible. Past the elk tracks at 10,000 feet I found the view I was searching for. The calmness of the valley was replaced by an icy wind. This same wind was creating lenticular clouds over the 12,000’ peaks to the east. Aside from wind, these clouds also require a stable, moist atmosphere. As air currents are forced upward over the high terrain, standing waves form downwind and clouds appear at the crest of the waves. These lens-shaped clouds often look like flying saucers or stacks of pancakes.
    Stacked Lenticulars
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