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https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/gallery/favorites-art-show-photos-new-photos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/page/about/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/page/awards/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/page/print_options_and_framing/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/page/show_schedule/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/page/email/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/1849/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/Images-by-season.jpg https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/young_bull_moose-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Young-Bull-Moose_5to4_60x48.jpg Young Bull Moose I was driving across the country in the summer of 2025, and ended up camping in the beautiful Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in southern Wyoming. There is a ton to photograph in the area, but I just camped there, with no intention of photographing anything. However, when I stepped out of my RV at one point, I saw a young bull moose probably less than 100 feet from my RV. I grabbed my camera and here are the results! I tell people that wildlife photography is tough because it is so fickle - you can put yourself in the right place at the right time and nothing happens... or you can camp at some random place and a moose will walk right up to you. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/young_bull_moose_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Young-Bull-Moose-Portrait_2to3_40x60.jpg Young Bull Moose Portrait I was driving across the country in the summer of 2025, and ended up camping in the beautiful Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in southern Wyoming. There is a ton to photograph in the area, but I just camped there, with no intention of photographing anything. However, when I stepped out of my RV at one point, I saw a young bull moose probably less than 100 feet from my RV. I grabbed my camera and here are the results! I tell people that wildlife photography is tough because it is so fickle - you can put yourself in the right place at the right time and nothing happens... or you can camp at some random place and a moose will walk right up to you. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/young_bull_moose_close_up/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Young-Bull-Moose-Close-Up_5to4_50x40.jpg Young Bull Moose Close Up I was driving across the country in the summer of 2025, and ended up camping in the beautiful Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in southern Wyoming. There is a ton to photograph in the area, but I just camped there, with no intention of photographing anything. However, when I stepped out of my RV at one point, I saw a young bull moose probably less than 100 feet from my RV. I grabbed my camera and here are the results! I tell people that wildlife photography is tough because it is so fickle - you can put yourself in the right place at the right time and nothing happens... or you can camp at some random place and a moose will walk right up to you. Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_winding_autumn_way/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_The-Winding-Autumn-Way_3to2_72x48.jpg The Winding Autumn Way I was driving to visit my parents in Virginia in the fall of 2025, and my route rook me near George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I'd never been here, and the trees in the surrounding area were beautiful, so I decided to take a little detour. What a delight! The leaves were perfect! Only a few leaves were down, but there were shades of green, yellow, orange, and even red to be seen. I arrived in the evening, when it was too dark to photograph much, but took this photo on my way out, the following day. One perk of National Forests versus National Parks is that the roads are tiny, and very few vehicles go by. I was able to just park my truck on the side of the road and walk out into the middle of the road for minutes on end without worry of screwing up traffic! George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_golden_corridor/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_The-Golden-Corridor_3to2_90x60.jpg The Golden Corridor I was driving to visit my parents in Virginia in the fall of 2025, and my route rook me near George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I'd never been here, and the trees in the surrounding area were beautiful, so I decided to take a little detour. What a delight! The leaves were perfect! Only a few leaves were down, but there were shades of green, yellow, orange, and even red to be seen. I arrived in the evening, when it was too dark to photograph much, but took this photo on my way out, the following day. One perk of National Forests versus National Parks is that the roads are tiny, and very few vehicles go by. I was able to just park my truck on the side of the road and walk out into the middle of the road for minutes on end without worry of screwing up traffic! George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_golden_corridor_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_The-Golden-Corridor-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg The Golden Corridor (Portrait) I was driving to visit my parents in Virginia in the fall of 2025, and my route rook me near George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I'd never been here, and the trees in the surrounding area were beautiful, so I decided to take a little detour. What a delight! The leaves were perfect! Only a few leaves were down, but there were shades of green, yellow, orange, and even red to be seen. I arrived in the evening, when it was too dark to photograph much, but took this photo on my way out, the following day. One perk of National Forests versus National Parks is that the roads are tiny, and very few vehicles go by. I was able to just park my truck on the side of the road and walk out into the middle of the road for minutes on end without worry of screwing up traffic! George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fall_in_gwjnf/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Fall-in-GWJNF_3to2_90x60.jpg Fall in GWJNF I was driving to visit my parents in Virginia in the fall of 2025, and my route rook me near George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I'd never been here, and the trees in the surrounding area were beautiful, so I decided to take a little detour. What a delight! The leaves were perfect! Only a few leaves were down, but there were shades of green, yellow, orange, and even red to be seen. One quick little note - taking photos in forests is difficult, because there are so many details, and there is so much going on, that it can be difficult to create a focal point. And I don't know that I've created a focal point in this photo, but I also don't think it is particularly important for this photo. The framing works out with the darker trees on the left and right, and the splotch of green in the center offsets the reds and oranges. George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fall_in_gwjnf_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Fall-in-GWJNF-Panorama_2to1_96x48.jpg Fall in GWJNF Panorama I was driving to visit my parents in Virginia in the fall of 2025, and my route rook me near George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I'd never been here, and the trees in the surrounding area were beautiful, so I decided to take a little detour. What a delight! The leaves were perfect! Only a few leaves were down, but there were shades of green, yellow, orange, and even red to be seen. One quick little note - taking photos in forests is difficult, because there are so many details, and there is so much going on, that it can be difficult to create a focal point. And I don't know that I've created a focal point in this photo, but I also don't think it is particularly important for this photo. The framing works out with the darker trees on the left and right, and the splotch of green in the center offsets the reds and oranges. George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blanketed_in_bronze/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Blanketed-in-Bronze_4to5_60x75.jpg Blanketed in Bronze I was driving to visit my parents in Virginia in the fall of 2025, and my route rook me near George Washington and Jefferson National Forest. I'd never been here, and the trees in the surrounding area were beautiful, so I decided to take a little detour. What a delight! The leaves were perfect! Only a few leaves were down, but there were shades of green, yellow, orange, and even red to be seen. I arrived in the evening, when it was too dark to photograph much, but took this photo on my way out, the following day. One perk of National Forests versus National Parks is that the roads are tiny, and very few vehicles go by. I was able to just park my truck on the side of the road and walk out into the middle of the road for minutes on end without worry of screwing up traffic! George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/somewhere_in_utah/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Somewhere-in-Utah_3to1_180x60.jpg Somewhere in Utah I took this photo in the spring of 2024, and didn't get around to posting it until much later. I didn't take good notes about where, specifically, this photo was taken, but I know it was off of the beautiful State Highway 12. Honestly, views like this are everywhere along that route. along State Highway 12, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pine_valley_mountains/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Pine-Valley-Mountains_3to2_90x60.jpg Pine Valley Mountains Just after an art show in St. George, Utah, I needed a place to camp and relax for a couple days. There is so much spectacular beauty in the area that one can simply pick a direction and drive, and amazing beauty will announce itself. I ended up camping at a random Bureau of Land Management roadside spot probably half an hour to an hour northwest of St. George, and believe it or not, this was the view from my RV. I stuck around for a couple days, and only a handful of other explorers even drove by. The mountains shown here are the Pine Valley Mountains, and I was happy I was able to get them with a good bit of snow remaining. Pine Valley Mountains, near St. George, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pine_valley_mountains_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Pine-Valley-Mountains-Wide_2to1_80x40.jpg Pine Valley Mountains Wide Just after an art show in St. George, Utah, I needed a place to camp and relax for a couple days. There is so much spectacular beauty in the area that one can simply pick a direction and drive, and amazing beauty will announce itself. I ended up camping at a random Bureau of Land Management roadside spot probably half an hour to an hour northwest of St. George, and believe it or not, this was the view from my RV. I stuck around for a couple days, and only a handful of other explorers even drove by. The mountains shown here are the Pine Valley Mountains, and I was happy I was able to get them with a good bit of snow remaining. Pine Valley Mountains, near St. George, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pine_valley_mountains_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Pine-Valley-Mountains-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Pine Valley Mountains Panorama Just after an art show in St. George, Utah, I needed a place to camp and relax for a couple days. There is so much spectacular beauty in the area that one can simply pick a direction and drive, and amazing beauty will announce itself. I ended up camping at a random Bureau of Land Management roadside spot probably half an hour to an hour northwest of St. George, and believe it or not, this was the view from my RV. I stuck around for a couple days, and only a handful of other explorers even drove by. The mountains shown here are the Pine Valley Mountains, and I was happy I was able to get them with a good bit of snow remaining. Pine Valley Mountains, near St. George, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wichita_mountain_bison_herd_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oklahoma_Wichita-Mountain-Bison-Herd-Portrait_2to3_40x60_1.jpg Wichita Mountain Bison Herd Portrait I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I visited the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and was very impressed! For my first few hours in the park, I spotted lone bison here and there, but no herds. My luck fortunately changed, and at the perfect time! As I was driving back to my camp spot, I came across this herd of bison in an empty field, which made photographing them easy. The clouds just after sunset weren't too bad, either. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wichita_mountain_bison_herd_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oklahoma_Wichita-Mountain-Bison-Herd-at-Sunset_3to2_72x48_1.jpg Wichita Mountain Bison Herd at Sunset I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I visited the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and was very impressed! For my first few hours in the park, I spotted lone bison here and there, but no herds. My luck fortunately changed, and at the perfect time! As I was driving back to my camp spot, I came across this herd of bison in an empty field, which made photographing them easy. And I couldn't believe my luck when the clouds blew up into one of the best sunsets I've ever seen. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wichita_mountain_bison_herd_at_sunset_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oklahoma_Wichita-Mountain-Bison-Herd-at-Sunset-Panorama_2to1_72x36_1.jpg Wichita Mountain Bison Herd at Sunset Panorama I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I visited the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and was very impressed! For my first few hours in the park, I spotted lone bison here and there, but no herds. My luck fortunately changed, and at the perfect time! As I was driving back to my camp spot, I came across this herd of bison in an empty field, which made photographing them easy. And I couldn't believe my luck when the clouds blew up into one of the best sunsets I've ever seen. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/this_is_oklahoma/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oklahoma_This-is-Oklahoma_2to1_80x40_1.jpg This is Oklahoma? I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I visited the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and was very impressed! When I think of Oklahoma, I think of endless farmland and plains, and that's not incorrect, but there are mountainous regions, too. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_view_from_mount_scott/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oklahoma_The-View-from-Mount-Scott_3to2_90x60_1.jpg The View from Mount Scott I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I visited the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and was very impressed! When I think of Oklahoma, I think of endless farmland and plains, and that's not incorrect, but there are mountainous regions, too. I took this photo, overlooking a large portion of the Wildlife Refuge, from the top of Mt. Scott, a 2,464 foot high mountain whose top can thankfully be reached by car. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/panoramic_view_from_mount_scott/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oklahoma_Panoramic-View-from-Mount-Scott_3to1_144x48_1.jpg Panoramic View from Mount Scott I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I visited the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and was very impressed! When I think of Oklahoma, I think of endless farmland and plains, and that's not incorrect, but there are mountainous regions, too. I took this photo, overlooking a large portion of the Wildlife Refuge, from the top of Mt. Scott, a 2,464 foot high mountain whose top can thankfully be reached by car. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lake_jed_johnson/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oklahoma_Lake-Jed-Johnson_3to1_180x60_1.jpg Lake Jed Johnson I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I visited the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and was very impressed! When I think of Oklahoma, I think of endless farmland and plains, and that's not incorrect, but there are mountainous regions, too. Shown here is Lake Jed Johnson, and on the left side of the photo, the aptly named Lake Jed Johnson Tower. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/afternoon_in_the_wichita_mountains/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oklahoma_Afternoon-in-the-Wichita-Mountains_3to2_60x40_1.jpg Afternoon in the Wichita Mountains I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I visited the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, and was very impressed! When I think of Oklahoma, I think of endless farmland and plains, and that's not incorrect, but there are mountainous regions, too. This is a fairly typical view of what the Wiildlife Refuge looks like, albeit with great light, shortly before sunset. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_white_sands/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Dusk-at-White-Sands_3to2_60x40_1.jpg Dusk at White Sands I visited White Sands National Monument in 2017, before it was designated a National Park. At that time, when I visited, there were hardly any other visitors. It was great. I came back in December, 2023, and it sure has changed! On my first visit, I could point my camera almost any direction, and photograph empty dunes with no footprints to be seen. In 2023, doing so proved to be much more of a challenge. However, with a bit of creative framing, I was able to get a sunset shot (two versions of one shot, actually) that didn't have people, or footprints. And the colors turned out wonderfully! White Sands National Park, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_white_sands_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Dusk-at-White-Sands-Panorama_2to1_60x30_1.jpg Dusk at White Sands Panorama I visited White Sands National Monument in 2017, before it was designated a National Park. At that time, when I visited, there were hardly any other visitors. It was great. I came back in December, 2023, and it sure has changed! On my first visit, I could point my camera almost any direction, and photograph empty dunes with no footprints to be seen. In 2023, doing so proved to be much more of a challenge. However, with a bit of creative framing, I was able to get a sunset shot (two versions of one shot, actually) that didn't have people, or footprints. And the colors turned out wonderfully! White Sands National Park, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/little_missouri_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arkansas_Little-Missouri-Falls_3to2_90x60.jpg Little Missouri Falls I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. I camped for the night in the heart of Ouachita National Forest, in Arkansas, and on my way out, I came across Little Missouri Falls. It's no Iguazu, but it was still quite pretty, and very peaceful. Little Missouri Falls, Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ouachita_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arkansas_Ouachita-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Ouachita Portrait I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. I camped for the night in the heart of Ouachita National Forest, in Arkansas, and stumbled across these spectacular red leaves. The red was so vibrant, in some cases, it just looked fake. Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fall_on_the_talamena_scenic_drive/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arkansas_Fall-on-the-Talamena-Scenic-Drive_5to2_150x60.jpg Fall on the Talamena Scenic Drive I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. With a bit of extra time on my hands, I drove the lovely Talamena Scenic Drive, between Talihina, Oklahoma, and Mena, Arkansas. This lovely 54-mile drive reminded me quite a bit of the Appalachians, in particular the Blue Ridge Parkway. The weather wasn't great, and I was probably a week early for full peak colors, but I can't complain with what I got! Talamena Scenic Drive, near Mena, Arkansas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fall_in_ouachita/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arkansas_Fall-in-Ouachita_3to2_90x60.jpg Fall in Ouachita I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. I camped for the night in the heart of Ouachita National Forest, in Arkansas, and stumbled across these spectacular red leaves. The red was so vibrant, in some cases, it just looked fake. Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fall_in_ouachita_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arkansas_Fall-in-Ouachita-2_3to2_90x60.jpg Fall in Ouachita 2 I was driving cross country in the Fall of 2025, and realized I'd never photographed either Oklahoma or Arkansas, and my drive took me through both these states. I camped for the night in the heart of Ouachita National Forest, in Arkansas, and stumbled across these spectacular red leaves. The red was so vibrant, in some cases, it just looked fake. Ouachita National Forest, Arkansas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/1815/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560_Arizona_Monument-Valley-Sunrise_5to2_150x60.jpg Monument Valley Sunrise In April, 2025, I was driving across the country, from one art show to another, and my drive took me quite close to Monument Valley. My most recent photographs from Monument Valley, at this time, were form 2010, so I decided I'd pay it another visit. Just as beautiful as ever! Monument Valley, Arizona / Utah border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/1814/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560_Arizona_Monument-Valley-at-Dawn_3to2_60x40.jpg Monument Valley at Dawn In April, 2025, I was driving across the country, from one art show to another, and my drive took me quite close to Monument Valley. My most recent photographs from Monument Valley, at this time, were form 2010, so I decided I'd pay it another visit. Just as beautiful as ever! Monument Valley, Arizona / Utah border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seiganto_ji_at_sunrise_vertical_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/1920_Japan_Seiganto-Ji-at-Sunrise-Vertical-Panorama_1to2_60x120.jpg Seiganto-Ji at Sunrise (Vertical Panorama) Seiganto-Ji, or the Temple of Crossing the Blue Shore, is a Buddhist Temple several hours south of Osaka and Kyoto. While well-known, it is much less accessible than most of the other spots I photographed during my 2022-2023 visit to Japan, simply because of its distance from major cities and tourism centers. Perhaps because of this, or perhaps in spite of it, Seiganto-ji was one of my favorite photo locations in Japan. Like so many other historical sites in Japan, Seiganto-Ji's history is long and complicated, and involves numerous dynasties, wars, reconstructions, etc., but for me, this location was all about the simple peace and beauty it offers. I made sure to arrive early (before buses began running) to get this photo, which involved me booking a 5AM taxi the night before, but the payoff was well worth it. Did I forget to mention that Nachi Falls, at 133 meters in height and the tallest single-drop waterfall in Japan, is right behind it? Yeah, that's there too. Seiganto-ji Temple, near Nachikatsuura, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/path_to_enlightenment/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/1920_Japan_Path-to-Enlightenment_3to1_180x60.jpg Path to Enlightenment Itsukushima is a small island off the coast of Hiroshima that is most famous for its large, "floating" torii gate. While most visitors to the island spend a single afternoon there, enjoy the torii gate and some local cuisine, and return to the mainland on the same day, I was fortunate enough to spend a few days there, which gave me more time to explore. My favorite part of the island (aside from the floating torii gate) was probably the Daishoin Temple complex, which consisted of multiple gardens and structures. Many of the paths between the different temple buildings were flanked by tens or even hundreds of small (two to three feet tall) statues of smiling figures, and many of them had hand-woven red scarfs and hats. Very interesting and incredibly peaceful. Daishoin Temple, Itsukushima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/katsuoji_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/1920_Japan_Katsuoji-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Katsuoji Panorama Katsuo-ji is another beautiful temple that is a bit difficult to reach as a tourist. It is several miles from Osaka, the nearest city, and public transit, which is fantastic in Japan, only comes and goes here rarely. But visiting is worth the hassle, and the density of the crowds, in my experience, seems to align with the difficulty of making it here. First constructed in 765, it, like many (most?) Japanese historic sites, has burned down and been reconstructed, and has its own unique flavor. Although this temple is most well-known for its daruma dolls, which are meant to bring good luck to those who purchase them, this photo focuses more on the beauty of the temple itself. But look closely enough, and you'll fine a daruma or two (or probably a few hundred). Katsuoji Temple, Mino City, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hot_springs_macaque/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/1920_Japan_Hot-Springs-Macaque_1to1_42x42.jpg Hot Springs Macaque Although Japanese macaques live throughout the mountains of Japan, the most famous place to see and photograph them is at Jigokudani Monkey Park, near Nagano, which is home to thousands of Japanese macaques, more commonly referred to as "snow monkeys." I got to spend a cold, winter day with these guys in February, 2023, and it was time well spent. It was a lot of fun to watch them swimming in the springs, chasing each other around, and generally having a good time. Snow Monkey Park, near Nagano, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/himeji_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/1920_Japan_Himeji-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Himeji Panorama Himeji Castle, located in the city of Himeji, Japan, is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture. Originally constructed in 1346 (and like seemingly all castles, temples, etc. in Japan, rebuilt, added to, etc. many times since), it has amazingly survived for now more than 700 years, remaining intact despite the WWII bombing of Himeji, and the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. Due to its white color, it is frequently called the "White Egret Castle" or "White Heron Castle." Since it is built on a hill, most views of this historic castle are from below, but an adjacent city park on a hill allows one, after a bit of an uphill hike, to view the castle from the same elevation as its ground floor. This photo was taken in the fall - notice the foliage on the bottom of the scene? - and I like that it shows both the historic castle and the modern metropolis that now surrounds it. Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/harajiri_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/1920_Japan_Harajiri-Falls_5to2_120x48.jpg Harajiri Falls I quasi-lived in the small(ish) town of Beppu, on Japan's southern island during the winter and spring of 2022-23. One of my favorite things to do overseas is to go exploring on a motorcycle. I was able to get my hands on a motorcycle for a few days in the spring of 2023, and on one of my rides, I made my way to Harajiri Falls, shown here. Harajiri Falls, Kyusu Island, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eikan_do_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/1920_Japan_Eikan-do-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Eikan-do Panorama Japan is beautiful most of the year, but in the fall, when the leaves change color, it is like nowhere else. Nowhere that I've been, anyway. This is a photo of Kyoto's Eikan-do temple, the history of which stretches back to roughly 853 - although the construction of the entire complex continued, in phases, for centuries. I find eastern temples and gardens like this to be among the most peaceful locations on the planet, but this particular temple is extraordinarily popular for both locals and tourists when the leaves turn red, so it was probably less calming than usual when I took this photo, as I was one of hundreds making my way through the grounds. Eikan-do Temple, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/downtown_miami/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Downtown-Miami_5to2_120x48.jpg Downtown Miami Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This panorama, which was taken from the MacArthur Causeway bridge that links the mainland to Jungle Island, focuses on downtown Miami. Miami, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/young_gentoo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Young-Gentoo_5to4_60x48.jpg Young Gentoo A juvenile gentoo penguin, halfway through losing his juvenile coat of fluffy feathers. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/you_can_do_it/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_You-Can-Do-It_3to2_60x40.jpg You Can Do It! I watched this cute little chinstrap penguin leap out of the arctic waters off shore of the South Orkney Islands, and snapped probably a hundred photos of him climbing his way up to the top, where he joined his friends. It was a precarious journey, and he lost his footing on more than one occasion, but eventually he made it. Hooray! South Orkney Islands, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/weddell_sea_iceberg/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Weddell-Sea-Iceberg_3to2_72x48.jpg Weddell Sea Iceberg A few days after departing Ushuaia, Argentina, the Ocean Endeavour arrived in the Weddell Sea, and icebergs became a more and more common sight. Weddell Sea, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/walk_like_a_king/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Walk-Like-A-King_5to4_60x48.jpg Walk Like A King The king penguins at Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island, were incredibly accommodating models. I took thousands of photos of these beautiful animals doing all kinds of stuff … but mostly just walking around. Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellowstone_squirrel/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Yellowstone-Squirrel_2to3_48x72.jpg Yellowstone Squirrel Yeah, it's a squirrel. Not the most challenging animal to photograph. Depending on where you live, you may be able to wander into your back yard and photograph one today. But he's cute. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellowstone_grizzly/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Yellowstone-Grizzly_3to2_45x30.jpg Yellowstone Grizzly I was driving through Yellowstone National Park on July 4, 2017, when I saw some movement on a hill nearby. I slowed down and saw a mother grizzly bear and her nearly full-grown cub wandering along the hillside. I drove in the direction they seemed to be headed, pulled over, and climbed on to the roof of my van so I'd (a) be safe and (b) have a good vantage point if they approached. And lo and behold, they did exactly that. I spent the next half hour or more on the roof of my van, shooting the bears as they came closer and closer, eventually coming all the way up to my van so I had to aim my lens almost straight down to see them. I felt pretty safe, but there were other viewers who were certainly way too close for comfort. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellowstone_grizzly_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Yellowstone-Grizzly-Portrait_4to5_30x40.jpg Yellowstone Grizzly Portrait I was driving through Yellowstone National Park on July 4, 2017, when I saw some movement on a hill nearby. I slowed down and saw a mother grizzly bear and her nearly full-grown cub wandering along the hillside. I drove in the direction they seemed to be headed, pulled over, and climbed on to the roof of my van so I'd (a) be safe and (b) have a good vantage point if they approached. And lo and behold, they did exactly that. I spent the next half hour or more on the roof of my van, shooting the bears as they came closer and closer, eventually coming all the way up to my van so I had to aim my lens almost straight down to see them. I felt pretty safe, but there were other viewers who were certainly way too close for comfort. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellowstone_abloom/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Yellowstone-Abloom_2to3_48x72.jpg Yellowstone Abloom I took this photo in 2009 - years before I turned my photography from a hobby to a career. Growing up in northern Colorado meant I was (only?) an 8 hour drive from Yellowstone National Park - one of the best places in the country, and honestly, the world, for amazing scenery and wildlife. I still try to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons once a year. I took this photo in late June, when the wildflowers were at their peak. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellowstone_ablaze/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Yellowstone-Ablaze_2to1_48x24.jpg Yellowstone Ablaze I took this photo in 2009 - years before I turned my photography from a hobby to a career. Growing up in northern Colorado meant I was (only?) an 8 hour drive from Yellowstone National Park - one of the best places in the country, and honestly, the world, for amazing scenery and wildlife. I still try to visit Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons once a year. I took this photo in late September, 2009, when there were several forest fires throughout the park. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wintertime_snack/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Wintertime-Snack_3to2_45x30.jpg Wintertime Snack Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. My first winter visit to Yellowstone was in early 2020, and it has a completely different feel (literally and figuratively) than a spring, summer, or fall visit. There are still plenty of animals to see, such as this red fox I found in the Lamar Valley. I was one of a dozen or so photographers that spent a while photographing him as he ran back and forth across the road, hunting for and catching what must have been an entire family of some small rodents. The orange and black of his fur is simply breathtaking composed with the white background. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_ocean_mountain_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Two-Ocean-Mountain-Reflection_3to2_72x48.jpg Two Ocean Mountain Reflection This is a shot that I've been wanting to get for a while. Two Ocean Mountain lies in the heart of Shoshone National Forest, just east of Grand Teton National Park, in northwest Wyoming. There's a section in Shoshone National Forest where a small Forest Service Road shoots off the main highway, and snakes through a bit of marshy land. There are a few small ponds and lakes here which are perfect for getting reflection shots, but unfortunately, they attract lots of mosquitoes. So, while this picture may be simply beautiful, capturing it was a different story. Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/this_ones_got_it_all/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_This-Ones-Got-It-All_3to2_90x60.jpg This One's Got It All During the summer of 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I went up to Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Wyoming, only a few hours from my home in Northern Colorado. Snowy Range Road travels to the west from Laramie, and passes through this National Forest that, in addition to being great for fishing and camping, also has a small area with dozens of easily-accessible alpine lakes. Lake Marie, shown here, and photographed at sunrise, is one of the most accessible - it was a 5 minute walk from the parking lot for me to access this location. This photo, like the location and the camping trip itself, was and is a great escape from the stresses of everyday life in 2020. Lake Marie, Medicine Bow-Routte National Forest, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_patriot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_The-Patriot_3to2_72x48.jpg The Patriot Bald eagles are one of my favorite wildlife recovery stories. In a world filled with constant news of new animals being put on the endangered list, or going outright extinct, it is nice to see that human policy can have a positive impact and bring a population of animals back from the edge of extinction. I took this photo in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_opposite_of_camouflage/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_The-Opposite-of-Camouflage_1to1_48x48.jpg The Opposite of Camouflage Not a difficult bird to photograph, but a beautiful one nonetheless. I shot this house finch just outside of Yellowstone National Park in the dead of winter. I have no idea how an animal so small manages to stay warm when the temperatures dip down to negative twenty and colder, but somehow, they manage. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/surveying_the_land/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Surveying-the-Land_3to2_90x60.jpg Surveying the Land Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. My first winter visit to Yellowstone was in early 2020, and it has a completely different feel (literally and figuratively) than a spring, summer, or fall visit. There are still plenty of animals to see, such as this big, bull elk I spotted foraging for grasses in the knee-deep snow. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_panorama_in_the_bighorn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Sunset-Panorama-in-the-Bighorn_5to2_120x48.jpg Sunset Panorama in the Bighorn Bighorn National Forest, in north-central Wyoming, is a hidden gem. Being a National Forest, as opposed to a National Park, it doesn't get nearly the crowds of nearby Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks, but, in my opinion, many parts of "The Bighorn" are just as beautiful. I took this photo in early July, 2017, when the purple lupine were in full bloom. I shot it at sunset, and the clouds above exploded in magnificent shades of pink, orange, red, and purple. Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_from_the_beartooth_highway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Sunrise-from-the-Beartooth-Highway_3to1_180x60.jpg Sunrise from the Beartooth Highway I've been meaning to shoot some images from the Beartooth Highway, on the Wyoming / Montana border, for years. A spontaneous trip to Glacier National Park during the summer of 2020 proved the perfect opportunity to do so. I camped half an hour or so from where I took this photo on my way to Glacier, but missed sunrise at this particular location, so I camped much closer on my return journey and made it here with time to spare. The Beartooth Highway is definitely one of my favorite drives in the US, and with scenes like this doing a fair job of presenting much of what the area looks like, it is easy to understand why. Beartooth Highway, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_lake_marie/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Sunrise-at-Lake-Marie_5to2_150x60.jpg Sunrise at Lake Marie During the summer of 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I went up to Medicine Bow National Forest in southern Wyoming, only a few hours from my home in Northern Colorado. Snowy Range Road travels to the west from Laramie, and passes through this National Forest that, in addition to being great for fishing and camping, also has a small area with dozens of easily-accessible alpine lakes. Lake Marie, shown here, and photographed at sunrise, is one of the most accessible - it was a 5 minute walk from the parking lot for me to access this location. This photo, like the location and the camping trip itself, was and is a great escape from the stresses of everyday life in 2020. Lake Marie, Medicine Bow-Routte National Forest, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stormy_skies_at_mormon_row/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Stormy-Skies-at-Mormon-Row_3to2_72x48.jpg Stormy Skies at Mormon Row Here's yet another often photographed scene - Mormon Row, at the south end of Grand Teton National Park. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/simplicity/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Simplicity_3to2_80x54.jpg Simplicity Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. My first winter visit to Yellowstone was in early 2020, and it has a completely different feel (literally and figuratively) than a spring, summer, or fall visit. Although there is a lot of animal activity, resulting in surprisingly few fields of snow untouched by footprints, I spotted this dead tree in one such spot, and found the simple composition shown here to be quite pleasing. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pastel_morning_in_yellowstone/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Pastel-Morning-in-Yellowstone_3to1_180x60.jpg Pastel Morning in Yellowstone Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. My first winter visit to Yellowstone was in early 2020, and it has a completely different feel (literally and figuratively) than a spring, summer, or fall visit. I took this photo in northwest Yellowstone shortly before sunrise. The thermometer in the car I arrived in read something like 15 degrees below zero. Yeah, just a bit cold. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/oxbow_bend_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Oxbow-Bend-Reflection_3to1_90x30.jpg Oxbow Bend Reflection It's probably a toss-up which view of the Tetons is more famous: Mormon Row, or Oxbow Bend. The mountains are simply stunning, and either shot has the possibility to be fantastic. If you are able to be there when the Snake River is calm enough for a clear reflection of the Tetons, it is a tough one to beat. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/on_the_hunt/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_On-the-Hunt_3to2_60x40.jpg On the Hunt Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. My first winter visit to Yellowstone was in early 2020, and it has a completely different feel (literally and figuratively) than a spring, summer, or fall visit. There are still plenty of animals to see, such as this red fox I found in the Lamar Valley. I was one of a dozen or so photographers that spent a while photographing him as he ran back and forth across the road, hunting for and catching what must have been an entire family of some small rodents. The orange and black of his fur is simply breathtaking composed with the white background. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountain_goat_glamour_shot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Mountain-Goat-Glamour-Shot_4to5_30x40.jpg Mountain Goat Glamour Shot On July 4, 2017, I was treated to a rare and memorable experience. After taking some sunrise photos in the Beartooth Range of northwest Wyoming, I began driving along the spectacular Beartooth Highway, and saw a group of mountain goats in the distance that looked like they were approaching the highway. They were still quite a way off, so I found a place to park, got out of my van, and positioned myself where I guessed they were headed. A short time later, a group of maybe 20 or so mountain goats crested the horizon and continued approaching me. Obviously, they weren't particularly frightened by people, because they got within fifty or so feet of me, but paid me no heed. A great way to start the day! Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountain_goat_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Mountain-Goat-2_3to2_45x30.jpg Mountain Goat 2 On July 4, 2017, I was treated to a rare and memorable experience. After taking some sunrise photos in the Beartooth Range of northwest Wyoming, I began driving along the spectacular Beartooth Highway, and saw a group of mountain goats in the distance that looked like they were approaching the highway. They were still quite a way off, so I found a place to park, got out of my van, and positioned myself where I guessed they were headed. A short time later, a group of maybe 20 or so mountain goats crested the horizon and continued approaching me. Obviously, they weren't particularly frightened by people, because they got within fifty or so feet of me, but paid me no heed. A great way to start the day! Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountain_goat_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Mountain-Goat-1_3to2_45x30.jpg Mountain Goat 1 On July 4, 2017, I was treated to a rare and memorable experience. After taking some sunrise photos in the Beartooth Range of northwest Wyoming, I began driving along the spectacular Beartooth Highway, and saw a group of mountain goats in the distance that looked like they were approaching the highway. They were still quite a way off, so I found a place to park, got out of my van, and positioned myself where I guessed they were headed. A short time later, a group of maybe 20 or so mountain goats crested the horizon and continued approaching me. Obviously, they weren't particularly frightened by people, because they got within fifty or so feet of me, but paid me no heed. A great way to start the day! Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mormon_row/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Mormon-Row_3to1_120x40.jpg Mormon row The collection of farms visible here, beneath the majestic Teton Range, is called Mormon Row. This three-to-one (3:1) panorama is by no means original, as thousands of people, if not more, have certainly taken a similar shot, but I don't believe that this fact in any way reduces its beauty. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mormon_row_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Mormon-Row-2_3to1_180x60.jpg Mormon Row 2 I attended an art show in Jackson, Wyoming, in June, 2022. The show happened to take place the week after the worst flooding Yellowstone National Park (an hour north) had experienced since people began tracking such things. Suffice to say, there was a lot of rain, and the skies were mostly to completely filled with clouds for the duration of my time there. Unable to get the bright and saturated sunset clouds that occupy so much of my typical photography, I shot this barn, in the Mormon Row portion of Grand Teton National Park, in these much more subdued conditions. It turns out this location is beautiful regardless of the weather! Mormon Row, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moose_falls_in_autumn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Moose-Falls-in-Autumn_2to3_48x72.jpg Moose Falls in Autumn Moose Falls is one of Yellowstone's many secret spots. I've shot the falls in the past on an overcast day, but when I visited the falls in September, 2016, it was the first time I've seen it with blue skies. The changing colors were an added bonus! Moose Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/midday_at_oxbow_bend/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Midday-at-Oxbow-Bend_2to1_96x48.jpg Midday at Oxbow Bend Oxbow Bend, in Grand Teton National Park, is one of the prettiest places on this planet. There are several ways to shoot this location, and the more common scene is shot from much lower, on the banks of the Snake River. I have several versions of this more typical scene, but when I took this photo, midday in late September, 2016, I decided to do a bit of scrambling up a hill in order to have a new perspective. I'm quite happy with how it turned out! Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lewis_falls_in_autumn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Lewis-Falls-in-Autumn_3to2_45x30.jpg Lewis Falls in Autumn Did you know that Lewis Falls, in Yellowstone National Park is named after me (the photographer)?! Yup. That's 100% true. Fine, maybe that's not true. What is true is that I was happy to be here when the leaves on the bushes around Lewis Falls had changed to yellow in the autumn of 2016. Lewis Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/its_a_long_winter/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Its-a-Long-Winter_5to4_75x60.jpg It's a Long Winter I took this photo in Yellowstone National Park in early 2020, and the thermometer in the car I arrived in read twenty degrees below zero. The coldest place I've ever been … yet. But I was dressed appropriately and felt plenty warm. I guess this big bison did, too. He seemed unfazed by the cold. Bison are fun animals to photograph any time of year, but there's something special about shooting them in the winter with a snowy background. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/inferno/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Inferno_2to3_24x36.jpg Inferno I visited Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in late September, 2009. There were several small forest fires happening while I was there, and the smoke made most views of the mountains quite dull. I was on the verge of calling the trip a complete disaster - photographically, at least - when I made it to the top of Signal Mountain, in Grand Teton National Park, which provides an overview of the valley below the Tetons. It was there, at sunset, that I captured this shot. The smoke from the forest fires had turned orange from the setting sun, and by zooming in on a particular area, I was able to capture this shot that looks like some layer of hell. Signal Mountain Viewpoint, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/i_see_you/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_I-See-You_5to4_60x48.jpg I See You Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. My first winter visit to Yellowstone was in early 2020, and it has a completely different feel (literally and figuratively) than a spring, summer, or fall visit. There are still plenty of animals to see, such as this big, bull elk I spotted foraging for grasses in the knee-deep snow. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hells_half_acre/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Hells-Half-Acre_3to2_72x48.jpg Hell's Half Acre A spontaneous trip to Glacier National Park in the summer of 2020 took me through some parts of Wyoming and Montana that I'd never seen before, including the "Hell's Half Acre" roadside stop. Kind of in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming, it is a great place to get out and stretch one's legs, and perhaps have a snack or some lunch. This place looks strikingly like the more famous Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Check out my images from there and see if you can tell them apart! Hell's Half Acre, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hells_half_acre_closeup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Hells-Half-Acre-Closeup_3to2_72x48.jpg Hell's Half Acre Closeup A spontaneous trip to Glacier National Park in the summer of 2020 took me through some parts of Wyoming and Montana that I'd never seen before, including the "Hell's Half Acre" roadside stop. Kind of in the middle of nowhere in Wyoming, it is a great place to get out and stretch one's legs, and perhaps have a snack or some lunch. This place looks strikingly like the more famous Badlands National Park in South Dakota. Check out my images from there and see if you can tell them apart! Hell's Half Acre, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/green_to_orange/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Green-to-Orange_2to3_30x45.jpg Green to Orange I certainly timed my arrival at Grand Teton National Park in late September, 2016 well. The five nights I spent in Yellowstone and Grand Teton were the last stop of a three-month adventure through Canada and Alaska, and finishing up my time in the outdoors with colors like these was a fantastic send-off. Two or three days earlier, and there wouldn't have been any orange in this grove. Two or three days later, and there wouldn't be any green. Timing is everything! Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/grand_prismatic_spring/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Grand-Prismatic-Spring_4to5_40x50.jpg Grand Prismatic Spring This is a view of Grand Prismatic Spring, in Yellowstone National Park, that not many people experience. Visible in this photo is a walkway that allows visitors to see portions of the spring from up-close, but viewing it from the walkway doesn't really allow one to imagine what it looks like as a whole. To see this view, you have to do a bit more walking, and, in all likelihood, you'll have to deal with some mosquitoes. Grand Prismatic Spring - the largest hot spring in the United States, and the third largest in the world - is almost otherworldly vibrant. The colors are caused by single-cell organisms that can grow along the edges of the spring. There are none in the center, since the water is too hot for such forms of life. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/grand_canyon_of_the_yellowstone/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Grand-Canyon-of-the-Yellowstone_2to3_48x72.jpg Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Yellowstone National Park, in northwest Wyoming, has so many famous features, it is hard to keep track of them all. But the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Lower Yellowstone Falls, shown in this photo, are definitely on the list. The canyon reaches depths of up to 1,000 feet, and the lower falls can carry up to 8,400 cubic feet per second of water at peak runoff in the spring, making Lower Yellowstone Falls the largest volume waterfall in the Rocky Mountains of the United States. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gardner_lake_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Gardner-Lake-at-Sunrise_5to2_150x60.jpg Gardner Lake at Sunrise I've been meaning to shoot some images from the Beartooth Highway, on the Wyoming / Montana border, for years. A spontaneous trip to Glacier National Park during the summer of 2020 proved the perfect opportunity to do so. I camped half an hour or so from where I took this photo on my way to Glacier, but missed sunrise at this particular location, so I camped much closer on my return journey. The Beartooth Highway is definitely one of my favorite drives in the US, and with scenes like this doing a fair job of presenting much of what the area looks like, it is easy to understand why. Beartooth Highway, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/frost_face/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Frost-Face_2to3_48x72.jpg Frost Face I took this photo in Yellowstone National Park in early 2020, and the thermometer in the car I arrived in read twenty degrees below zero. The coldest place I've ever been … yet. But I was dressed appropriately and felt plenty warm. I guess this big bison did, too. He seemed unfazed by the cold. Bison are fun animals to photograph any time of year, but there's something special about shooting them in the winter with a snowy background. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/forest_fire_sunset_at_the_tetons/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Forest-Fire-Sunset-at-the-Tetons_3to1_90x30.jpg Forest Fire Sunset at the Tetons Several small forest fires plagued Grand Teton National Park in late September, 2009, when I took this photo. The smoke from these fires had made daytime shots of the majestic Teton Range dull, and I had nearly given up on getting any memorable shots on this particular day, when I decided to check out the view from Signal Mountain, above Jackson Lake, in the middle of this beautiful National Park. As the sun set, the skies seemed to ignite, and I walked away thrilled that I'd been able to capture the beauty of such a majestic and unique circumstance. Signal Mountain Viewpoint, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/elk_ranch_flats/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Elk-Ranch-Flats_3to2_72x48.jpg Elk Ranch Flats The view from the Elk Ranch Flats roadside pulloff in Grand Teton National Park is almost comedic in how picturesque it is. Honestly, it looks like something from Lord of the Rings. Beautiful, jagged mountains? Check. Line of bright-yellow trees? Check. Horses? Yup. Horses. On a beautiful, wide-open field. Part of me still has a hard time believing this place actually exists. Elk Ranch Flats, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chapel_of_the_transfiguration/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Chapel-of-the-Transfiguration_3to2_60x40.jpg Chapel of the Transfiguration The Chapel of the Transfiguration, in Grand Teton National Park in northwest Wyoming, was constructed in 1925. To this day, services are held here every Sunday through the summer. Chapel of the Transfiguration, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canary_hot_spring/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Canary-Hot-Spring_3to2_90x60.jpg Canary Hot Spring Mammoth Hot Springs, in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, is constantly changing. There are different springs bubbling, and different colors visible, each time I come here. I took this photo in early 2020, and if I were to return to the same place from which I took this photo a year later, while I'm sure it would look similar, I'm guessing it would be different. I love the colors and structures the strange chemicals found in the hot springs create at Mammoth! Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canary_hot_spring_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Canary-Hot-Spring-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Canary Hot Spring Portrait Mammoth Hot Springs, in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, is constantly changing. There are different springs bubbling, and different colors visible, each time I come here. I took this photo in early 2020, and if I were to return to the same place from which I took this photo a year later, while I'm sure it would look similar, I'm guessing it would be different. I love the colors and structures the strange chemicals found in the hot springs create at Mammoth! Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bison_at_firehole_river/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Bison-at-Firehole-River_3to1_144x48.jpg Bison at Firehole River Although Yellowstone National Park lacks the stunning majesty of the jagged peaks of Grand Teton National Park, which lies just to the south, it makes up for it with tranquil beauty and wildlife in numbers that make me reminisce about the Serengeti. This panorama represents a fairly typical scene in Yellowstone - you don't really have to do any off-road exploring to find scenes like this. It's an incredible place, and the concepts behind the world's first National Park are considered by some - myself included - to be "America's Best Idea." Fountain Flat Drive, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bighorn_national_forest_in_bloom/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Bighorn-National-Forest-in-Bloom_3to2_60x40.jpg Bighorn National Forest in Bloom Bighorn National Forest, in north-central Wyoming, is a hidden gem. Being a National Forest, as opposed to a National Park, it doesn't get nearly the crowds of nearby Yellowstone or Grand Teton National Parks, but, in my opinion, many parts of Bighorn is just as beautiful. I took this photo in early July, 2017, when the purple lupine were in full bloom. Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bighorn_grassland/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Bighorn-Grassland_3to2_45x30.jpg Bighorn Grassland In my opinion, Bighorn National Forest, in north central Wyoming, is under appreciated. It is a mixture of mountainous and plains, and although I don't think I'd want to spend much time there in the winter, it's spectacular in the summer. Bighorn National Forest, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beartooth_lake_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Beartooth-Lake-at-Sunrise_2to1_120x60.jpg Beartooth Lake at Sunrise The Beartooth Highway, which comes out of the northeast portion of Yellowstone National Park, and travels through the spectacular Beartooth Mountains en route to Montana, is wonderful. One of the must-stop locations along this drive is at Beartooth Lake. I've shot here several times, but it was only on my summer 2017 visit in which I had still-enough water to get the reflection I was hoping for. This was actually taken on July 4, 2017, and it proved to be one of my most successful single days of shooting ever. With a starter shot like this one, it's hard to have a bad day! Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baby_bison/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Baby-Bison_3to2_36x24.jpg Baby Bison Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, in northwest Wyoming, are some of the best places in the world to watch wildlife in its natural habitat. There used to be twenty to thirty million bison in the American West, but today only half a million remain. As bison age, their coats become darker than when they are young, like the one here. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/autumn_sunrise_at_oxbow_bend/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Autumn-Sunrise-at-Oxbow-Bend_5to2_150x60.jpg Autumn Sunrise at Oxbow Bend I was camping in Yellowstone National Park, roughly two and a half hours from Oxbow Bend, on the night of September 20, 2016. I'd called Jackson's (the closest city to Grand Teton National Park) Chamber of Commerce, trying to figure out if the colors of the trees in the National Park were at their peak yet, because I didn't want to miss the one to three day window during which the aspen in the park are at their absolute best. They told me I'd better come as soon as possible, so I got up at 3:45 on the morning of the 21st in order to be at Oxbow Bend before sunrise. In my opinion, this photo may be the best landscape photo I've ever taken. Oxbow Bend, Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/approaching_bison/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Approaching-Bison_2to3_30x45.jpg Approaching Bison Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, in northwest Wyoming, are some of the best places in the world to watch wildlife in its natural habitat. There used to be twenty to thirty million bison in the American West, but today only half a million remain. Here's one of the roughly 5,000 bison that live in Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/afternoon_at_devils_tower/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_Afternoon-at-Devils-Tower_4to5_30x40.jpg Afternoon at Devils Tower Devils Tower, which rises 1,267 feet above the surrounding land, was the first declared US National Monument, established by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906. It is made essentially of the leftover igneous rock from a now-eroded volcano. Although it is essentially in the middle of nowhere, and therefore a bit of a commitment to physically visit, when the afternoon sun paints a single side of it, it is quite a sight to see. Devils Tower National Monument, Northeast Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_bright_day/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wyoming_A-Bright-Day_3to2_45x30.jpg A Bright Day Yellowstone National Park is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. My first winter visit to Yellowstone was in early 2020, and it has a completely different feel (literally and figuratively) than a spring, summer, or fall visit. There are still plenty of animals to see, such as this red fox I found in the Lamar Valley. I was one of a dozen or so photographers that spent a while photographing him as he ran back and forth across the road, hunting for and catching what must have been an entire family of some small rodents. The orange and black of his fur is simply breathtaking composed with the white background. Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_greenbrier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_West-Virginia_The-Greenbrier_3to2_72x48.jpg The Greenbrier West Virginia's Greenbrier resort is steeped in history. The first hotel was built here in 1858, and today, the site occupies 11,000 acres and has 710 guest rooms, 20 restaurants, and, throughout its long history, has had 26 US Presidents stay the night. The Greenbrier, West Virginia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/willow_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Willow-Falls_3to2_90x60.jpg Willow Falls I've shot a decent number of photos in Wisconsin, but prior to 2021, they were all in either Door County, or Milwaukee. I decided to branch out and see a bit more of what this state has to offer in the summer of 2021. In my research, I came across some photos of Willow Falls, in far west Wisconsin, and figured it was worth a visit. Suffice to say, I was extraordinarily happy with my choice, as these waterfalls are quite beautiful. I took this photo with the sun setting behind me, which made taking a long-exposure easy, and the orange sky to the west added a bit of saturation to the orange rocks that surround the falls. Willow River State Park, Wisconsin, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/willow_falls_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Willow-Falls-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Willow Falls Panorama I've shot a decent number of photos in Wisconsin, but prior to 2021, they were all in either Door County, or Milwaukee. I decided to branch out and see a bit more of what this state has to offer in the summer of 2021. In my research, I came across some photos of Willow Falls, in far west Wisconsin, and figured it was worth a visit. Suffice to say, I was extraordinarily happy with my choice, as these waterfalls are quite beautiful. I took this photo with the sun setting behind me, which made taking a long-exposure easy, and the orange sky to the west added a bit of saturation to the orange rocks that surround the falls. Willow River State Park, Wisconsin, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_world_is_flat_actually_it_isnt/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_The-World-is-Flat-Actually-It-Isnt_2to1_72x36.jpg The World is Flat (Actually It Isn't) At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. One's experience is going to be hugely impacted by the weather. The day before I visited Washington Island, in August, 2018, the weather was awful. Fog everywhere. But the next day, when I went to Washington Island, the weather was perfect. This photo looks like it could have been taken in the Caribbean. But no, this is actually Lake Michigan from Washington Island. Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sturgeon_bay_ship_canal_pierhead/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Sturgeon-Bay-Ship-Canal-Pierhead_3to2_72x48.jpg Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead Door County, Wisconsin, is a little slice of heaven … at least during the summer, when I've visited. An extremely popular tourist destination, especially for Illinois residents, Door County is home to roughly 30,000 people, and a great deal of outdoor recreation possibilities. Thanks to the 1881 completion of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal, the northern half of what used to be a peninsula is now technically an island. The lighthouse in this photo is called "Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead," and it is worth a visit. The bright red of the lighthouse really stands out against the blue water and sky. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sturgeon_bay_ship_canal_pierhead_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Sturgeon-Bay-Ship-Canal-Pierhead-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead 2 Door County, Wisconsin, is a little slice of heaven … at least during the summer, when I've visited. An extremely popular tourist destination, especially for Illinois residents, Door County is home to roughly 30,000 people, and a great deal of outdoor recreation possibilities. Thanks to the 1881 completion of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal, the northern half of what used to be a peninsula is now technically an island. The lighthouse in this photo is called "Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead," and it is worth a visit. The bright red of the lighthouse really stands out against the blue water and sky. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/schoolhouse_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Schoolhouse-Beach_3to2_72x48.jpg Schoolhouse Beach At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. I think my favorite part of my Washington Island visit, in August, 2018, was School House Beach, where I took this photo. Apparently, it is one of only five sand-less beaches on the planet, and the rocks that make up the beach are smooth and beautiful. If you visit, don't take any rocks, though - there's a steep fine if you get caught! Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/schoolhouse_beach_stones/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Schoolhouse-Beach-Stones_3to2_72x48.jpg Schoolhouse Beach Stones At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. I think my favorite part of my Washington Island visit, in August, 2018, was School House Beach, where I took this photo. Apparently, it is one of only five sand-less beaches on the planet, and the rocks that make up the beach are smooth and beautiful. If you visit, don't take any rocks, though - there's a steep fine if you get caught! Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/schoolhouse_beach_stones_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Schoolhouse-Beach-Stones-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Schoolhouse Beach Stones 2 At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. I think my favorite part of my Washington Island visit, in August, 2018, was School House Beach, where I took this photo. Apparently, it is one of only five sand-less beaches on the planet, and the rocks that make up the beach are smooth and beautiful. If you visit, don't take any rocks, though - there's a steep fine if you get caught! Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/schoolhouse_beach_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Schoolhouse-Beach-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Schoolhouse Beach 2 At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. I think my favorite part of my Washington Island visit, in August, 2018, was School House Beach, where I took this photo. Apparently, it is one of only five sand-less beaches on the planet, and the rocks that make up the beach are smooth and beautiful. If you visit, don't take any rocks, though - there's a steep fine if you get caught! Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/red_white_and_blue/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Red-White-and-Blue_3to2_72x48.jpg Red, White, and Blue Door County, Wisconsin, is a little slice of heaven … at least during the summer, when I've visited. An extremely popular tourist destination, especially for Illinois residents, Door County is home to roughly 30,000 people, and a great deal of outdoor recreation possibilities. Thanks to the 1881 completion of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal, the northern half of what used to be a peninsula is now technically an island. The lighthouse in this photo is called "Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead," and it is worth a visit. The bright red of the lighthouse really stands out against the blue water and sky. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pewits_nest_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Pewits-Nest-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Pewit's Nest Portrait I've shot a decent number of photos in Wisconsin, but prior to 2021, they were all in either Door County, or Milwaukee. I decided to branch out and see a bit more of what this state has to offer in the summer of 2021. Pewit's Nest is a bit of a secret spot in central Wisconsin that deserves more attention. It's easily accessible and unique. I'm glad I was here in the middle of summer, when the water was flowing, and warm enough for me to wade out into it. It's impossible to tell from this photo, but I was chest deep in water when I took this photo, with nearly my entire tripod underwater. I was nervous about dropping my camera, but I guess that's why it is insured. Anyway, I got the photos I wanted, and made it out without any mishaps. Pewit's Nest, Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pewits_nest_landscape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Pewits-Nest-Landscape_3to2_90x60.jpg Pewit's Nest Landscape I've shot a decent number of photos in Wisconsin, but prior to 2021, they were all in either Door County, or Milwaukee. I decided to branch out and see a bit more of what this state has to offer in the summer of 2021. Pewit's Nest is a bit of a secret spot in central Wisconsin that deserves more attention. It's easily accessible and unique. I'm glad I was here in the middle of summer, when the water was flowing, and warm enough for me to wade out into it, although that wasn't necessary in order to get this photo. Pewit's Nest, Baraboo, Wisconsin, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/path_to_nowhere/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Path-to-Nowhere_2to3_48x72.jpg Path to Nowhere Door County, Wisconsin, is a little slice of heaven … at least during the summer, when I've visited. An extremely popular tourist destination, especially for Illinois residents, Door County is home to roughly 30,000 people, and a great deal of outdoor recreation possibilities. Thanks to the 1881 completion of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal, the northern half of what used to be a peninsula is now technically an island. The path shown in this photo leads to a bright red lighthouse called "Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead," and with visibility like this, it's probably a good thing it is there. This photo makes it look like this path could continue indefinitely, but in truth, the path ends probably a hundred yards or so from where I took the photo. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/one_day_there_will_be_lavender/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_One-Day-There-Will-Be-Lavender_3to2_72x48.jpg One Day, There Will Be Lavender At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. I took this photo at a lavender farm on the island in late August, 2018, shortly after the flowers had all been harvested. Hopefully I'll be fortunate enough to return someday with slightly better timing, so I can take this same photo, but with flowers in it! Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nothing_to_see_here/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Nothing-to-See-Here_3to2_72x48.jpg Nothing to See Here Door County, Wisconsin, is a little slice of heaven … at least during the summer, when I've visited. An extremely popular tourist destination, especially for Illinois residents, Door County is home to roughly 30,000 people, and a great deal of outdoor recreation possibilities. Thanks to the 1881 completion of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal, the northern half of what used to be a peninsula is now technically an island. The lighthouse in this photo is called "Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead," and it is worth a visit. I've visited the lighthouse on blue-sky days, and on days like this one. Each provides a unique type of beauty. I didn't see any ships moving around on the day I took this photo, and that's probably a good thing. The area is rife with history of terrible shipwrecks and with conditions like this, it's no wonder why. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/milwaukee_2019/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Milwaukee-2019_2to1_72x36.jpg Milwaukee, 2019 There's something very nice about shooting cityscapes that feature a lot of water. Milwaukee is one of those cities that allows a photographer to do just that. I took this photo of the Milwaukee skyline from Veterans Park, and used the lakeside path as a leading line to guide a viewer's eye into the photo. And with the buildings as nicely-lit as they were on the evening I took the photo, I thought\ using Lake Michigan to reflect the skyline was a good choice. Milwaukee, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/milwaukee_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Milwaukee-Sunset_3to2_90x60.jpg Milwaukee Sunset There's something very nice about shooting cityscapes that feature a lot of water. Milwaukee is one of those cities that allows a photographer to do just that. I took this photo of the Milwaukee skyline from the pier that extends from Harbor House, and shooting from this location allowed me to place the Milwaukee Art Museum prominently in the foreground. I took the photo shortly after sunset, while some oranges, pinks, and purples were still visible in the sky to the west. Milwaukee, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/milwaukee_sunset_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Milwaukee-Sunset-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Milwaukee Sunset Panorama There's something very nice about shooting cityscapes that feature a lot of water. Milwaukee is one of those cities that allows a photographer to do just that. I took this photo of the Milwaukee skyline from the pier that extends from Harbor House, and shooting from this location allowed me to place the Milwaukee Art Museum prominently in the foreground. I took the photo shortly after sunset, while some oranges, pinks, and purples were still visible in the sky to the west. Milwaukee, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/milwaukee_from_veterans_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Milwaukee-from-Veterans-Park_3to1_144x48.jpg Milwaukee from Veterans Park Milwaukee is one of those cities that allows a photographer to use a body of water (in this case, Lake Michigan) in the foreground to enhance the photo. I took this photo of the Milwaukee skyline from Veterans Park, and chose to omit any water, since I'd already captured several photos of the skyline prominently featuring Lake Michigan in the foreground. I'm happy with how it turned out, since it forces one to really appreciate the architecture and the lighting, rather than simply being captivated by a reflection. Milwaukee, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/green_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Green-Bay_3to2_72x48.jpg Green Bay Door County, Wisconsin, is a little slice of heaven … at least during the summer, when I've visited. An extremely popular tourist destination, especially for Illinois residents, Door County is home to roughly 30,000 people, and a great deal of outdoor recreation possibilities. Thanks to the 1881 completion of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal, the northern half of what used to be a peninsula is now technically an island, but either way, it is surrounded by water, and views like this are common in all directions from Door County. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fifty_shades_of_blue/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Fifty-Shades-of-Blue_3to2_72x48.jpg Fifty Shades of Blue At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. One's experience is going to be hugely impacted by the weather. The day before I visited Washington Island, in August, 2018, the weather was awful. Fog everywhere. But the next day, when I went to Washington Island, the weather was perfect. This photo looks like it could have been taken in the Caribbean. But no, this is actually Lake Michigan from Washington Island. Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/door_county_farm/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Door-County-Farm_2to1_80x40.jpg Door County Farm Whenever I am a within a few hours of Door County, Wisconsin, with a few days to spare and nothing else planned, I'll head that way. It is a great place to camp, ride around on a motorcycle, eat good food at quaint restaurants, and enjoy the scenery. After a day of riding near the coast and enjoying the coastal scenery, I spent a day just cruising around the interior of this peninsula, and came across some great barns for photography. This one was probably my favorite. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bisected/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Bisected_3to2_72x48.jpg Bisected At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. One's experience is going to be hugely impacted by the weather. The day before I visited Washington Island, in August, 2018, the weather was awful. Fog everywhere. But the next day, when I went to Washington Island, the weather was perfect. This photo looks like it could have been taken in the Caribbean. But no, this is actually Lake Michigan from Washington Island. Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/and_thats_why_we_need_lighthouses/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_And-Thats-Why-We-Need-Lighthouses_3to2_72x48.jpg And That's Why We Need Lighthouses Door County, Wisconsin, is a little slice of heaven … at least during the summer, when I've visited. An extremely popular tourist destination, especially for Illinois residents, Door County is home to roughly 30,000 people, and a great deal of outdoor recreation possibilities. Thanks to the 1881 completion of the Sturgeon Bay Shipping Canal, the northern half of what used to be a peninsula is now technically an island. The barely-visible lighthouse in this photo is called "Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal Pierhead," and it is worth a visit. I've visited the lighthouse on blue-sky days, and on days like this one. Each provides a unique type of beauty. It's difficult to tell in this photo, but the lighthouse itself is actually bright red. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/almost_tropical/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Almost-Tropical_3to2_72x48.jpg Almost Tropical Whenever I am a within a few hours of Door County, Wisconsin, with a few days to spare and nothing else planned, I'll head that way. It is a great place to camp, ride around on a motorcycle, eat good food at quaint restaurants, and enjoy the scenery. That's exactly what brought me to Cave Point, on the east side of Door County, in the late summer of 2022. I was there on a perfectly blue sky day, which isn't typically great for photography, but it was actually perfect for this photo, since the sky above made the blue waters of Lake Michigan somehow even more blue. Cave Point County Park, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/almost_tropical_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Almost-Tropical-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Almost Tropical Portrait Whenever I am a within a few hours of Door County, Wisconsin, with a few days to spare and nothing else planned, I'll head that way. It is a great place to camp, ride around on a motorcycle, eat good food at quaint restaurants, and enjoy the scenery. That's exactly what brought me to Cave Point, on the east side of Door County, in the late summer of 2022. I was there on a perfectly blue sky day, which isn't typically great for photography, but it was actually perfect for this photo, since the sky above made the blue waters of Lake Michigan somehow even more blue. Cave Point County Park, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/almost_caribbean/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_Almost-Caribbean_3to2_72x48.jpg Almost Caribbean At the northern end of the Door County, Wisconsin peninsula (it's technically an island, but that's another story) lies Washington Island. Occupying less than 25 square miles, and home to less than a thousand year-round residents, it can be reached by taking a half-hour ferry ride from Northport, and is well worth a visit. One's experience is going to be hugely impacted by the weather. The day before I visited Washington Island, in August, 2018, the weather was awful. Fog everywhere. But the next day, when I went to Washington Island, the weather was perfect. This photo looks like it could have been taken in the Caribbean. But no, this is actually Lake Michigan from Washington Island. Washington Island, Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_bit_of_green/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Wisconsin_A-Bit-of-Green_3to2_72x48.jpg A Bit of Green Door County, Wisconsin, is a little slice of heaven … at least during the summer, when I've visited. An extremely popular tourist destination, especially for Illinois residents, Door County is home to roughly 30,000 people, and a great deal of outdoor recreation possibilities. There are paved roads throughout the county, but there are also countless dirt roads that allow access to lesser-known parks and beaches, and scenes like this aren't terribly hard to find. Door County, Wisconsin https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_washington_monument/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington-DC_The-Washington-Monument_2to3_48x72.jpg The Washington Monument I visited a bunch of big, American cities on a whirlwind tour of the northeast and Midwest United States, during the fall of 2018. I had one evening in Washington, D.C., and I spent it wandering the National Mall, taking photos of the famous buildings and memorials. It was a fairly dismal night, which resulted in a very moody sky. The structure shown here is the Washington Monument, which commemorates George Washington, the first President of the United States. Washington Monument, Washington, D.C. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_lincoln_memorial/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington-DC_The-Lincoln-Memorial_3to2_72x48.jpg The Lincoln Memorial I visited a bunch of big, American cities on a whirlwind tour of the northeast and Midwest United States, during the fall of 2018. I had one evening in Washington, D.C., and I spent it wandering the National Mall, taking photos of the famous buildings and memorials. It was a fairly dismal night, which resulted in a very moody sky. One of the advantages to visiting the National Mall at night is that there aren't a million tourists wandering about, so it is possible to photograph famous sights, like the Lincoln Memorial, shown here, without crowds. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_jefferson_memorial/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington-DC_The-Jefferson-Memorial_3to2_72x48.jpg The Jefferson Memorial I visited a bunch of big, American cities on a whirlwind tour of the northeast and Midwest United States, during the fall of 2018. I had one evening in Washington, D.C., and I spent it wandering the National Mall, taking photos of the famous buildings and memorials. It was a fairly dismal night, which resulted in a very moody sky. The structure shown here is the Jefferson Memorial, which commemorates Thomas Jefferson, the main drafter and writer of the Declaration of Independence, and the third President of the United States. Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D.C. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_capitol/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington-DC_The-Capitol_3to2_72x48.jpg The Capitol I visited a bunch of big, American cities on a whirlwind tour of the northeast and Midwest United States, during the fall of 2018. I had one evening in Washington, D.C., and I spent it wandering the National Mall, taking photos of the famous buildings and memorials. It was a fairly dismal night, which resulted in a very moody sky. The building shown here is the United States Capitol, which was completed in 1800, and is the home of the US Congress. United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lincoln/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington-DC_Lincoln_2to3_48x72.jpg Lincoln I visited a bunch of big, American cities on a whirlwind tour of the northeast and Midwest United States, during the fall of 2018. I had one evening in Washington, D.C., and I spent it wandering the National Mall, taking photos of the famous buildings and memorials. One of the advantages to visiting the National Mall at night is that there aren't a million tourists wandering about, so it is possible to photograph famous sights without crowds. This statue is of the sixteenth President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lincoln_memorial_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington-DC_Lincoln-Memorial-Reflection_2to3_48x72.jpg Lincoln Memorial Reflection I visited a bunch of big, American cities on a whirlwind tour of the northeast and Midwest United States, during the fall of 2018. I had one evening in Washington, D.C., and I spent it wandering the National Mall, taking photos of the famous buildings and memorials. It was a fairly dismal night, which resulted in a very moody sky. One of the advantages to visiting the National Mall at night is that there aren't a million tourists wandering about, so it is possible to photograph famous sights, like the Lincoln Memorial, shown here, without crowds. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/capitol_dome/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington-DC_Capitol-Dome_2to3_48x72.jpg Capitol Dome I visited a bunch of big, American cities on a whirlwind tour of the northeast and Midwest United States, during the fall of 2018. I had one evening in Washington, D.C., and I spent it wandering the National Mall, taking photos of the famous buildings and memorials. It was a fairly dismal night, which resulted in a very moody sky. The structure shown here is the dome of the United States Capitol, which was completed in 1800, and is the home of the US Congress. United States Capitol Building, Washington, D.C. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_from_steptoe_butte/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Sunrise-from-Steptoe-Butte_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunrise from Steptoe Butte What defines "the Palouse" is rather difficult to nail down specifically, but in general terms it refers to the agricultural area of north central Idaho, southeastern Washington, and northeast Oregon. The region consists of rolling hills that are prime land for the growth of, at least primarily, wheat and legumes. Perhaps the most photogenic spot to photograph the Palouse is from Steptoe Butte, which rises roughly 1,000 feet above the surrounding country in southeast Washington. I drove to the top of Steptoe Butte before sunrise one morning in the summer of 2018, with the intention of capturing more-or-less, this photo. I think it would be interesting to return to this location at different times of year in order to see how the surrounding landscape looks in different conditions. Steptoe Butte State Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Sunrise-at-Sunrise_5to2_150x60.jpg Sunrise at Sunrise I was lucky enough to spend a few days in Mount Rainier National Park during the summer of 2018. Rainier is roughly the same elevation as many mountains in my home state of Colorado, but because it stands there on its own, rather than as part of a particularly noticeable mountain range, it seems much larger. I took this photo from Sunrise (northeast of the mountain, itself), at sunrise, when the day's first light illuminated the glacially-covered mountain in beautiful, orange light. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunlit_seastack/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Sunlit-Seastack_2to3_48x72.jpg Sunlit Seastack Rialto Beach, which lies in northwest Washington, within the boundaries of Olympic National Park, is one of those rare beaches that has both a sandy beach which could work for swimming, and seastacks, which provide some visual interest not present in a white sand, blue sky beach photo. I shot this and several other photos of Rialto Beach and several of the more famous seastacks during a brief visit to the Pacific Northwest during the summer of 2018. The sun was setting as I took this photo, which explains the vibrancy of the right-hand side of the seastack shown. Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seattle_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Seattle-at-Night_3to1_180x60.jpg Seattle at Night Seattle is a nice place. It reminds me of my (kind of) hometown of Denver, Colorado... but with an ocean. I'd love to spend some more time there. I took this photo from Kerry Park while attending a show in the city. It's a popular lookout, and, with views like this, there's no wonder why. Seattle, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seattle_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Seattle-at-Dusk_3to2_72x48.jpg Seattle at Dusk Seattle is a nice place. It reminds me of my (kind of) hometown of Denver, Colorado... but with an ocean. I'd love to spend some more time there. I took this photo from Kerry Park while attending a show in the city. It's a popular lookout, and, with views like this, there's no wonder why. Seattle, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seastacks_at_rialto_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Seastacks-at-Rialto-Beach_3to2_72x48.jpg Seastacks at Rialto Beach Rialto Beach, which lies in northwest Washington, within the boundaries of Olympic National Park, is one of those rare beaches that has both a sandy beach which could work for swimming, and seastacks, which provide some visual interest not present in a white sand, blue sky beach photo. I shot this and several other photos of Rialto Beach and several of the more famous seastacks during a brief visit to the Pacific Northwest during the summer of 2018. The sun was setting as I took this photo, which explains the difference in colors of the left- and right-hand seastacks. Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rolling_farmland/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Rolling-Farmland_3to2_72x48.jpg Rolling Farmland What defines "the Palouse" is rather difficult to nail down specifically, but in general terms it refers to the agricultural area of north central Idaho, southeastern Washington, and northeast Oregon. The region consists of rolling hills that are prime land for the growth of, at least primarily, wheat and legumes. The Palouse was my last stop during a whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest during the summer of 2018, and the weather couldn't have been better for this type of bucolic landscape shot. It reminds me quite a bit of that famous Windows XP wallpaper. Southeast Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rolling_farmland_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Rolling-Farmland-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg Rolling Farmland Ultrawide What defines "the Palouse" is rather difficult to nail down specifically, but in general terms it refers to the agricultural area of north central Idaho, southeastern Washington, and northeast Oregon. The region consists of rolling hills that are prime land for the growth of, at least primarily, wheat and legumes. The Palouse was my last stop during a whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest during the summer of 2018, and the weather couldn't have been better for this type of bucolic landscape shot. It reminds me quite a bit of that famous Windows XP wallpaper. Southeast Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rialto_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Rialto-Beach_2to3_48x72.jpg Rialto Beach Rialto Beach, which lies in northwest Washington, within the boundaries of Olympic National Park, is one of those rare beaches that has both a sandy beach which could work for swimming, and seastacks, which provide some visual interest not present in a white sand, blue sky beach photo. I shot this photo from an elevated position, after climbing a fairly-treacherous cliff as the sun was setting. By the time I'd reached the spot from which I wanted to shoot, the sun was already below the horizon, but I wasn't particularly bothered by this, because I had an idea that the sky would so what it frequently does after sunset on an evening free of clouds - form a beautiful gradient of blue to purple right at the horizon. The sky did exactly what I'd hoped it would, and I used a wide-angle lens to capture the vastness of the driftwood-strewn beach. Look carefully and you might find a tent among the driftwood! Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rialto_beach_sunstar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Rialto-Beach-Sunstar_3to2_72x48.jpg Rialto Beach Sunstar Rialto Beach, which lies in northwest Washington, within the boundaries of Olympic National Park, is one of those rare beaches that has both a sandy beach which could work for swimming, and seastacks, which provide some visual interest not present in a white sand, blue sky beach photo. I shot this and several other photos of Rialto Beach and several of the more famous seastacks during a brief visit to the Pacific Northwest during the summer of 2018. I think the sunstar really adds something to this photo. Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rialto_beach_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Rialto-Beach-Dusk_3to2_72x48.jpg Rialto Beach Dusk Rialto Beach, which lies in northwest Washington, within the boundaries of Olympic National Park, is one of those rare beaches that has both a sandy beach which could work for swimming, and seastacks, which provide some visual interest not present in a white sand, blue sky beach photo. I shot this photo from an elevated position, after climbing a fairly-treacherous cliff as the sun was setting. By the time I'd reached the spot from which I wanted to shoot, the sun was already below the horizon, but I wasn't particularly bothered by this, because I had an idea that the sky would so what it frequently does after sunset on an evening free of clouds - form a beautiful gradient of blue to purple right at the horizon. And as one can see in this photo, it did exactly as I'd predicted, and the result was spectacular! Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/palouse_falls_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Palouse-Falls-at-Sunset_2to1_96x48.jpg Palouse Falls at Sunset Palouse Falls, in southeast Washington, is kind of in the middle of nowhere, and thus, it is a difficult waterfall to visit unless one happens to be passing through the area for some other reason. But at roughly 180 feet high, the falls are worth some kind of detour to see. I took this photo of Palouse Falls at sunset, near the end of a photo trip to the Pacific Northwest, in the summer of 2018. Palouse Falls State Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/olympic_rainforest/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Olympic-Rainforest_2to3_48x72.jpg Olympic Rainforest Washington's Olympic National Park has more diversity than many countries. Rainforest, beaches and mountains are just the beginning. My Pacific Northwest photo trip during the summer of 2018 allowed me only the briefest of time to spend in Olympic National Park, but I was able to visit the Rainforest Nature Trail and the Hall of Mosses, both of which allowed me to experience one of the only rainforests in the lower 48. Forests are notoriously difficult to photograph, because of the complex nature of the shapes therein, and the chaos of all the different directions many elements of the photo point. But somehow, I think this photo works. Rainforest Nature Trail, Olympic National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/first_light_on_rainier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_First-Light-on-Rainier_5to2_150x60.jpg First Light on Rainier Mount Rainier, which lies just fifty or so miles from Seattle, Washington, rises so far above everything in the area that it should be visible for hundreds of miles in any direction. This isn't usually the case though, because of, you know, the rain and fog and clouds for which Washington is so famous. And even though it can be seen from many directions, some faces of the mountains are prettier than others, and Sunrise (the location, not the time of day), which lies northeast of the summit, is commonly considered the best place to view the mountain. Knowing this, I camped there one night, and rose early enough to do a short hike up an adjacent hill in order to take this photo shortly after sunrise, when the day's first light painted the mountain in spectacular shades of pink, orange, and yellow. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/endlessly_undulating/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Endlessly-Undulating_3to2_72x48.jpg Endlessly Undulating What defines "the Palouse" is rather difficult to nail down specifically, but in general terms it refers to the agricultural area of north central Idaho, southeastern Washington, and northeast Oregon. The region consists of rolling hills that are prime land for the growth of, at least primarily, wheat and legumes. Perhaps the most photogenic spot to photograph the Palouse is from Steptoe Butte, which rises roughly 1,000 feet above the surrounding country in southeast Washington. I drove to the top of Steptoe Butte before sunrise one morning in the summer of 2018, with the intention of capturing more-or-less, this photo. I think it would be interesting to return to this location at different times of year in order to see how the surrounding landscape looks in different conditions. Steptoe Butte State Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/edith_creek_and_rainier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Edith-Creek-and-Rainier_3to2_72x48.jpg Edith Creek and Rainier Mount Rainier National Park, just fifty or so miles from Seattle, Washington, is one of the state's most popular tourist destinations. Mount Rainier, itself, is massive, and only fairly serious climbers attempt to summit it. It's a technical climb, not a day hike. I'm not a technical climber, so I'm perfectly happy to wander around the base, chasing scenes like this one, where Edith Creek and Mount Rainier are both visible in one frame.\ Mount Rainier National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dawn_at_mount_rainier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Dawn-at-Mount-Rainier_2to1_120x60.jpg Dawn at Mount Rainier Mount Rainier, which lies just fifty or so miles from Seattle, Washington, rises so far above everything in the area that it should be visible for hundreds of miles in any direction. This isn't usually the case though, because of, you know, the rain and fog and clouds for which Washington is so famous. And even though it can be seen from many directions, some faces of the mountains are prettier than others, and Sunrise (the location, not the time of day), which lies northeast of the summit, is commonly considered the best place to view the mountain. Knowing this, I camped there one night, and rose early enough to do a short hike up an adjacent hill in order to take this shot shortly before sunrise. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/christine_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Christine-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Christine Falls Although the highlight of Mount Rainier National Park has to be Mount Rainier, itself, it is by no means the only thing to check out during a visit to one of Washington State's most popular tourist destinations. Take Christine Falls, shown here, for instance. There are over 150 waterfalls in the National Park, but Christine Falls, which is a roadside stop (see the bridge at the top of the photo?), is one of the easier ones to reach and photograph. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beautiful_afternoon_in_seattle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Washington_Beautiful-Afternoon-in-Seattle_5to2_150x60.jpg Beautiful Afternoon in Seattle Seattle is a nice place. It reminds me of my (kind of) hometown of Denver, Colorado... but with an ocean. I'd love to spend some more time there. I took this photo from Kerry Park while attending a show in the city. It's a popular lookout, and, with views like this, there's no wonder why. Seattle, Washington https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upper_overrun_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Upper-Overrun-Falls_2to3_60x90.jpg Upper Overrun Falls I love Shenandoah National Park. Whenever I find myself in the area, I try to get there for a day or two. I was attending some art shows in the greater DC area in the spring of 2021, and when the show ended, I headed to Shenandoah for a few days of hiking and photography. There are a lot of trails in the park, and one of the good ones is to Overrun Falls, the highest waterfall in Shenandoah. This photo is of Upper Overrun Falls, which is about a quarter mile upstream of the 93-foot Overrun Falls. Often times, smaller waterfalls are more photogenic than larger ones, and this turned out to be the case, at least for my photographs of the falls. Overrun Falls Hike, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shenandoah_in_autumn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Shenandoah-in-Autumn_3to2_72x48.jpg Shenandoah in Autumn I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/skyline_drive_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Skyline-Drive-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Skyline Drive Sunset Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive is a beautiful road through the forested mountains of the Shenandoah Range, in northern Virginia. Although the mountains of the Eastern United States aren't as monumental as those in the western states, like the Rockies in my home state of Colorado, there is an unmistakable beauty in the lush greens that extend from the top to the bottom of all the mountains in the area. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/skyline_drive_before_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Skyline-Drive-before-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Skyline Drive before Sunset Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive is a beautiful road through the forested mountains of the Shenandoah Range, in northern Virginia. Although the mountains of the Eastern United States aren't as monumental as those in the western states, like the Rockies in my home state of Colorado, there is an unmistakable beauty in the lush greens that extend from the top to the bottom of all the mountains in the area. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shenandoah_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Shenandoah-Sunset_3to2_60x40.jpg Shenandoah Sunset I love Shenandoah National Park. Whenever I find myself in the area, I try to get there for a day or two. I was attending some art shows in the greater DC area in the spring of 2021, and when the show ended, I headed to Shenandoah for a few days of hiking and photography. One of the lowest-energy ways to enjoy the park is to simply drive along the Skyline Drive, which runs for 105 miles along the length of Shenandoah, and has 75 overlooks. I'm sure this road can be unbearably busy in the wrong seasons, but on this visit, I felt like I had the park to myself, and was all alone on one of the overlooks (don't ask which one!) when I got this nicely-framed sunset photo. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shenandoah_sunset_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Shenandoah-Sunset-Panorama_3to1_120x40.jpg Shenandoah Sunset Panorama Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive is a beautiful road through the forested mountains of the Shenandoah Range, in northern Virginia. Although the mountains of the Eastern United States aren't as monumental as those in the western states, like the Rockies in my home state of Colorado, there is an unmistakable beauty in the lush greens that extend from the top to the bottom of all the mountains in the area. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shenandoah_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Shenandoah-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Shenandoah Portrait I love Shenandoah National Park. Whenever I find myself in the area, I try to get there for a day or two. I was attending some art shows in the greater DC area in the spring of 2021, and when the show ended, I headed to Shenandoah for a few days of hiking and photography. One of the lowest-energy ways to enjoy the park is to simply drive along the Skyline Drive, which runs for 105 miles along the length of Shenandoah, and has 75 overlooks. I'm sure this road can be unbearably busy in the wrong seasons, but on this visit, I felt like I had the park to myself, and was all alone on one of the overlooks (don't ask which one!) when I got this photo. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shenandoah_in_autumn_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Shenandoah-in-Autumn-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Shenandoah in Autumn Panorama I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/orange_and_green/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Orange-and-Green_3to1_180x60.jpg Orange and Green I love Shenandoah National Park. Whenever I find myself in the area, I try to get there for a day or two. I was attending some art shows in the greater DC area in the spring of 2021, and when the show ended, I headed to Shenandoah for a few days of hiking and photography. One of the lowest-energy ways to enjoy the park is to simply drive along the Skyline Drive, which runs for 105 miles along the length of Shenandoah, and has 75 overlooks. I'm sure this road can be unbearably busy in the wrong seasons, but on this visit, I felt like I had the park to myself, and was all alone on one of the overlooks (don't ask which one!) when I got this panoramic sunset photo. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moon_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Moon-at-Dusk_5to4_40x30.jpg Moon at Dusk I took this photo during a 3-month trip through Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States. Throughout the trip, there were several good sunrises, but until this evening, the sunsets I'd seen had been, for the most part, fairly forgettable. This evening, I was driving along Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive and was treated to some of the most vivid clouds I'd seen before. A three-quarters full moon happened to be in just the right place at just the right time for me to get this photo. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/layer_cake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Layer-Cake_3to2_45x30.jpg Layer Cake Shenandoah National Park's Skyline Drive is a beautiful road through the forested mountains of the Shenandoah Range, in northern Virginia. Although the mountains of the Eastern United States aren't as monumental as those in the western states, like the Rockies in my home state of Colorado, there is an unmistakable beauty in the lush greens that extend from the top to the bottom of all the mountains in the area. I used a telephoto lens to capture this image - zooming in allowed me to isolate the hills into five distinct layers. Skyline Drive, Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/great_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Great-Falls_2to1_120x60.jpg Great Falls Considering how many times I've been to Washington DC and the surrounding suburbs, it's fairly surprising that it took me until 2021 to make it to Great Falls Park, in Fairfax County, northern Virginia. A National Park Service site (but not technically a National Park), Great Falls Park is only 800 acres along the banks of the Potomac River, and aside from how easy to reach and beautiful it is, it also has some interesting history, as do so many things in this part of the country. Look it up! Great Falls Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/great_falls_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Great-Falls-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Great Falls Panorama Considering how many times I've been to Washington DC and the surrounding suburbs, it's fairly surprising that it took me until 2021 to make it to Great Falls Park, in Fairfax County, northern Virginia. A National Park Service site (but not technically a National Park), Great Falls Park is only 800 acres along the banks of the Potomac River, and aside from how easy to reach and beautiful it is, it also has some interesting history, as do so many things in this part of the country. Look it up! Great Falls Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fall_on_the_blue_ridge_parkway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Fall-on-the-Blue-Ridge-Parkway_5to2_150x60.jpg Fall on the Blue Ridge Parkway I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Blue Ridge Parkway, near Waynesboro, Virginia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/doyles_river_overlook_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Doyles-River-Overlook-at-Sunset_5to2_150x60.jpg Doyle's River Overlook at Sunset I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/doyles_river_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Doyles-River-Falls_2to3_60x90.jpg Doyle's River Falls I love Shenandoah National Park. Whenever I find myself in the area, I try to get there for a day or two. I was attending some art shows in the greater DC area in the spring of 2021, and when the show ended, I headed to Shenandoah for a few days of hiking and photography. There are a lot of trails in the park, including the 3.3-mile roundtrip hike to beautiful Doyles River Falls. I've seen photos of these falls with a lot more water flowing, and high water volume is often great for photography, but there wasn't a ton of water flowing when I took this one, which meant it was fairly easy to wander out into the river to get a better vantage point without getting washed away. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dark_hollow_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Dark-Hollow-Falls_4to5_48x60.jpg Dark Hollow Falls I love Shenandoah National Park. Whenever I find myself in the area, I try to get there for a day or two. I was attending some art shows in the greater DC area in the spring of 2021, and when the show ended, I headed to Shenandoah for a few days of hiking and photography. There are a lot of trails in the park, including the short hike to one of the most visited waterfalls in the park - Dark Hollow Falls. It's very easy to get to, and for that reason, taking photos of it can be a bit difficult - there are often people blocking the shot. But a bit of patience paid off, allowing me to capture this beautiful shot. Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bacon_hollow_in_autumn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Virginia_Bacon-Hollow-in-Autumn_5to2_150x60.jpg Bacon Hollow in Autumn I've always wanted to shoot the Appalachian and other eastern-US mountain ranges in the fall, when many of these areas are famous for the fall foliage. I finally had my chance in mid-October, 2022. It did not disappoint. Next up, I'll have to venture a bit further north, up into Vermont and New Hampshire! Shenandoah National Park, Virginia, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vietnamese_statues/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Vietnam_Vietnamese-Statues_2to3_24x36.jpg Vietnamese Statues I took this photo when I stopped to stretch my legs when I was riding my motorcycle from Hanoi to Tam Dao National Park, in Vietnam. I love Buddhist temples, and there aren't too many in Vietnam, so whenever I found one, I'd tend to explore and photograph it. Tam Dao, Vietnam https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vietnam/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Vietnam_Vietnam_3to2_36x24.jpg Vietnam When I think of east and southeast Asia, this is the photo that comes to mind. A solitary worker in a rice paddy. Near Ba Vi National Park, Vietnam https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_huc_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Vietnam_The-Huc-Bridge_2to1_32x16.jpg The Huc Bridge The Huc Bridge traverses a portion of Han Kiem Lake, in the center of Hanoi, and provides pedestrian access to Jade Island and the Temple of the Jade Mountain (left). Hanoi, Vietnam https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shingles/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Vietnam_Shingles_2to3_30x45.jpg Shingles I lived in Hanoi, Vietnam for a few months in early 2012. It is a bustling city, and as a photographer that focuses primarily on nature and landscapes, I found it challenging to find the time to get far enough away from the city to feel like I was actually out in nature. So when I really wanted to take photos, I had to find interesting locations in the city. One such location was the Temple of Literature, where I got this shot. Temple of Literature, Hanoi, Vietnam https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/golden_statues/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Vietnam_Golden-Statues_5to4_40x30.jpg Golden Statues The English ability in and around Dalat, Vietnam, is quite low, so when I rented a scooter and drove around the region, I wasn't usually able to find anyone who could tell me about the things I found. One place I stumbled upon was some type of temple, wherein I found these - and many other - gold (painted) statues. I'm not sure what religion they represent, but it looks fairly Buddhist. A quick Wikipedia search informed me that almost 75% of Vietnamese report following either Vietnamese folk religion, or do not have any religious affiliation, so perhaps these figures are in some way connected to Vietnamese folk religion. Dalat, Vietnam https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dien_tho_phat_mau/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Vietnam_Dien-Tho-Phat-Mau_3to2_30x20.jpg Dien Tho Phat Mau I stumbled onto this temple, Dien Tho Phat Mau, a bit outside of Dalat, Vietnam, completely by accident, and happened to be there right as some kind of prayer was being performed. Having come here from Cambodia, where I spent several days at Angkor Wat, the modernity, bright colors and fluorescent lights with a religious connotation were a pleasant surprise. Outside Dalat, Vietnam https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/buddhist_temple_in_vietnam/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Vietnam_Buddhist-Temple-in-Vietnam_2to3_30x45.jpg Buddhist Temple in Vietnam I took this photo when I stopped to stretch my legs when I was riding my motorcycle from Hanoi to Tam Dao National Park, in Vietnam. I love Buddhist temples, and there aren't too many in Vietnam, so whenever I found one, I'd tend to explore and photograph it. Tam Dao, Vietnam https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moss_glen_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Vermont_Moss-Glen-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Moss Glen Falls I had a few days in Vermont in the fall of 2022, and was hoping to get some shots of the autumn leaves that the area is famous for. Unfortunately, I was a couple weeks early. It was still worth seeing, but I'm going to have to return another year and hope for better timing. Photographically, it wasn't a complete waste, I did get this shot of the insanely accessible Moss Glen Falls. near Stowe, Vermont https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/zions_famous_bridge_view/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Zions-Famous-Bridge-View_3to2_80x54.jpg Zion's Famous Bridge View I've visited Zion many times, and it is always beautiful. I took this photo while visiting the park during the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-2020, while major portions of the park remained closed. This also meant less visitors than usual, but not by as big a margin as I would have imagined. A bridge goes over the Virgin River, and it is a famous spot for photography, but I believe they stopped allowing people to shoot from the bridge recently - I only found out after I'd taken this photo, and a Park Ranger drove by and informed me (and some other photographers) that pedestrians aren't allowed on the bridge. Bummer! Oh well, at least I got the shot. Zion National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/zebra_slot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Zebra-Slot_1to2_40x80.jpg Zebra Slot By 2022, I'd shot most of the big, famous photo locations throughout Utah. But there is so much beautiful public land in this spectacular state, that it would take a lifetime to see everything. I was driving through in the spring of 2022, and wanted to explore some less well-known locations. I'd seen photos online of "Zebra Slot," and after some quick research, off I went, in the middle of the day, to check it out. Pro tip: landscapes generally look their best (or at least most dramatic) at sunrise and / or sunset, but canyons - and slot canyons especially - look best in the middle of the day. The scale of the canyon is a bit difficult to make out from this photo, but I'll say that I'm glad I am pretty thin. Getting to the end of the slot required me to turn sideways and shimmy along, scraping my tripod and cameras on the rock walls along the way. But it was all worth it, because I simply love the photos I got here. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/zebra_slot_horizontal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Zebra-Slot-Horizontal_5to4_60x48.jpg Zebra Slot Horizontal By 2022, I'd shot most of the big, famous photo locations throughout Utah. But there is so much beautiful public land in this spectacular state, that it would take a lifetime to see everything. I was driving through in the spring of 2022, and wanted to explore some less well-known locations. I'd seen photos online of "Zebra Slot," and after some quick research, off I went, in the middle of the day, to check it out. Pro tip: landscapes generally look their best (or at least most dramatic) at sunrise and / or sunset, but canyons - and slot canyons especially - look best in the middle of the day. The scale of the canyon is a bit difficult to make out from this photo, but I'll say that I'm glad I am pretty thin. Getting to the end of the slot required me to turn sideways and shimmy along, scraping my tripod and cameras on the rock walls along the way. But it was all worth it, because I simply love the photos I got here. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/zebra_slot_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Zebra-Slot-2_1to2_48x96.jpg Zebra Slot 2 By 2022, I'd shot most of the big, famous photo locations throughout Utah. But there is so much beautiful public land in this spectacular state, that it would take a lifetime to see everything. I was driving through in the spring of 2022, and wanted to explore some less well-known locations. I'd seen photos online of "Zebra Slot," and after some quick research, off I went, in the middle of the day, to check it out. Pro tip: landscapes generally look their best (or at least most dramatic) at sunrise and / or sunset, but canyons - and slot canyons especially - look best in the middle of the day. The scale of the canyon is a bit difficult to make out from this photo, but I'll say that I'm glad I am pretty thin. Getting to the end of the slot required me to turn sideways and shimmy along, scraping my tripod and cameras on the rock walls along the way. But it was all worth it, because I simply love the photos I got here. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yant_flat_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Yant-Flat-Reflection_3to2_72x48.jpg Yant Flat Reflection Yant Flats, in southwest Utah, is one of the best "hidden gems" I've ever found. As if there wasn't already enough to see and do in Utah! It isn't the easiest place to find, and to me, that's part of the appeal. When I spent an afternoon here in late March, 2018, I was one of only a handful of people that were exploring the area. The rock formations are spectacular, and it must have rained fairly recently, because there were small pools - not much more than puddles, really - scattered around the area. I set my camera up low, in order to make the surface of the water occupy more of the frame, and the surface was still enough to produce a perfect reflection. Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, southwest Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yant_flat_reflection_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Yant-Flat-Reflection-Panorama_2to1_72x36.jpg Yant Flat Reflection Panorama Yant Flats, in southwest Utah, is one of the best "hidden gems" I've ever found. As if there wasn't already enough to see and do in Utah! It isn't the easiest place to find, and to me, that's part of the appeal. When I spent an afternoon here in late March, 2018, I was one of only a handful of people that were exploring the area. The rock formations are spectacular, and it must have rained fairly recently, because there were small pools - not much more than puddles, really - scattered around the area. I set my camera up low, in order to make the surface of the water occupy more of the frame, and the surface was still enough to produce a perfect reflection. Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, southwest Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/whered_all_the_water_go/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Whered-All-the-Water-Go_5to2_120x48.jpg Where'd all the water go? Alstrom Point, in Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, in southern Utah, is isolated and beautiful. I camped here in late March, 2018, and I only saw one or two other people while I was here. Apparently, Lake Powell used to be much deeper, and, perhaps, it will be again one day. I'd love to return here and find the foreground of my photo completely submerged. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/utah_checkerboard/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Utah-Checkerboard_4to5_60x72.jpg Utah Checkerboard Yant Flats, in southwest Utah, is one of the best "hidden gems" I've ever found. As if there wasn't already enough to see and do in Utah! It isn't the easiest place to find, and to me, that's part of the appeal. When I spent an afternoon here in late March, 2018, I was one of only a handful of people that were exploring the area. The rock formations are spectacular, and the perfectly parallel lines almost look man-made. This is one place I am going to have to come back to! Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, southwest Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/utah_12/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Utah-12_3to2_72x48.jpg Utah 12 I've taken a lot of scenic drives, but to this day, Utah 12 remains in my top two (the other is Canada's Icefields Parkway). Beginning near Bryce Canyon National Park and continuing 123 miles before finishing near Capitol Reef National Park, it goes through some of the least densely populated parts of the country, and offers about a billion side trips, parks (National, State etc.) and views. Somewhere near the halfway point, there's a pull off that I stop at every time I go on this drive, and it is from this pull off that I took this photo. It does a great job of giving one a general idea of what there is to see along this drive. Do yourself a favor - if you can find the time to drive Utah State Highway 12, do it! State Highway 12, near Escalante, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/utah_12_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Utah-12-Panorama_3to1_162x54.jpg Utah 12 Panorama I've taken a lot of scenic drives, but to this day, Utah 12 remains in my top two (the other is Canada's Icefields Parkway). Beginning near Bryce Canyon National Park and continuing 123 miles before finishing near Capitol Reef National Park, it goes through some of the least densely populated parts of the country, and offers about a billion side trips, parks (National, State etc.) and views. Somewhere near the halfway point, there's a pull off that I stop at every time I go on this drive, and it is from this pull off that I took this photo. It does a great job of giving one a general idea of what there is to see along this drive. Do yourself a favor - if you can find the time to drive Utah State Highway 12, do it! State Highway 12, near Escalante, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upstream_at_the_subway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Upstream-at-the-Subway_3to2_72x48.jpg Upstream at The Subway I'd been hoping to hike to "The Subway," which lies in the heart of Southwest Utah's Zion National Park, for about a decade before I was finally able to pull it off on April 18, 2017. A special back-country permit is required to hike here, but the mild annoyance of dealing with this, and the difficulty of the hike itself - I would be lying if I said the hike was anything other than difficult - proved to be completely worth it when I finally reached this unbelievable, natural formation. Obviously named because of the shape of the canyon itself, "The Subway" simply must be seen to be believed. The Subway, Zion National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_subway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_The-Subway_2to1_120x60.jpg The Subway I'd been hoping to hike to "The Subway," which lies in the heart of Southwest Utah's Zion National Park, for about a decade before I was finally able to pull it off on April 18, 2017. A special back-country permit is required to hike here, but the mild annoyance of dealing with this, and the difficulty of the hike itself - I would be lying if I said the hike was anything other than difficult - proved to be completely worth it when I finally reached this unbelievable, natural formation. Obviously named because of the shape of the canyon itself, "The Subway" simply must be seen to be believed. The Subway, Zion National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_colossus_of_cannonville/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_The-Colossus-of-Cannonville_3to2_36x24.jpg The Colossus of Cannonville I visited Kodachrome Basin State Park for the first time in June, 2010, and it was during this trip that I took this photo of the Colossus of Cannonville. Cannonville is the closest city of any kind. The weather I had during this trip was perfect for photography, but simultaneously terrifying. I was camping out of a Prius on this trip, and the skies, as shown in this photo, were almost always this intimidating. Somehow, though, it only rained on me once throughout the entire week. Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_chimney/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_The-Chimney_3to2_45x30.jpg The Chimney Upon entering Capitol Reef National Park (from the west), this is one of the first landmarks you will see. It's fairly obvious how it got the name "The Chimney." Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunstar_at_zion_canyon_overlook/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Sunstar-at-Zion-Canyon-Overlook_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunstar at Zion Canyon Overlook Utah is spectacular any time of the year, but to me, there's something special about snow in the desert. I think that the white of snow compliments blue skies and orange rocks perfectly. I took this photo as the sun was setting, from Zion Canyon Overlook, in Zion National Park, shortly after a good snowfall in southwest Utah, in February, 2019. Getting the "sunstar" seen in this photo involved a bit of technical know-how, but this photo would have worked even without it. The sunstar is really just the icing on the cake! Zion National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_from_inspiration_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Sunset-from-Inspiration-Point_2to1_120x60.jpg Sunset from Inspiration Point My favorite views of Southwest Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park are from the south, at Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point. When I came to visit in late February, 2019, the park was buried under far more snow than is typical, and both of these viewpoints were, at least when I arrived, closed. But the National Parks employees came through, and cleared enough snow that they were both soon made reachable . I took this photo from Inspiration Point, as the sun set off-camera. The setting sun did manage to light the clouds to the west up with a vibrant pink light, which offset the blues, oranges, and whites elsewhere in the photo perfectly. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_mulie_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Sunrise-at-Mulie-Point_5to2_150x60.jpg Sunrise at Mulie Point I have driven by the dirt road that leads to Mulie Point, in southern Utah, many times, but never spent the night there. I finally did so on the evening of November 14, 2016, and although I froze my butt off, it turned out to be well worth it when I was able to get this early-morning shot of the Monument Valley region of Utah and Arizona. Far on the horizon lies the famous Monument Valley, itself, while the canyon in the foreground, created by the San Juan River, leads to Lake Powell, and eventually, the Grand Canyon. Mulie Point, southern Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_mesa_arch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Sunrise-at-Mesa-Arch_2to1_120x60.jpg Sunrise at Mesa Arch Mesa Arch is a famous spot for landscape photographers, and for good reason. Although I've shot in Utah many times, I didn't manage to shoot Mesa Arch until a trip through Moab and Canyonlands National Park, in November, 2016. I wish I could say that I was the only one shooting on this cold morning, but I was, in fact, one of ten or so photographers who had arisen at an uncomfortably cold and early hour to get this shot. When the sun finally crested the horizon, I knew that my frozen toes were a small price to pay to experience such beauty. Mesa Arch, Canyonlands National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snowy_sunrise_near_monument_valley/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Snowy-Sunrise-near-Monument-Valley_5to2_90x36.jpg Snowy Sunrise near Monument Valley One doesn't normally associate the desert with cold and snow, but when I took this photo on the morning of December 1, 2016, "cold" was one of the things I was thinking about most. Although it wasn't particularly comfortable for photography, the snow really adds something to this scene. near Monument Valley, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snowy_sunrise_at_bryce_canyon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Snowy-Sunrise-at-Bryce-Canyon_5to2_120x48.jpg Snowy Sunrise at Bryce Canyon During the winter of 2019, I was an artist at the Arizona Fine Art Expo, in Scottsdale, Arizona. In mid- to late February, I kept reading about an epic amount of snow that was falling in southwest Utah, and Bryce Canyon National Park, in particular. Being only an eight-hour drive away, I decided to take a couple days off work to go see this once in a decade (lifetime?) event. This panoramic photo, taken at sunrise, was the first I saw of the park, since I'd arrived after dark, the night before. Needless to say, the drive proved well worth it, and I was able to spend another day and a half shooting these spectacular conditions in this utterly beautiful park. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/slot_canyon_at_kanarraville/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Slot-Canyon-at-Kanarraville_2to3_48x72.jpg Slot Canyon at Kanarraville The hike to reach Kanarraville Falls is a medium-length, medium-difficulty hike along a riverbed that eventually turns into a slot canyon. It lies just to the north of Zion National Park, and is a great way to spend some time in the area, particularly if one is sick of dealing with the crowds at this beautiful, but sometimes annoyingly crowded gem of a National Park. This is the slot canyon leading to the increasingly-famous Kanarraville Falls, taken a few hundred feet before the falls was visible. Kanarraville, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/scary_skies_at_capitol_reef/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Scary-Skies-at-Capitol-Reef_3to2_90x60.jpg Scary Skies at Capitol Reef I've taken a lot of scenic drives, but to this day, Utah 12 remains in my top two (the other is Canada's Icefields Parkway). Beginning near Bryce Canyon National Park and continuing 123 miles before finishing near Capitol Reef National Park, it goes through some of the least densely populated parts of the country, and offers about a billion side trips, parks (National, State etc.) and views. I've driven Utah 12 probably five or so times, and it seems that each time, I find somewhere new to explore. Such was the case when I drove it in mid 2020, and stumbled upon a side road called the Burr Trail, which connects Boulder, Utah, to the southern portion of Capitol Reef National Park. It was on this road that I got this photo. I don't want to spoil it any more. It's a beautiful drive. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/road_to_monument_valley/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Road-to-Monument-Valley_3to2_45x30.jpg Road to Monument Valley Southern Utah and northern Arizona are simply magical for photographers. One can simply drive around aimlessly in the area, point a camera in a random direction, and end up with a decent photo. With some planning, however, one can end up with something meaningful. I took this photo in 2016 - early in my professional photography career - and like to think that it symbolizes my road forward. near Monument Valley, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/road_to_kodachrome/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Road-to-Kodachrome_3to2_36x24.jpg Road to Kodachrome The weather on my summer, 2010 trip to Utah was always on the verge of terrifying. I got rained on a fair bit, but it never got as bad as the clouds seemed to be foretelling. This is the road to Kodachrome Basin State Park. Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nothing_for_miles/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Nothing-for-Miles_3to1_180x60.jpg Nothing for Miles I took this photo on one of the least driven roads I've ever had the pleasure of exploring. Capitol Reef National Park, in south central Utah, is already in the middle of nowhere, but most visitors to Capitol Reef only see the portion of it that is accessible by paved road. I stumbled upon a dirt road that allows one access to the extremely isolated southern portion of the park during a Nevada / Utah trip in 2020, and I'm happy to report it is spectacular. But don't tell anyone, I don't want the secret getting out! Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moonlit_bryce/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Moonlit-Bryce_3to2_90x60.jpg Moonlit Bryce My favorite views of Southwest Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park are from the south, at Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point. When I came to visit in late February, 2019, the park was buried under far more snow than is typical, and both of these viewpoints were, at least when I arrived, closed. By my second morning in the park, though, Bryce Point was made reachable, and I made it a point to arrive here well before sunrise. I took this photo shortly before the sun came up, and used a long enough exposure to capture the light necessary to see what the park looks like when illuminated primarily by moonlight. By the time I finished shooting here, my fingers were getting numb, but with a capture like this one, it was well worth it. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/metate_arch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Metate-Arch_4to5_60x75.jpg Metate Arch Metate Arch is probably the most famous formation found inside Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, in south central Utah. I drove here in a small car, and worried the whole time about the possibility of getting stuck on the dirt roads. As you can see from the clouds, it looked like rain, and the unpaved road that leads here, which is fine in good weather, looked like it could quickly have turned treacherous. Fortunately, I made it out without any problems, and with some good memories and photos. Devil's Garden, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/massive_buttes_near_moab/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Massive-Buttes-near-Moab_3to2_72x48.jpg Massive Buttes near Moab Moab, in eastern Utah, is in one of the prettiest places I've ever seen. Both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are within half an hour away, and Utah 128, a spectacular drive along the Colorado River, is yet another wonderful place for photography. I took this photo from along the side of Utah 128 - this photo is typical of the scenery to be found all along this amazing drive. near Moab, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kolob_canyons_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Kolob-Canyons-at-Sunset_5to2_150x60.jpg Kolob Canyons at Sunset Kolob Canyons lies in southwest Utah's Zion National Park, but in a region of the Park that doesn't get many visitors. This view is actually quite easy to reach, and a wonderful place to be at either sunrise or sunset. I took this photo shortly before sunset, when the light from the sun, which was at this point quite low on the horizon, painted the beautiful canyon walls a more vivid orange than they appear to be in the middle of the day. Kolob Canyons Viewpoint, Zion National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kodachrome_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Kodachrome-Panorama_3to1_144x48.jpg Kodachrome Panorama I visited Kodachrome Basin State Park for the first time in June, 2010, and it was during this trip that I took this panoramic photo that encompasses the beauty of this relatively unknown State Park. The weather I had during this trip was perfect for photography, but simultaneously terrifying. I was camping out of a Prius on this trip, and the skies, as shown in this photo, were almost always this intimidating. Somehow, though, it only rained on me once throughout the entire week. Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kanarraville_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Kanarraville-Falls_4to5_60x75.jpg Kanarraville Falls The hike to reach Kanarraville Falls is a medium-length, medium-difficulty hike along a riverbed that eventually turns into a slot canyon. It lies just to the north of Zion National Park, and is a great way to spend some time in the area, particularly if one is sick of dealing with the crowds at this beautiful, but sometimes annoyingly crowded gem of a National Park. Although I typically try to avoid having man-made stuff in my photos, I like the rustic look of this ladder - I really think that without it, this photo would be far less unique. Kanarraville Falls, Kanarraville, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gnarled_desert_tree_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Gnarled-Desert-Tree-at-Sunset_5to4_60x48.jpg Gnarled Desert Tree at Sunset Moab, in eastern Utah, is in one of the prettiest places I've ever seen. Both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks are within half an hour away, and Utah 128, a spectacular drive along the Colorado River, is yet another wonderful place for photography. I took this photo from along the side of Utah 128 - this photo is typical of the scenery to be found all along this amazing drive. near Moab, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/delicate_arch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Delicate-Arch_3to2_45x30.jpg Delicate Arch Delicate Arch, in Arches National Park, just outside Moab, Utah, might be Utah's most famous icon. If you want to view it with any semblance of tranquility, try to avoid the summer months. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/delicate_arch_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Delicate-Arch-at-Night_4to5_40x50.jpg Delicate Arch at Night I've visited Delicate Arch, in Arches National Park many times, but in March, 2016, I decided to stay well past sunset in order to photograph this Utah icon at night. I used a headlamp to illuminate the arch itself, and am pleased with the ultimate result. Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/days_first_light_at_bryce/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Days-First-Light-at-Bryce_5to2_150x60.jpg Day's First Light at Bryce My favorite views of Southwest Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park are from the south, at Inspiration Point, and Bryce Point. When I came to visit in late February, 2019, the park was buried under far more snow than is typical, and both of these viewpoints were, at least when I arrived, closed. By my second morning in the park, though, Bryce Point was made reachable, and it was from here that I captured this image, shortly after sunrise. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/coral_pink_sand_dunes_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Coral-Pink-Sand-Dunes-at-Sunset_1to1_30x30.jpg Coral Pink Sand Dunes at Sunset I took this photo on my second visit to Utah's Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. The sand, in this photo, looks quite orange, since I took it just before sunset, and the horizontal light changed its color. But rest assured, it is a beautiful pink in the middle of the day. The difficulty in shooting sand dunes is that if anyone has walked on them, the footprints tend to mess up the beautiful, simple lines formed by wind. If you look closely, you can see the footprints of a mouse or some other small creature extending into the frame from the lower, left corner. In this instance, I don't really mind footprints. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/capitol_reef_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Capitol-Reef-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Capitol Reef Sunset Capitol Reef gets about half the visitors each year as Arches or Bryce Canyon, due largely to its remote location. For this reason, it is one of my favorite National Parks in Utah - and that is really saying something. I got this shot in the middle of a trip through all of Utah's National Parks, and the weather looked equally intimidating for most of my trip. I got lucky, though, and it only really unleashed any rain on me for a couple hours just after I took this photo. The enormous cliffs that make up the background of this photo are part of a much larger up-thrust called the Waterpocket Fold. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/capitol_reef_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Capitol-Reef-Panorama_3to1_144x48.jpg Capitol Reef Panorama Taken just before sunset, but facing east, at the appropriately named "Sunset Point," this panorama showcases the Waterpocket Fold in all its glory. I got this shot in the middle of a trip through all five of Utah's National Parks, and the weather looked equally intimidating for most of my trip. I got lucky, though, and it only really unleashed any rain on me for a couple hours just after I took this photo. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/capitol_reef_outback/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Capitol-Reef-Outback_5to2_150x60.jpg Capitol Reef Outback I've taken a lot of scenic drives, but to this day, Utah 12 remains in my top two (the other is Canada's Icefields Parkway). Beginning near Bryce Canyon National Park and continuing 123 miles before finishing near Capitol Reef National Park, it goes through some of the least densely populated parts of the country, and offers about a billion side trips, parks (National, State etc.) and views. I've driven Utah 12 probably five or so times, and it seems that each time, I find somewhere new to explore. Such was the case when I drove it in mid 2020, and stumbled upon a side road called the Burr Trail, which connects Boulder, Utah, to the southern portion of Capitol Reef National Park. It was on this road that I got this photo. I don't want to spoil it any more. It's a beautiful drive. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/capitol_reef_canyon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Capitol-Reef-Canyon_2to3_40x60.jpg Capitol Reef Canyon I took this photo on one of the least driven roads I've ever had the pleasure of exploring. Capitol Reef National Park, in south central Utah, is already in the middle of nowhere, but most visitors to Capitol Reef only see the portion of it that is accessible by paved road. I stumbled upon a dirt road that allows one access to the extremely isolated southern portion of the park during a Nevada / Utah trip in 2020, and I'm happy to report it is spectacular. But don't tell anyone, I don't want the secret getting out! Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/calf_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Calf-Creek-Falls_1to2_48x96.jpg Calf Creek Falls There are lots of surprises to be found on Utah State Route 12, in the southwest portion of the state. One of those is (Lower) Calf Creek Falls, which is an easy five-mile round trip, and a great way to stretch your legs in the middle of this spectacular 122-mile drive. Lower Calf Creek Falls, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/burr_trail_through_capitol_reef/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Burr-Trail-through-Capitol-Reef_3to1_180x60.jpg Burr Trail through Capitol Reef I've taken a lot of scenic drives, but to this day, Utah 12 remains in my top two (the other is Canada's Icefields Parkway). Beginning near Bryce Canyon National Park and continuing 123 miles before finishing near Capitol Reef National Park, it goes through some of the least densely populated parts of the country, and offers about a billion side trips, parks (National, State etc.) and views. I've driven Utah 12 probably five or so times, and it seems that each time, I find somewhere new to explore. Such was the case when I drove it in mid 2020, and stumbled upon a side road called the Burr Trail, which connects Boulder, Utah, to the southern portion of Capitol Reef National Park. It was on this road that I got this photo. I don't want to spoil it any more. It's a beautiful drive. Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/burr_trail_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Burr-Trail-2_3to2_90x60.jpg Burr Trail 2 I've taken a lot of scenic drives, but to this day, Utah 12 remains in my top two (the other is Canada's Icefields Parkway). Beginning near Bryce Canyon National Park and continuing 123 miles before finishing near Capitol Reef National Park, it goes through some of the least densely populated parts of the country, and offers about a billion side trips, parks (National, State etc.) and views. I've driven Utah 12 probably five or so times, and it seems that each time, I find somewhere new to explore. Such was the case when I drove it in mid 2020, and stumbled upon a side road called the Burr Trail, which connects Boulder, Utah, to the southern portion of Capitol Reef National Park. It was on this road that I got this photo. I don't want to spoil it any more. It's a beautiful drive. Near Boulder, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/burr_trail_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Burr-Trail-1_3to2_90x60.jpg Burr Trail 1 I've taken a lot of scenic drives, but to this day, Utah 12 remains in my top two (the other is Canada's Icefields Parkway). Beginning near Bryce Canyon National Park and continuing 123 miles before finishing near Capitol Reef National Park, it goes through some of the least densely populated parts of the country, and offers about a billion side trips, parks (National, State etc.) and views. I've driven Utah 12 probably five or so times, and it seems that each time, I find somewhere new to explore. Such was the case when I drove it in mid 2020, and stumbled upon a side road called the Burr Trail, which connects Boulder, Utah, to the southern portion of Capitol Reef National Park. It was on this road that I got this photo. I don't want to spoil it any more. It's a beautiful drive. Near Boulder, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bryce_point_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Bryce-Point-Sunrise_5to2_120x48.jpg Bryce Point Sunrise I've visited Bryce Canyon National Park many times, and I always go to Bryce Point for sunrise. Although I've gotten good shots of it in the past, everything seemed to work out perfectly on a March morning in 2016, when I got this shot that included a bit of snow, enough direct light to illuminate the hoodoos perfectly, and just the right number of clouds in the sky to provide an ideal sunrise. Bryce Point, Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/broken_arch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Broken-Arch_3to2_45x30.jpg Broken Arch Broken Arch - which, by the way isn't broken - takes a bit of walking to get to, and isn't as famous as many of the other arches in eastern Utah's Arches National Park. I decided to go there for sunset during a 2012 trip through Utah, in order to avoid the crowds that congregate at many of the other more famous features at sunset. I like the way this unusual arch frames the background of the photo. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blooming_cactus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Blooming-Cactus_3to2_60x40.jpg Blooming Cactus Macro photography can be a lot of fun. Walking around with a macro lens makes one think about his or her surroundings in a different way. A leaf or pebble that might otherwise not catch ones attention can suddenly become the most interesting thing in the world. And flowers are always interesting, but they become even more so when viewed through a macro lens. Details one may otherwise never notice are suddenly huge. This flower was blooming on a cactus. State Highway 12, near Escalante, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beautiful_cascade_in_zion/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Beautiful-Cascade-in-Zion_2to1_120x60.jpg Beautiful Cascade in Zion I don't think this cascade has a name. It lies several miles into Zion National Park's Left Fork Trail, which ultimately leads to "The Subway," a difficult-to-reach but famous spot for photographers. When I went on this hike, on April 18, 2017, water levels were much higher than usual. In fact, "The Narrows," a slot canyon in the most crowded part of the Park, was actually closed to hikers since it was flowing at over 450 cubic feet per second, and it closes to the public at 150 cubic feet per second. Translation: the water was very (relative to normal) high, which allowed me to get some fairly unique shots of this desert park under the unusual circumstance of having tremendously high water flows. Left Fork Trail, Zion National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arches_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_Arches-Panorama_4to1_144x36.jpg Arches Panorama Although there aren't any arches to be seen in this photo, rest assured it is Arches National Park, in Eastern Utah. Although Arches is most famous for, obviously, its arches, there is a lot of other beautiful desert scenery to be seen in the park. Arches National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/all_alone_in_capitol_reef/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_All-Alone-in-Capitol-Reef_3t01_180x60.jpg All Alone in Capitol Reef I took this photo on one of the least driven roads I've ever had the pleasure of exploring. Capitol Reef National Park, in south central Utah, is already in the middle of nowhere, but most visitors to Capitol Reef only see the portion of it that is accessible by paved road. I stumbled upon a dirt road that allows one access to the extremely isolated southern portion of the park during a Nevada / Utah trip in 2020, and I'm happy to report it is spectacular. But don't tell anyone, I don't want the secret getting out! Capitol Reef National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_different_view_at_zions_canyon_overlook/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_A-Different-View-at-Zions-Canyon-Overlook_3to2_72x48.jpg A Different View at Zion's Canyon Overlook Zion National Park's "Canyon Overlook" hike is relatively short and easy, and leads to one of the more famous views of the park. Just Google "Zion Canyon Overlook" and you'll see plenty of beautiful photos of this location. I went here on the evening of April 16, 2017, with hopes of creating my own version of this famous shot, but the skies that evening weren't particularly spectacular, so instead of going for a mediocre version of this famous view, I turned around and shot some of the surrounding scenery. I ended up quite happy with this shot. Canyon Overlook, Zion National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_different_take_on_double_arch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_A-Different-take-on-Double-Arch_2to3_20x30.jpg A Different take on Double Arch Arches National Park is, like many places, prettiest at sunrise and sunset. But here, at Double Arch, I found a good way to use the mid-day sun.  Arches National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_cold_morning_in_bryce/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Utah_A-Cold-Morning-in-Bryce_3to2_72x48.jpg A Cold Morning in Bryce During the winter of 2019, I was an artist at the Arizona Fine Art Expo, in Scottsdale, Arizona. In mid- to late February, I kept reading about an epic amount of snow that was falling in southwest Utah, and Bryce Canyon National Park, in particular. Being only an eight-hour drive away, I decided to take a couple days off work to go see this once in a decade (lifetime?) event. Bryce Canyon really lends itself to panoramas, but it seemed a good idea to get some more standard-shaped photos while these unusual conditions persisted, so for this photo, I zoomed in to the east-facing canyon wall as the rising sun first began to illuminate it with warm light. Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/murchison_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Murchison-Falls_1to1_60x60.jpg Murchison Falls Murchison Falls, shown here, was not the highlight of my visit to Murchison Falls National Park, in western Uganda. The real highlight, for me anyway, was all the spectacular wildlife that inhabits the area. The falls, themselves, were impressive, though. According to Wikipedia, roughly 300 cubic meters of water (roughly 80,000 gallons) flow through a gorge only thirty feet wide every second. And standing near them, the sound is deafening. As an interesting bit of trivia, Ernest Hemmingway crashed a plane just downriver of the Falls in 1954. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/you_cant_hide_from_me/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_You-Cant-Hide-From-Me_3to2_60x40.jpg You can't hide from me Elephants are among my favorite animals. This elephant is one of a roughly thirty-member herd that I spotted in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/x_marks_the_spot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_X-Marks-the-Spot_3to2_60x40.jpg X Marks the Spot My first evening in Murchison Falls National Park, in western Uganda, was a treat. I hadn't even yet made it to my lodge when I took this photo, as the sun was setting, and lighting the surrounding landscape beautifully. We came upon a herd of giraffes, and with lighting like this, every shot was a winner! Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/what_lies_beneath/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_What-Lies-Beneath_5to4_40x30.jpg What Lies Beneath When people think of big, scary animals in Africa, things like lions, leopards, and rhinos come immediately to mind. What some people find surprising is that hippos cause more human fatalities in Africa than any other large animal. Males are extremely territorial, and females can become aggressive if they think anyone or anything is trying to come between themselves and their young. They can reach speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour, too, so good luck outrunning one. They spend most of their lives in the water, and I wouldn't have wanted to take this photo if I were anywhere other than on a boat. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/village_weaver/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Village-Weaver_3to2_45x30.jpg Village Weaver Weaver birds are fun to watch. Some, like the village weaver, shown here, have adapted quite well to living around people, and thus are excellent subjects for photography, since they don't scare off as easily as many other birds. Weavers are known for building elaborate "nests" with holes in the bottom, so they can only be entered from below. These nests are made of intricately woven vegetation, and the bird shown here is in the process of biting off a long leaf for this purpose. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/variable_sunbird/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Variable-Sunbird_5to4_40x30.jpg Variable Sunbird Spending some time with a group of mountain gorillas should be the highlight of anyone's visit to Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, but there's more to the region. I spent two days with the gorillas, and stayed at a lodge in the area, and while there, I wandered the grounds and photographed some birds that frequented the area. This is a variable sunbird, a beautiful and iridescent bird that shares the mountains with the gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ugandan_kobs/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Ugandan-Kobs_3to2_60x40.jpg Ugandan Kobs The Ugandan Kob is a type of antelope that lives in sub-Saharan Africa. I photographed these kobs in Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park. The Ugandan kob appears along with the gray crowned crane on Uganda's coat of arms, representing the abundant wildlife in the country. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/smile/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Smile_3to2_36x24.jpg Smile! Chimpanzees have the widest geographic distribution of any great ape, and are found all throughout sub-Saharan Africa. When I visited Uganda in the summer of 2019, I only had one afternoon in an area with chimps, and they weren't particularly cooperative in terms of presenting themselves in photogenic situations. This guy looked down on my group and barred his teeth for us … and I'm choosing to believe it was an attempt at a smile. I hope to have another opportunity, some day, to spend some more time photographing these fascinating creatures. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/river_horse/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_River-Horse_3to2_60x40.jpg River Horse When people think of big, scary animals in Africa, things like lions, leopards, and rhinos come immediately to mind. What some people find surprising is that hippos cause more human fatalities in Africa than any other large animal. Males are extremely territorial, and females can become aggressive if they think anyone or anything is trying to come between themselves and their young. They can reach speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour, too, so good luck outrunning one. I named this photo "River Horse" due to the etymology of the word hippopotamus, which comes from the Greek "River Horse." Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/riding_off_into_the_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Riding-off-into-the-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Riding off into the Sunset Taken shortly after sunrise in Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda, I think this is about as "Africa" a shot as I've taken. I typically shy away from silhouettes, as I often prefer that detail remain visible in the subjects of my photography, but the simplicity of the shapes and the authentic feel of this photo worked quite well as a silhouette. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pied_kingfisher/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Pied-Kingfisher_4to5_24x30.jpg Pied Kingfisher There are about a million types of kingfishers, and many of them are brilliantly colored with blues, oranges, pinks, and reds. The pied kingfisher, however, is a much less intense black and white, only. They're all over Queen Elizabeth National Park, in Western Uganda, and some of them are accustomed enough to people that one is able to get quite close without scaring them away - thus, this photo! Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/murchison_falls_landscape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Murchison-Falls-Landscape_2to3_48x72.jpg Murchison Falls Landscape Although lesser-known (and less popular) than Tanzania's Serengeti, or Kenya's Masai Mara, Uganda's Murchison Falls National Park really gives some of the more famous safari destinations a run for their money. You'll find almost all the same wildlife, but the scenery, like this, is, in my opinion, prettier in Murchison Falls. Uganda is (as of late 2019, anyway) investing a ton of money in infrastructure improvements, and if things go as they hope, I could see some of Uganda's National Parks really picking up and becoming more well-known destinations. If you are thinking of going on a safari, do yourself a favor and at least look into Uganda. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mahogany/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Mahogany_1to2_36x72.jpg Mahogany I spent a few days in Queen Elizabeth National Park in western Uganda in the summer of 2019. The landscape of the park was diverse, and included open savanna perfect for viewing well-known wildlife such as lions, elephants, and the like, but also included forests. I went on a walk in one such forest, and didn't see too much in the way of animals, but some of the trees were quite beautiful. I'm no arborist, but from what I was able to figure out on Google, I think this is a mahogany tree. If you know otherwise, please let me know! Regardless, it's a really pretty tree. I love the root system! Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/like_us/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Like-Us_3to2_72x48.jpg Like Us There are only around 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining on the planet (as of 2020), and roughly half of them live in Uganda. I spent two days photographing these incredible creatures, with whom we all share 98% of our DNA, in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It's expensive, but definitely worth it, as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The families of gorillas that one is allowed to interact with have, over the course of months or years, been introduced to having tourists spend an hour or two per day with them. They aren't shy - although you aren't allowed to approach them, they are free to approach you, so it is quite possible to quite literally be touched by a wild mountain gorilla. When I photographed them in 2019, I wasn't so lucky, but my father, with whom I was traveling, was touched by two different gorillas. A truly amazing experience. The eyes here are, if I remember correctly, the eyes of the silverback of the group. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/learning_to_climb/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Learning-to-Climb_2to3_40x60.jpg Learning to Climb There are only around 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining on the planet (as of 2020), and roughly half of them live in Uganda. I spent two days photographing these incredible creatures, with whom we all share 98% of our DNA, in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It's expensive, but definitely worth it, as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The families of gorillas that one is allowed to interact with have, over the course of months or years, been introduced to having tourists spend an hour or two per day with them. They aren't shy - although you aren't allowed to approach them, they are free to approach you, so it is quite possible to quite literally be touched by a wild mountain gorilla. When I photographed them in 2019, I wasn't so lucky, but my father, with whom I was traveling, was touched by two different gorillas. A truly amazing experience. I don't know how old the baby is in this photo - probably a year or two, max. It was a lot of fun to watch him play and learn to climb. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lakeside_cranes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Lakeside-Cranes_3to2_60x40.jpg Lakeside Cranes The gray crowned crane is the national bird of Uganda, which is, fittingly, where I photographed these guys. Standing roughly 1m (3.3 ft) tall, and weighing approximately 8 pounds, these are some of my favorite birds. They are so goofy looking, yet beautiful. Unfortunately, due to habitat loss, overgrazing, and pesticide pollution, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) was forced to uplist these amazing animals from vulnerable to endangered in 2012. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/just_act_casual/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Just-Act-Casual_2to3_40x60.jpg Just act Casual Murchison Falls National Park, in western Uganda, is home to roughly 450 species of birds, and 76 species of mammals, including baboons, like this guy. Many species of monkeys and apes have adapted to do quite well around humans, and I didn't take this photo deep in a forest or away from civilization. He was hanging out near a small dock alive with locals and tourists, alike. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hungry_hungry_hippo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Hungry-Hungry-Hippo_5to4_30x24.jpg Hungry, Hungry Hippo When people think of big, scary animals in Africa, things like lions, leopards, and rhinos come immediately to mind. What some people find surprising is that hippos cause more human fatalities in Africa than any other large animal. Males are extremely territorial, and females can become aggressive if they think anyone or anything is trying to come between themselves and their young. They can reach speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour, too, so good luck outrunning one. They don't usually look particularly frightening, but when you see one yawn, like this one here, it's easy to see how dangerous these creatures can be. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/how_tall_are_you/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_How-Tall-are-You_2to3_40x60.jpg How tall are you? Found only in Uganda and Kenya, Rothschild giraffes are the tallest animals on the planet, reaching heights of almost twenty feet. Murchison Falls National Park, in western Uganda, has the highest concentration of these incredible animals in Uganda, and that's exactly where I photographed this guy. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/giraffes_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Giraffes-at-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Giraffes at Sunset My first evening in Murchison Falls National Park, in western Uganda, was a treat. I hadn't even yet made it to my lodge when I took this photo, as the sun was setting, and lighting the surrounding landscape beautifully. We came upon a herd of giraffes, and with lighting like this, every shot was a winner! Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/elephant_parade/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Elephant-Parade_2to1_72x36.jpg Elephant Parade Elephants are some of my favorite animals. When you see them in the wild, sometimes they'll be alone, sometimes they'll be in small groups, and occasionally, they'll be in large herds, like this one. I think that I counted over thirty individuals in this group, that I shot from a small boat in Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dont_mess_with_me/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Dont-Mess-with-Me_2to3_48x72.jpg Don't Mess With Me There are only around 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining on the planet (as of 2020), and roughly half of them live in Uganda. I spent two days photographing these incredible creatures, with whom we all share 98% of our DNA, in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It's expensive, but definitely worth it, as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The families of gorillas that one is allowed to interact with have, over the course of months or years, been introduced to having tourists spend an hour or two per day with them. They aren't shy - although you aren't allowed to approach them, they are free to approach you, so it is quite possible to quite literally be touched by a wild mountain gorilla. When I photographed them in 2019, I wasn't so lucky, but my father, with whom I was traveling, was touched by two different gorillas. A truly amazing experience. The gorilla shown here is the silverback of the group. They're very peaceful creatures, and while he could have torn my arms off, if he'd been so inclined, I wasn't really fearful when he looked my way. We each went about our business. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/curious/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Curious_4to5_48x60.jpg Curious There are only around 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining on the planet (as of 2020), and roughly half of them live in Uganda. I spent two days photographing these incredible creatures, with whom we all share 98% of our DNA, in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It's expensive, but an incredible experience. The groups that one is allowed to interact with have, over the course of years, been introduced to having tourists spend an hour or two per day with them. They aren't shy - although you aren't allowed to approach them, they are free to approach you, so it is quite possible to quite literally be touched by a wild mountain gorilla. When I photographed them in 2019, I wasn't so lucky, but my father, with whom I was traveling, was touched by two different gorillas. A truly amazing experience. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cuddle_puddle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Cuddle-Puddle_1to1_48x48.jpg Cuddle Puddle When people think of big, scary animals in Africa, things like lions, leopards, and rhinos come immediately to mind. What some people find surprising is that hippos cause more human fatalities in Africa than any other large animal. Males are extremely territorial, and females can become aggressive if they think anyone or anything is trying to come between themselves and their young. They can reach speeds of up to 30 kilometers per hour, too, so good luck outrunning one. They don't look particularly threatening in this photo … in fact, I think they're pretty cute, sleeping like this. Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bwindi_impenetrable/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Bwindi-Impenetrable_3to1_180x60.jpg Bwindi Impenetrable Uganda has quite a diversity of landscapes. Portions of it are flat savanna. But in the southwest, it is much more mountainous, and it is here, in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, that many of the world's remaining mountain gorillas live. Obviously, the highlight of a visit to this National Park is a gorilla encounter, but as seen here, the landscape is quite beautiful, too. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_headed_heron/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Black-Headed-Heron_2to3_40x60.jpg Black-Headed Heron Cranes and herons have to be some of the most successful animals on the planet, in terms of habitats they're able to survive in. I've seen them all across the US, everywhere from the driest of deserts to the wettest of wetlands. And it turns out they're all over Africa, as well! I believe this is a black-headed heron, and if someone had told me this photo was taken in Florida's Everglades National Park, I wouldn't doubt them for a moment. But it WASN'T taken in the Everglades - I took this photo in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park. See, they're everywhere! Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bella/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Bella_5to4_60x48.jpg Bella The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lies roughly halfway between Kampala, the capitol of Uganda, and Murchison Falls National Park, a great place to go on a wildlife safari. As such, it is a perfect place to stop for a couple hours, in order to break up an otherwise long, somewhat boring drive. Home to 22 (as of early 2020) individuals, it is the only place in Uganda where one can see wild(ish) rhinos. The rhino here is Bella, and while I framed this photo in such a way that it looks like I may have been in danger of being charged, she was actually just wandering around, eating grass. If the breeding and conservation programs continue to go well, perhaps they'll eventually be reintroduced into other Parks and Preserves in the area. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bella_and_kageri/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Bella-and-Kageri_3to2_60x40.jpg Bella and Kageri The Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary lies roughly halfway between Kampala, the capitol of Uganda, and Murchison Falls National Park, a great place to go on a wildlife safari. As such, it is a perfect place to stop for a couple hours, in order to break up an otherwise long, somewhat boring drive. Home to 22 (as of early 2020) individuals, it is the only place in Uganda where one can see wild(ish) rhinos. The rhino here is Bella, and while I framed this photo in such a way that it looks like I may have been in danger of being charged, she was actually just wandering around, eating grass. If the breeding and conservation programs continue to go well, perhaps they'll eventually be reintroduced into other Parks and Preserves in the area. Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bee_eater/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Bee-Eater_3to2_60x40.jpg Bee-Eater There's no shortage of beautiful, colorful birds in Africa, but they can be difficult to photograph. I was lucky enough to get fairly close to this bee-eater before he flew away. Murchison Falls National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baby_monkey/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Baby-Monkey_3to2_36x24.jpg Baby Monkey I'm giving up on trying to figure out what species of monkey this is. I took this photo in western Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park, and while I don't know what type of monkey it is, I DO know it's cute, and that's good enough for me. Do you know what it is? Send me an email, I'd be thrilled to learn! Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/alpha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Uganda_Alpha_2to3_40x60.jpg Alpha There are only around 1,000 mountain gorillas remaining on the planet (as of 2020), and roughly half of them live in Uganda. I spent two days photographing these incredible creatures, with whom we all share 98% of our DNA, in Uganda's Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. It's expensive, but definitely worth it, as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The families of gorillas that one is allowed to interact with have, over the course of months or years, been introduced to having tourists spend an hour or two per day with them. They aren't shy - although you aren't allowed to approach them, they are free to approach you, so it is quite possible to quite literally be touched by a wild mountain gorilla. When I photographed them in 2019, I wasn't so lucky, but my father, with whom I was traveling, was touched by two different gorillas. A truly amazing experience. This is the silverback of the group I was lucky enough to photograph on my second day with the gorillas. Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wrecked/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Wrecked_2to1_72x36.jpg Wrecked Try as I have, I was unable to find any information about this shipwreck, located near Sapodilla Bay Beach, on Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. There are several larger, more well-known shipwrecks scattered around these beautiful Caribbean islands, but the simplicity of the shot here was unique. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/under_bambarra_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Under-Bambarra-Pier_3to2_90x60.jpg Under Bambarra Pier Middle Caicos Island is home to less than 300 people. Admittedly, at less than 60 square miles, it is tiny - one can drive from one side to the other (on the only road) in less than half an hour. This means that there are plenty of "private" beaches for anyone who visits. I took this photo at Bambarra Beach, underneath a pier upon which a couple locals were fishing. Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/turquoise_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Turquoise-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Turquoise Panorama Talk about isolated! Google Maps doesn't even show a name for the beach at which I took this photo, and I'm not giving up my secrets this easily. I'll say that it's on Middle Caicos Island - drive around and explore there, yourself, and you'll find many beaches like this. I literally did not see a single person for the hour or so I spent here. White sand, blue skies, fluffy clouds, turquoise waters - what else do you need? Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_approaching_storm/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_The-Approaching-Storm_3to2_60x40.jpg The Approaching Storm The star of this shot is obviously the water. I've never seen water quite as spectacular as that surrounding much of the Turks and Caicos Islands. It almost glows. But if you look closely, you can see a small ship on the horizon, seemingly going directly towards an unseasonable downpour. I've been told the skies here are typically blue, with picturesque white, fluffy clouds. Alas, this was not the case when I went on a snorkel tour and got this shot. But hey - at least it's unique! Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_on_grace_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Sunset-on-Grace-Bay_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunset on Grace Bay I only spent a few days on the Turks and Caicos islands, and as had been the case on many of the trips I'd gone on preceding this one, the weather wasn't exactly ideal for most of my time there. I was, however, lucky enough to be wandering the beach at Grace Bay on the evening of one nice sunset, and this was the shot I got. Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shades_of_blue/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Shades-of-Blue_2to1_80x40.jpg Shades of Blue Talk about isolated! Google Maps doesn't even show a name for the beach at which I took this photo, and I'm not giving up my secrets this easily. I'll say that it's on Middle Caicos Island - drive around and explore there, yourself, and you'll find many beaches like this. I literally did not see a single person for the hour or so I spent here. White sand, blue skies, fluffy clouds, turquoise waters - what else do you need? Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perfectly_peaceful/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Perfectly-Peaceful_3to2_60x40.jpg Perfectly Peaceful Talk about isolated! Google Maps doesn't even show a name for the beach at which I took this photo, and I'm not giving up my secrets this easily. I'll say that it's on Middle Caicos Island - drive around and explore there, yourself, and you'll find many beaches like this. I literally did not see a single person for the hour or so I spent here. White sand, blue skies, fluffy clouds, turquoise waters - what else do you need? Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/paradise_found/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Paradise-Found_3to2_72x48.jpg Paradise Found Talk about isolated! Google Maps doesn't even show a name for the beach at which I took this photo, and I'm not giving up my secrets this easily. I'll say that it's on Middle Caicos Island - drive around and explore there, yourself, and you'll find many beaches like this. I literally did not see a single person for the hour or so I spent here. White sand, blue skies, fluffy clouds, turquoise waters - what else do you need? Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/middle_caicos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Middle-Caicos_3to2_90x60.jpg Middle Caicos Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/its_all_mine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Its-All-Mine_3to2_90x60.jpg It's All Mine Middle Caicos Island is home to less than 300 people. Admittedly, at less than 60 square miles, it is tiny - one can drive from one side to the other (on the only road) in less than half an hour. This means that there are plenty of "private" beaches for anyone who visits. I took this photo at Bambarra Beach, which, when I visited, I had to share with a horde of roughly ten other people. Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/iguana/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Iguana_5to4_60x48.jpg Iguana The highlight of visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands, roughly 600 miles southeast of Miami, is the beaches. There's some wildlife, but most visitors (understandably) spend their time on these Caribbean islands lying on the beach, enjoying rum punches. And while I did a bit of this while visiting, I also found a bit of time for other exploration. On the brilliantly-named Iguana Island, one is able to find thousands of iguanas that are so used to people that snapping a photo like this is surprisingly simple. Iguana Island, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/godzilla/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Godzilla_3to2_45x30.jpg Godzilla The highlight of visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands, roughly 600 miles southeast of Miami, is the beaches. There's some wildlife, but most visitors (understandably) spend their time on these Caribbean islands lying on the beach, enjoying rum punches. And while I did a bit of this while visiting, I also found a bit of time for other exploration. On the brilliantly-named Iguana Island, one is able to find thousands of iguanas that are so used to people that snapping a photo like this is surprisingly simple. Iguana Island, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/budjin_harbor/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Budjin-Harbor_3to2_72x48.jpg Budjin Harbor North and Middle Caicos Islands are tiny, and sparsely populated. There's no shortage of beautiful, empty (or nearly-empty) beaches all over them. I took this photo of Budjin Harbor, on Middle Caicos, from an elevated viewpoint. Given the footprints in the sand, it's obvious that people come here, but when I was visiting, there were only two families anywhere near the beach. Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bambarra_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Bambarra-Pier_3to2_72x48.jpg Bambarra Pier Middle Caicos Island is home to less than 300 people. Admittedly, at less than 60 square miles, it is tiny - one can drive from one side to the other (on the only road) in less than half an hour. This means that there are plenty of "private" beaches for anyone who visits. I took this photo at Bambarra Beach, looking down a pier from which a couple locals had been fishing just minutes before. Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bambarra_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Turks-and-Caicos_Bambarra-Beach_3to2_72x48.jpg Bambarra Beach Middle Caicos Island is home to less than 300 people. Admittedly, at less than 60 square miles, it is tiny - one can drive from one side to the other (on the only road) in less than half an hour. This means that there are plenty of "private" beaches for anyone who visits. I took this photo at Bambarra Beach, which, when I visited, I had to share with a horde of roughly ten other people. Middle Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_lipped_tree_viper/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_White-Lipped-Tree-Viper_2to3_16x24.jpg White-Lipped Tree Viper Although I wasn't a professional photographer when I visited the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute in 2012, I certainly looked the part, and was able to convince the workers here to let me take photos of their snake show from ground level, with the snakes, and from a much better vantage point than offered by the bleachers that everyone else had to watch from. The Institute was first opened in 1913 in order to help study and manufacture vaccines for infectious diseases of the day. Today, their basic mission is the same, but they also collect snake venom in order to create antivenom to help people who have been bitten by any of the venomous snakes - and there's no shortage of them - in this part of the world. This photo is of a white-lipped tree viper - a beautiful and venomous snake that lives in Southeast Asia. Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_temple_sunrise_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_White-Temple-Sunrise-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg White Temple Sunrise Panorama The first half of my early 2020 trip to Thailand was mostly spent in the mountainous northern portion of the country, in and around the popular tourist cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Of the two, Chiang Mai is larger, louder, and more popular than Chiang Rai, which I think I ultimately preferred, even though I only had two days to spend there. The single biggest draw of Chiang Rai, to me, was Wat Rong Khun, or "The White Temple." I'd seen photos of it online, and knew I needed to see it in person. It certainly didn't disappoint, although it did, in some ways, surprise me. The level of detail in and around the site was astonishing. And perhaps even more astonishing was the fact that this "temple" is now more of an art project than a temple. The original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair at the end of the 20th Century, but then, a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, purchased it with his own money, and redesigning and rebuilding it has been his life project ever since. Construction is ongoing, and it is not expected to be "complete" until 2070. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_temple_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_White-Temple-Reflection_2to1_120x60.jpg White Temple Reflection The first half of my early 2020 trip to Thailand was mostly spent in the mountainous northern portion of the country, in and around the popular tourist cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Of the two, Chiang Mai is larger, louder, and more popular than Chiang Rai, which I think I ultimately preferred, even though I only had two days to spend there. The single biggest draw of Chiang Rai, to me, was Wat Rong Khun, or "The White Temple." I'd seen photos of it online, and knew I needed to see it in person. It certainly didn't disappoint, although it did, in some ways, surprise me. The level of detail in and around the site was astonishing. And perhaps even more astonishing was the fact that this "temple" is now more of an art project than a temple. The original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair at the end of the 20th Century, but then, a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, purchased it with his own money, and redesigning and rebuilding it has been his life project ever since. Construction is ongoing, and it is not expected to be "complete" until 2070. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_temple_at_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_White-Temple-at-Dawn_3to2_90x60.jpg White Temple at Dawn The first half of my early 2020 trip to Thailand was mostly spent in the mountainous northern portion of the country, in and around the popular tourist cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Of the two, Chiang Mai is larger, louder, and more popular than Chiang Rai, which I think I ultimately preferred, even though I only had two days to spend there. The single biggest draw of Chiang Rai, to me, was Wat Rong Khun, or "The White Temple." I'd seen photos of it online, and knew I needed to see it in person. It certainly didn't disappoint, although it did, in some ways, surprise me. The level of detail in and around the site was astonishing. And perhaps even more astonishing was the fact that this "temple" is now more of an art project than a temple. The original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair at the end of the 20th Century, but then, a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, purchased it with his own money, and redesigning and rebuilding it has been his life project ever since. Construction is ongoing, and it is not expected to be "complete" until 2070. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_temple_after_hours/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_White-Temple-After-Hours_3to2_90x60.jpg White Temple After Hours The first half of my early 2020 trip to Thailand was mostly spent in the mountainous northern portion of the country, in and around the popular tourist cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Of the two, Chiang Mai is larger, louder, and more popular than Chiang Rai, which I think I ultimately preferred, even though I only had two days to spend there. The single biggest draw of Chiang Rai, to me, was Wat Rong Khun, or "The White Temple." I'd seen photos of it online, and knew I needed to see it in person. It certainly didn't disappoint, although it did, in some ways, surprise me. The level of detail in and around the site was astonishing. And perhaps even more astonishing was the fact that this "temple" is now more of an art project than a temple. The original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair at the end of the 20th Century, but then, a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, purchased it with his own money, and redesigning and rebuilding it has been his life project ever since. Construction is ongoing, and it is not expected to be "complete" until 2070. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wat_tham_phra/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Wat-Tham-Phra_2to3_40x60.jpg Wat Tham Phra One of the lesser-known temples near Chiang Rai, Thailand, is Wat Tham Phra, or the Buddha Cave Temple. I hadn't even heard of it, but found it by accident when driving around the area on my rented scooter in early 2020. I love finding places like this by accident! Wat Tham Phra (Buddha Cave Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wat_suthat/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Wat-Suthat_1to1_60x60.jpg Wat Suthat I had one and a half days to spend in Bangkok during my February, 2020 visit to Thailand - one of my favorite countries on the planet. This definitely wasn't enough time, but it also wasn't my first time in this beautiful, but hot and humid city. I spent much of my time simply wandering, eating arguably the best street food on Earth, and visiting temples and other tourist destinations. I'd been to Wat Suthat in 2012, and taken some photos, but when I visited in 2020, I was fortunate enough to have a few opportunities to photograph the temple without people wandering through the frame. In my opinion, this is one of the most challenging aspects of taking photos of popular destinations. Getting a shot without people - oof, it can be tough. But I nailed it here! Wat Suthat, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wat_suan_dok_interior/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Wat-Suan-Dok-Interior_4to5_48x60.jpg Wat Suan Dok Interior I went to photograph Wat Suan Dok - a Buddhist Temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand - at night, in the hopes that there wouldn't be many people around. This turned out to be the case, but none of my exterior shots came out particularly great. However, because I was there late, the interior of the temple was already closed. The good news was that the front doors weren't closed - there was a barred door that prevented entering the temple interior, but I was able to set my camera up in such a way that I could shoot through it, and get this shot of the temple, free of visitors. Wat Suan Dok, Chiang Mai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wat_ratchabophit/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Wat-Ratchabophit_2to3_20x30.jpg Wat Ratchabophit There are so many Buddhist temples in Bangkok, Thailand, it is hard to keep track of them all. I took this photo at Wat Ratchabophit. This temple was built during the reign of Chulalongkorn, or Rama V, who lived from 1853 to 1910. Wat Ratchabophit, Bankgok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wat_phra_that_doi_suthep/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Wat-Phra-That-Doi-Suthep_4to5_48x60.jpg Wat Phra That Doi Suthep My early 2020 visit to Thailand was split roughly 50/50 between the northern cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, and the southern, beaches-and-islands area of Krabi. Located a short drive outside of Chiang Mai lies Wat Phra That Doi Suthep Temple. This temple is one of the most popular spots for Chiang Mai tourists to visit, and knowing this, I decided to make it my last stop of the day, so that, in theory, the temple grounds would have less people and be more easily photographed. This did turn out to be correct, but getting this photo was not as simple as finding a spot and snapping the photo - I had to do a lot of waiting to get this frame free of people. But with the bright, gold finish contrasting so beautifully against the sky at dusk, my patience certainly paid off. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Chiang Mai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wat_phantao_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Wat-Phantao-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Wat Phantao Panorama Wat Phantao, the temple shown here, was perhaps my biggest photographic surprise when visiting Chiang Mai, Thailand, in early 2020. It isn't a particularly famous site, and I didn't even plan on visiting, but as I was wandering through town, I came across a relatively nondescript temple entry, and came inside to find this. The hanging yellow fabric and white lights make the whole thing feel like a fairy tale. Wat Phantao, Chiang Mai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wat_benchamabophit/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Wat-Benchamabophit_3to2_45x30.jpg Wat Benchamabophit Wat Benchamabophit, also known as the Marble Temple, is a Buddhist Temple in Bangkok's Dusit district. Although it is a fairly major tourist attraction, I didn't feel overwhelmed by crowds on my visit, especially when compared to the Grand Palace, or Wat Pho, home of the famous "Reclining Buddha." Wat Benchamabophit, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wat_arun/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Wat-Arun_4to5_30x40.jpg Wat Arun Wat Arun, which translates to "Temple of Dawn," is a Buddhist temple in Bangkok. It lies on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, which flows through Bangkok, and since while I was in Bangkok, I was staying on the other side of the city, I had to take a ferry across the river to get here, which was an adventure in itself. It is one of Bangkok's most well-known landmarks, and truly a sight to behold. Wat Arun, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ubosot_wat_kaeo_korawaram/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Ubosot-Wat-Kaeo-Karawaram_1to1_60x60.jpg Ubosot Wat Kaeo Korawaram I visited Thailand while living in Japan in the winter of 2023. I didn't take a ton of photos, as I was there mostly to relax, but I did take a few, here and there, and this one, of Ubosot Wat Kaeo Korowaram in Krabi, turned out to be my favorite. Ubosot Wat Kaeo Korawaram, Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_grand_palace_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_The-Grand-Palace-at-Sunset_2to3_24x36.jpg The Grand Palace at Sunset When I visited Bangkok, in 2012, most of the temples and interesting sites were either cheap or free to enter. The Grand Palace, however, was a bit more expensive, and I knew it was going to close within an hour or so of when I got here, so I decided to shoot it from outside, and to actually go in on another day. The last light of the day illuminated many of the spires and pagodas with a beautiful, golden light. Grand Palace, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_grand_palace_and_the_emerald_buddha_temple/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_The-Grand-Palace-and-the-Emerald-Buddha-Temple_3to2_30x20.jpg The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple Wat Phra Kaew translates to "The Temple of the Emerald Buddha." The temple complex, visible here, shares its ground with the Grand Palace.  The Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha Temple, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/thai_fishing_boats/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Thai-Fishing-Boats_3to2_36x24.jpg Thai Fishing Boats Koh Chang is a tropical paradise located about 4 hours (by bus) southeast of Bangkok. Because of its beauty and proximity to the city, it is a bit of a tourist hot spot. And while many residents of the island make their money from tourism, many more are fishermen. This photo shows some of their brightly-colored fishing boats. Koh Chang, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tha_pom_khlong_song_nam_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Tha-Pom-Khlong-Song-Nam-2_2to3_48x72.jpg Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam 2 The oceans aren't the only clear water in and around Thailand. Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam is a nature reserve near Krabi, in southern Thailand. Crystal-clear freshwater bubbles up from springs in the area, and becomes brackish (somewhat salty), but still clear, as it mingles with seawater. Mangroves grow all over the area, and a delightful boardwalk allows one to wander through. Not a bad way to spend an hour or two if in the neighborhood. Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam, Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tha_pom_khlong_song_nam_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Tha-Pom-Khlong-Song-Nam-1_4to5_48x60.jpg Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam 1 The oceans aren't the only clear water in and around Thailand. Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam is a nature reserve near Krabi, in southern Thailand. Crystal-clear freshwater bubbles up from springs in the area, and becomes brackish (somewhat salty), but still clear, as it mingles with seawater. Mangroves grow all over the area, and a delightful boardwalk allows one to wander through. Not a bad way to spend an hour or two if in the neighborhood. Tha Pom Khlong Song Nam, Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/talat_rotfai_night_market/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Talat-Rotfai-Night-Market_3to2_72x48.jpg Talat Rotfai Night Market I visited Thailand in February 2020, just before the world went up in flames. The only time I'd been to Bangkok before was in 2012, and on that visit, I somehow didn't make it to the famous Talat Rotfai Night Market. That wasn't a mistake I was going to make twice. Although a bit on the tourist side (read: overpriced), the market is a fun place to wander and people watch. And although it is overpriced, it's still reasonable by American standards. The trickiest part of the night was finding the location to take this photo. Right next to the market is an enormous shopping mall that looks out at the market, but getting a good angle is tough. It turns out the best spot to photograph the market is from the highest-accessible level of the mall's attached parking garage. Yup, I took this photo from a parking garage. Talat Rotfai Night Market, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/talat_rotfai_night_market_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Talat-Rotfai-Night-Market-Panorama_3to1_144x48.jpg Talat Rotfai Night Market Panorama I visited Thailand in February 2020, just before the world went up in flames. The only time I'd been to Bangkok before was in 2012, and on that visit, I somehow didn't make it to the famous Talat Rotfai Night Market. That wasn't a mistake I was going to make twice. Although a bit on the tourist side (read: overpriced), the market is a fun place to wander and people watch. And although it is overpriced, it's still reasonable by American standards. The trickiest part of the night was finding the location to take this photo. Right next to the market is an enormous shopping mall that looks out at the market, but getting a good angle is tough. It turns out the best spot to photograph the market is from the highest-accessible level of the mall's attached parking garage. Yup, I took this photo from a parking garage. Talat Rotfai Night Market, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunshine_at_wat_pho/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Sunshine-at-Wat-Pho_2to3_30x45.jpg Sunshine at Wat Pho Wat Pho is famous for housing the "Reclining Buddha." And while housing the 15 meter high, 43 meter long Buddha statue may be Wat Pho's claim to fame, the temple also contains over a thousand images of Buddha, and a working Buddhist monastery. There are also over 90 chedis (or stupas), of varying height, including the one at the center of this photo. Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/standing_buddhas/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Standing-Buddhas_3to2_45x30.jpg Standing Buddhas A row of standing, golden Buddhas found in Wat Pho, home of the famous Reclining Buddha, in Bangkok, Thailand. Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/siriphum_waterfall/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Siriphum-Waterfall_1to2_60x120.jpg Siriphum Waterfall When I think of Thailand, my mind goes to (generally crowded) beaches, delicious street food, and more Buddhist Temples than one could ever count. Waterfalls? Not the first thing that comes to mind. But when I visited in early 2020, I rented a scooter and went on a day trip to a National Park in the northern mountains, where I came across this waterfall - Siriphum - along with a few others. Thailand is such a great place to visit. It has it all! Siriphum Waterfall, Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/singha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Singha_2to3_30x45.jpg Singha Wat Benchamabophit is one of so many Buddhist temples in Bangkok that it is impossible to keep track of them all. Also known as the "Marble Temple," it is one of the best-known in the city, and houses 52 Buddha statues, each showing a different "mudra" (sign). There are also two "Singhas," or lions guarding the main entrance to the temple. This photo is of one of them. Wat Benchamabophit, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/semi_private_paradise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Semi-Private-Paradise_3to2_72x48.jpg Semi-Private Paradise I grew up and spent most of my life, through college, in the mountains, and Colorado. My entire life, up through my late 20s, a small part of me thought maybe I was supposed to be a "beach person," instead of a "mountain person." I've since spent time and lived on and around beaches (and deserts, and mountains, and forests, etc.) around the world, and I ultimately figured out that I prefer mountains and deserts to beaches. But I'm fully aware that a blue sky, and an empty white sand beach is exactly what comes to mind when some people envision paradise. So, here you go! Paradise! near Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pineapples/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Pineapples_3to2_45x30.jpg Pineapples Bangkok is a great city. It has the hustle and bustle of many large cities of similar size, but also has quiet, peaceful temples in great numbers. And there are tons of street markets, and some of the best street food on the planet. I took this photo of a bunch of pineapples at one of the countless street markets. Street market, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/phang_nga_bay_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Phang-Nga-Bay-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Phang Nga Bay Sunset "Long-tail" boats are synonymous with Thai beaches. Here are a few that I photographed shortly after sunset on an isolated beach a few miles outside of Krabi, south Thailand. near Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/phang_nga_bay_sunset_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Phang-Nga-Bay-Sunset-Panorama_2to1_72x36.jpg Phang Nga Bay Sunset Panorama "Long-tail" boats are synonymous with Thai beaches. Here are a few that I photographed shortly after sunset on an isolated beach a few miles outside of Krabi, south Thailand. near Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/not_so_secret_beach_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Not-So-Secret-Beach-Panorama_2to1_80x40.jpg Not-So-Secret Beach Panorama Full disclosure: I had to Photoshop a few people out of this photo to make this beach look empty. Don't expect to easily find a beach completely devoid of people anywhere in or around any of Thailand's tourist hot spots. It may be doable, but you'll need lots of time, patience, and honestly, money to make it happen. But don't let this discourage you from visiting. Even with crowds, the beaches in and around Krabi (Phuket's smaller, less visited sister city a couple hours away) are spectacular. I'd be hard pressed to think of a better place to sit back and relax with a good book and a Mai Thai. near Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/not_so_secret_beach_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Not-So-Secret-Beach-2_3to2_80x54.jpg Not-So-Secret Beach 2 Full disclosure: I had to Photoshop a few people out of this photo to make this beach look empty. Don't expect to easily find a beach completely devoid of people anywhere in or around any of Thailand's tourist hot spots. It may be doable, but you'll need lots of time, patience, and honestly, money to make it happen. But don't let this discourage you from visiting. Even with crowds, the beaches in and around Krabi (Phuket's smaller, less visited sister city a couple hours away) are spectacular. I'd be hard pressed to think of a better place to sit back and relax with a good book and a Mai Thai. near Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/not_so_secret_beach_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Not-So-Secret-Beach-1_3to2_72x48.jpg Not-So-Secret Beach 1 Full disclosure: I had to Photoshop a few people out of this photo to make this beach look empty. Don't expect to easily find a beach completely devoid of people anywhere in or around any of Thailand's tourist hot spots. It may be doable, but you'll need lots of time, patience, and honestly, money to make it happen. But don't let this discourage you from visiting. Even with crowds, the beaches in and around Krabi (Phuket's smaller, less visited sister city a couple hours away) are spectacular. I'd be hard pressed to think of a better place to sit back and relax with a good book and a Mai Thai. near Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/long_tails/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Long-Tails_2to1_72x36.jpg Long-Tails "Long-tail" boats are synonymous with Thai beaches, and they're the preferred method of transportation if one wants to reach any of the hundreds of small islands off southern Thailand's beautiful beaches. Here are a few of them, lined up, waiting for their chance to ferry tourists from one slice of paradise to another. near Krabi, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lonely_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Lonely-Pier_4to5_24x30.jpg Lonely Pier Koh Chang is a tropical paradise located about 4 hours (by bus) southeast of Bangkok. Because of its beauty and proximity to the city, it is a bit of a tourist hot spot. Even so, it's surprisingly easy to leave the tourist trail behind, and find a local village with no accommodation, or an empty pier, such as this one. Koh Chang, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/loha_prasart/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Loha-Prasart_4to5_30x40.jpg Loha Prasart In my opinion, Loha Prasart is one of the most underrated structures in Bangkok. In a city with so many temples with gold, dome or spire rooftops, it was nice to find one with a bit of a different look to it, which is exactly what happened when I stumbled upon Loha Prasart. All the spires here were black, instead of the traditional gold, but upon looking this temple up to write this little story, I discovered that since I took this photo, all these spires have been painted gold, in the traditional style. It looks great either way. Loha Prasart, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/loha_prasart_interior/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Loha-Prasart-Interior_3to2_45x30.jpg Loha Prasart Interior In my opinion, Loha Prasart is one of the most underrated structures in Bangkok. In a city with so many temples with gold, dome or spire rooftops, it was nice to find one with a bit of a different look to it, which is exactly what happened when I stumbled upon Loha Prasart. All the spires here were black, instead of the traditional gold, but upon looking this temple up to write this little story, I discovered that since I took this photo, all these spires have been painted gold, in the traditional style. It looks great either way. Look in the lower, right hand corner of this photo to see a monk listening to a radio straight out of the 1950s. Loha Prasart, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/koh_chang_macaque/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Koh-Chang-Macaque_4to5_20x24.jpg Koh Chang Macaque There are lots of macaques to be found on the island of Koh Chang, a few hours from Bangkok. And while they are fun to watch and photograph, one must be a bit careful around them. They can be quite aggressive. Fortunately, I had no such bad luck while photographing this guy, who looks to me like he is wearing eye liner. Koh Chang, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/khun_korn_waterfall/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Khun-Korn-Waterfall_2to3_40x60.jpg Khun Korn Waterfall When I think of Thailand, my mind goes to (generally crowded) beaches, delicious street food, and more Buddhist Temples than one could ever count. Waterfalls? Not the first thing that comes to mind. But when I visited in early 2020, I rented a scooter and went on several unplanned drives in and around the cities in which I stayed. On one trip out of Chiang Rai, I came across this isloated waterfall - Khun Korn - and was able to frame it quite nicely. Turns out there's more to Thailand than the temples, beaches, and food! Khun Korn Waterfall, Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/huai_sai_lueng_waterfall/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Huai-Sai-Lueng-Waterfall_2to3_54x80.jpg Huai Sai Lueng Waterfall When I think of Thailand, my mind goes to (generally crowded) beaches, delicious street food, and more Buddhist Temples than one could ever count. Waterfalls? Not the first thing that comes to mind. But when I visited in early 2020, I rented a scooter and went on a day trip to a National Park in the northern mountains, where I came across this waterfall - Huai Sai Lueng - along with a few others. Thailand is such a great place to visit. It has it all! Huai Sai Lueng Waterfall, Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/heaven_and_hell/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Heaven-and-Hell_2to1_80x40.jpg Heaven and Hell The first half of my early 2020 trip to Thailand was mostly spent in the mountainous northern portion of the country, in and around the popular tourist cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Of the two, Chiang Mai is larger, louder, and more popular than Chiang Rai, which I think I ultimately preferred, even though I only had two days to spend there. The single biggest draw of Chiang Rai, to me, was Wat Rong Khun, or "The White Temple." I'd seen photos of it online, and knew I needed to see it in person. It certainly didn't disappoint, although it did, in some ways, surprise me. The level of detail in and around the site was astonishing. And perhaps even more astonishing was the fact that this "temple" is now more of an art project than a temple. The original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair at the end of the 20th Century, but then, a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, purchased it with his own money, and redesigning and rebuilding it has been his life project ever since. Construction is ongoing, and it is not expected to be "complete" until 2070. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/golden_spires/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Golden-Spires_2to3_48x72.jpg Golden Spires The first half of my early 2020 trip to Thailand was mostly spent in the mountainous northern portion of the country, in and around the popular tourist cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Of the two, Chiang Mai is larger, louder, and more popular than Chiang Rai, which I think I ultimately preferred, even though I only had two days to spend there. The single biggest draw of Chiang Rai, to me, was Wat Rong Khun, or "The White Temple." I'd seen photos of it online, and knew I needed to see it in person. It certainly didn't disappoint, although it did, in some ways, surprise me. The level of detail in and around the site was astonishing. And perhaps even more astonishing was the fact that this "temple" is now more of an art project than a temple. The original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair at the end of the 20th Century, but then, a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, purchased it with his own money, and redesigning and rebuilding it has been his life project ever since. Construction is ongoing, and it is not expected to be "complete" until 2070. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/freshly_painted/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Freshly-Painted_3to2_80x54.jpg Freshly Painted I had one and a half days to spend in Bangkok during my February, 2020 visit to Thailand - one of my favorite countries on the planet. This definitely wasn't enough time, but it also wasn't my first time in this beautiful, but hot and humid city. I spent much of my time simply wandering, eating arguably the best street food on Earth, and visiting temples and other tourist destinations. When I visited Loha Prasat (the temple shown in this photo) in 2012, everything that is gold in this photo was black. Nice to see they're keeping up on maintenance on the historically important temples in the city. Loha Prasat, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eastern_celebration/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Eastern-Celebration_3to2_80x54.jpg Eastern Celebration Wat Phantao, the temple shown here, was perhaps my biggest photographic surprise when visiting Chiang Mai, Thailand, in early 2020. It isn't a particularly famous site, and I didn't even plan on visiting, but as I was wandering through town, I came across a relatively nondescript temple entry, and came inside to find this. The hanging yellow fabric and white lights make the whole thing feel like a fairy tale. Wat Phantao, Chiang Mai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_wat_rong_khun/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Dusk-at-Wat-Rong-Khun_3to2_60x40.jpg Dusk at Wat Rong Khun The first half of my early 2020 trip to Thailand was mostly spent in the mountainous northern portion of the country, in and around the popular tourist cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Of the two, Chiang Mai is larger, louder, and more popular than Chiang Rai, which I think I ultimately preferred, even though I only had two days to spend there. The single biggest draw of Chiang Rai, to me, was Wat Rong Khun, or "The White Temple." I'd seen photos of it online, and knew I needed to see it in person. It certainly didn't disappoint, although it did, in some ways, surprise me. The level of detail in and around the site was astonishing. And perhaps even more astonishing was the fact that this "temple" is now more of an art project than a temple. The original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair at the end of the 20th Century, but then, a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, purchased it with his own money, and redesigning and rebuilding it has been his life project ever since. Construction is ongoing, and it is not expected to be "complete" until 2070. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/doi_inthanon_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Doi-Inthanon-Sunrise_3to2_72x48.jpg Doi Inthanon Sunrise When I went to Chiang May, in northern Thailand in early 2020, I only did a tiny bit of advance research, and in so doing, found a mountain temple called Doi Inthanon that I knew I wanted to visit. Unfortunately, it was going to be somewhat difficult to reach independently, and especially so if I wanted to be there at sunrise. I'd only packed for warm weather on this trip, and was accordingly unprepared for the 2-hour ride, in the middle of the night, on my rented scooter, to increasingly high elevations in decreasingly bearable (i.e. cold - something I didn't know existed in Thailand) temperatures. I had to stop on multiple occasions to bring feeling back to my frozen hands. But the view I got here makes all that suffering, at least in retrospect, completely worth it. Doi Inthanon, near Chiang Mai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/doi_inthanon_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Doi-Inthanon-Panorama_2to1_96x48.jpg Doi Inthanon Panorama When I went to Chiang May, in northern Thailand in early 2020, I only did a tiny bit of advance research, and in so doing, found a mountain temple called Doi Inthanon that I knew I wanted to visit. Unfortunately, it was going to be somewhat difficult to reach independently, and especially so if I wanted to be there at sunrise. I'd only packed for warm weather on this trip, and was accordingly unprepared for the 2-hour ride, in the middle of the night, on my rented scooter, to increasingly high elevations in decreasingly bearable (i.e. cold - something I didn't know existed in Thailand) temperatures. I had to stop on multiple occasions to bring feeling back to my frozen hands. But the view I got here makes all that suffering, at least in retrospect, completely worth it. Doi Inthanon, near Chiang Mai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/doi_inthanon_pagoda/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Doi-Inthanon-Pagoda_3to2_90x60.jpg Doi Inthanon Pagoda When I went to Chiang May, in northern Thailand in early 2020, I only did a tiny bit of advance research, and in so doing, found a mountain temple called Doi Inthanon that I knew I wanted to visit. Unfortunately, it was going to be somewhat difficult to reach independently, and especially so if I wanted to be there at sunrise. I'd only packed for warm weather on this trip, and was accordingly unprepared for the 2-hour ride, in the middle of the night, on my rented scooter, to increasingly high elevations in decreasingly bearable (i.e. cold - something I didn't know existed in Thailand) temperatures. I had to stop on multiple occasions to bring feeling back to my frozen hands. This photo was taken closer to midday, but still before most of the crowds arrived. The place really felt like something from a fairy tale. Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cobra/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Cobra_4to5_16x20.jpg Cobra Although I wasn't a professional photographer when I visited the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute in 2012, I certainly looked the part, and was able to convince the workers here to let me take photos of their snake show from ground level, with the snakes, and from a much better vantage point than offered by the bleachers that everyone else had to watch from. The Institute was first opened in 1913 in order to help study and manufacture vaccines for infectious diseases of the day. Today, their basic mission is the same, but they also collect snake venom in order to create antivenom to help people who have been bitten by any of the venomous snakes - and there's no shortage of them - in this part of the world. This photo is of one of the most easily recognized snakes in the world - the cobra. Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chulalongkom_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Chulalongkom-at-Night_2to3_30x45.jpg Chulalongkom at Night Bangkok is filled with temples. This one was on the grounds of Chulalongkom University, and when I stopped here, there was some type of gathering taking place. Street food stalls filled the area, and the smoke visible at the top of this image is coming from the many street food vendors operating nearby. Chulalongkom University, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/buddhas_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Buddhas-Reflection_4to5_48x60.jpg Buddha's Reflection Wat Phantao, the temple shown here, was perhaps my biggest photographic surprise when visiting Chiang Mai, Thailand, in early 2020. It isn't a particularly famous site, and I didn't even plan on visiting, but as I was wandering through town, I came across a relatively nondescript temple entry, and came inside to find this. The hanging yellow fabric and white lights make the whole thing feel like a fairy tale. Wat Phantao, Chiang Mai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/buddhas_at_wat_suthat/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Buddhas-at-Wat-Suthat_3to2_72x48.jpg Buddhas at Wat Suthat This is actually the second photo called "Buddhas at Wat Suthat" I've released. I didn't sell any limited editions of the first version, which was taken in 2012, so I didn't feel too bad about removing the old version and replacing it with this one. I'm a better photographer (and have better gear) now than when I took the first one, and when I viewed the two nearly-identical photos side-by-side, it was obvious which one needed to go. So, here we have the new-and-improved "Buddhas at Wat Suthat," taken in early 2020, just before everything went sideways. Wat Suthat, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_buddhas/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Black-Buddhas_5to4_40x30.jpg Black Buddhas Wat Benchamabophit is one of so many Buddhist temples in Bangkok that it is impossible to keep track of them all. Also known as the "Marble Temple," it is one of the best-known in the city, and houses 52 Buddha statues, each showing a different "mudra" (sign). These statues were collected by Prince Damrong Rajanubhab for his king. Wat Benchamabophit, Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bees_in_bangkok/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Bees-in-Bangkok_5to4_30x24.jpg Bees in Bangkok Bees gathering nectar from a lotus found in a pond in the middle of bustling Bangkok. Bangkok, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/attention_to_detail/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Thailand_Attention-to-Detail_2to3_54x80.jpg Attention to Detail The first half of my early 2020 trip to Thailand was mostly spent in the mountainous northern portion of the country, in and around the popular tourist cities of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai. Of the two, Chiang Mai is larger, louder, and more popular than Chiang Rai, which I think I ultimately preferred, even though I only had two days to spend there. The single biggest draw of Chiang Rai, to me, was Wat Rong Khun, or "The White Temple." I'd seen photos of it online, and knew I needed to see it in person. It certainly didn't disappoint, although it did, in some ways, surprise me. The level of detail in and around the site was astonishing. And perhaps even more astonishing was the fact that this "temple" is now more of an art project than a temple. The original Wat Rong Khun was in a bad state of repair at the end of the 20th Century, but then, a local artist, Chalermchai Kositpipat, purchased it with his own money, and redesigning and rebuilding it has been his life project ever since. Construction is ongoing, and it is not expected to be "complete" until 2070. Wat Rong Khun (White Temple), Chiang Rai, Thailand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/western_zebra_tailed_lizard/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Western-Zebra-Tailed-Lizard_3to2_45x30.jpg Western Zebra-Tailed Lizard There are many types of lizards in the American Southwest. This particular guy is a Western Zebra-Tailed Lizard, and I took this photo in Texas' Big Bend National Park because I thought the colors of his belly were particularly beautiful. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/western_scrub_jay_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Western-Scrub-Jay-2_5to4_30x24.jpg Western Scrub Jay 2 One of the more common birds in the American West and Southwest is the beautiful Scrub Jay. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_window_at_big_bend/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_The-Window-at-Big-Bend_3to1_120x40.jpg The Window at Big Bend Big Bend National Park, in the southwest corner of Texas, is larger than the State of Rhode Island, and has three distinct ecosystems: wasteland (the Chihuahuan Desert), mountain (the Chisos Mountains), and river (the Rio Grande). I took this photo of "The Window," one of the more well-known viewpoints in the Chisos Mountains. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/texas_farmland/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Texas-Farmland_3to2_72x48.jpg Texas Farmland I took this shot in Nowhereseville, Texas. That isn't a real place, by the way. I was driving through the state en route to an art show, ready to pull my hair out from the boredom of a day's worth of driving through almost nothing, but decided to look for more tranquil, subtle beauty than the types of stuff I normally chase. Lo and behold, this scene presented itself. Scenes like this extend for hundreds of miles in all directions throughout Texas. Central Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_santa_elena_canyon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Sunrise-at-Santa-Elena-Canyon_1to1_30x30.jpg Sunrise at Santa Elena Canyon One would never guess that there are two countries visible in this picture of Santa Elena Canyon. The Rio Grande River, visible in the bottom center, defines the US - Mexico border, so the sunrise-lit canyon walls on the right of the photo are part of Texas, while those on the left belong to Mexico. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_big_bend/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Sunrise-at-Big-Bend_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunrise at Big Bend Big Bend National Park, in the southwest corner of Texas, is larger than the State of Rhode Island, and has three distinct ecosystems: wasteland (the Chihuahuan Desert), mountain (the Chisos Mountains), and river (the Rio Grande). I took this photo of the Chisos Mountain Range at sunrise, when the horizontal light from the sun turned the mountains a shocking hue of orange. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_antonio_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_San-Antonio-Panorama_3to1_60x20.jpg San Antonio Panorama It is difficult to shoot cityscapes of cities that have no elevated views from which to view the skyline. San Antonio is like this, but I did locate a neighborhood several miles from downtown that provided a great view of the beautiful San Antonio city skyline. San Antonio, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/red_and_blue/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Red-and-Blue_3to2_72x48.jpg Red and Blue Entire fields in Texas erupt into blue, purple and red masterpieces in late March and early April, as the bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush come into bloom. Here's one of the more dense fields of these flowers I saw while traveling through, in 2017. Near Ennis, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/path_to_beauty/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Path-to-Beauty_2to3_60x90.jpg Path to Beauty I often find myself in Texas in the spring, and during a good year for bluebonnets - the State Flower - Texas Hill country briefly becomes a place of spectacular beauty, with fields of blue, red, yellow, and green stretching as far as the eye can see. 2019 was a good year, and with a bit of patience, I found quite a few good spots to view and photograph these iconic flowers. I don't typically do too much research before visiting a location - I often prefer to figure it out as I go. But I'd seen photos of the bridge shown in this photo, and tried to discover the exact location. I wasn't able to find out where, exactly it was, but I was able to figure out the general area, and stumbled across it, more or less by accident, one evening when I was out shooting. The old bridge really adds something to this photo. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mystery_awaits/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Mystery-Awaits_2to3_30x45.jpg Mystery Awaits I often find myself in Texas in the spring, and during a good year for bluebonnets - the State Flower - Texas Hill country briefly becomes a place of spectacular beauty, with fields of blue, red, yellow, and green stretching as far as the eye can see. 2019 was a good year, and with a bit of patience, I found quite a few good spots to view and photograph these iconic flowers. I don't typically do too much research before visiting a location - I often prefer to figure it out as I go. But I'd seen photos of the bridge shown in this photo, and tried to discover the exact location. I wasn't able to find out where, exactly it was, but I was able to figure out the general area, and stumbled across it, more or less by accident, one evening when I was out shooting. The old bridge really adds something to this photo. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/more_bluebonnets/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_More-Bluebonnets_3to2_72x48.jpg More Bluebonnets I often find myself in Texas in the spring, and during a good year for bluebonnets - the State Flower - Texas Hill country briefly becomes a place of spectacular beauty, with fields of blue, red, yellow, and green stretching as far as the eye can see. 2019 was a good year, and with a bit of patience, I found quite a few good spots to view and photograph fields of these iconic flowers. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/house_finch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_House-Finch_5to4_30x24.jpg House Finch Davis Mountains State Park is a fairly high-elevation (5,000-6,000 feet) park in West Texas. There are several miles of hiking trails in this desert park, but the highlight of my visit here, on Halloween, 2015, was the "best little bird blind in Texas," which provided an enclosed viewing station, shielded outside patio, and watering and feeding stations that attracted an impressive variety of birds, such as this house finch. Small birds like this are fairly difficult to photograph because of their size and speed, but the blind at Davis Mountains State Park made it easy! Davis Mountains State Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/great_horned_owl/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Great-Horned-Owl_4to5_24x30.jpg Great Horned Owl I camped at Cottonwood Campground, which abuts the Rio Grande River in Big Bend National Park in southwest Texas in October, 2016. There were a lot of birds that spent time in and around this campground, including this great horned owl. Spotting him in the first place was quite difficult - without the sky behind him, he was extremely well camouflaged, but once I finally found him, I was entranced, and spent the next hour or more simply watching him, and, as seen in this shot, he spent a bit of time examining me, too. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ever_onward/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Ever-Onward_2to3_40x60.jpg Ever Onward I often find myself in Texas in the spring, and during a good year for bluebonnets - the State Flower - Texas Hill country briefly becomes a place of spectacular beauty, with fields of blue, red, yellow, and green stretching as far as the eye can see. 2019 was a good year, and with a bit of patience, I found quite a few good spots to view and photograph these iconic flowers. When I found some old railroad tracks that didn't appear to be in use any longer, I went for a bit of a hike, thinking the tracks might make some great leading lines, if only I could find something else to add to the photo. A bit of walking led to some of the densest bluebonnet growth I've yet found. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/entry_to_mission_san_jose/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Entry-to-Mission-San-Jose_2to3_30x45.jpg Entry to Mission San Jose The entry to the church at Mission San Jose, located in San Antonio, Texas. The Mission is a fairly large compound that was founded in 1720. The church itself was constructed in 1768 from local limestone. The architecture is beautiful, and in 2015, Mission San Jose, along with The Alamo and Mission Concepcion, were named World Heritage Sites. Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/el_capitan_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_El-Capitan-Sunrise_2to1_96x48.jpg El Capitan Sunrise Not to be confused with its more famous and identically named brother in California's Yosemite National Park, Guadalupe Mountains National Park's El Capitan, in west Texas, is absolutely beautiful when the first light of the day illuminates its western face. Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/doesnt_get_more_texas_than_this/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Doesnt-Get-More-Texas-than-This_3to2_45x30.jpg Doesn't Get More Texas than This Sure, there are plenty of bluebonnets in Texas. And there are plenty of longhorns. But finding them both, together? That's a challenge. Fortunately, sometimes a little luck goes a long way, as it did for me when I came upon this longhorn resting in a field of these iconic flowers. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/desert_wolf_spider/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Desert-Wolf-Spider_3to2_30x20.jpg Desert Wolf Spider Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the wolf spider is the large eyes. I took this photo after finding him in the middle of the night. The beam of my headlight had passed over him, and the light reflected off his eyes and back to me, allowing me to easily find him in a dark environment. They use their large eyes and impressive eyesight to hunt small insects. Seminole Canyon State Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/desert_coyote/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Desert-Coyote_3to2_36x24.jpg Desert Coyote I've seen coyotes throughout the United States, but this guy was definitely the largest I've ever seen. It was a roadside shot, and he dashed away moments after I got this shot. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dallas_2019/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Dallas-2019_5to2_150x60.jpg Dallas, 2019 Starting in 2018, I decided to shoot cities when I first visit them, if I have the time. I've appeared at many art shows in and around Dallas throughout the years, but had never found the right spot from which to shoot the city skyline. That is, until a trip to the city in April, 2019. Although the bike and walking paths along the Trinity River, just southwest of downtown don't really feel like the safest place to be wandering around at night with a bunch of expensive-looking camera gear, I decided giving this shot a try was probably safer than being a war photographer. With this (silly) logic, I found several great ways to shoot the Dallas skyline, and I have to admit, it is much prettier than I'd imagined it would be. Truly one of the better city skylines in the country! Dallas, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dallas_through_the_margaret_mcdermott_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Dallas-through-the-Margaret-McDermott-Bridge_3to2_90x60.jpg Dallas through the Margaret McDermott Bridge Starting in 2018, I decided to shoot cities when I first visit them, if I have the time. I've appeared at many art shows in and around Dallas throughout the years, but had never found the right spot from which to shoot the city skyline. That is, until a trip to the city in April, 2019. Although the bike and walking paths along the Trinity River, just southwest of downtown don't really feel like the safest place to be wandering around at night with a bunch of expensive-looking camera gear, I decided giving this shot a try was probably safer than being a war photographer. With this (silly) logic, I found several great ways to shoot the Dallas skyline, and I have to admit, it is much prettier than I'd imagined it would be. I think this shot, with the focus on the Margaret McDermott Bridge, is quite an original view of the city! Dallas, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dallas_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Dallas-Panorama_3to1_144x48.jpg Dallas Panorama Starting in 2018, I decided to shoot cities when I first visit them, if I have the time. I've appeared at many art shows in and around Dallas throughout the years, but had never found the right spot from which to shoot the city skyline. That is, until a trip to the city in April, 2019. Although the bike and walking paths along the Trinity River, just southwest of downtown don't really feel like the safest place to be wandering around at night with a bunch of expensive-looking camera gear, I decided giving this shot a try was probably safer than being a war photographer. With this (silly) logic, I found several great ways to shoot the Dallas skyline, and I have to admit, it is much prettier than I'd imagined it would be. Truly one of the better city skylines in the country! Dallas, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dallas_from_the_edgefield_avenue_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Dallas-from-the-Edgefield-Avenue-Bridge_2to1_72x36.jpg Dallas from the Edgefield Avenue Bridge Starting in 2018, I decided to shoot cities when I first visit them, if I have the time. I've appeared at many art shows in and around Dallas throughout the years, but had never found the right spot from which to shoot the city skyline. That is, until a trip to the city in April, 2019. After shooting the city from the paths along the Trinity River, I went to the Edgefield Avenue Bridge, where it spans Interstate 30 to capture this shot. Using head- and taillights of the vehicles on the Interstate, below, I was able to create nice leading lines that allow one's eyes to wander into the most interesting part of the photo - the skyline of Dallas, itself. In my opinion, Dallas truly has one of the best city skylines in the country! Dallas, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dallas_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Dallas-at-Sunset_3to1_144x48.jpg Dallas at Sunset Starting in 2018, I decided to shoot cities when I first visit them, if I have the time. I've appeared at many art shows in and around Dallas throughout the years, but had never found the right spot from which to shoot the city skyline. That is, until a trip to the city in April, 2019. Although the bike and walking paths along the Trinity River, just southwest of downtown don't really feel like the safest place to be wandering around at night with a bunch of expensive-looking camera gear, I decided giving this shot a try was probably safer than being a war photographer. With this (silly) logic, I found several great ways to shoot the Dallas skyline, and I have to admit, it is much prettier than I'd imagined it would be. Truly one of the better city skylines in the country! Dallas, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cow_eyes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Cow-Eyes_3to2_60x40.jpg Cow Eyes I often find myself in Texas in the spring, and during a good year for bluebonnets - the State Flower - Texas Hill country briefly becomes a place of spectacular beauty, with fields of blue, red, yellow, and green stretching as far as the eye can see. 2019 was a good year, and with a bit of patience, I found quite a few good spots to view and photograph fields of these iconic flowers. I was also lucky enough to come upon this calf grazing in one such field. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chapel_at_mission_san_jose/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Chapel-at-Mission-San-Jose_4to5_30x40.jpg Chapel at Mission San Jose Mission San Jose, in San Antonio, Texas, is a historic Catholic Mission that was founded in 1720. It's architecture is typical of missions of this time and location, and though today it is primarily a tourist attraction, it still functions as an active parish. In 2015, it was designated a World Heritage Site (along with The Alamo), by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cattle_among_bluebonnets/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Cattle-among-Bluebonnets_5to4_50x40.jpg Cattle among Bluebonnets I often find myself in Texas in the spring, and during a good year for bluebonnets - the State Flower - Texas Hill country briefly becomes a place of spectacular beauty, with fields of blue, red, yellow, and green stretching as far as the eye can see. 2019 was a good year, and with a bit of patience, I found quite a few good spots to view and photograph fields of these iconic flowers. I was also lucky enough to come upon these cows grazing in one such field. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/casa_grande_peak/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Casa-Grande-Peak_3to2_45x30.jpg Casa Grande Peak Casa Grande Peak, in the Chisos Moutain Range of southwest Texas' Big Bend National Park looks, from below, to be the highest point in the area. At 7,325 feet above sea level, though, it is 500 feet lower than Emory Peak, which provides great vistas of the area but isn't as pretty to look at as Casa Grande. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bluebonnets_aplenty/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Bluebonnets-Aplenty_3to2_45x30.jpg Bluebonnets Aplenty As of 2017, I have yet to find a huge field entirely filled with bluebonnets. I did, however, spot this small but dense field of these beautiful and iconic flowers while driving through Texas Hill Country at the end of March, 2017. Near Fredricksburg, Hill Country, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bluebonnet_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Bluebonnet-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Bluebonnet Panorama Entire fields in Texas erupt into blue, purple and red masterpieces in late March and early April, as the bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush come into bloom. Here's one of the more dense fields of these flowers I saw while traveling through, in 2017. Near Ennis, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bluebonnet_and_indian_paintbrush_field/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Bluebonnet-and-Indian-Paintbrush-Field_2to1_60x30.jpg Bluebonnet and Indian Paintbrush Field 2017 wasn't a spectacular year for bluebonnets in Texas, but there were fields scattered throughout the state that had prolific bluebonnets, as well as Indian paintbrushes. This was taken at one such field, outside Brenham, Texas. Near Brenham, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blue_and_yellow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Blue-and-Yellow_3to2_72x48.jpg Blue and Yellow I often find myself in Texas in the spring, and during a good year for bluebonnets - the State Flower - Texas Hill country briefly becomes a place of spectacular beauty, with fields of blue, red, yellow, and green stretching as far as the eye can see. 2019 was a good year, and with a bit of patience, I found quite a few good spots to view and photograph fields of these iconic flowers. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_throated_sparrow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Black-Throated-Sparrow_5to4_30x24.jpg Black-Throated Sparrow Davis Mountains State Park is a fairly high-elevation (5,000-6,000 feet) park in West Texas. There are several miles of hiking trails in this desert park, but the highlight of my visit here, on Halloween, 2015, was the "best little bird blind in Texas," which provided an enclosed viewing station, shielded outside patio, and watering and feeding stations that attracted an impressive variety of birds, such as this black throated sparrow. Small birds like this are fairly difficult to photograph because of their size and speed, but the blind at Davis Mountains State Park made it easy! Davis Mountains State Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/austin_2019/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Austin-2019_5to2_120x48.jpg Austin, 2019 Starting in 2018, I decided to shoot cities when I first visit them, if I have the time. I appeared at an art show in Austin in the spring of 2019, and promptly shot this iconic shot of downtown Austin, reflected on the Colorado River. Prior to visiting, I had no idea the skyline of Austin was so beautiful. It certainly didn't disappoint! Austin, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arch_wall_at_mission_san_jose/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Arch-Wall-at-Mission-San-Jose_3to2_45x30.jpg Arch Wall at Mission San Jose Mission San Jose, located in San Antonio, Texas, is a fairly large compound founded in 1720. The architecture is beautiful, and in 2015, Mission San Jose, along with The Alamo and Mission Concepcion, were named World Heritage Sites. I couldn't have asked for more photographically beautiful weather than I had during my visit in late 2015. Mission San Jose, San Antonio, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/abandoned_building_in_big_bend/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_Abandoned-Building-in-Big-Bend_3to2_45x30.jpg Abandoned Building in Big Bend Try as I might, I was unable to find the name of this building, or any information about it, even though I was able to find it on Google Maps. The drive to Santa Elena Canyon, in Big Bend National Park, goes right by this building, but it is situated on top of a hill, and it is difficult to see. It was dumb luck that allowed me to spot it. I think the thing that makes this picture, for me, is the butte in the background, seen through the "window" of this abandoned building. Big Bend National Park, Texas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_couple_flowers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Texas_A-Couple-Flowers_3to2_60x40.jpg A Couple Flowers I often find myself in Texas in the spring, and during a good year for bluebonnets - the State Flower - Texas Hill country briefly becomes a place of spectacular beauty, with fields of blue, red, yellow, and green stretching as far as the eye can see. 2019 was a good year, and with a bit of patience, I found quite a few good spots to view and photograph fields of these iconic flowers. Texas Hill Country https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wolf_spider/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Wolf-Spider_3to2_36x24.jpg Wolf Spider Reaching up to two inches in size, wolf spiders are one of the more frightening looking spiders in the United States, and while they are poisonous, they're also not aggressive, so one doesn't really need to worry about being bitten unless you are doing something silly - like deliberately provoking one. They live all over, and I frequently find them at night, which is when they do most of their hunting. If you walk around with a headlamp or flashlight, you may see little gem-like reflections on the ground. Upon closer inspection, you may find a wolf spider. The reflection is from their oversized eyes. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/thyme_leaved_bluets/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Thyme-leaved-Bluets_3to2_45x30.jpg Thyme-leaved Bluets The landscape photography I do typically takes place at sunrise and sunset. Mid-day light isn't usually any good for creating dramatic scenes, but I do like to shoot wildlife and flowers in the middle of the day. I shot these thyme-leaved bluets in early summer, in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/spruce_flats_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Spruce-Flats-Falls_2to3_30x45.jpg Spruce Flats Falls The trail to Spruce Flats Falls is not one of the more popular hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park - in fact, it isn't even shown on the official park map. I was only made aware of it because I knew some people from the area who recommended the trail to me. The hike itself is moderate, and not terribly long, but well worth it. I saw the Falls in the autumn, after many leaves had fallen from the trees - those visible on the ground, but while many more leaves remained green, and on the branches of trees in the area. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/smoky_mountains/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Smoky-Mountains_2to3_30x45.jpg Smoky Mountains Any guesses how Great Smoky Mountains National Park got its name? This picture offers some context. To the best of my knowledge, there were no wildfires burning anywhere nearby when I took this photo in the summer of 2016, but the ever-present haze in the area makes the mountains fade beautifully away into the distance. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pink_primroses/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Pink-Primroses_3to2_45x30.jpg Pink Primroses The landscape photography I do typically takes place at sunrise and sunset. Mid-day light isn't usually any good for creating dramatic scenes, but I do like to shoot wildlife and flowers in the middle of the day. I shot these pink primroses in early summer, in Tennessee's Cherokee National Forest. Cherokee National Forest, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nashville_2019/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Nashville-2019_3to2_72x48.jpg Nashville, 2019 Based on the brief time I spent in Nashville, I can tell it is a fun city. I was passing through Tennessee in late April, 2019, and decided I should get some photos of the Nashville skyline. Little did I know, the 2019 NFL Draft was taking place at the same time. This made parking, and finding crowd-free areas from which to photograph a bit of a challenge, but I persisted, and spent an hour or two shooting the city from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Although the clouds on this evening looked fairly apocalyptic, it didn't rain a drop, and made for a fascinating sky as a backdrop to a beautiful city, made all the better by the lighting and festivities associated with the Draft. Nashville, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nashville_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Nashville-at-Night_5to2_150x60.jpg Nashville at Night Based on the brief time I spent in Nashville, I can tell it is a fun city. I was passing through Tennessee in late April, 2019, and decided I should get some photos of the Nashville skyline. Little did I know, the 2019 NFL Draft was taking place at the same time. This made parking, and finding crowd-free areas from which to photograph a bit of a challenge, but I persisted, and spent an hour or two shooting the city from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. After the sun set, the lights and festivities turned up a notch, and made the difficulties of shooting on such a busy night totally pay off. Nashville, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nashville_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Nashville-at-Dusk_2to1_120x60.jpg Nashville at Dusk Based on the brief time I spent in Nashville, I can tell it is a fun city. I was passing through Tennessee in late April, 2019, and decided I should get some photos of the Nashville skyline. Little did I know, the 2019 NFL Draft was taking place at the same time. This made parking, and finding crowd-free areas from which to photograph a bit of a challenge, but I persisted, and spent an hour or two shooting the city from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Although the clouds on this evening looked fairly apocalyptic, it didn't rain a drop, and made for a fascinating sky as a backdrop to a beautiful city, made all the better by the lighting and festivities associated with the Draft. Nashville, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/middle_prong_little_river/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Middle-Prong-Little-River_3to2_72x48.jpg Middle Prong Little River In the spring of 2016, I was traveling around the country, attending art shows. One weekend, I had a show in Florida, and the following weekend, I had a show in Detroit. This gave me several days to drive the roughly 1,000 miles I needed to cover, so with a day to spare, I decided to spend it in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. One day didn't provide adequate time to do everything I wanted to do, but it did allow me to take this picture of the beautiful Middle Prong Little River, in the heart of the Tennessee-side of the National Park. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/memphis_2019/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Memphis-2019_3to2_72x48.jpg Memphis, 2019 Although as of late 2019 I haven't yet spent any appreciable time in Memphis, Tennessee, I did find myself passing through in the spring of 2019, and used it as an opportunity to take some photos of the city skyline. I took this photo at dusk, from Beale Street Landing, on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. Memphis, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/memphis_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Memphis-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Memphis Panorama Although as of late 2019 I haven't yet spent any appreciable time in Memphis, Tennessee, I did find myself passing through in the spring of 2019, and used it as an opportunity to take some photos of the city skyline. I took this photo at dusk, from Beale Street Landing, on the banks of the mighty Mississippi. Memphis, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/memphis_and_the_mississippi/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tennessee_Memphis-and-the-Mississippi_3to1_144x48.jpg Memphis and the Mississippi Although as of late 2019 I haven't yet spent any appreciable time in Memphis, Tennessee, I did find myself passing through in the spring of 2019, and used it as an opportunity to take some photos of the city skyline. I took this photo after dark, from the Big River Crossing, the longest pedestrian and biking bridge over the Mississippi River, parallel to Interstate 55 where it crosses from Memphis to West Memphis. Memphis, Tennessee https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tons_of_turtles/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Tons-of-Turtles_3to2_36x24.jpg Tons of Turtles Many species of sea turtle are at serious risk of extinction. The Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond was established at the northern end of Zanzibar to try to protect these beautiful creatures to the greatest extent possible. The organization cleans beaches, rescues turtles, helps baby turtles reach the water, and educates fishermen in the area about safe fishing practices to avoid killing turtles. When I visited the Pond in July, 2015, there were dozens of sea turtles swimming through the beautiful, clear waters, and generally having a good time. Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond, Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/three_giraffes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Three-Giraffes_5to4_30x24.jpg Three Giraffes I must have seen a hundred or more giraffes during my safaris in Tanzania. I saw these guys from quite a distance, and loved the composition of the family walking along the shores of Lake Manyara, where a flock of flamingos was feeding. Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/superb_starling/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Superb-Starling_5to4_30x24.jpg Superb Starling The starlings in Colorado are pure black, and not particularly interesting to look at. Tanzania's superb starlings, on the other hand, are simply stunning. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_zanzibar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Sunset-at-Zanzibar_2to3_30x45.jpg Sunset at Zanzibar Many residents of the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar make their living from the sea. Consequently, you see boats of all different sizes and types all around the island. Small fishing boats like the one shown here, at sunset, are probably the most common. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stone_town_windows/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Stone-Town-Windows_5to4_40x30.jpg Stone Town Windows Stone Town's 19th Century architecture was inspired by Swahili culture, but also prominent are aspects of Arab, Persian, Indian, and European culture. The simple layout of this white building with purple and green windows caught my eye. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/red_colobus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Red-Colobus_4to5_30x40.jpg Red Colobus The Zanzibar red colobus is an endangered monkey native to the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar. They live in social groups of 30 to 50 individuals, and are fun to observe. I spent a few hours watching the well-protected colony of the Ngezi Forest on one of my last days in Africa, in 2015. Jozani Forest, Zanzibar, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pacing_lioness/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Pacing-Lioness_3to2_45x30.jpg Pacing Lioness A lioness pacing across the savanna of Tanzania's Ngorongoro Crater. Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/materuni_waterfall/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Materuni-Waterfall_2to3_30x45.jpg Materuni Waterfall When I think of Africa, my mind immediately goes to lions, elephants, and other large animals, and I typically envision the landscape as endless plains. But there is a lot more to Africa than large animals and savannas. This photo was taken in the mountains of Tanzania, and is only one of many beautiful types of landscape in this enormous continent. Materuni Waterfalls, near Moshi, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/line_of_zebras/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Line-of-Zebras_3to2_45x30.jpg Line of Zebras Although I took several photos of larger groups of zebras while in Tanzania, I liked the simplicity of this picture of four zebras in a single-file line. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kite_surfing_in_zanzibar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Kite-Surfing-in-Zanzibar_3to2_36x24.jpg Kite Surfing in Zanzibar There's no shortage of fun things to do on Zanzibar. Case in point - this guy kite surfing. Zanzibar, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/king_of_the_jungle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_King-of-the-Jungle_5to4_30x24.jpg King of the Jungle Most of the lions that I saw while on safari in Africa were in groups. This guy, however, was on his own, perched high up on a solitary rock in the middle of the Serengeti. He almost appeared to be some kind of royalty, looking down on his kingdom from above. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/impala_in_flowers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Impala-in-Flowers_1to1_24x24.jpg Impala in Flowers There are a lot of ungulates (hooved animals) in Africa, but the impala is, with the obvious exception of the giraffe, the most famous. The horns on these animals are spectacular. Tarangire National Park, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/four_boats_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Four-Boats-at-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Four Boats at Sunset Four small boats off Zanzibar's northern coast. Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/flamingo_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Flamingo-Reflection_5to4_30x24.jpg Flamingo Reflection I wasn't in Africa at the right time of year to see the famous colonies of flamingos that can number over a million in a single location, and turn entire landscapes pink. I did manage to see more than a few, though, such as this guy, whose nearly perfect reflection really makes this photo. Lake Manyara National Park, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/elephants_in_the_serengeti/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Elephants-in-the-Serengeti_3to2_36x24.jpg Elephants in the Serengeti It takes a large, open savanna in order to make an African Elephant look small, but that's exactly what the wide-open plains of the Serengeti do. I saw elephants on their own, and in groups of what must have been 20 or more. This particular group consisted of only seven individuals. Serengeti National Park, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chameleon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Chameleon_3to2_36x24.jpg Chameleon I would have walked right past this master of disguise if my guide hadn't pointed him out to me. He remained perfectly still as I photographed him on my way to a waterfall. But on my hike back, he was long gone. Near Moshi, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cape_buffalo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_Cape-Buffalo_5to4_40x30.jpg Cape Buffalo Although cape (or African) buffalo just kind of look like big, wild cows, they're arguably much more interesting creatures. Sometimes weighing over 2000 pounds, they are reported to kill more hunters than any other African animal - sometimes even ambushing hunters that have wounded them in the past. Ngorongoro Crater, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_breath_of_fresh_air/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_A-Breath-of-Fresh-Air_3to2_36x24.jpg A Breath of Fresh Air One of the dozens of sea turtles protected by northern Zanzibar's Mnarani Marine Turtle Conservation Pond. Mnarani Marine Turtles Conservation Pond, Nungwi, Zanzibar, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/1941/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Tanzania_1941_2to3_30x45.jpg 1941 The capitol of Zanzibar is Zanzibar City, and its historic center is Stone Town. Full of beautiful architecture dating back to the 19th century, the town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. The doorway shown in this photo is similar to many of the doorways in this beautiful city. Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_eye_and_cherry_blossoms/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_White-Eye-and-Cherry-Blossoms_4to5_20x24.jpg White Eye and Cherry Blossoms A chestnut-flanked white eye enjoying the spring weather and getting his fill of nectar from a cherry blossom in Jeju, South Korea. Halla Arboretum, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/udo_island_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Udo-Island-Sunrise_4to5_30x40.jpg Udo Island Sunrise Udo is a small islet off the northeast coast of South Korea's Jeju Island. Although it occupies only 5.9 square kilometers (2.3 square miles), it is one of Jeju's most-visited spots, getting roughly one million visitors a year. Here we see the first rays of morning sun glancing off the volcanic rocks and cliffs that make up a great deal of the island. Udo Island, off the coast of Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_necklace/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_The-Necklace_3to2_45x30.jpg The Necklace A lot of Buddhist statues. There were several hundred, maybe a thousand, each measuring a foot or two tall, surrounding a large, seated Buddha statue. I really like how the necklace catches the viewer's eye. Gwaneumsa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_tulips/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Sunset-Tulips_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunset Tulips There is a relatively small tulip festival held each spring at Halim Park, on the island of Jeju, South Korea. Here we see a number of beautiful orange and yellow tulips illuminated by the setting sun. Hallim Park, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/star_trail_buddha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Star-Trail-Buddha_5to4_40x30.jpg Star-trail Buddha Gwaneumsa Temple, on the Korean island of Jeju, is neither particularly large, nor famous. It is, however, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful temples on the island. Here we see an impressive statue of a meditating Buddha, with several star trails visible in the clear, night sky. Gwaneumsa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stadium_of_statues/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Stadium-of-Statues_3to2_45x30.jpg Stadium of Statues More than a hundred of roughly one thousand small (roughly two feet tall) Buddhist statues that surround a large, golden Buddha, not visible in this shot. The moon- and starlight used to illuminate this shot provide a nice, neutral color scheme. Gwaneumsa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/springtime_tulip/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Springtime-Tulip_3to2_45x30.jpg Springtime Tulip Hallim Park is a great place to see flowers, trees, and pretty much any other kind of vegetation that grows naturally (or not) on South Korea's Jeju island. When I visited in mid-March, there were fields of tulips planted, but probably only something like 10% of them had yet opened up. Here's one that had. Hallim Park, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sleepy_blue_and_yellow_macaw/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Sleepy-Blue-and-yellow-Macaw_4to5_30x40.jpg Sleepy Blue-and-yellow Macaw A sleepy blue-and-yellow macaw. Hallim Park, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/purple_and_yellow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Purple-and-Yellow_5to4_20x16.jpg Purple and Yellow One more shot of a chestnut-flanked white eye. This time, we see him resting on a collection of berries. I watched him try to eat a few of them, but he was never quite successful, as he either dropped them, or never was completely able to remove them from the bush. Judging by the size of the berries, this might have been a good thing - it sure looks like he'd choke on one if he were able to actually get it in his beak. Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pollinated_fly/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Pollinated-Fly_5to4_20x16.jpg Pollinated Fly One of my best insect shots. Check out the flecks of pollen on the fly's body, and the compound eyes. Hallim Park, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/meditating_buddha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Meditating-Buddha_2to3_30x45.jpg Meditating Buddha Gwaneumsa Temple, on the Korean island of Jeju, is neither particularly large, nor famous. It is, however, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful temples on the island. I've taken many photos of this particular statue of Buddha, and ended up quite happy with this non-traditional angle. Gwaneumsa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mantis_and_flowers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Mantis-and-Flowers_4to5_24x30.jpg Mantis and Flowers A fairly large praying mantis I found on a pot of yellow flowers right outside my apartment in Jeju, South Korea. Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/glowing_buddha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Glowing-Buddha_1to1_30x30.jpg Glowing Buddha A well-lit, meditating Buddha statue at Gwaneumsa Temple, in Jeju, South Korea. The statues shown in the preceding photograph, "Stadium of Statues," surround this sculpture. Gwaneumsa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/geungnaksa_temple/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Geungnaksa-Temple_3to2_45x30.jpg Geungnaksa Temple The interior of Geungnaksa Temple, on South Korea's Jeju Island. This temple is much like any other Buddhist temple in the area. Geungnaksa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dual_cherry_blossoms/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Dual-Cherry-Blossoms_3to2_36x24.jpg Dual Cherry Blossoms Not many cherry blossoms had yet bloomed on Jeju island by mid-March, 2015. But there sere several trees that seemed to have lofty ambitions of turning pink and white ahead of schedule, and I got this shot on one such tree, found outside Gengnaksa Temple. Geungnaksa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dewey_camellia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Dewey-Camellia_5to4_30x24.jpg Dewey Camellia Spring in South Korea, as with many places, is a time of rebirth. After months of cold and snow, new life finally begins to reappear. Here, a dew-covered camellia spreads its petals, filling the air with the scent of a new season. Jeju National University, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/daylilies/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Daylilies_3to2_36x24.jpg Daylilies Daylilies are native to China, Korea, and Japan, and are commonly found growing along country roads on the Korean island of Jeju. A given flower will only bloom for only a single day, but a given stem typically has the capability to produce several flowers over subsequent days. I shot these daylilies, which were two among hundreds, along side a country road as I took a summer drive. Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cherry_blossoms_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Cherry-Blossoms-at-Night_3to2_45x30.jpg Cherry Blossoms at Night The last weeks of March and the first weeks of April are times of celebration in Korea. The trees begin to sprout new leaves and flowers, and the cherry blossoms are prolific at this time. Cherry-blossom festivals are held around the country, and whole mountainsides go from gray to white and pink over the course of a few days. Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cheonjiyeon_falls_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Cheonjiyeon-Falls-at-Night_2to1_80x40.jpg Cheonjiyeon Falls at Night Cheonjiyeon Falls is an incredibly popular tourist hotspot on the Korean island of Jeju. At night, the falls are illuminated by an orange light, which explains the otherwise inexplicable glow of the falling water. Cheonjiyeon Falls, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/changing_colors/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Changing-Colors_2to3_24x36.jpg Changing Colors A maple tree letting us know that winter is rapidly approaching. Yeongsil Valley, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cabbage/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Cabbage_5to4_30x24.jpg Cabbage A motorcycle ride with friends in mid-March, 2015, took us to Geungnaksa Temple on South Korea's island of Jeju. The monks that reside at the temple take wonderful care of the grounds, and the gardens there are quite nice. In addition to flowers, there were numerous potted cabbages growing here. Some were white, some were this more otherworldly shade of pink. Geungnaksa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bulbul_and_cherry_blossoms/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Bulbul-and-Cherry-Blossoms_2to3_20x30.jpg Bulbul and Cherry Blossoms The cherry blossoms bloom from late March to early April each year in Korea. Here we see a brown-eared bulbul eating its fill of nectar on a beautiful, spring day. Halla Arboretum, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/buddhas_birthday_lanterns/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Buddhas-Birthday-Lanterns_3to2_45x30.jpg Buddha's Birthday Lanterns Buddha's Birthday was always one of my favorite holidays while I lived in South Korea. I was an English teacher, so any excuse for a day off was always welcome, but I also loved to visit the Buddhist temples in the region, which would go all out decorating for this occasion. Traditional lanterns, like those shown here, would be put up and lit up at night. Bomunsa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/buddhas_birthday_2014_at_yakcheonsa_temple/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Buddhas-Birthday-2014-at-Yakcheonsa-Temple_3to2_45x30.jpg Buddha's Birthday 2014 at Yakcheonsa Temple A corridor made of paper lanterns leading to Yakcheonsa Temple, illuminated to celebrate Buddha's birthday. Yakcheonsa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/buddhas_birthday_2014_at_geungnaksa_temple/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Buddhas-Birthday-2014-at-Geungnaksa-Temple_3to1_144x48.jpg Buddha's Birthday 2014 at Geungnaksa Temple The entire courtyard of Geungnaksa Temple, on the South Korean island of Jeju, was decorated with a huge number of paper lanterns that were illuminated after dark in order to celebrate Buddha's birthday. Geungnaksa Temple, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beautiful_mandarin/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Korea_Beautiful-Mandarin_5to4_24x20.jpg Beautiful Mandarin Some mandarin ducks, like the one here, migrate to the South Korean island of Jeju each winter. Mandarin ducks are quite rare, and among the most beautiful and recognizable ducks on the planet. Hallim Park, Jeju Island, South Korea https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellow_mounds_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Yellow-Mounds-Sunrise_5to2_120x48.jpg Yellow Mounds Sunrise I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. I was extraordinarily lucky to have such perfect conditions at sunrise, when I was photographed the Yellow Mounds area of Badlands. Direct, horizontal sunlight plus clouds above always makes for great landscape lighting. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/where_the_buffalo_roam/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Where-the-Buffalo-Roam_3to2_72x48.jpg Where the Buffalo Roam South Dakota's Custer State Park is an idyllic mountain park that is home to some 1,500 bison. This scene is a great representation of the park, complete with forested, green mountains, and a group of bison, both young and old. Custer State Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/washington/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Washington_2to3_24x36.jpg Washington A different view of Mt. Rushmore. Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/solitary_pronghorn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Solitary-Pronghorn_5to4_30x24.jpg Solitary Pronghorn Pronghorn, often cited as the world's second fastest land animal, are in no short supply in South Dakota. Here is a lone pronghorn grazing in the fields of Custer State Park. Custer State Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sdmg_south_dakota_morning_glory/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_SDMG-South-Dakota-Morning-Glory_3to2_60x40.jpg SDMG (South Dakota Morning Glory) I don't often go out looking for flowers to photograph, but I occasionally come across some while I have my macro lens and flash handy, and if the flower is pretty enough and the lighting good, I'll sometimes spend the time to get some macro photos. The use of a macro lens allowed me to make this flower look much larger than it actually is. This is a morning glory, and it was probably about the same size as a quarter. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rainbow_palette/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Rainbow-Palette_5to2_150x60.jpg Rainbow Palette I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. I was extraordinarily lucky to have such perfect conditions at sunrise, when I was photographed the Yellow Mounds area of Badlands. Direct, horizontal sunlight plus clouds above always makes for great landscape lighting. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pronghorn_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Pronghorn-at-Sunset_5to4_30x24.jpg Pronghorn at Sunset Pronghorn, often cited as the world's second fastest land animal, are in no short supply in South Dakota. Here is a lone pronghorn grazing in the fields of Custer State Park at sunset. Custer State Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Mama_5to4_75x60.jpg Mama South Dakota's Custer State Park is an idyllic mountain park that is home to some 1,500 bison. When I visited the park in the summer of 2020, I was lucky enough to find a herd of bison grazing on the roadside grasses, and they weren't at all shy, thus allowing me to capture some fairly close-up shots of these majestic creatures. Custer State Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/home_on_the_range-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Home-on-the-Range_3to2_45x30.jpg Home on the Range I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. The sky was so overcast with clouds during sunset, that I almost gave up. Fortunately, I stuck around and was gifted about 2-3 minutes of direct light, just as the sun moved below the horizon. I was fortunate to have a view of some rolling hills and a small group of bison. I don't know why, but when I saw this image, the song "Home on the Range" came immediately to mind. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/heaven_or_hell/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Heaven-or-Hell_3to2_72x48.jpg Heaven or Hell? I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. I had spectacular lighting at sunrise, but such lighting only lasts for a brief time. I took this photo during the last few minutes of sunrise while the horizontal rays of light still saturated the surrounding landscapes in shocking shades of orange and pink. I think this photo does a great job of encapsulating the beauty of America's 38th National Park. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dawn_at_the_yellow_mounds/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Dawn-at-the-Yellow-Mounds_3to1_180x60.jpg Dawn at the Yellow Mounds I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. I was extraordinarily lucky to have such perfect conditions at sunrise, when I was photographed the Yellow Mounds area of Badlands. Direct, horizontal sunlight plus clouds above always makes for great landscape lighting. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bison_at_custer_state_park_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Bison-at-Custer-State-Park-2_3to2_36x24.jpg Bison at Custer State Park 2 Approximately twenty to thirty million bison used to roam the North American countryside, but today, although they are not in any danger of immediate extinction, they number only half a million. About 1,300 of these animals live in South Dakota's Custer State Park, which I visited in the summer of 2012, en route to Badlands National Park, just to the east. Here we see a mother and baby bison wandering the prairie. Custer State Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/badlands/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Badlands_2to1_80x40.jpg Badlands I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. I had spectacular lighting at sunrise, but such lighting only lasts for a brief time. I took this photo maybe an hour after sunrise, but the quality (if not the direction) of the light looks as though I took it midday. I think this photo does a great job of encapsulating the beauty of America's 38th National Park. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/badlands_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Badlands-Sunrise_3to2_90x60.jpg Badlands Sunrise I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. I was extraordinarily lucky to have such perfect conditions at sunrise, when I was photographed the Yellow Mounds area of Badlands. Direct, horizontal sunlight plus clouds above always makes for great landscape lighting. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/badlands_loop/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Badlands-Loop_5to2_120x48.jpg Badlands Loop I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. I was extraordinarily lucky to have such perfect conditions at sunrise, when I was photographed the Yellow Mounds area of Badlands. Direct, horizontal sunlight plus clouds above always makes for great landscape lighting. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/badlands_dawn_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Badlands-Dawn-Panorama_5to2_105x42.jpg Badlands Dawn Panorama Badlands National Park, in southwest South Dakota, is otherworldly. Occupying close to 400 square miles, it is filled with fascinating, sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires, and also boasts the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. It is home to many animals, including the black-footed ferret, the most endangered land mammal in North America. I took this photo minutes after sunrise, with the day's first rays of light coming in over my shoulder and illuminating the higher buttes in a warm, vibrant light. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/badlands_bluebird/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Badlands-Bluebird_3to2_45x30.jpg Badlands Bluebird Just prior to visiting Badlands National Park, I'd spent a few days a hundred or so miles away in Custer State Park. While camping there, I saw a few of these mountain bluebirds, but wasn't able to get any decent shots of them. The vegetation and whatnot of Badlands is so different from Custer that I would never have imagined I'd see more of these beautiful birds at both locations, but as this photo proves, they can be found there, too! Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baby_buff/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Baby-Buff_3to2_90x60.jpg Baby Buff South Dakota's Custer State Park is an idyllic mountain park that is home to some 1,500 bison. When I visited the park in the summer of 2020, I was lucky enough to find a herd of bison grazing on the roadside grasses, and they weren't at all shy, thus allowing me to capture some fairly close-up shots of these majestic creatures. Custer State Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baby_bighorns/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Baby-Bighorns_5to4_50x40.jpg Baby Bighorns I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. Badlands is most famous for its beautiful eroded buttes and pinnacles, but there's also a lot of wildlife to be found there. I came across a large group of bighorn sheep while visiting the area, and the babies all seemed to enjoy spending time together, as shown here. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/all_the_colors/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_All-the-Colors_3to1_144x48.jpg All the Colors I spent less than 24 hours in South Dakota's Badlands National Park during the summer of 2020. This allowed me one sunset and one sunrise for photography. I was extraordinarily lucky to have such perfect conditions at sunrise, when I was photographed the Yellow Mounds area of Badlands. Direct, horizontal sunlight plus clouds above always makes for great landscape lighting. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/afternoon_in_the_badlands/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Dakota_Afternoon-in-the-Badlands_4to1_144x36.jpg Afternoon in the Badlands Badlands National Park, in southwest South Dakota, is otherworldly. Occupying close to 400 square miles, it is filled with fascinating, sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles, and spires, and also boasts the largest undisturbed mixed grass prairie in the United States. It is home to many animals, including the black-footed ferret, the most endangered land mammal in North America. I took this photo while here in the summer of 2012. Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hilton_head_live_oak/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Carolina_Hilton-Head-Live-Oak_3to2_90x60.jpg Hilton Head Live Oak I visited a friend in the spring of 2021 and failed to get the single photograph I had in mind (the iconic lighthouse), but I did play around a bit, and got what I consider to be a nice, peaceful photograph of the sun setting behind a live oak tree. Hilton Head Island, South Carolina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/middle_saluda_river/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Carolina_Middle-Saluda-River_3to2_72x48.jpg Middle Saluda River Jones Gap State Park is a small park in South Carolina, very close to the border with North Carolina. The elevation of the park ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 feet, and has more than 30 miles of hiking trails. I visited the park in the summer of 2018 when I was passing through the area, and the beautiful rivers and waterfalls are definitely worth a visit. Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/jones_gap_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_South-Carolina_Jones-Gap-Falls_4to5_60x75.jpg Jones Gap Falls Jones Gap State Park is a small park in South Carolina, very close to the border with North Carolina. The elevation of the park ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 feet, and has more than 30 miles of hiking trails. I visited the park in the summer of 2018 when I was passing through the area, and the beautiful rivers and waterfalls are definitely worth a visit. Jones Gap State Park, South Carolina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/golden_monkey/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Rwanda_Golden-Monkey_2to3_48x72.jpg Golden Monkey Living in the volcanic regions of central Africa in social groups of up to 30 individuals, golden monkeys are a treat to photograph. I shot this guy (and many others) in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda. They are habituated to people visiting them there, so if you see them there, you should be able to get quite close, and they won't pay you any attention. Unfortunately, due to the destruction of and the recent wars that have taken place in their habitat, they're now considered endangered. Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/providences_pedesrian_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Rhode-Island_Providences-Pedestrian-Bridge_2to1_120x60.jpg Providence's Pedesrian Bridge I've only visited Rhode Island once, and it was for the single purpose of photographing the Providence city skyline. This unfortunately means I don't really have much to say about either the state or the city. But I will say that the city skyline is actually very pretty, and it is at least in part due to the Providence River that flows directly through town. Cities are almost always more photogenic when a river can be included in the foreground, and this certainly held true for Providence. Providence, Rhode Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/providence_2021/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Rhode-Island_Providence-2021_5to2_150x60.jpg Providence, 2021 I've only visited Rhode Island once, and it was for the single purpose of photographing the Providence city skyline. This unfortunately means I don't really have much to say about either the state or the city. But I will say that the city skyline is actually very pretty, and it is at least in part due to the Providence River that flows directly through town. Cities are almost always more photogenic when a river can be included in the foreground, and this certainly held true for Providence. Providence, Rhode Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/providence_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Rhode-Island_Providence-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Providence Panorama I've only visited Rhode Island once, and it was for the single purpose of photographing the Providence city skyline. This unfortunately means I don't really have much to say about either the state or the city. But I will say that the city skyline is actually very pretty, and it is at least in part due to the Providence River that flows directly through town. Cities are almost always more photogenic when a river can be included in the foreground, and this certainly held true for Providence. Providence, Rhode Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/providence_from_point_street/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Rhode-Island_Providence-from-Point-Street_3to2_72x48.jpg Providence from Point Street I've only visited Rhode Island once, and it was for the single purpose of photographing the Providence city skyline. This unfortunately means I don't really have much to say about either the state or the city. But I will say that the city skyline is actually very pretty, and it is at least in part due to the Providence River that flows directly through town. Cities are almost always more photogenic when a river can be included in the foreground, and this certainly held true for Providence. Providence, Rhode Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellow_electrico/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Yellow-Electrico_2to3_60x90.jpg Yellow Electrico Lisbon is a beautiful city that also happens to have some unique ways of getting around, including this yellow 'electrico.' Well-known and loved by tourists and locals alike, electricos are still used to get around the sometimes steep and often narrow streets of this historic city. Lisbon, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ursa_beach_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Ursa-Beach-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Ursa Beach Panorama Ursa Beach, in the touristy municipality of Sintra, just northwest of Lisbon, was my first beach experience in Portugal. Like many of Portugal's beaches, it was very difficult to get to - or it would have been, if I'd bothered to do so. I took this photo from above, and watched a few other people struggle down a long, steep, fairly dangerous looking path and decided that I'd gotten the photos I was looking for, and I could hold off going to a beach until I found one that was more accessible. Ursa Beach, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ursa_beach_close_up/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Ursa-Beach-Close-Up_3to2_90x60.jpg Ursa Beach Close Up Ursa Beach, in the touristy municipality of Sintra, just northwest of Lisbon, was my first beach experience in Portugal. Like many of Portugal's beaches, it was very difficult to get to - or it would have been, if I'd bothered to do so. I took this photo from above, and watched a few other people struggle down a long, steep, fairly dangerous looking path and decided that I'd gotten the photos I was looking for, and I could hold off going to a beach until I found one that was more accessible. Ursa Beach, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_praia_dona_ana/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Sunrise-at-Praia-Dona-Ana_3to2_90x60.jpg Sunrise at Praia Dona Ana Praia Dona Ana might be the most famous beach outside of Lagos, Portugal. It is often quite crowded, both from above and on the beach below, but I took this photo at sunrise, before it had gotten too crowded. I also took it from a less popular viewpoint in order to make it appear a bit emptier than it may actually have been. There are so many beaches in southern Portugal that look very similar to Praia Dona Ana - orange cliffs above small, isolated beaches - that it is difficult to tell one from another. near Praia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_albandeira_arch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Sunrise-at-Albandeira-Arch_2to1_120x60.jpg Sunrise at Albandeira Arch Albandeira Beach is one of so many small beaches in southwestern Portugal that it is impossible to keep track of all of them. One thing that makes this beach stand out - a bit anyway - is the beautiful Albandeira Arch shown here. I arrived in the area a while before sunrise, at so-called blue hour. I actually hung out here for a bit of time this morning, taking photos again shortly after sunrise, getting this photo, and from above, with my drone. Albandeira Beach, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sintra/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Sintra_5to4_75x60.jpg Sintra Sintra is a municipality just northwest of Lisbon, Portugal. Its natural beauty and abundance of historic sites makes it one of the most visited places in Portugal. The castle shown here, Palacio da Pena, or Pena Palace, is probably the most famous thing in Sintra. Like so many European sites, the history of the Palace is long, with it initially being a small monastery, then, after lightning damage, and earthquakes, and transfers of ownership, etc., the current Palace was constructed between 1842 and 1854. Today, it is a museum, open to the public, and classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. This is all well and good, but it is also frustratingly hard to photograph! It is on top of a mountain, but surrounded by a fairly dense forest, so getting a view of the entire Palace is nearly impossible. I'm not going to share the secret of how I got this shot, but I will share that it was difficult. National Palace of Pena, Sintra, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sao_vicente_lighthouse/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Sao-Vicente-Lighthouse_3to2_90x60.jpg Sao Vicente Lighthouse Sao Vicente Lighthouse, like so many historic places in Europe, has been built, destroyed, and rebuilt throughout history. The first lighthouse here was constructed in 1520, but it wasn't until 1908 that the current version was completed. At that time, it was one of the ten most powerful lighthouses in the world. Although lighthouses are arguably not as important today as in the past, it still puts off light to protect the traditional "land's end" of Europe, and one of the busiest shipping lanes on Earth. Sao Vicente Lighthouse, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/quinta_do_tedo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Quinta-do-Tedo_5to2_150x60.jpg Quinta do Tedo I loved the time I spent in Portugal, in September, 2023. As much as I enjoyed it, though, I know I would have liked it even more if I were a wine enthusiast. Northern Portugal is known for its wine production, in particular ports. The Douro valley, which lies just east of the city of Porto is filled with small villages and hilly landscapes filled with wineries. Quinta do Tedo is just one of hundreds of wineries in the region, but it's location, with a peaceful river flowing through, made it especially picturesque. Quinta do Tedo winery, Douro Valley, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/praia_marinha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Praia-Marinha_5to4_40x30.jpg Praia Marinha Another shot of Praia Marinha, this time taken with my drone. It is fairly interesting to look at a few photos I took of this location from the ground, and from the drone, looking in different directions. Praia Marinha, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/praia_marinha_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Praia-Marinha-Panorama_5to2_120x48.jpg Praia Marinha Panorama Praia Marinha, in Southern Portugal, looks so similar to many of the beaches in the area that I have a hard time telling one apart from the next. The double arch, near the middle of this photo, makes recognizing it a bit easier. I took this photo shortly before sunrise. The pre-dawn glow is illuminating some of the cliff walls, but this is still technically blue hour - no direct light yet. Don't worry, with a location this beautiful, I made sure to shoot it with the first rays of light hitting it, too, less than an hour later. Praia Marinha, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/praia_marinha_from_above/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Praia-Marinha-from-Above_5to4_40x30.jpg Praia Marinha from Above I bought a drone near the end of 2021, but didn't get much use out of it for a few years. Portugal's beaches made a perfect excuse to change this. I took this photo of Praia Marinha, near Lagos, early in the morning. It is so interesting to see how different the area looks from above versus seeing it from the ground. Both beautiful in their own way, but these drone shots really give one a different idea of how the whole area looks. Praia Marinha, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/praia_dos_tres_castelos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Praia-dos-Tres-Castelos_3to2_45x30.jpg Praia dos Tres Castelos Another drone shot of yet another beautiful Portuguese beach. The yellow cliffs, blue and turquoise waters, and sandy beaches makes for some spectacular aerial shots. Praia dos Tres Castelos, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/praia_dona_ana/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Praia-Dona-Ana_5to2_150x60.jpg Praia Dona Ana Praia Dona Ana might be the most famous beach outside of Lagos, Portugal. This popularity is, of course, a double-edged sword. Most days, even at sunrise, it is difficult (maybe impossible) to get a nice photo without lots of people in the frame. I visited on a rainy morning, and had the place almost entirely to myself. Great for photography, not necessarily so great for enjoying the moment. Oh well, I gave myself plenty of other chances for a return, with better weather. Praia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/praia_de_miramar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Praia-de-Miramar_2to3_60x90.jpg Praia de Miramar Praia de Miramar is an upscale, but laid-back beach neighborhood just south of Porto. It is most famous for the beach, and the chapel called "Senhor da Pedra" (Lord of the Rock), shown here. Praia de Miramar, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/praia_das_azenhas_do_mar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Praia-das-Azenhas-do-Mar_3to2_90x60.jpg Praia das Azenhas do Mar Azenhas do Mar is one of many pretty little towns in the Portuguese municipality of Sintra. It's only 20 miles away from Lisbon (though it felt much further on the 2-lane, narrow, windy roads), and it is probably most famous for this view. Praia das Azenhas do Mar, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/praia_da_costa_nova/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Praia-da-Costa-Nova_3to2_72x48.jpg Praia da Costa Nova Costa Nova do Prado is a cute little village about one hour south of Porto. There are regulations regarding buildings in some parts of town that require them to have a particular look. I don't know the exact regulations, but most of the buildings here are white with either blue, yellow, green, red, or some other color stripes, and if I'm remembering correctly, sometimes they are vertical, and sometimes horizontal. I took many pictures of many such houses, but I thought this pair, with blue and yellow stripes, looked particularly good. Praia da Costa Nova, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/portugals_national_pantheons_ceiling/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Portugals-National-Pantheons-Ceiling_3to2_90x60.jpg Portugal's National Pantheon's Ceiling The construction of Portugal's National Pantheon took place between 1682 and 1712, but wasn't actually finished until the 20th Century. Originally a Church (the Church of Santa Engacia), it has since been converted into Portugal's National Pantheon, in which important Portuguese personalities are buried. Whether one is religious or not, it is impossible to step into a building like this and not be wow'd by the beauty. I took this photo looking straight up, into the cupola. National Pantheon, Lisbon, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/portugals_national_pantheon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Portugals-National-Pantheon_3to2_90x60.jpg Portugal's National Pantheon The construction of Portugal's National Pantheon took place between 1682 and 1712, but wasn't actually finished until the 20th Century. Originally a Church (the Church of Santa Engacia), it has since been converted into Portugal's National Pantheon, in which important Portuguese personalities are buried. Whether one is religious or not, it is impossible to step into a building like this and not be wow'd by the beauty. National Pantheon, Lisbon, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/porto_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Porto-Sunset_2to1_120x60.jpg Porto Sunset I'm generally not a big fan of cities. I'd usually rather be out in nature. Maybe that's changing, though, as I grow older, and I'm increasingly happy to spend time in cities - particularly overseas - like the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal. The Douro River splits the city in two, and many of the touristy and cultural things to see and do in the area tend to lie along the river. Here's a sunset shot of the city, with the famous Luis I Bridge in the foreground. Any guesses who designed the bridge? Does it remind you of any other famous European locations? It was designed by Theophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel - the designer of the Eiffel Tower. See the similarities? Porto, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/porto_pirates/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Porto-Pirates_3to2_90x60.jpg Porto Pirates I'm generally not a big fan of cities. I'd usually rather be out in nature. Maybe that's changing, though, as I grow older, and I'm increasingly happy to spend time in cities - particularly overseas - like the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal. The Douro River splits the city in two, and many of the touristy and cultural things to see and do in the area tend to lie along the river. I didn't go on a riverboat tour, but if I had, you can be sure it would have been on this mini pirate ship. Porto, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/porto_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Porto-Dusk_5to2_150x60.jpg Porto Dusk I'm generally not a big fan of cities. I'd usually rather be out in nature. Maybe that's changing, though, as I grow older, and I'm increasingly happy to spend time in cities - particularly overseas - like the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal. The Douro River splits the city in two, and many of the touristy and cultural things to see and do in the area tend to lie along the river. Here's a photo I took of the city, shortly after sunset, with the famous Luis I Bridge in the foreground. Any guesses who designed the bridge? Does it remind you of any other famous European locations? It was designed by Theophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustave Eiffel - the designer of the Eiffel Tower. See the similarities? Porto, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/porto_cruz/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Porto-Cruz_5to2_150x60.jpg Porto Cruz I'm generally not a big fan of cities. I'd usually rather be out in nature. Maybe that's changing, though, as I grow older, and I'm increasingly happy to spend time in cities - particularly overseas - like the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal. The Douro River splits the city in two, and many of the touristy and cultural things to see and do in the area tend to lie along the river. Here's a nice view of the Cais da Ribeira, a riverfront promenade along the Douro just downstream of the famous Luis I Bridge. A perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon. Porto, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/porto_cathedral/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Porto-Cathedral_2to3_48x72.jpg Porto Cathedral Porto, Portugal is filled with beautiful, historic sites, buildings, etc. One of the most famous tourist spots in the city is the aptly named Porto Cathedral, construction of which began in the second half of the 12th century, although work wasn't completed until the 16th century. Historians or people with specific interests in the Cathedral may find reasons to disagree with me on this, but I honestly found the exterior of the Cathedral to be rather boring. Stepping inside, however, my opinion did a 180 as soon as I saw the azueljo (Portuguese and Spanish painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework) murals lining the halls of one of the cathedral's many gothic cloisters. Just a bit further in brought me to the main chapel, which was, as seen here, just as spectacular. Porto Cathedral, Porto, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ponta_da_piedade_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Ponta-da-Piedade-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Ponta da Piedade Panorama Ponta da Piedade is the tip of the small peninsula upon which the cute Portuguese town of Lagos is built. Maybe not the best beaches for lying around, reading a book, and enjoying a cocktail, but simply beautiful from above. The staircase on the left takes one down to "The Grotto," an area frequently visited by kayakers, and able to be viewed elsewhere in my Portugal album. near Praia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/obidos_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Obidos-Sunrise_2to1_120x60.jpg Óbidos Sunrise Obidos … where do I begin? My two week trip to Portugal in September 2023 started in Lisbon. After Lisbon and Sintra, my next stop was meant to be Porto, a 4ish hour drive north, but I didn't want to do the full drive without stopping somewhere for the night, so I booked a hotel in Obidos, because it looked right about where I wanted to stop en route. I had no idea that I would be staying in a literal castle! I love it when poor planning results in awesome surprises. I took this photo from the western castle walls, looking to the east, over the homes, shops, hotels, etc. located inside Obidos Castle walls, just as the sun rose. I could not have asked for better conditions. This is one of my favorite photos from 2023. Obidos Castle, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/obidos_sunrise_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Obidos-Sunrise-Wide_5to2_150x60.jpg Óbidos Sunrise Wide Obidos … where do I begin? My two week trip to Portugal in September 2023 started in Lisbon. After Lisbon and Sintra, my next stop was meant to be Porto, a 4ish hour drive north, but I didn't want to do the full drive without stopping somewhere for the night, so I booked a hotel in Obidos, because it looked right about where I wanted to stop en route. I had no idea that I would be staying in a literal castle! I love it when poor planning results in awesome surprises. I took this photo from the western castle walls, looking to the east, over the homes, shops, hotels, etc. located inside Obidos Castle walls, just as the sun rose. I could not have asked for better conditions. This is one of my favorite photos from 2023. Obidos Castle, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/obidos_sunrise_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Obidos-Sunrise-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Óbidos Sunrise Panorama Obidos … where do I begin? My two week trip to Portugal in September 2023 started in Lisbon. After Lisbon and Sintra, my next stop was meant to be Porto, a 4ish hour drive north, but I didn't want to do the full drive without stopping somewhere for the night, so I booked a hotel in Obidos, because it looked right about where I wanted to stop en route. I had no idea that I would be staying in a literal castle! I love it when poor planning results in awesome surprises. I took this photo from the western castle walls, looking to the east, over the homes, shops, hotels, etc. located inside Obidos Castle walls, just as the sun rose. I could not have asked for better conditions. This is one of my favorite photos from 2023. Obidos Castle, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/obidos_alleyway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Obidos-Alleyway_2to3_60x90.jpg Óbidos Alleyway Obidos … where do I begin? My two week trip to Portugal in September 2023 started in Lisbon. After Lisbon and Sintra, my next stop was meant to be Porto, a 4ish hour drive north, but I didn't want to do the full drive without stopping somewhere for the night, so I booked a hotel in Obidos, because it looked right about where I wanted to stop en route. I had no idea that I would be staying in a literal castle! I love it when poor planning results in awesome surprises. This is one of the alleyways inside the castle walls. Obidos Castle, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/magoito_beach_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Magoito-Beach-Sunset_3to2_90x60.jpg Magoito Beach Sunset Magoito Beach is a big, beautiful beach in Sintra, Portugal, that is surprisingly not as touristy as I thought it would be, given how easy it is to get to, and how big and pretty it is. I guess when there are hundreds (thousands?) of similar beaches all along the coast, the crowds can spread out a bit. This was a very pretty beach, that seemed geared towards locals, but it was nice for those who wanted to just lounge around on the beach, and for surfers alike. Magoito Beach, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lisbon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Lisbon_3to1_180x60.jpg Lisbon Lisbon, with a population of roughly half a million people, is the capital city of Portugal. One of the oldest cities in the world (and the second-oldest European capital city, after Athens), it became the capital of Portugal in 1255. Although I only had a few days in Lisbon, I fell in love with the city. "Downtown," shown here, has countless historic sites, and narrow, cobblestone streets. Taking a bus or train just 15 minutes away will take one to a seemingly different world, with cute surfing villages, or modern architecture. I often try to avoid big cities in my travels, as I tend to focus on nature photography, but Lisbon was well worth the time I spent there! Lisbon, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lisbon_close_up/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Lisbon-Close-Up_3to2_90x60.jpg Lisbon Close Up Lisbon, with a population of roughly half a million people, is the capital city of Portugal. One of the oldest cities in the world (and the second-oldest European capital city, after Athens), it became the capital of Portugal in 1255. Although I only had a few days in Lisbon, I fell in love with the city. "Downtown," shown here, has countless historic sites, and narrow, cobblestone streets. Taking a bus or train just 15 minutes away will take one to a seemingly different world, with cute surfing villages, or modern architecture. I often try to avoid big cities in my travels, as I tend to focus on nature photography, but Lisbon was well worth the time I spent there! Lisbon, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lisbon_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Lisbon-at-Dusk_3to1_180x60.jpg Lisbon at Dusk Lisbon, with a population of roughly half a million people, is the capital city of Portugal. One of the oldest cities in the world (and the second-oldest European capital city, after Athens), it became the capital of Portugal in 1255. Although I only had a few days in Lisbon, I fell in love with the city. "Downtown," shown here, has countless historic sites, and narrow, cobblestone streets. Taking a bus or train just 15 minutes away will take one to a seemingly different world, with cute surfing villages, or modern architecture. I often try to avoid big cities in my travels, as I tend to focus on nature photography, but Lisbon was well worth the time I spent there! Lisbon, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lagos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Lagos_3to2_45x30.jpg Lagos I bought a drone near the end of 2021, but didn't get much use out of it for a few years. Portugal's beaches made a perfect excuse to change this. I took this photo of Ponta da Piedade (in the foreground) and Lagos in the back. It is so interesting to see how different the area looks from above versus seeing it from the ground. Both beautiful in their own way, but these drone shots really give one a different idea of how the whole area looks. near Praia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lagos_grotto/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Lagos-Grotto_3to2_90x60.jpg Lagos Grotto The Lagos Grotto is a semi-secluded bay that is perfect to visit in a kayak or small boat. I took this photo fairly early in the morning, before any kayaks arrived, but when I shot it from above a short while later, the tourists had shown up in droves. Actually, though, some boats in the frame really made the drone shots even better! near Praia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lagos_grotto_from_above/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Lagos-Grotto-from-Above_5to4_40x30.jpg Lagos Grotto from Above I bought a drone near the end of 2021, but didn't get much use out of it for a few years. Portugal's beaches made a perfect excuse to change this. I took this photo of "the grotto" just outside of Lagos, Portugal. I'd actually photographed the same location from ground level an hour or two earlier, before any boats had shown up. I usually like to avoid people and man-made stuff in my photos, but I absolutely love the brightly colored kayaks, as well as the small (and not-so small) boats in the shot that give one a sense of scale. near Praia Dona Ana, Lagos, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/foggy_morning_at_obidos_castle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Foggy-Morning-at-Obidos-Castle_5to2_150x60.jpg Foggy Morning at Óbidos Castle Obidos … where do I begin? My two week trip to Portugal in September 2023 started in Lisbon. After Lisbon and Sintra, my next stop was meant to be Porto, a 4ish hour drive north, but I didn't want to do the full drive without stopping somewhere for the night, so I booked a hotel in Obidos, because it looked right about where I wanted to stop en route. I had no idea that I would be staying in a literal castle! I love it when poor planning results in awesome surprises. I took this photo from the castle walls, looking in on the city, shortly before sunrise - I brightened it up. Obidos Castle, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/first_light_at_praia_marinha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_First-Light-at-Praia-Marinha_2to1_120x60.jpg First Light at Praia Marinha Praia Marinha, in Southern Portugal, looks so similar to many of the beaches in the area that I have a hard time telling one apart from the next. The double arch, near the middle of this photo, makes recognizing it a bit easier. I took this photo just after sunrise, when the horizontal light turned the yellow cliffs a beautifully saturated orange. Praia Marinha, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ferragudo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Ferragudo_3to2_90x60.jpg Ferragudo Southern Portugal has some absolutely spectacular beaches and cute seaside villages, like Ferragudo, shown here. With a population of about 2000, it used to be a fishing village, but the rise in tourism in the area has changed it to cater towards visitors, both domestic and international. What a beautiful place to spend a lazy afternoon! Portimao Panoramic Point, Ferragudo, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ferragudo_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Ferragudo-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Ferragudo Panorama Southern Portugal has some absolutely spectacular beaches and cute seaside villages, like Ferragudo, shown here. With a population of about 2000, it used to be a fishing village, but the rise in tourism in the area has changed it to cater towards visitors, both domestic and international. What a beautiful place to spend a lazy afternoon! Portimao Panoramic Point, Ferragudo, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/douro_valley_afternoon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Douro-Valley-Afternoon_5to2_150x60.jpg Douro Valley Afternoon I loved the time I spent in Portugal, in September, 2023. As much as I enjoyed it, though, I know I would have liked it even more if I were a wine enthusiast. Northern Portugal is known for its wine production, in particular ports. The Douro valley, which lies just east of the city of Porto is filled with small villages and hilly landscapes filled with wineries. Douro Valley, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/double_arch_at_praia_marinha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Double-Arch-at-Praia-Marinha_1to1_60x60.jpg Double Arch at Praia Marinha Yet another shot of the double arch at Praia Marinha, in southern Portugal. Praia Marinha, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dawn_at_albandeira_arch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Dawn-at-Albandeira-Arch_3to2_72x48.jpg Dawn at Albandeira Arch Albandeira Beach is one of so many small beaches in southwestern Portugal that it is impossible to keep track of all of them. One thing that makes this beach stand out - a bit anyway - is the beautiful Albandeira Arch shown here. I took this photo a while before sunrise, at so-called blue hour. I actually hung out here for a bit of time this morning, taking photos again shortly after sunrise, and from above, with my drone. Albandeira Beach, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/carvoeiro/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Carvoeiro_2to1_96x48.jpg Carvoeiro Southern Portugal has some absolutely spectacular beaches and cute seaside villages, like Carvoeira, shown here. Like most of the settlements in the area, it started as a fishing village, and while fishing still plays an important role in the area's economy, it has transitioned to adapt to the needs of the increasing number of tourists. Carvoeiro, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cais_da_ribeira_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Cais-da-Ribeira-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Cais da Ribeira Panorama I'm generally not a big fan of cities. I'd usually rather be out in nature. Maybe that's changing, though, as I grow older, and I'm increasingly happy to spend time in cities - particularly overseas - like the beautiful city of Porto, Portugal. The Douro River splits the city in two, and many of the touristy and cultural things to see and do in the area tend to lie along the river. Here's a nice view of the Cais da Ribeira, a riverfront promenade along the Douro just downstream of the famous Luis I Bridge. A perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon. Porto, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/belem_tower/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Belem-Tower_3to2_90x60.jpg Belem Tower I had intended to photograph Belem Tower, in Lisbon, Portugal, on my first or second day in the country. Unfortunately, weather problems caused me to arrive a day later than I'd intended, so I wasn't able to photograph Belem Tower, shown here, until my last day in the country. I had to cut it a bit close in order to get this photograph at sunset, then make it to the airport in time to catch my flight home, but I somehow pulled it off, and got this awesome photo of the beautiful Belem Tower out of it! Belem Tower, Lisbon, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/belem_tower_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Belem-Tower-Portrait_4to5_60x75.jpg Belem Tower Portrait I had intended to photograph Belem Tower, in Lisbon, Portugal, on my first or second day in the country. Unfortunately, weather problems caused me to arrive a day later than I'd intended, so I wasn't able to photograph Belem Tower, shown here, until my last day in the country. I had to cut it a bit close in order to get this photograph at sunset, then make it to the airport in time to catch my flight home, but I somehow pulled it off, and got this awesome photo of the beautiful Belem Tower out of it! Belem Tower, Lisbon, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/azulejos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Portugal_Azulejos_2to3_60x90.jpg Azulejos Porto, Portugal is filled with beautiful, historic sites, buildings, etc. One of the most famous tourist spots in the city is the aptly named Porto Cathedral, construction of which began in the second half of the 12th century, although work wasn't completed until the 16th century. Historians or people with specific interests in the Cathedral may find reasons to disagree with me on this, but I honestly found the exterior of the Cathedral to be rather boring. Stepping inside, however, my opinion did a 180 as soon as I saw the azueljo (Portuguese and Spanish painted tin-glazed ceramic tilework) murals lining the halls of one of the cathedral's many gothic cloisters. Porto Cathedral, Porto, Portugal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_mountains_of_machu_picchu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_The-Mountains-of-Machu-Picchu_3to2_72x48.jpg The Mountains of Machu Picchu When visiting Peru's iconic Machu Picchu, it is easy to get caught up in the ruins, and completely ignore the surrounding area. Well, the surrounding area is beautiful, too, as made obvious by this photo that shows, more-or-less, what it looks like in every direction from Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/qorikancha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Qorikancha_5to2_150x60.jpg Qorikancha The entire purpose of my February, 2024 visit to Peru was to visit Machu Picchu. In order to get to Machu Picchu, one must first travel to Cusco, a fairly large city (population ~430,000) rich in beauty and history. Considered by some to be the "oldest living city in the Americas," with the first urban structures having been built there approximately 3,000 years ago, I was unable to spend much time to appreciate the city, as I was on a tight schedule. But I did get this nice photo of Qorikancha, the "Golden Temple," which was the most important temple in the Inca Empire, prior to being mostly destroyed after the 16th Century war with the Spanish conquiestadors. Today, it has been largely rebuilt, and now holds the Convent of Santo Domingo above. Qorikancha, Cusco, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machuqolqa_viewpoint/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_MachuQolqa-Viewpoint_5to2_150x60.jpg MachuQolqa Viewpoint Getting to Machu Picchu from Cusco first requires one to take a two-hour shuttle to Ollantaytambo, where a train picks one up and takes them to Aguas Calientes, the tourist village below the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu. Halfway from Cusco to Ollantaytambo, my shuttle stopped at the MachuQolqa Viewpoint, where I was able to get this photo that probably does a pretty good job of showing what life is like in the mid-elevation farming communities that make up so much of Peru. MachuQolqa Viewpoint, above Huayllabamba, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machu_picchu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Machu-Picchu_3to2_90x60.jpg Machu Picchu I visited Machu Picchu with my parents in 2006, just as I was getting into photography, and a full decade before I began pursuing it as a career. I've long since lost the photos I took then, but I don't really mind, because considering my skill as a photographer at that time, I can't have lost much. I returned to Machu Picchu in February, 2024, and spent two days photographing it. On my first day, I climbed Huayna Picchu, the mountain visible behind Machu Picchu, in order to photograph the entire site from above. On my second day, I remained in the main area, and that is where I took this picture. I have three versions of this photo, which is my favorite of all my Machu Picchu photos. This one is the most traditional, but I have one that is a bit wider, and another that is significantly wider. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machu_picchu_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Machu-Picchu-Wide_2to1_120x60.jpg Machu Picchu Wide I visited Machu Picchu with my parents in 2006, just as I was getting into photography, and a full decade before I began pursuing it as a career. I've long since lost the photos I took then, but I don't really mind, because considering my skill as a photographer at that time, I can't have lost much. I returned to Machu Picchu in February, 2024, and spent two days photographing it. On my first day, I climbed Huayna Picchu, the mountain visible behind Machu Picchu, in order to photograph the entire site from above. On my second day, I remained in the main area, and that is where I took this picture. I have three versions of this photo, which is my favorite of all my Machu Picchu photos. This one is twice as wide as it is tall - I have one that is closer to a square, and one that is wider, as well. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machu_picchu_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Machu-Picchu-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Machu Picchu Panorama I visited Machu Picchu with my parents in 2006, just as I was getting into photography, and a full decade before I began pursuing it as a career. I've long since lost the photos I took then, but I don't really mind, because considering my skill as a photographer at that time, I can't have lost much. I returned to Machu Picchu in February, 2024, and spent two days photographing it. On my first day, I climbed Huayna Picchu, the mountain visible behind Machu Picchu, in order to photograph the entire site from above. On my second day, I remained in the main area, and that is where I took this picture. I have three versions of this photo, which is my favorite of all my Machu Picchu photos. This one is the widest of the three. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machu_picchu_main_square/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Machu-Picchu-Main-Square_2to1_80x40.jpg Machu Picchu Main Square I visited Machu Picchu with my parents in 2006, just as I was getting into photography, and a full decade before I began pursuing it as a career. I've long since lost the photos I took then, but I don't really mind, because considering my skill as a photographer at that time, I can't have lost much. I returned to Machu Picchu in February, 2024, and got some much better photos, like this one, which shows, on the left-hand side of the photo, the "main square" of Machu Picchu, as well as Huayna Picchu, the 8,835 foot tall peak that can be climbed from Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machu_picchu_in_perspective/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Machu-Picchu-in-Perspective_5to2_180x72.jpg Machu Picchu in Perspective Most visitors to Peru's incredible Machu Picchu don't spend the time or effort to climb Huayna Picchu, the 8,835 foot high mountain that sits just outside of Machu Picchu proper. The summit of Huayna Picchu can be reached by climbing roughly 2,100 exhausting steps. Doing so allows one to see Machu Picchu from about 850 feet above the main site, in order to get a different "feel" for the site. When you are walking through the ruins of Machu Picchu, it feels huge, but when you view it from above, it becomes apparent that while it is absolutely beautiful, and certainly deserves its spot on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, it isn't really that big. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machu_picchu_from_huayna_picchu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Machu-Picchu-from-Huayna-Picchu_3to2_72x48.jpg Machu Picchu from Huayna Picchu Most visitors to Peru's incredible Machu Picchu don't spend the time or effort to climb Huayna Picchu, the 8,835 foot high mountain that sits just outside of Machu Picchu proper. The summit of Huayna Picchu can be reached by climbing roughly 2,100 exhausting steps. Doing so allows one to see Machu Picchu from about 850 feet above the main site, in order to get a different "feel" for the site. When you are walking through the ruins of Machu Picchu, it feels huge, but when you view it from above, it becomes apparent that while it is absolutely beautiful, and certainly deserves its spot on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, it isn't really that big. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machu_picchu_and_the_old_city_gate/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Machu-Picchu-and-the-Old-City-Gate_2to1_144x72.jpg Machu Picchu and the Old City Gate I visited Machu Picchu with my parents in 2006, just as I was getting into photography, and a full decade before I began pursuing it as a career. I've long since lost the photos I took then, but I don't really mind, because considering my skill as a photographer at that time, I can't have lost much. I returned to Machu Picchu in February, 2024, and spent two days photographing it. On my first day, I climbed Huayna Picchu, the mountain behind Machu Picchu, in order to photograph the entire site from above. On my second day, I remained in the main area, and took this photo from just below the Watchman's Hut, which was exactly what it sounds like. I had to wait a long time to get this photo, because I wanted the Old City Gate (visible at the far left side of this photo) to be clear of people, and this was remarkably difficult to do because everyone visiting this location wanted photos of themselves in the doorway. After waiting maybe an hour or so, I was finally able to get a few seconds where no one was blocking the door, hooray! Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/machu_picchu_and_huayna_picchu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Machu-Picchu-and-Huayna-Picchu_3to2_90x60.jpg Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu I visited Machu Picchu with my parents in 2006, just as I was getting into photography, and a full decade before I began pursuing it as a career. I've long since lost the photos I took then, but I don't really mind, because considering my skill as a photographer at that time, I can't have lost much. I returned to Machu Picchu in February, 2024, and got some much better photos, like this one, which shows a significant portion of these world-famous ruins, and puts some emphasis on Huayna Picchu, the 8,835 foot tall peak that can be climbed from Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/incan_craftsmanship/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Incan-Craftsmanship_3to2_72x48.jpg Incan Craftsmanship This is a closeup of the incredible stonework of Machu Picchu, built by the Inca people in approximately 1450 AD in modern-day Peru. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/huayna_picchu_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_Huayna-Picchu-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Huayna Picchu Portrait Most visitors to Peru's incredible Machu Picchu don't spend the time or effort to climb Huayna Picchu, the 8,835 foot high mountain that sits just outside of Machu Picchu proper. The summit of Huayna Picchu can be reached by climbing roughly 2,100 exhausting steps. Doing so allows one to see Machu Picchu from about 850 feet above the main site, in order to get a different "feel" for the site. When you are walking through the ruins of Machu Picchu, it feels huge, but when you view it from above, it becomes apparent that while it is absolutely beautiful, and certainly deserves its spot on UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites, it isn't really that big. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/from_the_watchmans_hut/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_From-the-Watchmans-Hut_2to1_144x72.jpg From the Watchman's Hut I visited Machu Picchu with my parents in 2006, just as I was getting into photography, and a full decade before I began pursuing it as a career. I've long since lost the photos I took then, but I don't really mind, because considering my skill as a photographer at that time, I can't have lost much. I returned to Machu Picchu in February, 2024, and spent two days photographing it. On my first day, I climbed Huayna Picchu, in order to photograph the entire site from above. On my second day, I remained in the main area, and took this photo from the Watchman's Hut, which was exactly what it sounds like, and provides a great view of the entire ruins. I love the clouds that are partially obscuring Huayna Picchu in this photo. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/first_view_of_machu_picchu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_First-View-of-Machu-Picchu_2to1_144x72.jpg First View of Machu Picchu I visited Machu Picchu with my parents in 2006, just as I was getting into photography, and a full decade before I began pursuing it as a career. I've long since lost the photos I took then, but I don't really mind, because considering my skill as a photographer at that time, I can't have lost much. I returned to Machu Picchu in February, 2024, and got some much better photos, like this one, which shows the entirety of these world-famous ruins, including Huayna Picchu, the 8,835 foot tall peak that can be climbed from Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/all_of_machu_picchu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_All-of-Machu-Picchu_2to1_144x72.jpg All of Machu Picchu Machu Picchu is, in some ways, a challenging place to take photos. The grounds are fairly large, and there are not many locations from which one can take a photo of the entire site. Shooting from the terraces at the southeast, like I did here, allows one to capture most of the architecture as well as a significant portion of the terraces that were used for agriculture. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/all_of_machu_picchu_and_more/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Peru_All-of-Machu-Picchu-and-More_5to2_180x72.jpg All of Machu Picchu and More Machu Picchu is, in some ways, a challenging place to take photos. The grounds are fairly large, and there are not many locations from which one can take a photo of the entire site. Shooting from the terraces at the southeast, like I did here, allows one to capture most of the architecture as well as a significant portion of the terraces that were used for agriculture. Machu Picchu, Peru https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_pittsburgher/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_The-Pittsburgher_2to3_48x72.jpg The Pittsburgher I went on a quick trip to a lot of America's bigger cities in the Northeast and the Midwest in the fall of 2018, and one of the cities I was fortunate enough to visit was Pittsburgh. I'd never been there before, and, after a bit of research, decided to shoot the city from the Grandview Overlook, to the south of downtown. The view was extraordinary - I had no idea Pittsburgh was so beautiful! The surrounding mountains seem to have lead to a fairly dense downtown, as can be seen here. Grandview Overlook, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_oval/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_The-Oval_2to3_48x72.jpg The Oval I went on a quick trip to a lot of America's bigger cities in the Northeast and the Midwest in the fall of 2018, and one of the cities I was fortunate enough to visit was Philadelphia. I'd heard no visit to the city would be complete without stopping at the Art Museum Steps (where Rocky went on his famous run), and the view it provided of downtown and "The Oval," complete with the statue of George Washington. It certainly lived up to the hype! Philadelphia Museum of Art Steps, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_density_of_pittsburgh/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_The-Density-of-Pittsburgh_3to2_72x48.jpg The Density of Pittsburgh I went on a quick trip to a lot of America's bigger cities in the Northeast and the Midwest in the fall of 2018, and one of the cities I was fortunate enough to visit was Pittsburgh. I'd never been there before, and, after a bit of research, decided to shoot the city from the Grandview Overlook, to the south of downtown. The view was extraordinary - I had no idea Pittsburgh was so beautiful! The surrounding mountains seem to have lead to a fairly dense downtown, as can be seen here. Grandview Overlook, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pittsburgh_ultrawide_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_Pittsburgh-Ultrawide-2018_4to1_240x60.jpg Pittsburgh Ultrawide 2018 I went on a quick trip to a lot of America's bigger cities in the Northeast and the Midwest in the fall of 2018, and one of the cities I was fortunate enough to visit was Pittsburgh. I'd never been there before, and, after a bit of research, decided to shoot the city from the Grandview Overlook, to the south of downtown. The view was extraordinary - I had no idea Pittsburgh was so beautiful! The multitude of bridges crossing the Allegheny River really add to the beauty. Grandview Overlook, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pittsburgh_panorama_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_Pittsburgh-Panorama-2018_2to1_72x36.jpg Pittsburgh Panorama 2018 I went on a quick trip to a lot of America's bigger cities in the Northeast and the Midwest in the fall of 2018, and one of the cities I was fortunate enough to visit was Pittsburgh. I'd never been there before, and, after a bit of research, decided to shoot the city from the Grandview Overlook, to the south of downtown. The view was extraordinary - I had no idea Pittsburgh was so beautiful! The multitude of bridges crossing the Allegheny River really add to the beauty. Grandview Overlook, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pittsburgh_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_Pittsburgh-2018_3to2_72x48.jpg Pittsburgh 2018 I went on a quick trip to a lot of America's bigger cities in the Northeast and the Midwest in the fall of 2018, and one of the cities I was fortunate enough to visit was Pittsburgh. I'd never been there before, and, after a bit of research, decided to shoot the city from the Grandview Overlook, to the south of downtown. The view was extraordinary - I had no idea Pittsburgh was so beautiful! Grandview Overlook, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/philadelphia_panorama_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_Philadelphia-Panorama-2018_2to1_120x60.jpg Philadelphia Panorama 2018 I went on a quick trip to a lot of America's bigger cities in the Northeast and the Midwest in the fall of 2018, and one of the cities I was fortunate enough to visit was Philadelphia. The first location I went to shoot the city was from the South Street Bridge, over the Schuylkill River. The city lights reflecting off the placid waters made for quite the composition! South Street Bridge, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pennsylvania_farm/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_Pennsylvania-Farm_5to2_150x60.jpg Pennsylvania Farm I'm from Colorado, and there is no shortage of farms in my home state, but farms in the Midwest are much greener, which, at least in my opinion, makes them generally more pleasing to the eye. This photo was taken just off Interstate 76, in southwest Pennsylvania, and, as beautiful as this farm is, it is one of countless in the region that have the same feel. Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_different_view_of_philadelphia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Pennsylvania_A-Different-View-of-Philadelphia_3to2_90x60.jpg A Different View of Philadelphia I went on a quick trip to a lot of America's bigger cities in the Northeast and the Midwest in the fall of 2018, and one of the cities I was fortunate enough to visit was Philadelphia. After shooting the city skyline from the South Street Bridge, I decided I would like to see downtown from another direction, so I moved over to the Spring Garden Street Bridge, to the northwest of town, and got this snot. Another nice one, complete with the I-676 bridge and the Schuylkill River. Spring Garden Street Bridge, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vidae_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Vidae-Falls_2to3_40x60.jpg Vidae Falls Crater Lake National Park is most well-known, obviously, for the namesake lake. But there's more to this park than just the lake - take Vidae Falls, shown here, for instance. Look closely at the top of this photo to see some rays of light coming through the trees. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tumalo_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Tumalo-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Tumalo Falls I'd seen photos of Tumalo Falls when doing some quick research in regards to spots I wanted to visit during my July, 2018 visit to the Pacific Northwest, but seeing it in person was even better! And the walk to the viewpoint from which I took this photo was probably less than five minutes from where I parked! Tumalo Falls, Deschutes National Forest, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tumalo_falls_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Tumalo-Falls-2_2to3_48x72.jpg Tumalo Falls 2 I'd seen photos of Tumalo Falls when doing some quick research in regards to spots I wanted to visit during my July, 2018 visit to the Pacific Northwest, but seeing it in person was even better! And the walk to the viewpoint from which I took this photo was probably less than five minutes from where I parked! Tumalo Falls, Deschutes National Forest, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_phantom_ship/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_The-Phantom-Ship_3to2_60x40.jpg The Phantom Ship One of my first stops on my July, 2018 photo trip to the Pacific Northwest was Oregon's spectacular Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake, at just under 2,000 feet deep at its deepest point, is the deepest lake in the United States, and the ninth-deepest in the world. The blues of the water in Crater Lake are unbelievable. This tiny island that rises from the depths of Crater Lake is called the Phantom Ship. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sweet_creek_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Sweet-Creek-Panorama_3to1_144x48.jpg Sweet Creek Panorama Sweet Creek Falls, itself, near Eugene, Oregon, is a small waterfall - more like a cascade, really. What turned out to be a nice surprise is that the hike to Sweet Creek Falls went along the shore of Sweet Creek, and there were many opportunities for photographs of other small cascades, and similarly peaceful scenes. Although I photographed Sweet Creek Falls, all my favorite photos from the hike were unnamed cascades I shot along the way, such as this one. Sweet Creek, Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sweet_creek_cascade/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Sweet-Creek-Cascade_3to2_72x48.jpg Sweet Creek Cascade Sweet Creek Falls, itself, near Eugene, Oregon, is a small waterfall - more like a cascade, really. What turned out to be a nice surprise is that the hike to Sweet Creek Falls went along the shore of Sweet Creek, and there were many opportunities for photographs of other small cascades, and similarly peaceful scenes. Although I photographed Sweet Creek Falls, all my favorite photos from the hike were unnamed cascades I shot along the way, such as this one. Sweet Creek, Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_perpetua_marine_garden/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Sunset-at-Perpetua-Marine-Garden_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunset at Perpetua Marine Garden There is no shortage of spectacular spots along the Oregon Coast to photograph the sunset, but my July, 2018 trip to the Pacific Northwest only netted me one great sunset while on the Oregon Coast. I spent it at Perpetua Marine Garden, near the famous Thor's Well. Cape Perpetua Marine Garden, central Oregon coast https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_perpetua_marine_garden_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Sunset-at-Perpetua-Marine-Garden-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg Sunset at Perpetua Marine Garden Portrait There is no shortage of spectacular spots along the Oregon Coast to photograph the sunset, but my July, 2018 trip to the Pacific Northwest only netted me one great sunset while on the Oregon Coast. I spent it at Perpetua Marine Garden, near the famous Thor's Well. Cape Perpetua Marine Garden, central Oregon coast https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_perpetua_marine_garden_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Sunset-at-Perpetua-Marine-Garden-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunset at Perpetua Marine Garden 2 There is no shortage of spectacular spots along the Oregon Coast to photograph the sunset, but my July, 2018 trip to the Pacific Northwest only netted me one great sunset while on the Oregon Coast. I spent it at Perpetua Marine Garden, near the famous Thor's Well. Cape Perpetua Marine Garden, central Oregon coast https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_the_alvord_desert/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Sunrise-at-the-Alvord-Desert_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunrise at the Alvord Desert My first stop during my 2018 trip to the Pacific Northwest was at the Alvord Desert, one of the most desolate places I've ever visited. It is at places like this where land speed vehicles are tested, because of how endless and flat the area is. Beautiful in a unique way. Alvord Desert, SE Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_coquille_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Sunrise-at-Coquille-Point_3to1_144x48.jpg Sunrise at Coquille Point One of the general things I was most looking forward to during my July, 2018 whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest was the rocky Oregon Coast. This photo, taken from Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, showcases what much of the Pacific Ocean looks like just off the coast of Oregon. Although the set of rocky cliffs sticking out into the Ocean shown in this photo is massive, it doesn't have a name that I was able to find. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/starvation_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Starvation-Creek-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Starvation Creek Falls The Columbia River Gorge, just east of Portland on the Oregon / Washington border, is beautiful, and contains more waterfalls than I can count. Unfortunately, a great deal of the Gorge burned down during the summer of 2017. I visited in 2018, and a great deal of waterfalls and hiking trails in the area remained closed at the time of my visit. Even so, there were tons of waterfalls one was still able to visit, including Starvation Creek Falls, shown here. Starvation Creek Falls, Wygant State Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/south_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_South-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg South Falls Silver Falls State Park, roughly an hour south of Portland, Oregon, is a very popular spot for families to picnic and enjoy nature. It was a madhouse when I visited on July 5, 2018, but the crowds didn't keep me from enjoying myself. There are dozens of waterfalls in the park, but possibly the most beautiful one is Silver Falls - conveniently the first one encountered when going on any of the loop hikes through the park. Silver Falls State Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rocks_along_indian_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Rocks-along-Indian-Beach_3to2_72x48.jpg Rocks along Indian Beach Indian Beach, in Ecola State Park, on Oregon's northern coast, was one of my favorite of Oregon's countless beaches. This may have had something to do with the fact that I arrived just as the sun was setting, so many of the families that had spent the day here were packing up, or had already left, at the time of my arrival. The combination of a nice sandy beach, with numerous rocky features just off the shore, and pine-covered hills descending directly into the Pacific Ocean was common all along Oregon's coast. Ecola State Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/proxy_falls_closeup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Proxy-Falls-Closeup_4to5_30x40.jpg Proxy Falls Closeup Oregon seems to have a bit of everything. Vast tracts of empty desert, spectacular, rocky beaches, mountains, and more waterfalls than one could ever hope to count. This particular waterfall is called Proxy Falls, and can be found in Willamette National Forest, roughly halfway between Bend and Eugene. Proxy Falls, Willamette National Forest, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pools_at_sweet_creek/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Pools-at-Sweet-Creek_3to2_60x40.jpg Pools at Sweet Creek Sweet Creek Falls, itself, near Eugene, Oregon, is a small waterfall - more like a cascade, really. What turned out to be a nice surprise is that the hike to Sweet Creek Falls went along the shore of Sweet Creek, and there were many opportunities for photographs of other small cascades, and similarly peaceful scenes. Although I photographed Sweet Creek Falls, all my favorite photos from the hike were unnamed cascades I shot along the way, such as this one. Sweet Creek, Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountains_surrounding_crater_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Mountains-Surrounding-Crater-Lake_4to5_48x60.jpg Mountains surrounding Crater Lake Shortly after photographing Crater Lake, itself, at sunset, I turned around and saw this wonderful view of some of the mountains just a few miles from Crater Lake. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/midday_at_the_alvord_desert/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Midday-at-the-Alvord-Desert_3to2_72x48.jpg Midday at the Alvord Desert My first stop during my 2018 trip to the Pacific Northwest was at the Alvord Desert, one of the most desolate places I've ever visited. It is at places like this where land speed vehicles are tested, because of how endless and flat the area is. Beautiful in a unique way. Alvord Desert, SE Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/indian_beach_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Indian-Beach-Sunset_3to1_144x48.jpg Indian Beach Sunset Indian Beach, in Ecola State Park, on Oregon's northern coast, was one of my favorite of Oregon's countless beaches. This may have had something to do with the fact that I arrived just as the sun was setting, so many of the families that had spent the day here were packing up, or had already left, at the time of my arrival. The combination of a nice sandy beach, with numerous rocky features just off the shore, and pine-covered hills descending directly into the Pacific Ocean was common all along Oregon's coast. Ecola State Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/indian_beach_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Indian-Beach-Dusk_3to2_45x30.jpg Indian Beach Dusk Indian Beach, in Ecola State Park, on Oregon's northern coast, was one of my favorite of Oregon's countless beaches. This may have had something to do with the fact that I arrived just as the sun was setting, so many of the families that had spent the day here were packing up, or had already left, at the time of my arrival. The combination of a nice sandy beach, with numerous rocky features just off the shore, and pine-covered hills descending directly into the Pacific Ocean was common all along Oregon's coast. Ecola State Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hug_point_shore/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Hug-Point-Shore_3to2_72x48.jpg Hug Point Shore Hug Point, on Oregon's northern coast, is a great spot that isn't as popular or crowded as many of the other beaches in the area. The scenery is similar, though, and with a bit of scouting, one can find nice spots to capture images like this one. Hug Point State Recreation Site, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hug_point_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Hug-Point-Reflection_3to2_72x48.jpg Hug Point Reflection One of the most famous beaches in Oregon is Cannon Beach, but depending on the time of year one visits, it can be an absolute madhouse. Such was the case when I visited in July, 2018. Fortunately, I discovered a lesser-known park called Hug Point, which has a similar, if smaller, landmark to that for which Cannon Beach is known. I had to be careful with the timing of this photo in order to capture the reflection of the seastack shown here. Hug Point State Recreation Site, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/harris_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Harris-Beach_2to1_72x36.jpg Harris Beach One of the general things I was most looking forward to during my July, 2018 whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest was the rocky Oregon Coast. This photo, taken from Harris Beach, showcases what much of the Pacific Ocean looks like just off the coast of Oregon. Harris Beach State Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_face_rock/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Dusk-at-Face-Rock_3to2_72x48.jpg Dusk at Face Rock One of the general things I was most looking forward to during my July, 2018 whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest was the rocky Oregon Coast. This photo, taken from Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, showcases what much of the Pacific Ocean looks like just off the coast of Oregon. Not shown: Face Rock, itself. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dry_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Dry-Creek-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Dry Creek Falls The Columbia River Gorge, just east of Portland on the Oregon / Washington border, is beautiful, and contains more waterfalls than I can count. Unfortunately, a great deal of the Gorge burned down during the summer of 2017. I visited in 2018, and a great deal of waterfalls and hiking trails in the area remained closed at the time of my visit. Even so, there were tons of waterfalls one was still able to visit, including Dry Creek Falls, shown here. Dry Creek Falls, near Cascade Locks, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dawn_at_bandon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Dawn-at-Bandon_3to1_144x48.jpg Dawn at Bandon One of the general things I was most looking forward to during my July, 2018 whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest was the rocky Oregon Coast. This photo, taken from Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, showcases what much of the Pacific Ocean looks like just off the coast of Oregon. Face Rock State Scenic Viewpoint, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/crater_lake_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Crater-Lake-Sunset_3to1_144x48.jpg Crater Lake Sunset One of my first stops on my July, 2018 photo trip to the Pacific Northwest was Oregon's spectacular Crater Lake National Park. Crater Lake, at just under 2,000 feet deep at its deepest point, is the deepest lake in the United States, and the ninth-deepest in the world. The blues of the water in Crater Lake are unbelievable. I took this photo shortly before sunset from one of the highest points from which you can view Crater Lake. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/calming_waters/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Oregon_Calming-Waters_2to1_80x40.jpg Calming Waters Sweet Creek Falls, itself, near Eugene, Oregon, is a small waterfall - more like a cascade, really. What turned out to be a nice surprise is that the hike to Sweet Creek Falls went along the shore of Sweet Creek, and there were many opportunities for photographs of other small cascades, and similarly peaceful scenes. Although I photographed Sweet Creek Falls, all my favorite photos from the hike were unnamed cascades I shot along the way, such as this one. Sweet Creek, Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_in_columbus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Sunset-in-Columbus_2to1_120x60.jpg Sunset in Columbus In the fall of 2018, I went on a short but packed-to-the-brim tour of some of the East Coast and Midwest's biggest and most beautiful cities. I was able to spend one afternoon and evening in Columbus, Ohio, and shot downtown from the West Rich Street and West Main Street Bridges. A bit of luck provided fantastic light as the sun set, as well as a fairly faint rainbow visible in the right side of this photo. Main Street Bridge, Columbus, Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rowing_through_columbus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Rowing-through-Columbus_3to2_72x48.jpg Rowing through Columbus In the fall of 2018, I went on a short but packed-to-the-brim tour of some of the East Coast and Midwest's biggest and most beautiful cities. I was able to spend one afternoon and evening in Columbus, Ohio, and shot downtown from the West Rich Street and West Main Street Bridges. A bit of luck provided the rainbow that is faintly visible in the upper right, and the rowing team in the lower left. Main Street Bridge, Columbus, Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/iconic_cleveland/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Iconic-Cleveland_5to2_150x60.jpg Iconic Cleveland I visited (and photographed) Cleveland in the summer of 2018, but neglected to shoot some of the most iconic locations, so when I found myself back in Cleveland in the summer of 2021, I decided to fix this. What's more iconic than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/columbus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Columbus_3to2_72x48.jpg Columbus In the fall of 2018, I went on a short but packed-to-the-brim tour of some of the East Coast and Midwest's biggest and most beautiful cities. I was able to spend one afternoon and evening in Columbus, Ohio, and shot downtown from the West Rich Street and West Main Street Bridges. Columbus seemed like a fun place, and I wish I could have spent some more time there! West Rich Street Bridge, Columbus,Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/columbus_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Columbus-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Columbus Panorama In the fall of 2018, I went on a short but packed-to-the-brim tour of some of the East Coast and Midwest's biggest and most beautiful cities. I was able to spend one afternoon and evening in Columbus, Ohio, and shot downtown from the West Rich Street and West Main Street Bridges. Columbus seemed like a fun place, and I wish I could have spent some more time there! West Rich Street Bridge, Columbus,Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/columbus_and_the_rich_street_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Columbus-and-the-Rich-Street-Bridge_2to1_120x60.jpg Columbus and the Rich Street Bridge In the fall of 2018, I went on a short but packed-to-the-brim tour of some of the East Coast and Midwest's biggest and most beautiful cities. I was able to spend one afternoon and evening in Columbus, Ohio, and shot downtown from the West Rich Street and West Main Street Bridges. Columbus seemed like a fun place, and I wish I could have spent some more time there! Main Street Bridge, Columbus, Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cleveland_rocks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Cleveland-Rocks_5to2_150x60.jpg Cleveland Rocks I visited (and photographed) Cleveland in the summer of 2018, but neglected to shoot some of the most iconic locations, so when I found myself back in Cleveland in the summer of 2021, I decided to fix this. What's more iconic than the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cleveland_from_the_superior_viaduct/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Cleveland-from-the-Superior-Viaduct_2to1_120x60.jpg Cleveland from the Superior Viaduct I visited (and photographed) Cleveland in the summer of 2018, but neglected to shoot some of the most iconic locations, so when I found myself back in Cleveland in the summer of 2021, I decided to fix this. The typical "Cleveland shot" has the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame front and center, but for this one, I wanted something different, so I went to the Superior Viaduct, which provides one a view of the Cuyahoga River and most of the city's skyscrapers. Cleveland, Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cleveland_2018_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Cleveland-2018-Panorama_5to2_90x36.jpg Cleveland 2018 Panorama I participated in an art show in Cleveland in August, 2018 - it was a great show, and I hope to return! It was during 2018 that I started shooting cityscapes, and it was dumb luck that the Browns happened to be playing a preseason game, which resulted in a lot more light than would have appeared on any other night I could have taken the same photo. Sometimes there's a lot to be said for dumb luck! Cleveland, Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cincinnati_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Cincinnati-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Cincinnati Panorama I spent a single night in Cincinnati in the fall of 2018, in the middle of a photographic trip in which I visited a different large American city each night. I'd never visited Cincinnati prior to this visit, and I didn't know what to expect. It may have been the most pleasantly-surprising cityscape I saw on this trip. The city is really beautiful! John A Roebling Suspension Bridge, Cincinnati,Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cincinnati_from_devou_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Cincinnati-from-Devou-Park_3to1_180x60.jpg Cincinnati from Devou Park I spent a single night in Cincinnati in the fall of 2018, in the middle of a photographic trip in which I visited a different large American city each night. I'd never visited Cincinnati prior to this visit, and I didn't know what to expect. It may have been the most pleasantly-surprising cityscape I saw on this trip. The city is really beautiful! Devou Park Overlook, Covington, Kentucky https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cincinnati_and_the_john_a_roebling_suspension_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Cincinnati-and-the-John-A-Roebling-Suspension-Bridge_2to1_72x36.jpg Cincinnati and the John A Roebling Suspension Bridge I spent a single night in Cincinnati in the fall of 2018, in the middle of a photographic trip in which I visited a different large American city each night. I'd never visited Cincinnati prior to this visit, and I didn't know what to expect. It may have been the most pleasantly-surprising cityscape I saw on this trip. The city is really beautiful! John A Roebling Suspension Bridge, Cincinnati,Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cincinnati_2018_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Ohio_Cincinnati-2018-Ultrawide_4to1_192x48.jpg Cincinnati 2018 Ultrawide I spent a single night in Cincinnati in the fall of 2018, in the middle of a photographic trip in which I visited a different large American city each night. I'd never visited Cincinnati prior to this visit, and I didn't know what to expect. It may have been the most pleasantly-surprising cityscape I saw on this trip. The city is really beautiful! John A Roebling Suspension Bridge, Cincinnati,Ohio https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/winter_tranquility/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Winter-Tranquility_3to1_180x60.jpg Winter Tranquility Taken on the only morning of my entire two week trip to northern Norway in the winter of 2025 where there was anything resembling a sunrise (or for that matter, sunset), I stumbled across this frozen lake, and found it eerily beautiful. Near Mefjordbotn, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/winter_in_senja/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Winter-in-Senja_5to2_150x60.jpg Winter in Senja The Devil's Teeth are a few incredibly jagged mountains in Senja, Norway, and I have several photos of them. I'd stopped at a viewpoint of the Devil's Teeth, and had pretty much the only sunlight I saw on my entire two week trip. Not wanting to waste the tiny bit of good light, I turned my head 90 degrees, and captured some other mountains just across the bay with, for a few minutes, excellent light! Tungeneset, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/trondheim_3/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Trondheim-3_5to2_150x60.jpg Trondheim 3 The longest time off-ship on my 2023 Hurtigruten cruise was in the city of Tromso, the third-largest city in Norway. Although I only had four hours there, I saw quite a bit, and got some nice photos, including this one of a collection of old storehouses - now serving as apartments, hotels, restaurants, etc. - flanking both sides of the Nidelva River. Old Town Bridge - another Trondheim landmark - is visible in the distance. Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/trondheim_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Trondheim-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Trondheim 2 The longest time off-ship on my 2023 Hurtigruten cruise was in the city of Tromso, the third-largest city in Norway. Although I only had four hours there, I saw quite a bit, and got some nice photos, including this one of a collection of old storehouses - now serving as apartments, hotels, restaurants, etc. - flanking the Nidelva River. Nidaros Cathedral is visible in the back. Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/trondheim_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Trondheim-1_2to1_120x60.jpg Trondheim 1 The longest time off-ship on my 2023 Hurtigruten cruise was in the city of Tromso, the third-largest city in Norway. Although I only had four hours there, I saw quite a bit, and got some nice photos, including this one of a collection of old storehouses - now serving as apartments, hotels, restaurants, etc. - flanking the Nidelva River. Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_industry_of_svolvaer/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_The-Industry-of-Svolvaer_2to1_120x60.jpg The Industry of Svolvaer Although I only had 55 minutes off-ship in the northern Norwegian town of Svolvaer, I really made the most of it, and got some of my favorite photos from the trip here. This photo feels like it captures the essence of many of these small villages at the edge of the northern reaches of the world. Svolvaer, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_flam_line/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_The-Flam-Line_3to2_72x48.jpg The Flam Line Considered by some to be "the most scenic train ride in the world," the Flam Line is a 12.6 mile railway line between Flam and Myrdal, in south central Norway. Opening in 1940 (with the unfortunate historical note that the final stages of construction were completed while Norway was under Nazi rule), today it is almost exclusively a tourist service, and has become the third-most visited tourist attraction in Norway. Views like this are typical of the entire ride, which takes just under an hour. en route from Flam to Myrdal, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_devils_teeth/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_The-Devils-Teeth_2to1_120x60.jpg The Devil's Teeth During my January, 2025 trip to Norway, I was clouded in almost the entire time I was there. I had zero good sunrises and zero good sunsets. This photo of the Devil's Teeth, in Tungeneset, Senja, is about the most color I saw for the two weeks I was there. Somehow, I made it work! Those mountains are JAGGED! Tungeneset, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_devils_teeth_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_The-Devils-Teeth-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg The Devil's Teeth Panorama During my January, 2025 trip to Norway, I was clouded in almost the entire time I was there. I had zero good sunrises and zero good sunsets. This photo of the Devil's Teeth, in Tungeneset, Senja, is about the most color I saw for the two weeks I was there. Somehow, I made it work! Those mountains are JAGGED! Tungeneset, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_devils_teeth_from_afar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_The-Devils-Teeth-from-Afar_2to1_120x60.jpg The Devil's Teeth from Afar During my January, 2025 trip to Norway, I was clouded in almost the entire time I was there. I had zero good sunrises and zero good sunsets. This photo of the Devil's Teeth, in Tungeneset, Senja, is about the most color I saw for the two weeks I was there. Somehow, I made it work! Those mountains are JAGGED! Tungeneset, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/svolvaer/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Svolvaer_4to5_60x75.jpg Svolvaer Although I only had 55 minutes off-ship in the northern Norwegian town of Svolvaer , really made the most of it, and got some of my favorite photos from the trip here. This photo feels like it captures the essence of many of these small villages at the edge of the northern reaches of the world. Svolvaer, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/svolvaer_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Svolvaer-Reflection_5to2_150x60.jpg Svolvaer Reflection Although I only had 55 minutes off-ship in the northern Norwegian town of Svolvaer, I really made the most of it, and got some of my favorite photos from the trip here. This photo feels like it captures the essence of many of these small villages at the edge of the northern reaches of the world. Svolvaer, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_from_the_kong_harald/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Sunset-from-the-Kong-Harald_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunset from the Kong Harald My 2023 visit to Norway was not primarily a photography trip. I went on this trip with my parents, from whom I seem to have inherited my love of travel. It was a great way to spend a bit of time together, and much of this time was spent on the Hurtigruten - a Norwegian public coastal route transporting both passengers and cargo along Norway's enormous coastline. Running every day, year-round, while not a cruise ship, it is possible to book a room on a Hurtigruten ship (I was aboard the Kong Harald) and ride the entire line, which stretches roughly 1,000 miles, from Bergen in the south, to Kerkenes in the north, and takes roughly a week. It makes about 35 stops, ranging from 15 minutes to four hours. This photo is a fairly typical scene one might see from the deck of the ship. Near Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_in_senja/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Sunrise-in-Senja_3to1_180x60.jpg Sunrise in Senja Taken from the road to Husoy, Senja, Norway, and looking across the fjord to the aptly named village of Fjordgard, this was one of my favorite views from my two week trip to Norway in the winter of 2025. It was also just about the only time I saw any color in the sky, other than a couple hours of 100% clear skies (not great for photography) and a couple weeks of 100% cloud cover … also not great for photography. I'm glad I got these conditions when and where I did! near Husoy, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/skjaholmen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Skjaholmen_5to2_150x60.jpg Skjaholmen I stumbled across this cute little red building during my January, 2025 visit to Senja, Norway. It seems to big to be someone's house, so I assume it is a business of some kind, but there really aren't many visitors to Senja in the winter, so whatever it was, it was closed. Nice place for a photo, though. Bostranda, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/salmon_farms_in_senja/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Salmon-Farms-in-Senja_3to1_180x60.jpg Salmon Farms in Senja Taken from the road to Husoy, Senja, Norway, and looking across the fjord to the aptly named village of Fjordgard, this was one of my favorite views from my two week trip to Norway in the winter of 2025. It was also just about the only time I saw any color in the sky, other than a couple hours of 100% clear skies (not great for photography) and a couple weeks of 100% cloud cover … also not great for photography. I'm glad I got these conditions when and where I did! near Husoy, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sakrisova_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Sakrisova-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Sakrisova Panorama After getting a photograph from the most popular photo spot in Lofoten (I think?), I went exploring, both by car and by foot. A bit of climbing took me to an awesome viewpoint of the tiny island of Sakrisoya, shown with all the yellow buildings. I love how beautiful the water was here - if it weren't for the snow and mountains, one might think this was somewhere tropical. Check out the little dock in the lower right corner! Sakrisoya, Lofoten, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/reine_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Reine-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Reine Panorama I didn't have the type of dramatic lighting I was hoping for on my trip to Norway in January, 2025, so I had to make do with more subtle colors. Fortunately, the red paint that covers so many of the buildings in northern Norway is quite vibrant, and adds a bit of color to an otherwise dreary color palate. The village on the right of this photo is Reine, which has a population of approximately 300. There are a ton of villages of this size and smaller along the shores of the Lofoten area. Reine, Lofoten, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/reine_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Reine-at-Night_5to2_150x60.jpg Reine at Night I didn't have the type of dramatic lighting I was hoping for on my trip to Norway in January, 2025, so I had to make do with more subtle colors. Fortunately, the red paint that covers so many of the buildings in northern Norway is quite vibrant, and adds a bit of color to an otherwise dreary color palate. The village on the right of this photo is Reine, which has a population of approximately 300. There are a ton of villages of this size and smaller along the shores of the Lofoten area. This shot was taken after dark, but I overexposed it quite a bit in order to get the artificial lighting to really glow. Reine, Lofoten, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/practically_black_and_white/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Practically-Black-and-White_3to2_72x48.jpg Practically Black and White Taken somewhere near the village of Skaland, this scene is fairly typical of much of the coast in Lofoten and Senja. There really aren't many beaches in the area - so much of the coast is made of mountains plunging directly into the sea. near Ersfjord, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/northern_norway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Northern-Norway_3to2_90x60.jpg Northern Norway My last day of photographing Senja, Norway had weather pretty similar to what I'd been experiencing most of my time there. 100% cloud cover and an almost black-and-white feel to life. I usually chase bright sunrises and sunsets, so with conditions like this, I had to adapt, and I did manage to get a few shots, like this one, that work on composition and contrast alone. I guess I don't always need outrageous sunrises and sunsets. near Gryllefjord, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nidaros_organ/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Nidaros-Organ_3to2_90x60.jpg Nidaros Organ I'd never heard of Nidaros Cathedral until my arrival in Trondheim, Norway, during a 2023 trip to this beautiful country. While the exterior of this cathedral is impressive, I found the interior to be even more so. Completed in the year 1300, after 270 years of construction, I wonder if our most impressive examples of modern architecture will be considered as impressive in 700-odd years as this (and similar) buildings are today. The organ shown here - truly a work of art in its own right - was built by the Steinmeyer firm in 1930, heavily rebuilt and moved in 1962, and fully restored in 2014. Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nidaros_organ_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Nidaros-Organ-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Nidaros Organ Portrait I'd never heard of Nidaros Cathedral until my arrival in Trondheim, Norway, during a 2023 trip to this beautiful country. While the exterior of this cathedral is impressive, I found the interior to be even more so. Completed in the year 1300, after 270 years of construction, I wonder if our most impressive examples of modern architecture will be considered as impressive in 700-odd years as this (and similar) buildings are today. The organ shown here - truly a work of art in its own right - was built by the Steinmeyer firm in 1930, heavily rebuilt and moved in 1962, and fully restored in 2014. Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nidaros_ceiling_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Nidaros-Ceiling-2_1to1_60x60.jpg Nidaros Ceiling 2 I'd never heard of Nidaros Cathedral until my arrival in Trondheim, Norway, during a 2023 trip to this beautiful country. While the exterior of this cathedral is impressive, I found the interior to be even more so. Completed in the year 1300, after 270 years of construction, I wonder if our most impressive examples of modern architecture will be considered as impressive in 700-odd years as this (and similar) buildings are today. This photo was taken looking straight up, and is absolutely beautiful, as well as a bit abstract and difficult to comprehend. Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nidaros_ceiling_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Nidaros-Ceiling-1_5to4_75x60.jpg Nidaros Ceiling 1 I'd never heard of Nidaros Cathedral until my arrival in Trondheim, Norway, during a 2023 trip to this beautiful country. While the exterior of this cathedral is impressive, I found the interior to be even more so. Completed in the year 1300, after 270 years of construction, I wonder if our most impressive examples of modern architecture will be considered as impressive in 700-odd years as this (and similar) buildings are today. This photo was taken looking straight up, and is absolutely beautiful, as well as a bit abstract and difficult to comprehend. Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nidaros_cathedral_interior/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Nidaros-Cathedral-Interior_2to3_48x72.jpg Nidaros Cathedral Interior I'd never heard of Nidaros Cathedral until my arrival in Trondheim, Norway, during a 2023 trip to this beautiful country. While the exterior of this cathedral is impressive, I found the interior to be even more so. Completed in the year 1300, after 270 years of construction, I wonder if our most impressive examples of modern architecture will be considered as impressive in 700-odd years as this (and similar) buildings are today. Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nidaros_cathedral_exterior/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Nidaros-Cathedral-Exterior_2to3_48x72.jpg Nidaros Cathedral Exterior I'd never heard of Nidaros Cathedral until my arrival in Trondheim, Norway, during a 2023 trip to this beautiful country. The intricacies of the exterior design are mind-boggling. Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountains_of_hemsedal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Mountains-of-Hemsedal_3to2_90x60.jpg Mountains of Hemsedal During a bus ride from Oslo to Flan, Norway, I stopped in the cute little ski town of Hemsedal, where I was able to snap this photo. Hemsedal, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mefjordbotn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Mefjordbotn_5to2_150x60.jpg Mefjordbotn Senja is the second largest island in Norway (excluding the Svalbard archipelago), spanning about 600 square miles, and with a population of roughly 8,000. With such a small population, there are really not many cars on the roads, which was great, because, unable to find a nearby place to park my car, I just stopped in the road, put on my blinkers, and set up my tripod to get this shot. I was probably there for at least 5 minutes, and didn't see another car. Mefjordbotn, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lofoten_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Lofoten-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Lofoten Panorama I didn't have the type of dramatic lighting I was hoping for on my trip to Norway in January, 2025, so I had to make do with more subtle colors. Fortunately, the red paint that covers so many of the buildings in northern Norway is quite vibrant, and adds a bit of color to an otherwise dreary color palate. The village on the right of this photo is Reine, which has a population of approximately 300. There are a ton of villages of this size and smaller along the shores of the Lofoten area. Reine, Lofoten, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lofoten_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Lofoten-at-Night_3to1_180x60.jpg Lofoten at Night I didn't have the type of dramatic lighting I was hoping for on my trip to Norway in January, 2025, so I had to make do with more subtle colors. Fortunately, the red paint that covers so many of the buildings in northern Norway is quite vibrant, and adds a bit of color to an otherwise dreary color palate. The village on the right of this photo is Reine, which has a population of approximately 300. There are a ton of villages of this size and smaller along the shores of the Lofoten area. This shot was taken after dark, but I overexposed it quite a bit in order to get the artificial lighting to really glow. Reine, Lofoten, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/husoy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Husoy_5to2_150x60.jpg Husoy Husoy is an island off the much larger island of Senja, in northern Norway. Occupying only 30 acres, it has a population of roughly 300, and was only recently connected to the land by a 1000 foot long causeway. Prior to this, the only access was by boat. I think I'd have a tough time living somewhere this small, but wow is the area beautiful. Husoy, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hamnoy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Hamnoy_3to2_90x60.jpg Hamnoy I took this photo of the tiny island of Hamnoy from the bridge west of town. This location is particularly well-known for photographers, and the reason is obvious. It really captures the feeling of the spectacular scenery of northern Norway. Hamnoy, Lofoten, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hamnoy_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Hamnoy-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Hamnoy Panorama I took this photo of the tiny island of Hamnoy from the bridge west of town. This location is particularly well-known for photographers, and the reason is obvious. It really captures the feeling of the spectacular scenery of northern Norway. Hamnoy, Lofoten, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hamnoy_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Hamnoy-at-Night_3to2_90x60.jpg Hamnoy at Night I took this photo of the tiny island of Hamnoy from the bridge west of town. This location is particularly well-known for photographers, and the reason is obvious. It really captures the feeling of the spectacular scenery of northern Norway. It was actually quite a bit darker than the photo makes it appear when I took this photo, but when I saw the moon rising on the right hand side of the photo, I knew I needed to stick around long enough to get one shot here, with the moon - and I framed it so it reflects off the small body of water also on the right. Hamnoy, Lofoten, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fjordgard/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Fjordgard_5to2_150x60.jpg Fjordgard I spent a lot of my time in Senja just driving around, looking for nice photo spots. Here's one I stumbled across on my approach to the village of Fjordgard. I actually had a couple nice, pink clouds in the sky! This was an incredible change compared to the 100% cloud cover I had for almost my entire time there. Fjordgard, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fjordgard_and_segla/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Fjordgard-and-Segla_3to2_90x60.jpg Fjordgard and Segla The road to Husoy, Senja, Norway, is beautiful. There are a few buildings shown in the bottom of the photo - these are part of the town of Fjordgard. The mountains in the area are simply spectacular. near Husoy, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/essentially_norway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Essentially-Norway_2to1_80x40.jpg Essentially Norway Although I only had 55 minutes off-ship in the northern Norwegian town of Svolvaer, I really made the most of it, and got some of my favorite photos from the trip here. This photo feels like it captures the essence of many of these small villages at the edge of the northern reaches of the world. Svolvaer, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/en_route_to_svolvaer/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_En-Route-to-Svolvaer_2to1_72x36.jpg En route to Svolvaer Yet another typical view from the deck of the Kong Harald, one of the fourteen ships that make up the Hurtigruten line that operates along Norway's beautiful coast. near Svolvaer, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_in_bergen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Dusk-in-Bergen_2to1_120x60.jpg Dusk in Bergen I was supposed to have two evenings in Bergen during my 2023 visit to Norway #but thanks to a maintenance issue on the ship on which I was meant to leave the city, I got an additional night in town. Good thing, too, because I wanted to get a few cityscapes of Norway's second most populous city, and bad weather took one of those nights away. There are several viewpoints that allow one to see the entire city from above, but this one required more effort to reach than the other, since there's no tram or anything to get here. Yup, you have to hike it, but the hike itself was a nice experience, and a good change of pace from being in the middle of a crowded city. Bergen, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bucolic_flam/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Bucolic-Flam_5to4_75x60.jpg Bucolic Flam This was a deceptively difficult photo to capture. On a side-trip just to the south of the tiny Norwegian village of Flam, I was able to meet some local sheep farmers, whose property includes the large field in the bend of this river, as well as the yellow barn (and several other buildings in the area). They were happy to discuss their opinions on the rapid rise of tourism in Norway, generally, and their beloved village of Flam. Their opinions were, of course, mixed. More money? Good! Too many people coming through every day? Bad! Traveling is morally complicated, too, it seems. Anyway, I had to do quite a bit of scrambling up a mountainside to get this photo, and managed to put a hole in both the shirt I was wearing and the only pair of jeans I'd brought on the trip! Worth it. Flam, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bucolic_flam_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Bucolic-Flam-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Bucolic Flam Portrait This was a deceptively difficult photo to capture. On a side-trip just to the south of the tiny Norwegian village of Flam, I was able to meet some local sheep farmers, whose property includes the large field in the bend of this river, as well as the yellow barn (and several other buildings in the area). They were happy to discuss their opinions on the rapid rise of tourism in Norway, generally, and their beloved village of Flam. Their opinions were, of course, mixed. More money? Good! Too many people coming through every day? Bad! Traveling is morally complicated, too, it seems. Anyway, I had to do quite a bit of scrambling up a mountainside to get this photo, and managed to put a hole in both the shirt I was wearing and the only pair of jeans I'd brought on the trip! Worth it. Flam, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bryggen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Bryggen_2to1_80x40.jpg Bryggen Bergen is a city with a lot of history. Trading in the area began as early as the 1020s, it served as the capital of Norway for many years, and it is the port into which the Black Death arrived in Norway in 1349. Major parts of the city have burned down countless times - wooden structures have an unfortunate tendency to do just this. Today, with a population of a little under 300,000, it is the second largest city in Norway, and it is a popular tourist destination. This part of the city, Bryggen, is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bryggen_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Bryggen-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Bryggen 2 Bergen is a city with a lot of history. Trading in the area began as early as the 1020s, it served as the capital of Norway for many years, and it is the port into which the Black Death arrived in Norway in 1349. Major parts of the city have burned down countless times - wooden structures have an unfortunate tendency to do just this. Today, with a population of a little under 300,000, it is the second largest city in Norway, and it is a popular tourist destination. This part of the city, Bryggen, is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bergen, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bostranda/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Bostranda_3to2_72x48.jpg Bostranda I stumbled across this cute little red building during my January, 2025 visit to Senja, Norway. It seems to big to be someone's house, so I assume it is a business of some kind, but there really aren't many visitors to Senja in the winter, so whatever it was, it was closed. Nice place for a photo, though. Bostranda, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/borgund_stave_church/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Borgund-Stave-Church_3to2_72x48.jpg Borgund Stave Church Built in approximately the year 1200, Borgund Stave Church is a former parish church of the Church of Norway. This structure, although mostly original, was restored and converted into a museum in 1868, when its religious functions were moved to the "new" Borgund Church, built within a stone's throw of Borgund Stave Church. Look carefully at the ends of the upper gables - the ornamental features are stylized dragon heads, similar to those found on the prows of Norse ships of the same time. Borgund Stave Church, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_and_white_and_red/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Black-and-White-and-Red_3to2_72x48.jpg Black and White and Red Taken somewhere near the village of Skaland, this scene is fairly typical of much of the coast in Lofoten and Senja. Without the red buildings, this photo could practically be mistaken for being black and white. near Skaland, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bergsbotn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Bergsbotn_2to1_120x60.jpg Bergsbotn I drove by this spot several times when visiting Senja, Norway, and with the weather constantly changing - usually from bad to worse to bad again - I had the opportunity to photograph it in all kinds of conditions. This one is probably my favorite of the bunch. near Bergsbotn, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bergsbotn_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Bergsbotn-at-Night_3to2_72x48.jpg Bergsbotn at Night The focus of this photo is obviously the bay, but there is some artificial lighting coming from the village of Bergsbotn, a village so small it doesn't even have a Wikipedia article! If the boundaries of the village shown by Google Maps is accurate, there are probably about 20 buildings in town. near Bergsbotn, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bergen_from_ulriken/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Bergen-from-Ulriken_2to1_120x60.jpg Bergen from Ulriken I was supposed to have two evenings in Bergen during my 2023 visit to Norway #but thanks to a maintenance issue on the ship on which I was meant to leave the city, I got an additional night in town. Good thing, too, because I wanted to get a few cityscapes of Norway's second most populous city, and bad weather took one of those nights away. There are several viewpoints that allow one to see the entire city from above, and this photo was taken from the easiest one to reach, since it is possible to take a cable car there. One can hike it, as well, but I didn't have enough time to do so, so I took the lazy option and rode the cable car. The cable car takes one to the top of Ulriken, which, at an elevation of 2,110 feet above sea level, is the highest of the seven mountains that surround the city. I actually came to this location twice, but on my first visit, it was so cloudy I could barely see my hand in front of my face. A second trip, on the following night, allowed me to get this awesome shot of what might be Norway's prettiest city. Bergen, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/almost_black_and_white/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Almost-Black-and-White_3to2_90x60.jpg Almost Black and White My last day of photographing Senja, Norway had weather pretty similar to what I'd been experiencing most of my time there. 100% cloud cover and an almost black-and-white feel to life. I usually chase bright sunrises and sunsets, so with conditions like this, I had to adapt, and I did manage to get a few shots, like this one, that work on composition and contrast alone. I guess I don't always need outrageous sunrises and sunsets. near Gryllefjord, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/almost_black_and_white_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_Almost-Black-and-White-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Almost Black and White Portrait My last day of photographing Senja, Norway had weather pretty similar to what I'd been experiencing most of my time there. 100% cloud cover and an almost black-and-white feel to life. I usually chase bright sunrises and sunsets, so with conditions like this, I had to adapt, and I did manage to get a few shots, like this one, that work on composition and contrast alone. I guess I don't always need outrageous sunrises and sunsets. near Gryllefjord, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_bit_of_blue_sky/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_A-Bit-of-Blue-Sky_2to1_120x60.jpg A Bit of Blue Sky Taken somewhere near the village of Skaland, this scene is fairly typical of much of the coast in Lofoten and Senja. There really aren't many beaches in the area - so much of the coast is made of mountains plunging directly into the sea. near Ersfjord, Senja, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/696_degrees_north/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Norway_69.6-Degrees-North_2to1_72x36.jpg 69.6 Degrees North One day, I hope to make it to Svalbard - an island north of (and belonging to) Norway, famous for its isolation and polar bears. Until I make it there, though, this photo will remain a memory of the furthest north I have ever traveled - at a latitude of 69.6 degrees north, Tromso it is further "up" than Iceland, and within one degree of Prudhoe Bay, in northern Alaska. During summer, the sun doesn't set for almost two months straight. I took this photo from the deck of the Kong Harald, one of 14 ships in Norway's Hurtigruten line. near Tromso, Norway https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stacked_sunflowers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Dakota_Stacked-Sunflowers_3to2_60x40.jpg Stacked Sunflowers I've never really spent any time in North Dakota, other than when I've driven through. On one such quick trip through the state, I camped one night just outside Bismarck. I'd arrived after dark, and when I left the next morning, I was surprised to find a field of sunflowers a couple miles from where I'd camped. What a fun accident! I pulled over and spent a bit of time photographing these big, bright yellow flowers and am happy with the results! Near Bismarck, North Dakota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/theodore_roosevelt_national_park_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Dakota_Theodore-Roosevelt-National-Park-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Theodore Roosevelt National Park Panorama I've never really spent any time in North Dakota, other than when I've driven through. On one such quick trip through the state, I happened to be very close to Theodore Roosevelt National Park right at sunset. I hadn't planned on doing any photography, but sometimes opportunities present themselves. This was one such opportunity, and I feel I used it wisely. The landscapes here remind me a lot of Badlands National Park, in the neighboring state of South Dakota. The variable colors of the soil in the hills is quite majestic, especially at the golden hours of dawn and dusk. Theodore Roosevelt National Park Panorama https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_theodore_roosevelt_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Dakota_Sunset-at-Theodore-Roosevelt-National-Park_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunset at Theodore Roosevelt National Park I've never really spent any time in North Dakota, other than when I've driven through. On one such quick trip through the state, I happened to be very close to Theodore Roosevelt National Park right at sunset. I hadn't planned on doing any photography, but sometimes opportunities present themselves. This was one such opportunity, and I feel I used it wisely. The landscapes here remind me a lot of Badlands National Park, in the neighboring state of South Dakota. The variable colors of the soil in the hills is quite majestic, especially at the golden hours of dawn and dusk. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunflower_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Dakota_Sunflower-Panorama_5to2_75x30.jpg Sunflower Panorama I've never really spent any time in North Dakota, other than when I've driven through. On one such quick trip through the state, I camped one night just outside Bismarck. I'd arrived after dark, and when I left the next morning, I was surprised to find a field of sunflowers a couple miles from where I'd camped. What a fun accident! I pulled over and spent a bit of time photographing these big, bright yellow flowers and am happy with the results! Near Bismarck, North Dakota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/endless_sunflowers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Dakota_Endless-Sunflowers_4to1_192x48.jpg Endless Sunflowers I've never really spent any time in North Dakota, other than when I've driven through. On one such quick trip through the state, I camped one night just outside Bismarck. I'd arrived after dark, and when I left the next morning, I was surprised to find a field of sunflowers a couple miles from where I'd camped. What a fun accident! I pulled over and spent a bit of time photographing these big, bright yellow flowers and am happy with the results! Near Bismarck, North Dakota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beautiful_north_dakota/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Dakota_Beautiful-North-Dakota_3to2_72x48.jpg Beautiful North Dakota I've never really spent any time in North Dakota, other than when I've driven through. On one such quick trip through the state, I happened to be very close to Theodore Roosevelt National Park right at sunset. I hadn't planned on doing any photography, but sometimes opportunities present themselves. This was one such opportunity, and I feel I used it wisely. The landscapes here remind me a lot of Badlands National Park, in the neighboring state of South Dakota. The variable colors of the soil in the hills is quite majestic, especially at the golden hours of dawn and dusk. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mabry_mill_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Carolina_Mabry-Mill-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg Mabry Mill Portrait The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in North Carolina. It's a beautiful drive on curvy mountain roads with a 45 mph speed limit, and seemingly endless spots to stop, hike, camp, and experience the Appalachians. At milepost 176.2 lies Mabry Mill, one of the more popular stops along the drive. Built in the early 1900s, it operated first as a blacksmith, then a sawmill, and then a gristmill. Today it's a historic site. Mabry Mill, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mingo_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Carolina_Mingo-Falls_2to3_30x45.jpg Mingo Falls At 120 feet high, Mingo Falls, which is located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, is one of the tallest in the southern Appalachians. Just outside Great Smoky Mountains, North Carolina, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mabry_mill/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Carolina_Mabry-Mill_3to2_72x48.jpg Mabry Mill The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in North Carolina. It's a beautiful drive on curvy mountain roads with a 45 mph speed limit, and seemingly endless spots to stop, hike, camp, and experience the Appalachians. At milepost 176.2 lies Mabry Mill, one of the more popular stops along the drive. Built in the early 1900s, it operated first as a blacksmith, then a sawmill, and then a gristmill. Today it's a historic site. Mabry Mill, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/duggers_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_North-Carolina_Duggers-Creek-Falls_2to1_120x60.jpg Duggers Creek Falls The Blue Ridge Parkway runs for 469 miles from Shenandoah National Park in Virginia to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, in North Carolina. It's a beautiful drive on curvy mountain roads with a 45 mph speed limit, and seemingly endless spots to stop, hike, camp, and experience the Appalachians. One of my favorite stops is at Duggers Creek. I stopped here for an afternoon in May, 2018, and I was one of very few visitors - I felt like I had the place to myself! Duggers Creek Falls, shown here, is a small (roughly ten feet high) waterfall in a highly unusual "canyon." It's less than a half mile to get from the parking lot to these falls. If you find yourself in the area, do yourself a favor and check this waterfall out! Duggers Creek Falls, Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upper_caples_river/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Upper-Caples-River_3to2_24x16.jpg Upper Caples River I lived in New Zealand for 7 months in 2008, and went on several of this beautiful country's renowned Great Treks, including the Greenstone-Caples trek, where I took this photo. You wouldn't guess it by looking at this photo, but less than an hour before I captured this image, I was walking through a blizzard. Greenstone-Caples Trek, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tauranga_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Tauranga-Panorama_3to1_60x20.jpg Tauranga Panorama Tauranga, on New Zealand's North Island, is the fifth largest urban area on this small, island nation. A short hike up Mount Maunganui offers one this view of the city. Tauranga, North Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stewart_island_cormorant/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Stewart-Island-Cormorant_2to3_16x24.jpg Stewart Island Cormorant Stewart Island, which lies just south of New Zealand's South Island, is home to an array of wildlife, as well as 381 permanent residents, as of the 2013 census. It was here that I took this photo of a cormorant. Steward Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/something_from_another_planet/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Something-From-Another-Planet_3to2_30x20.jpg Something from Another Planet I have no idea what this plant is, but it was all around me while on the Mount Crichton track of New Zealand's South Island. Mount Crichton track, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Seal_4to5_20x24.jpg Seal One of many seals I saw at Whites Bay, on New Zealand's South Island. Whites Bay, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rob_roy_valley/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Rob-Roy-Valley_2to1_40x20.jpg Rob Roy Valley The Rob Roy track, on New Zealand's South Island, is a relatively easy 6-mile round trip hike that takes one, ultimately, to the Rob Roy Glacier. It is this very glacier that feeds the stream in this photo, and the beautiful, blue color of this water is due to the water being glacial runoff. Mt. Aspiring National Park, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/queenstown_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Queenstown-at-Night_2to1_40x20.jpg Queenstown at Night I lived in Queenstown, New Zealand, for a few months in 2008. Situated on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and nestled between mountain ranges, Queenstown is one of the prettiest places anyone could ever hope to live. Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nugget_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Nugget-Point_3to2_24x16.jpg Nugget Point Nugget Point, on the South Island of New Zealand's spectacular Otago Coast, is simply beautiful. In addition to the simple natural beauty of this location, it is also home to many seabirds, and a breeding colony of fur seals. Nugget Point, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountains_of_milford_sound/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Mountains-of-Milford-Sound_3to2_30x20.jpg Mountains of Milford Sound Unknown mountain near Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park. Fiordland National Park, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moun_-aspiring_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Mount-Aspiring-National-Park_3to2_30x20.jpg Mount Aspiring National Park I don't know the name of this mountain, only that I took it in Mount Aspiring National Park. I know that it is not Mount Aspiring, though. The mountains on New Zealand's south island are beautiful, and the afternoon light created a perfect contrast of light and dark on this mountain. Mt. Aspiring National Park, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/morning_dew/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Morning-Dew_1to1_20x20.jpg Morning Dew Morning dew deposited on a fern. Shot in the southern region of New Zealand's South Island. Near Curio Bay, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/milford_sound/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Milford-Sound_2to3_20x30.jpg Milford Sound Milford Sound is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Occupying the southwest portion of New Zealand's South Island, it was judged in 2008 by TripAdvisor to be the world's top travel destination. With scenes like this, it's no wonder why. Milford Sound, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lake_wakatipu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Lake-Wakatipu_2to1_40x20.jpg Lake Wakatipu Lake Wakatipu, at 50 miles in length, is New Zealand's third longest lake, and covering roughly 112 square miles, it is the country's third largest lake. I lived in Queenstown, on its northeastern shore, for five months, and was able to appreciate the beauty of this lake on a daily basis. This shot was taken on the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy.  Near Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lake_wakatipu_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Lake-Wakatipu-2_5to2_50x20.jpg Lake Wakatipu 2 Lake Wakatipu, at 50 miles in length, is New Zealand's third longest lake, and covering roughly 112 square miles, it is the country's third largest lake. I lived in Queenstown, on its northeastern shore, for five months, and was able to appreciate the beauty of this lake on a daily basis. This shot was taken on the drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy.  Near Queenstown, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/glistening_pebbles/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Glistening-Pebbles_3to2_30x20.jpg Glistening Pebbles I hiked to Munro Beach on an evening in April, 2008. I'd never heard or read anything about it being a pebble beach, as opposed to sand, but to my great surprise, that's exactly what awaited me, when I arrived a bit before sunset. The late day's sunlight reflected off the pebbles in a magical way, as shown here. I returned to Munro beach several months later, and the pebbles had been replaced with sand. I don't know how it was that I was lucky enough to be there when I was, but I am thankful for it. Monro Beach, near Bruce Bay, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/christchurch_cathedral/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_ChristChurch-Cathedral_2to3_20x30.jpg ChristChurch Cathedral ChristChurch Cathedral, in Christchurch, New Zealand, was built between 1864 and 1904, but due to being in such a seismically active area, it has been damaged in six separate earthquakes, most recently in February 2011. Because of earthquake damage, it has been partially demolished since I took this photo in April, 2008, and what will ultimately happen to it remains unknown. Christchurch, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/abel_tasman_peninsula/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Zealand_Abel-Tasman-Peninsula_4to5_16x20.jpg Abel Tasman Peninsula A friend and I took a water taxi from Marahau to Bark Bay, in New Zealand's Abel Tasman National Park, in April, 2008. Being dropped off at Bark Bay allows one to do a single day portion of the famous Abel Tasman Coast Track, and it was on this track that we spotted this beautiful, serene, beach-like peninsula that separated something of a lagoon from the Cook Strait. Abel Tasman National Park, South Island, New Zealand https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/old_pier_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-York_Old-Pier-1_3to2_72x48.jpg Old Pier 1 I only had a single evening to photograph the New York City skyline, so I went to Old Pier One, which allowed for views of Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge, during my whirlwind tour of East Coast and Midwest cities in the fall of 2018. Fortunately, the weather was agreeable, and I got exactly the shots I was hoping for! Old Pier 1, New York City, New York https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nyc/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-York_NYC_3to1_144x48.jpg NYC I only had a single evening to photograph the New York City skyline, so I went to Old Pier One, which allowed for views of Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge, during my whirlwind tour of East Coast and Midwest cities in the fall of 2018. Fortunately, the weather was agreeable, and I got exactly the shots I was hoping for! Old Pier 1, New York City, New York https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/new_york_city_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-York_New-York-City-Ultrawide_4to1_192x48.jpg New York City Ultrawide I only had a single evening to photograph the New York City skyline, so I went to Old Pier One, which allowed for views of Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge, during my whirlwind tour of East Coast and Midwest cities in the fall of 2018. Fortunately, the weather was agreeable, and I got exactly the shots I was hoping for! Pier 1 Playground, New York City, New York https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/new_york_city_panorama_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-York_New-York-City-Panorama-at-Dusk_3to1_180x60.jpg New York City Panorama at Dusk I only had a single evening to photograph the New York City skyline, so I went to Old Pier One, which allowed for views of Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge, during my whirlwind tour of East Coast and Midwest cities in the fall of 2018. Fortunately, the weather was agreeable, and I got exactly the shots I was hoping for! Pier 1 Playground, New York City, New York https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/new_york_city_panorama_at_dusk_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-York_New-York-City-Panorama-at-Dusk-2_3to1_180x60.jpg New York City Panorama at Dusk 2 I only had a single evening to photograph the New York City skyline, so I went to Old Pier One, which allowed for views of Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge, during my whirlwind tour of East Coast and Midwest cities in the fall of 2018. Fortunately, the weather was agreeable, and I got exactly the shots I was hoping for! Pier 1 Playground, New York City, New York https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/new_york_city_from_old_pier_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-York_New-York-City-from-Old-Pier-1_5to2_120x48.jpg New York City from Old Pier 1 I only had a single evening to photograph the New York City skyline, so I went to Old Pier One, which allowed for views of Manhattan, and the Brooklyn Bridge, during my whirlwind tour of East Coast and Midwest cities in the fall of 2018. Fortunately, the weather was agreeable, and I got exactly the shots I was hoping for! Old Pier 1, New York City, New York https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/billionaires_row/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-York_Billionaires-Row_2to3_48x72.jpg Billionaire's Row Some of the most expensive real estate in the United States is located, unsurprisingly, in Manhattan. Referred to as "Billionaire's Row," this section of New York City has apartments that have sold for over $100 million dollars. Not a bad spot, if you can afford it! Pier 1 Playground, New York City, New York https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_sands_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_White-Sands-Panorama_5to2_105x42.jpg White Sands Panorama White Sands National Monument, in southern New Mexico, is a fun place to visit. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, so there aren't usually many visitors. The sand, itself, is made of eroded gypsum crystals. These tiny crystals would, under normal circumstances, be dissolved by rainwater and carried out to the sea, but the Tularosa Basin, where White Sands is located, has no outlet to the sea, so the dunes remain. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_sands_4/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_White-Sands-4_3to2_60x40.jpg White Sands 4 White Sands National Monument, in southern New Mexico, is a fun place to visit. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, so there aren't usually many visitors. The sand, itself, is made of eroded gypsum crystals. These tiny crystals would, under normal circumstances, be dissolved by rainwater and carried out to the sea, but the Tularosa Basin, where White Sands is located, has no outlet to the sea, so the dunes remain. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_sands_3/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_White-Sands-3_2to1_72x36.jpg White Sands 3 White Sands National Monument, in southern New Mexico, is a fun place to visit. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, so there aren't usually many visitors. The sand, itself, is made of eroded gypsum crystals. These tiny crystals would, under normal circumstances, be dissolved by rainwater and carried out to the sea, but the Tularosa Basin, where White Sands is located, has no outlet to the sea, so the dunes remain. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_sands_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_White-Sands-2_3to2_72x48.jpg White Sands 2 White Sands National Monument, in southern New Mexico, is a fun place to visit. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, so there aren't usually many visitors. The sand, itself, is made of eroded gypsum crystals. These tiny crystals would, under normal circumstances, be dissolved by rainwater and carried out to the sea, but the Tularosa Basin, where White Sands is located, has no outlet to the sea, so the dunes remain. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_sands_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_White-Sands-1_3to2_72x48.jpg White Sands 1 White Sands National Monument, in southern New Mexico, is a fun place to visit. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, so there aren't usually many visitors. The sand, itself, is made of eroded gypsum crystals. These tiny crystals would, under normal circumstances, be dissolved by rainwater and carried out to the sea, but the Tularosa Basin, where White Sands is located, has no outlet to the sea, so the dunes remain. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_big_room/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_The-Big-Room_2to1_72x36.jpg The Big Room Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in southeastern New Mexico, is one of the most accessible cave systems in the world. Although over 120 miles of caves have been mapped in the region, only a small portion of them are open to the public. This shot is of "The Big Room," which measures almost 4,000 feet long, 625 feet wide, and 255 feet high at its tallest point. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sandia_mountains_sunset_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Sandia-Mountains-Sunset-Panorama_3to1_144x48.jpg Sandia Mountains Sunset Panorama I usually visit Albuquerque for at least one of the two weekends of the annual International Balloon Fiesta, held in early October. Although watching hundreds of hot air balloons rising together is a spectacular sight, and absolutely worth seeing at least once in a lifetime, the area is beautiful, even without any balloons. I took this shot of the Sandia Mountains, just outside of Albuquerque, as the sun was setting over my shoulders, while visiting in 2018. The horizontal light from the setting sun turned the normally beige colored mountains a spectacular shade of orange, and the dark and foreboding clouds above only heightened the beauty of the scene. Elena Gallegos Open Space, Albuquerque, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sandia_mountains_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Sandia-Mountains-at-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Sandia Mountains at Sunset I usually visit Albuquerque for at least one of the two weekends of the annual International Balloon Fiesta, held in early October. Although watching hundreds of hot air balloons rising together is a spectacular sight, and absolutely worth seeing at least once in a lifetime, the area is beautiful, even without any balloons. I took this shot of the Sandia Mountains, just outside of Albuquerque, as the sun was setting over my shoulders, while visiting in 2018. The horizontal light from the setting sun turned the normally beige colored mountains a spectacular shade of orange, and the dark and foreboding clouds above only heightened the beauty of the scene. Elena Gallegos Open Space, Albuquerque, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sandia_crest_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Sandia-Crest-at-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Sandia Crest at Sunset I usually visit Albuquerque for at least one of the two weekends of the annual International Balloon Fiesta, held in early October. Although watching hundreds of hot air balloons rising together is a spectacular sight, and absolutely worth seeing at least once in a lifetime, the area is beautiful, even without any balloons. I took this shot of the Sandia Mountains, just outside of Albuquerque, as the sun was setting over my shoulders, while visiting in 2018. The horizontal light from the setting sun turned the normally beige colored mountains a spectacular shade of orange, and the dark and foreboding clouds above only heightened the beauty of the scene. Elena Gallegos Open Space, Albuquerque, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rock_of_ages/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Rock-of-Ages_2to3_30x45.jpg Rock of Ages Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in southeastern New Mexico, is one of the most accessible cave systems in the world. Although over 120 miles of caves have been mapped in the region, only a small portion of them are open to the public. This famous structure is called, fittingly, the "Rock of Ages." Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/path_through_carlsbad_caverns/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Path-through-Carlsbad-Caverns_3to2_45x30.jpg Path through Carlsbad Caverns Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in southeastern New Mexico, is one of the most accessible cave systems in the world. Although over 120 miles of caves have been mapped in the region, only a small portion of them are open to the public. Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/painted_grotto/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Painted-Grotto_3to2_45x30.jpg Painted Grotto Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in southeastern New Mexico, is one of the most accessible cave systems in the world. Although over 120 miles of caves have been mapped in the region, only a small portion of them are open to the public. This feature of the caves is called the "Painted Grotto." Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mariposa_lily/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Mariposa-Lily_5to4_40x30.jpg Mariposa Lily New Mexico's Bandelier National Monument is probably best-known for the Ancestral Pueloan structures built between 1150 and 1600 AD, and while I enjoyed photographing these ruins, none of my photos ended up having the bright, vibrant quality that I am usually chasing. Fortunately, the National Monument had plenty of other stuff to photograph, as well, such as this mariposa lily. Valles Caldera National Preserve, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/last_light_at_white_sands/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Last-Light-at-White-Sands_3to2_72x48.jpg Last Light at White Sands White Sands National Monument, in southern New Mexico, is a fun place to visit. It's kind of in the middle of nowhere, so there aren't usually many visitors. The sand, itself, is made of eroded gypsum crystals. These tiny crystals would, under normal circumstances, be dissolved by rainwater and carried out to the sea, but the Tularosa Basin, where White Sands is located, has no outlet to the sea, so the dunes remain. White Sands National Monument, New Mexico, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/collecting_pollen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Collecting-Pollen_5to4_30x24.jpg Collecting Pollen New Mexico's Bandelier National Monument is probably best-known for the Ancestral Pueloan structures built between 1150 and 1600 AD, and while I enjoyed photographing these ruins, none of my photos ended up having the bright, vibrant quality that I am usually chasing. Fortunately, the National Monument had plenty of other stuff to photograph, as well, such as this bee collecting pollen. Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cactus_closeup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Cactus-Closeup_3to2_45x30.jpg Cactus Closeup New Mexico's Bandelier National Monument is probably best-known for the Ancestral Pueloan structures built between 1150 and 1600 AD, and while I enjoyed photographing these ruins, none of my photos ended up having the bright, vibrant quality that I am usually chasing. Fortunately, the National Monument had plenty of other stuff to photograph, as well, such as this cactus. Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/albuquerque_international_balloon_fiesta_2017_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Albuquerque-International-Balloon-Fiesta-2017-2_3to2_60x40.jpg Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2017 2 I participated in an art show in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on one of the weekends in October, 2017 that coincided with the massive Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, which is touted as the most photographed event on the planet. The gallery from which I was showing my work was only a couple miles from the take-off site, but the scale of this event, along with the timing of the show and the launch times of the balloons made it almost impossible to shoot the event from where I'd hoped to. But I did manage to find an accessible location to get this shot, which gives some idea of the number of balloons that launch each day of this unbelievable event. Albuquerque, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/albuquerque_international_balloon_fiesta_2017_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Albuquerque-International-Balloon-Fiesta-2017-1_3to2_72x48.jpg Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta 2017 1 I participated in an art show in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on one of the weekends in October, 2017 that coincided with the massive Albuquerque International Balloon Festival, which is touted as the most photographed event on the planet. The gallery from which I was showing my work was only a couple miles from the take-off site, but the scale of this event, along with the timing of the show and the launch times of the balloons made it almost impossible to shoot the event from where I'd hoped to. But I did manage to find an accessible location to get this shot, which gives some idea of the number of balloons that launch each day of this unbelievable event. Albuquerque, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/albuquerque_from_sandia_crest/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Mexico_Albuquerque-from-Sandia-Crest_3to1_180x60.jpg Albuquerque from Sandia Crest I was an artist exhibiting at the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta show in 2018, and decided I should try to get a photo of the city of Albuquerque. I talked to several locals, and the consensus seemed to be that the best view of the city is from "Sandia Crest," which is the top of a mountain to the northeast of town. The elevation of Sandia Crest is roughly one mile higher than that of Albuquerque, so it was quite cold when I took this photo, but the view was worth it. Notice the aspen changing color in the bottom portion of the photo! Sandia Crest, Albuquerque, New Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lower_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_New-Hampshire_Lower-Falls_2to1_120x60.jpg Lower Falls I had a few days on the Kancamagus Highway in the fall of 2022, and was hoping to get some shots of the autumn leaves that the area is famous for. Unfortunately, I was a couple weeks early. It was still worth seeing, but I'm going to have to return another year and hope for better timing. Photographically, it wasn't a complete waste, I did get this shot of the insanely accessible Lower Falls. Kancamagus Highway, near Conway, New Hampshire https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wild_heliotrope/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Wild-Heliotrope_2to3_24x36.jpg Wild Heliotrope I stopped at a ranger station in Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, for a recommendation on places to photograph during my drive through the area. The station turned out to be closed, but there was an attractive flower garden that provided me a bit of entertainment. These wild heliotropes were in full bloom when I was here, in mid-March, 2016. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_domes_sunrise_panorama_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_White-Domes-Sunrise-Panorama-2_5to2_150x60.jpg White Domes Sunrise Panorama 2 The first light of the day turns a portion of the White Domes, located at Valley of Fire State Park, in Nevada, a vibrant shade of orange. Although small, this State Park is well worth a visit. The Martian landscape stretches in all directions, and is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_strip/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_The-Strip_3to1_144x48.jpg The Strip "The Strip," in Las Vegas, has been shot to death. And for good reason - it is, if nothing else, one of the most brightly-lit streets in the US. But when I was passing through Las Vegas in the fall of 2019, I wanted to shoot the city from a non-traditional location. After looking at some maps of the region, I found "Exploration Peak Park," which is located several miles southwest of downtown and allows for a good view of the city. Exploration Peak Park, Las Vegas, Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stylish_sheep/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Stylish-Sheep_4to5_40x50.jpg Stylish Sheep When the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home orders came to an end, I hopped in my van and made my way to Nevada. The emptiness of Nevada is something to behold. It's a strange feeling to drive along some of the loneliest highways on the planet, but it was while I was doing just this that I came across a herd of bighorn sheep. A few of them were nice enough to pose for me. near Walker Lake, western Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stella_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Stella-Lake_3to2_72x48.jpg Stella Lake When the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home orders came to an end, I hopped in my van and made my way to Nevada. My first stop was Great Basin National Park - a mountain range in the middle of the desert. At higher elevations, there was still a lot of snow, so many of the hiking trails were still relatively inaccessible. The Alpine Lakes Loop Trail was open, although snowy in many places, and it was on this hike that I photographed Stella Lake, and Wheeler Peak, shown here. Great Basin National Park, Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mouses_tank_road_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Mouses-Tank-Road-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Mouse's Tank Road Panorama Mouse's Tank Road is a 6-mile scenic drive in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, that takes one, ultimately, to the White Domes Area. The entire drive is beautiful, though, and provides many scenes like this one. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/little_horned_bighorn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Little-Horned-Bighorn_5to4_60x48.jpg Little Horned Bighorn When the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home orders came to an end, I hopped in my van and made my way to Nevada. The emptiness of Nevada is something to behold. It's a strange feeling to drive along some of the loneliest highways on the planet, but it was while I was doing just this that I came across a herd of bighorn sheep. A few of them were nice enough to pose for me. near Walker Lake, western Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/las_vegas_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Las-Vegas-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Las Vegas Panorama "The Strip," in Las Vegas, has been shot to death. And for good reason - it is, if nothing else, one of the most brightly-lit streets in the US. But when I was passing through Las Vegas in the fall of 2019, I wanted to shoot the city from a non-traditional location. After looking at some maps of the region, I found "Exploration Peak Park," which is located several miles southwest of downtown and allows for a good view of the city. Exploration Peak Park, Las Vegas, Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/las_vegas_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Las-Vegas-at-Dusk_3to2_72x48.jpg Las Vegas at Dusk "The Strip," in Las Vegas, has been photographed countless times. And for good reason - it is, if nothing else, one of the most brightly-lit streets in the US. But when I was passing through Las Vegas in the fall of 2019, I wanted to shoot the city from a non-traditional location. After looking at some maps of the region, I found "Exploration Peak Park," which is located several miles southwest of downtown and allows for a good view of the city. Exploration Peak Park, Las Vegas, Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/desert_bighorn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Desert-Bighorn_3to2_60x40.jpg Desert Bighorn When the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home orders came to an end, I hopped in my van and made my way to Nevada. The emptiness of Nevada is something to behold. It's a strange feeling to drive along some of the loneliest highways on the planet, but it was while I was doing just this that I came across a herd of bighorn sheep. A few of them were nice enough to pose for me. near Walker Lake, western Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_rock_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Black-Rock-Sunset_3to2_60x40.jpg Black Rock Sunset Black Rock Desert, northwest Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_rock_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Black-Rock-Panorama_5to2_120x48.jpg Black Rock Panorama When the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home orders came to an end, I hopped in my van and made my way to Nevada. After visiting Great Basin National Park, my intention was to go to Lake Tahoe, but the sheer number of RVs on the road made it obvious that I wasn't the only one with this idea, and not wanting to be around so many people, I adjusted my plans and went instead to northwest Nevada's Black Rock Desert. It's a strange place - Burning Man is held here every year, and the overwhelming emptiness of the place can be overpowering. If you ever want to get away from everyone, you may want to put Black Rock Desert on your short list. Black Rock Desert, northwest Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_rock_desert/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Black-Rock-Desert_3to2_72x48.jpg Black Rock Desert When the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home orders came to an end, I hopped in my van and made my way to Nevada. After visiting Great Basin National Park, my intention was to go to Lake Tahoe, but the sheer number of RVs on the road made it obvious that I wasn't the only one with this idea, and not wanting to be around so many people, I adjusted my plans and went instead to northwest Nevada's Black Rock Desert. It's a strange place - Burning Man is held here every year, and the overwhelming emptiness of the place can be overpowering. If you ever want to get away from everyone, you may want to put Black Rock Desert on your short list. Black Rock Desert, northwest Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_and_gold/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Black-and-Gold_3to2_60x40.jpg Black and Gold When the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home orders came to an end, I hopped in my van and made my way to Nevada. My first stop was Great Basin National Park - a mountain range in the middle of the desert. The National Park is relatively small, and much of it was inaccessible due to snow while I was there, but there were still many good views to be found. I took this photo looking out of the park into the surrounding, hilly desert just before sunset, when the horizontal light cast long, dark shadows. Great Basin National Park, Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_and_gold_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nevada_Black-and-Gold-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Black and Gold Portrait When the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home orders came to an end, I hopped in my van and made my way to Nevada. My first stop was Great Basin National Park - a mountain range in the middle of the desert. The National Park is relatively small, and much of it was inaccessible due to snow while I was there, but there were still many good views to be found. I took this photo looking out of the park into the surrounding, hilly desert just before sunset, when the horizontal light cast long, dark shadows. Great Basin National Park, Nevada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/swayambhunath_monkey/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Swayambhunath-Monkey_1to1_24x24.jpg Swayambhunath Monkey Kathmandu is a one-of-a-kind city. Many people I've met who have been there didn't like the city because of how dirty it is. Personally, I loved Kathmandu. I took this photo at Swayambhunath, affectionately and appropriately called "Monkey Temple," because of the hundreds -maybe even thousands - of monkeys that inhabit the grounds. Located on a hill west of the center of Kathmandu, one must climb 365 steps to reach the main level of the complex. The monkeys, which varied from cute and curious to frightening and aggressive, were one of the highlights of my visit to Swayambhunath.  Swayambhunath Temble, Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_in_kathmandu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Sunset-in-Kathmandu_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunset in Kathmandu I made it something of a habit while staying in Nepal to be on the roof of my hotel when the sun went down. For whatever reason, at this time of day, tons of birds would fly into and out of town. I shot this fairly artsy photo of a silhouetted crow and the sun a short time before setting a couple days before Christmas, 2011. Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_canoe_ride_in_chitwan_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Sunrise-Canoe-Ride-in-Chitwan-National-Park_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunrise Canoe Ride in Chitwan National Park When most people think of Nepal, they think of the highest mountains on the planet. The southern portion of the country, however, is much lower, and the environment, as well as the culture of the area reflects this difference. I went on a journey to Chitwan National Park, approximately 60 miles geographically but worlds apart in terms of day-to-day life from the madness of Kathmandu. Life here was much slower, as symbolized by the lazy paddling of a canoe through Chitwan National Park at sunrise. Chitwan National Park, Central Region, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/prayer_flags/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Prayer-Flags_3to2_45x30.jpg Prayer Flags One cannot travel far in Nepal without coming across prayer flags, like those shown here. They can be found all over the country, from the middle of the city - like these, which I photographed at Boudinath Stupa, in Kathmandu - to the tops of the world's tallest mountains. Boudinath, Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nepali_rice_terraces/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Nepali-Rice-Terraces_3to2_36x24.jpg Nepali Rice Terraces I spent 35 days hiking to and around Everest Base Camp in November and December of 2011, and took this photo on my third day into the trek, somewhere between the villages of Deurali and Kinja. If you look closely at the right side of the picture, a Nepali woman is visible walking along one of the many regional trails that connects the villages in the area. Between Deurali and Kinja villages, Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountains_of_manang/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Mountains-of-Manang_3to2_45x30.jpg Mountains of Manang The Annapurna trek in the Himalayas is simply spectacular. I spent 17 days on this trek in 2011, and took this photo near the middle of my time in the area. I couldn't tell you the name of the mountain shown here, but it was close to the village of Manang, in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas. Manang, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountains_of_manang_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Mountains-of-Manang-2_1to1_30x30.jpg Mountains of Manang 2 The Annapurna trek in the Himalayas is simply spectacular. I spent 17 days on this trek in 2011, and took this photo near the middle of my time in the area. I couldn't tell you the name of the mountain shown here, but it was close to the village of Manang, in the Annapurna region of the Himalayas. Manang, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mount_everest_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Mount-Everest-at-Sunset_5to2_75x30.jpg Mount Everest at Sunset Considering the fact that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on the planet, it is surprising how difficult it is to see and photograph. Surrounded by many other enormous peaks, it is tough to find a good point from which to view it. Perhaps the best location to view and photograph Mount Everest is from Gokyo Ri, the mountain just above the village of Gokyo, a one or two day walk from Everest Base Camp. And it is from the top of this 17,575 foot peak that I took this photo of Mount Everest at sunset. Gokyo-Ri, Khumjung, Eastern Region, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mount_everest_at_sunset_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Mount-Everest-at-Sunset-2_5to4_30x24.jpg Mount Everest at Sunset 2 Considering the fact that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on the planet, it is surprising how difficult it is to see and photograph. Surrounded by many other enormous peaks, it is tough to find a good point from which to view it. Perhaps the best location to view and photograph Mount Everest is from Gokyo Ri, the mountain just above the village of Gokyo, a one or two day walk from Everest Base Camp. And it is from the top of this 17,575 foot peak that I took this photo of Mount Everest at sunset. Gokyo-Ri, Khumjung, Eastern Region, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/monkey_love/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Monkey-Love_1to1_30x30.jpg Monkey Love Kathmandu is a one-of-a-kind city. Many people I've met who have been there didn't like the city because of how dirty it is. Personally, I loved Kathmandu. I took this photo at Swayambhunath, affectionately and appropriately called "Monkey Temple," because of the hundreds -maybe even thousands - of monkeys that inhabit the grounds. Located on a hill west of the center of Kathmandu, one must climb 365 steps to reach the main level of the complex. The monkeys, which varied from cute and curious to frightening and aggressive, were one of the highlights of my visit to Swayambhunath.  Swayambhunath Temble, Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kathmandu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Kathmandu_3to2_45x30.jpg Kathmandu Kathmandu is a one-of-a-kind city. Many people I've met who have been there didn't like the city because of how dirty it is. Personally, I loved Kathmandu. I took this photo at Swayambhunath, a temple located on a hill west of the center of Kathmandu. One must climb 365 steps to reach the main level of the complex, which affords good views of the city, which surrounds the temple. Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/himalayas_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Himalayas-at-Dusk_2to1_48x24.jpg Himalayas at Dusk Considering the fact that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on the planet, it is surprising how difficult it is to see and photograph. Surrounded by many other enormous peaks, it is tough to find a good point from which to view it. Perhaps the best location to view and photograph Mount Everest is from Gokyo Ri, the mountain just above the village of Gokyo, a one or two day walk from Everest Base Camp. And it is from the top of this 17,575 foot peak that I took this photo of some of the peaks near Mount Everest shortly after the sun set, leaving the sky beautiful shades of pink and purple. Gokyo-Ri, Khumjung, Eastern Region, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hard_at_work_in_the_himalayas/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Hard-Work-in-the-Himalayas_2to3_24x36.jpg Hard at Work in the Himalayas I took this photo on the 30th day (of 35) of my Everest Base Camp trek in November and December of 2011. The Nepali people who live in the Himalayas don't have roads, motorcycles, or cars, and so everything that is moved around the region is done on the backs of people or pack animals. Shown here are two Nepali women with the traditional baskets used by the people of the area to move everything from food to furniture. Between Taksindu La and Salung villages, Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gorak_shep_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Gorak-Shep-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Gorak Shep Sunset Gorak Shep is the last stop most casual trekkers make before reaching Everest Base Camp. The "village," which consisted of 3 buildings when I visited in November, 2011, is surrounded by the highest mountains on Earth. This is just one of many, illuminated by the day's last light. Gorak Shep village, Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gorak_shep_sunset_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Gorak-Shep-Sunset-2_3to2_45x30.jpg Gorak Shep Sunset 2 Gorak Shep is the last stop most casual trekkers make before reaching Everest Base Camp. The "village," which consisted of 3 buildings when I visited in November, 2011, is surrounded by the highest mountains on Earth. This is just one of many, illuminated by the day's last light. Gorak Shep village, Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gokyo_star_trails/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Gokyo-Star-Trails_3to2_45x30.jpg Gokyo Star Trails The village of Gokyo is a trek of a few days west of Gorak Shep and Everest Base Camp. It lies on the shore of Gokyo Lake, shown here. A 20-minute exposure allowed me to capture the rotation of the Earth, made visible in the "star trails" you can see in the night sky. Gokyo Village, Khumjung, Eastern Region, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gharials/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Gharials_3to2_45x30.jpg Gharials A bunch of gharials - a type of fish-eating crocodile - that I shot at the Gharial Conservation Center in Chitwan National Park, southern Nepal. These animals are critically endangered, with estimates for the number living in the wild hovering at less than 235. They can grow to over 20 feet in length, but average only 11 to 15 feet. Although they once inhabited all the major river systems of the Indian Subcontinent, they now live in only 2% of their former range. Gharial Conservation Center, Chitwan National Park, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/foggy_morning_in_chitwan_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Foggy-Morning-in-Chitwan-National-Park_2to3_24x36.jpg Foggy Morning in Chitwan National Park A bit more abstract than my typical photography, I took this just after dawn in southern Nepal's Chitwan National Park. Chitwan National Park, southern Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/everest_from_kala_patthar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Everest-from-Kala-Patthar_5to2_90x36.jpg Everest from Kala Patthar Kala Patthar, which translates to 'black rock,' would be an unknown mountain, were it not for the view it affords of Mt. Everest. Everest cannot easily be seen while in the area, since other mountains nearby, including Nupste (the most prominent mountain in this photo) block any views of the world's tallest mountain. Climbing Kala Patthar, though, allows one to have a good view of Everest - the pyramid-shaped photo in the back, left of this photo. Gorak Shep village, Everest Base Camp Trek, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/boudinath/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Boudinath_2to1_80x40.jpg Boudinath Boudinath (also spelled Boudhanath) is a large Buddhist stupa located about 11 miles from the center of Kathmandu. This stupa, which measures 118 feet tall, dominates the local skyline. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged in the deadly 2015 earthquake that rocked this beautiful country, but renovations have since been completed, and it is, once again, as beautiful as ever. Boudinath, Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/boudinath_stupa/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Boudinath-Stupa_3to2_45x30.jpg Boudinath Stupa Boudinath (also spelled Boudhanath) is a large Buddhist stupa located about 11 miles from the center of Kathmandu. This stupa, which measures 118 feet tall, dominates the local skyline. Unfortunately, it was badly damaged in the deadly 2015 earthquake that rocked this beautiful country, but renovations have since been completed, and it is, once again, as beautiful as ever. Boudinath, Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/approaching_gokyo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Approaching-Gokyo_3to1_108x36.jpg Approaching Gokyo Considering the fact that Mount Everest is the tallest mountain on the planet, it is surprising how difficult it is to see and photograph. Surrounded by many other enormous peaks, it is tough to find a good point from which to view it. Perhaps the best location to view and photograph Mount Everest is from Gokyo Ri, the mountain just above the village of Gokyo, seen in the bottom right of this photo. And it was with this in mind that I went to Gokyo during my 35-day trek through the Everest area of the Himalayas. Gokyo Village, Khumjung, Eastern Region, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/annapurna_monks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nepal_Annapurna-Monks_3to2_45x30.jpg Annapurna Monks Five monks meditating at Sarangkot, while enjoying one of the most awe-inspiring views I've ever seen. Annapurna I, the 10th tallest mountain on Earth, is in the background. Sarangkot, Western Region, Nepal https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/omaha_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nebraska_Omaha-Reflection_3to2_90x60.jpg Omaha Reflection I started shooting cityscapes in 2018, and I was an artist at the Omaha Summer Arts Festival in early June, 2019. I took this opportunity to get some photos of the beautiful skyline of Omaha. The Missouri River - much like most of the rivers in the midwest during the summer of 2019 - was flowing extremely high when I took this photo, which allowed for some non-typical shots of the city. Omaha, Nebraska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/omaha_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nebraska_Omaha-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Omaha Panorama I started shooting cityscapes in 2018, and I was an artist at the Omaha Summer Arts Festival in early June, 2019. I took this opportunity to get some photos of the beautiful skyline of Omaha. The Missouri River - much like most of the rivers in the midwest during the summer of 2019 - was flowing extremely high when I took this photo, which allowed for some non-typical shots of the city. Omaha, Nebraska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/omaha_from_the_bob_kerrey_pedestrian_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nebraska_Omaha-from-the-Bob-Kerrey-Pedestrian-Bridge_2to1_120x60.jpg Omaha from the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge I started shooting cityscapes in 2018, and I was an artist at the Omaha Summer Arts Festival in early June, 2019. I took this opportunity to get some photos of the beautiful skyline of Omaha. The Missouri River - much like most of the rivers in the midwest during the summer of 2019 - was flowing extremely high when I took this photo, which allowed for some non-typical shots of the city. Omaha, Nebraska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/omaha_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Nebraska_Omaha-at-Dusk_3to2_72x48.jpg Omaha at Dusk I started shooting cityscapes in 2018, and I was an artist at the Omaha Summer Arts Festival in early June, 2019. I took this opportunity to get some photos of the beautiful skyline of Omaha. The Missouri River - much like most of the rivers in the midwest during the summer of 2019 - was flowing extremely high when I took this photo, which allowed for some non-typical shots of the city. Omaha, Nebraska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/long_shadows_in_kootenai/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Long-Shadows-in-Kootenai_3to2_72x48.jpg Long Shadows in Kootenai I went on a semi-spontaneous Glacier National Park trip in the summer of 2020. I'd been to Glacier several times before my 2020 trip, but there were several parts of the park I'd not yet visited, and had hoped to do so on this trip. Alas, it was not to be. The Blackfoot Nation, which shares a border with Glacier's east side, closed down access due to COVID concerns. I completely understand this reaction and hold no grudges. Unfortunately, it meant I was limited to visiting the western part of the park, and needed to find a camp spot that would allow me to access this part of the park early in the morning (for sunrise), hopefully while avoiding a drive of an hour or more. Fortunately, Kootenai National Forest shares a border with Glacier's west side, so I found a dispersed camp spot in Kootenai, and this was the view I had during the admittedly short times I was camping there. There's just great stuff all around this part of Montana. Kootenai National Forest, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellow_leaves_blue_sky/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Yellow-Leaves-Blue-Sky_3to2_45x30.jpg Yellow Leaves, Blue Sky It seems every photographer has a photo of a blue sky viewed through a wide-angle lens filled with yellow aspen leaves. And now I do, too! If you look at a color wheel, blue is opposite of yellow, which makes this color combination pleasing to the eye. The hardest part of getting a photo like this is finding nicely spaced aspen trees with nothing but yellow leaves on a blue-sky day. After that, it's pretty much a matter of pointing your camera up. Voila! Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wildflowers_in_glacier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Wildflowers-in-Glacier_3to2_72x48.jpg Wildflowers in Glacier During my summer, 2016 visit to Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, the wildflowers were in full bloom. I'm not sure of the names of the mountains in the background of this photo, but they can be seen in the Many Glacier area of the National Park. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/watercolor/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Watercolor_3to2_90x60.jpg Watercolor Most of my photography steers away from the abstract, but during a 2020 trip to Glacier National Park, when I was hiking along the shores of McDonald Creek, something caught my eye. I'm still not quite sure what it was, but when I looked at this isolated portion of the creek, I was able to envision it as something more like a painting than a photograph. I used what is called a neutral-density filter (basically sunglasses for a camera) to allow myself to take a long-exposure photo and turn the movement of the rapids into something that looks like a painting. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/watercolor_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Watercolor-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Watercolor Panorama Most of my photography steers away from the abstract, but during a 2020 trip to Glacier National Park, when I was hiking along the shores of McDonald Creek, something caught my eye. I'm still not quite sure what it was, but when I looked at this isolated portion of the creek, I was able to envision it as something more like a painting than a photograph. I used what is called a neutral-density filter (basically sunglasses for a camera) to allow myself to take a long-exposure photo and turn the movement of the rapids into something that looks like a painting. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/warning/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Warning_2to3_48x72.jpg Warning The Columbian ground squirrels in the area around Glacier National Park's Logan Pass Visitor Center are practically tame. Visitors are discouraged from feeding them, and I believe people are much better about this than when I was a kid - I remember people getting squirrels and chipmunks in National Parks to eat out of their hands. Nonetheless, these animals are used to there being so many people around that they'll scarcely pay you any attention. I saw a kid nearly (accidentally) step on one during this 2020 visit. And this particular squirrel stood on a rock with walking paths 3 feet from him in several directions and just chirped loudly for several minutes, all while people walked right by him. It made for a good picture! Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_medicine_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Two-Medicine-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Two Medicine Portrait I'd visited Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, many times prior to my Summer, 2022 visit. All these visits, however, had been limited to the "main" part of the Park - Going to the Sun Road, and the areas immediately around this spectacular drive. Because of increased visitation, Glacier instituted a "permits only" entrance policy for Going to the Sun Road, and the surrounding, most-popular portion of the park in 2021. Without a permit (I'm notoriously bad at planning far in advance), I decided to visit Two Medicine Lake, in southeast Glacier - one of the other parts of the park that does not require an entry permit. I camped practically on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and snapped this photo, along with many other beautiful compositions of this lake, on a morning with an absolutely perfect sunrise. I truly don't know that I've ever gotten so many great photos in such a short time. There are a million options for composition here, and you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo at a place like this with similar conditions. Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_medicine_mirror/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Two-Medicine-Mirror_3to1_180x60.jpg Two Medicine Mirror I'd visited Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, many times prior to my Summer, 2022 visit. All these visits, however, had been limited to the "main" part of the Park - Going to the Sun Road, and the areas immediately around this spectacular drive. Because of increased visitation, Glacier instituted a "permits only" entrance policy for Going to the Sun Road, and the surrounding, most-popular portion of the park in 2021. Without a permit (I'm notoriously bad at planning far in advance), I decided to visit Two Medicine Lake, in southeast Glacier - one of the other parts of the park that does not require an entry permit. I camped practically on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and snapped this photo, along with many other beautiful compositions of this lake, on a morning with an absolutely perfect sunrise. I truly don't know that I've ever gotten so many great photos in such a short time. There are a million options for composition here, and you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo at a place like this with similar conditions. Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_rainbow_below/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_The-Rainbow-Below_3to2_72x48.jpg The Rainbow Below My 2020 visit to Glacier National Park was, because of COVID, limited to the western portion of the Park. I'd hoped to explore some portions of the Park I'd never visited before, but I guess I'll have to save that for another trip. Fortunately, there's no shortage of things to see and do, even when one is limited to accessing only about half of Glacier, and one of the more easily accessible parts of the western side is Lake McDonald and McDonald Creek. There are beautiful rocks that line the shores and bed of Lake McDonald and McDonald Creek, and they are t wonderful subject for nature photography. I took this photo shooting almost directly downward through a few inches of rapidly moving water in McDonald Creek, and love how abstract and strange-looking it turned out. The Rainbow Below https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/surveying_his_domain/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Surveying-His-Domain_2to3_40x60.jpg Surveying His Domain I spent some time watching a group of mountain goats from Glacier National Park's Highline Trail during a summer 2020 trip. They wandered around for a bit, but eventually made their way out of the hot sun and onto some cliffsides, where most of them went to sleep. This one, though, kept wandering, and eventually settled on this great spot from which he was able to survey all the land around him. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/summer_in_glacier_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Summer-in-Glacier-National-Park_5to2_150x60.jpg Summer in Glacier National Park This is a typical view on the drive along Going-to-the-Sun road in Montana's spectacular Glacier National Park. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/summer_at_logan_pass/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Summer-at-Logan-Pass_5to4_40x30.jpg Summer at Logan Pass There are a lot of fully-established trails in the area around Glacier National Park's Logan Pass Visitor Center, and there are also some that are less crowded, such as the path to Logan Creek Falls. When I visited in the summer of 2020, some of the trails were closed, and others were packed with tourists. In the middle of the day, I didn't feel like dealing with crowds, so I went on the less used path to Logan Creek Falls, and came upon this field of wildflowers along the way. Absolutely beautiful. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seeing_double/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Seeing-Double_1to1_30x30.jpg Seeing Double One can usually tell when there is a bear around in a national park by what is happening with the traffic. If you find yourself in a standstill in Glacier National Park, there's a good chance there's a bear or bears somewhere close by. Such was the case when I hit a "traffic jam" in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park in the late summer of 2012. Two big grizzly bears were foraging for any calories they could find down by a lake a hundred or so yards from the road. I got out and watched as they approached each other. I didn't know whether there would be any kind of interaction, and there wasn't. They didn't even acknowledge each other, but even as they got as close as they are shown to be in this photo, they did nothing but carry on eating. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_mary_lake_sunrise_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Saint-Mary-Lake-Sunrise_5to2_105x42.jpg Saint Mary Lake Sunrise 2 Every time I visit Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, I make it a priority to get to the Wild Goose Island viewpoint at sunrise and / or sunset. And when the mountains light up, it is worth it, every time. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_mary_lake_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Saint-Mary-Lake-Sunrise_3to1_120x40.jpg Saint Mary Lake Sunrise Every time I visit Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, I make it a priority to get to the Wild Goose Island viewpoint at sunrise and / or sunset. And when the mountains light up, it is worth it, every time. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sacred_dancing_cascade/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Sacred-Dancing-Cascade_3to1_180x60.jpg Sacred Dancing Cascade McDonald Creek, in Glacier National Park, ultimately feeds into Lake McDonald, on the western side of Glacier. Along its route, it is by turns smooth and calm, and then fast and turbulent as it comes down over various features. McDonald Falls and Sacred Dancing Cascade (shown here) are the two most easily accessible, and therefore famous, of McDonald Creek's features. Most photographs of Sacred Dancing Cascade tend to zoom in on the cascade itself, which is understandable because it's beautiful on its own. However, for this photo, I wanted to showcase some other aspects of the cascade, namely the blue- and magenta-hued rocks that lie below the cascade. Coupled with the turquoise water, it really makes a lovely composition. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ram/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Ram_5to4_50x40.jpg Ram The construction of the Logan Pass Visitor Center, at the summit of Glacier National Park's Going to the Sun Road, was completed in 1966, when a lot less visitors made it to this absolute gem of a National Park. These days, it is packed with tourists, and if you want to find a parking spot, you need to arrive early. Fortunately, being a nature photographer, I'm out and about hours before most park visitors are even awake, and was thus able to easily get a parking spot when I visited in the summer of 2020. I knew from previous visits that bighorn sheep frequently visit this parking lot, especially early in the morning. This big guy was one of five or six big males that came down to the parking lot to say hello to all their fans before moving off into the surrounding valleys to begin grazing. I followed them (from a safe distance, of course) and began shooting when the parking lot was safely out of sight. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rainbow_rocks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Rainbow-Rocks_3to2_90x60.jpg Rainbow Rocks Glacier National Park is probably best-known for its (disappearing) glaciers, beautiful lakes, mountain vistas, and wildlife. But one other thing Glacier has to offer, and it's something I've never seen anywhere else, is the assortment of multicolored river rocks found along the shores of Lake McDonald, as well as in and along McDonald Creek. When the rocks are dry, they tend to be a grayish brown color, but when they are wet, their beauty truly shines. Purples, blues, and reds appear like magic. While the composition of this shot was easy, it took a bit more work to capture than one might think. I took this photo along the shores of Lake McDonald, and I had to fill up a jug with water from the lake and spill it on the rocks. It was a hot day, though, so I had to keep running back and forth from the lake to the rocks to keep them wet, because they kept drying off before I was able to get the shot I wanted! Eventually it all worked out, though, and I got this awesome shot. I shot at f/22, which produced the many sunstars seen throughout the photo. Nope, it isn't a filter! Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/putting_on_weight/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Putting-on-Weight_5to4_30x24.jpg Putting on Weight One can usually tell when there is a bear around in a national park by what is happening with the traffic. If you find yourself in a standstill in Glacier National Park, there's a good chance there's a bear or bears somewhere close by. Such was the case when I hit a "traffic jam" in the Many Glacier area of Glacier National Park in the late summer of 2012. This was one of two bears I saw here, foraging for any and all the calories he could possibly find before winter. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perfect_montana_morning/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Perfect-Montana-Morning_2to1_120x60.jpg Perfect Montana Morning I'd visited Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, many times prior to my Summer, 2022 visit. All these visits, however, had been limited to the "main" part of the Park - Going to the Sun Road, and the areas immediately around this spectacular drive. Because of increased visitation, Glacier instituted a "permits only" entrance policy for Going to the Sun Road, and the surrounding, most-popular portion of the park in 2021. Without a permit (I'm notoriously bad at planning far in advance), I decided to visit Two Medicine Lake, in southeast Glacier - one of the other parts of the park that does not require an entry permit. I camped practically on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and snapped this photo, along with many other beautiful compositions of this lake, on a morning with an absolutely perfect sunrise. I truly don't know that I've ever gotten so many great photos in such a short time. There are a million options for composition here, and you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo at a place like this with similar conditions. Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perfect_montana_morning_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Perfect-Montana-Morning-Wide_5to2_150x60.jpg Perfect Montana Morning (Wide) I'd visited Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, many times prior to my Summer, 2022 visit. All these visits, however, had been limited to the "main" part of the Park - Going to the Sun Road, and the areas immediately around this spectacular drive. Because of increased visitation, Glacier instituted a "permits only" entrance policy for Going to the Sun Road, and the surrounding, most-popular portion of the park in 2021. Without a permit (I'm notoriously bad at planning far in advance), I decided to visit Two Medicine Lake, in southeast Glacier - one of the other parts of the park that does not require an entry permit. I camped practically on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and snapped this photo, along with many other beautiful compositions of this lake, on a morning with an absolutely perfect sunrise. I truly don't know that I've ever gotten so many great photos in such a short time. There are a million options for composition here, and you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo at a place like this with similar conditions. Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/paradise_meadow_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Paradise-Meadow-Sunrise_5to2_150x60.jpg Paradise Meadow Sunrise Going to the Sun Road is a - if not the - highlight of Glacier National Park. There are many pullouts along the 2-lane road that afford incredible views of the surrounding area, such as this one of Paradise Valley. I took this photo shortly after sunrise, with the sun coming behind me, and just beginning to paint the tops of the mountains a super-saturated shade of orange. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountain_goat_and_flowers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Mountain-Goat-and-Flowers_3to2_36x24.jpg Mountain Goat and Flowers There aren't too many places that one can find mountain goats, but Montana's Glacier National Park is one of the best. The animals here are accustomed to people being around, so they don't scare easily. The goat in this photo walked right by me, only a dozen or so yards from a trail populated by a handful of hikers, each amazed by the bravery of the animal, to approach us so closely. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/morrell_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Morrell-Falls_2to5_60x150.jpg Morrell Falls I went on a semi-spontaneous Glacier National Park trip in the summer of 2020. I'm from northern Colorado, so I had to drive through all of Wyoming, and 90% of Montana in order to reach Glacier. My schedule at the time was fairly wide open, and I wasn't in a rush to make it to Glacier, so I took my time and enjoyed the drive, stopping in several places I'd never visited before, including some National Forest land outside of Seeley Lake, Montana. I stopped at a local visitor center and asked for advice on some day hikes, and one recommendation I got was to check out Morrell Falls. The hike was a relatively easy, 5-mile (round trip) stroll through meadows and a burned down forest. The falls themselves certainly didn't disappoint - my favorite feature was probably the multi-colored river rocks in the stream bed below the falls. They reminded me of the rainbow-colored rocks one finds in and around Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park. This photo would work exceptionally well on a tall, narrow wall. near Seeley Lake, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moonrise_in_glacier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Moonrise-in-Glacier_3to2_45x30.jpg Moonrise in Glacier Alright, alright … this was actually taken at moonset, not moonrise, but "Moonset at Glacier" just doesn't have quite the same ring to it. Anyway, I took this photo from the shores of Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park shortly after sunrise. I turned the exposure down quite a bit in order to maintain the detail in the moon. Upon looking at this photo a bit more closely, you might see a small hut and some type of electronics tower on the peak to the left. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moonlit_mountainside/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Moonlit-Mountainside_3to2_45x30.jpg Moonlit Mountainside One evening, I went to St. Mary Lake, in Glacier National Park, Montana, at sunset, but didn't get any good shots of the lake. I did, however, turn around and see the nearly full moon rising above a mountainside dominated by a burnt-down forest. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/midsummer_stroll/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Midsummer-Stroll_3to2_45x30.jpg Midsummer Stroll I spent some time watching a group of mountain goats from Glacier National Park's Highline Trail during a summer 2020 trip. The flowers were in bloom, but the goats were mostly avoiding these multicolored meadows. But eventually my patience paid off, when this young goat left its mother's side and went for a wander through the flowers. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mcdonald_creek/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_McDonald-Creek_3to2_72x48.jpg McDonald Creek McDonald Creek, in Glacier National Park, ultimately feeds into Lake McDonald, on the western side of this beautiful National Park. The unearthly blue hue of the water is caused by the fact that the stream is glacially-fed. Stopping anywhere along the creek affords one views such as this. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mcdonald_creek_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_McDonald-Creek-2_3to2_72x48.jpg McDonald Creek 2 McDonald Creek, in Glacier National Park, ultimately feeds into Lake McDonald, on the western side of this beautiful National Park. Stopping anywhere along the creek affords one views such as this. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lunch_creek/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Lunch-Creek_3to2_72x48.jpg Lunch Creek Lunch Creek is a small creek just east of the Logan Pass Visitor Center, at the peak of Going-to-the-Sun Road, in Montana's spectacular Glacier National Park. I don't know how it got the name it has, but it does strike me as a particularly good place to break out the picnic supplies and have lunch. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/logan_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Logan-Creek-Falls_2to3_60x90.jpg Logan Creek Falls There are a lot of fully-established trails in the area around Glacier National Park's Logan Pass Visitor Center, and there are also some that are less crowded, such as the path to Logan Creek Falls. When I visited in the summer of 2020, some of the trails were closed, and others were packed with tourists. In the middle of the day, I didn't feel like dealing with crowds, so I went on the less used path to Logan Creek Falls, where I had this view more-or-less to myself. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/how_the_foreground_fades/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_How-the-Foreground-Fades_2to3_48x72.jpg How the Foreground Fades One of the best places in the country to easily find and photograph bighorn sheep is along Glacier National Park's "Going to the Sun Road," particularly at the visitor center at the top of the road. This is where I was fortunate enough to capture this big guy. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hidden_lake_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Hidden-Lake-Sunrise_3to1_180x60.jpg Hidden Lake Sunrise I got up early on the morning of September 16, 2016, with the hope of getting a photo of the nearly-full moon setting behind a mountain. But my timing was a bit off - the sky was still too dark for a great picture when the moon set. So, as the sun began to rise, I knew I needed a shot, and I needed one quickly. Since I was already at Logan Pass, I figured I'd start the day with a short hike, and quickly walked the mile and a half to the Hidden Lake viewpoint. I'd say it turned out pretty well for being as unrehearsed of a shot as it was. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/haystack_falls_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Haystack-Falls-Bridge_2to3_30x45.jpg Haystack Falls Bridge Going to the Sun Road is a - if not the - highlight of Glacier National Park. There are many pullouts along the 2-lane road that afford incredible views of the surrounding area, such as this one of Haystack Falls, a 490-foot cascade that perfectly encapsulates the majesty of one of America's most scenic drives. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gardiner_in_winter/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Gardiner-in-Winter_5to2_120x48.jpg Gardiner in Winter In the winter of 2020, I visited Yellowstone National Park, and although I've been to this wonderful park many times, this marked my first visit in the winter. I went hoping to see and photograph wolves. Although I saw many wolves through a spotting scope, I never got close enough to any to capture any great images. The trip was a lot of fun, though, and I was able to capture several other images that were great in their own right. While on the trip, I stayed in the charming Montana town of Gardiner, shown here. Gardiner, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/first_light_at_two_medicine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_First-Light-at-Two-Medicine_2to1_120x60.jpg First Light at Two Medicine I'd visited Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, many times prior to my Summer, 2022 visit. All these visits, however, had been limited to the "main" part of the Park - Going to the Sun Road, and the areas immediately around this spectacular drive. Because of increased visitation, Glacier instituted a "permits only" entrance policy for Going to the Sun Road, and the surrounding, most-popular portion of the park in 2021. Without a permit (I'm notoriously bad at planning far in advance), I decided to visit Two Medicine Lake, in southeast Glacier - one of the other parts of the park that does not require an entry permit. I camped practically on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and snapped this photo, along with many other beautiful compositions of this lake, on a morning with an absolutely perfect sunrise. I truly don't know that I've ever gotten so many great photos in such a short time. There are a million options for composition here, and you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo at a place like this with similar conditions. Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/driftwood_at_two_medicine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Driftwood-at-Two-Medicine_5to4_60x48.jpg Driftwood at Two Medicine I'd visited Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, many times prior to my Summer, 2022 visit. All these visits, however, had been limited to the "main" part of the Park - Going to the Sun Road, and the areas immediately around this spectacular drive. Because of increased visitation, Glacier instituted a "permits only" entrance policy for Going to the Sun Road, and the surrounding, most-popular portion of the park in 2021. Without a permit (I'm notoriously bad at planning far in advance), I decided to visit Two Medicine Lake, in southeast Glacier - one of the other parts of the park that does not require an entry permit. I camped practically on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and snapped this photo, along with many other beautiful compositions of this lake, on a morning with an absolutely perfect sunrise. I truly don't know that I've ever gotten so many great photos in such a short time. There are a million options for composition here, and you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo at a place like this with similar conditions. Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/devils_canyon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Devils-Canyon_2to1_120x60.jpg Devil's Canyon During a week between art shows in Wyoming and Montana, I decided to visit a place I'd never been before - Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, less than a hundred miles east of Yellowstone National Park, on the Wyoming / Montana border. The scenery here was much more reminiscent of the American Southwest than what I think of when I visualize Wyoming or Montana. It was a refreshing change of pace, and the crowds here were minuscule compared to what I've come to expect in the more popular National Parks in this part of the country. This view is somewhat similar to Horseshoe Bend (in northern Arizona) or Dead Horse Point (eastern Utah), but what makes this viewpoint different is that on the left side of the photo, you can see that this bend takes place where two rivers (Porcupine Creek and Bighorn River) converge before continuing downstream as the Bighorn River. Oh, and there are wild horses all over this area! Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dawn_at_two_medicine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Dawn-at-Two-Medicine_2to1_120x60.jpg Dawn at Two Medicine I'd visited Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, many times prior to my Summer, 2022 visit. All these visits, however, had been limited to the "main" part of the Park - Going to the Sun Road, and the areas immediately around this spectacular drive. Because of increased visitation, Glacier instituted a "permits only" entrance policy for Going to the Sun Road, and the surrounding, most-popular portion of the park in 2021. Without a permit (I'm notoriously bad at planning far in advance), I decided to visit Two Medicine Lake, in southeast Glacier - one of the other parts of the park that does not require an entry permit. I camped practically on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and snapped this photo, along with many other beautiful compositions of this lake, on a morning with an absolutely perfect sunrise. I truly don't know that I've ever gotten so many great photos in such a short time. There are a million options for composition here, and you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo at a place like this with similar conditions. Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/crow_mountain/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Crow-Mountain_3to2_72x48.jpg Crow Mountain I went on a semi-spontaneous Glacier National Park trip in the summer of 2020. I'm from northern Colorado, so I had to drive through Wyoming, and took some great roads, including one of my favorites, the Beartooth Highway, which goes from Yellowstone National Park's northeastern entrance to Red Lodge, Montana. I was in no particular rush to carry on when I made it to Red Lodge, and did some research of places to hike and camp in the area. I decided to go to Alpine, Montana, a tiny community on the shore of East Rosebud Lake in the same mountain range as the Beartooth Highway. There's a lot of good hiking in the area, and while it is remains something of a secret spot that involves a few miles of dirt road to access, it remains fairly undeveloped. I ended up camping along the side of a Forest Service road, and this was the view I had from my van. Alpine, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/columbian_ground_squirrel/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Columbian-Ground-Squirrel_3to2_30x20.jpg Columbian Ground Squirrel Columbian ground squirrels are prolific throughout Glacier National Park, in Montana. They're quite cute, and used to people being around, so one can get quite close to them, in order to get closeup shots, like this one, without scaring them off. They're fun to watch as they scurry around and bite the heads off flowers. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canoes_at_two_medicine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Canoes-at-Two-Medicine_3to2_72x48.jpg Canoes at Two Medicine I'd visited Glacier National Park, in northern Montana, many times prior to my Summer, 2022 visit. All these visits, however, had been limited to the "main" part of the Park - Going to the Sun Road, and the areas immediately around this spectacular drive. Because of increased visitation, Glacier instituted a "permits only" entrance policy for Going to the Sun Road, and the surrounding, most-popular portion of the park in 2021. Without a permit (I'm notoriously bad at planning far in advance), I decided to visit Two Medicine Lake, in southeast Glacier - one of the other parts of the park that does not require an entry permit. I camped practically on the shore of Two Medicine Lake, and snapped this photo, along with many other beautiful compositions of this lake, on a morning with an absolutely perfect sunrise. I truly don't know that I've ever gotten so many great photos in such a short time. There are a million options for composition here, and you'd be hard pressed to take a bad photo at a place like this with similar conditions. Two Medicine Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bighorn_sky/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Bighorn-Sky_3to2_36x24.jpg Bighorn Sky When I go out hiking, I always have (at least) two camera bodies ready to shoot with. The first one is for landscape shots, and has a fairly wide-angle lens on it. The other camera has a telephoto lens. On the morning I saw this bighorn, I was happy I had my telephoto camera ready to shoot, because he didn't give me much time to get set up and get the shot. Seconds after I'd managed to get this photo, he disappeared behind the hill shown, leaving behind nothing but an empty, blue sky. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/avalanche_creek/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Avalanche-Creek_5to4_40x30.jpg Avalanche Creek Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/avalanche_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Avalanche-Creek-Falls_2to3_60x90.jpg Avalanche Creek Falls Glacial runoff often shows up in unusual colors. I've seen nearly white glacial melt before, as well as water that has this wonderful shade of blue. It's truly sad how quickly Glacier National Park's glaciers, in northern Montana, are retreating. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/all_the_colors_of_the_rainbow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_All-the-Colors-of-the-Rainbow_3to2_90x60.jpg All the Colors of the Rainbow Glacier National Park is probably best-known for its (disappearing) glaciers, beautiful lakes, mountain vistas, and wildlife. But one other thing Glacier has to offer, and it's something I've never seen anywhere else, is the assortment of multicolored river rocks found along the shores of Lake McDonald, as well as in and along McDonald Creek. When the rocks are dry, they tend to be a grayish brown color, but when they are wet, their beauty truly shines. Purples, blues, and reds appear like magic. While the composition of this shot was easy, it took a bit more work to capture than one might think. I took this photo along the shores of Lake McDonald, and I had to fill up a jug with water from the lake and spill it on the rocks. It was a hot day, though, so I had to keep running back and forth from the lake to the rocks to keep them wet, because they kept drying off before I was able to get the shot I wanted! Eventually it all worked out, though, and I got this awesome shot. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/albisono/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_Albisono_2to1_60x30.jpg Albisono At the end of my Glacier National Park visit in the summer of 2020, I took a new route back towards Colorado, and somewhere south of Browning, Montana, I came across a bison farm. And while there, I came across something I'd never seen before - an albino bison! What a unique find! near Browning, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/3_2_1_action/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Montana_3-2-1-Action_3to2_72x48.jpg 3, 2, 1, Action! I spent some time watching a group of mountain goats from Glacier National Park's Highline Trail during a summer 2020 trip. They wandered around for a bit, but eventually made their way out of the hot sun and onto some cliffsides, where most of them went to sleep. This one, though, kept wandering, and I kept my telephoto lens focused on him, in the hopes he might do something interesting. And my patience paid off, as I got this great series of shots of him jumping across a chasm that, had I tried to do the same thing, would probably have resulted in my death. Glacier National Park, Montana, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/twin_horsemen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Twin-Horsemen_3to2_45x30.jpg Twin Horsemen Sights like this were the norm in Western Mongolia, when I visited in 2015. The group I was traveling with was supposed to go on an overnight camping trip, but a blizzard at slightly higher elevations the day before I took this photo meant we had to find something else to do. The Mongolian leader of my tour group (4 English-speakers, along with our driver and guide, in a 4WD Soviet van) improvised. She spoke to some families in the area and learned of a party / wrestling match / gathering being held on a mountain, and there we went. It was a fun experience, even though I basically had no idea what was going on. It was from there that I took this photo. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wild_or_domestic/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Wild-or-Domestic_3to2_36x24.jpg Wild or Domestic? Horses have always played an important role in Mongolia. They do to this day. During my two and a half weeks in Mongolia in 2015, I saw many people riding horses for a variety of reasons - simple transportation, competitions, work, etc. Seeing all these horses in a field was totally unexpected. And I couldn't even tell you if they were owned or wild horses.Mongolia, Asia, travel, nature, landscape, animal, animals, horse, horses, blue, white, green, yellow, wildlife Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_river_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_White-River-Panorama_3to1_144x48.jpg White River Panorama Mongolia is one of the driest places on the planet, but the mostly nomadic residents of the far western portion of this landlocked Asian nation have figured out how to make do with what is available, and one of the biggest assets is the White River, which allows for a sliver of arable land in what is otherwise inhospitable, to put it mildly. This is a photo that merits close examination - there's all kinds of interesting things to see, from the multitude of housing to the fences that separate one farmer's land from the next, to the herds of domesticated animals in pens and along the river banks. Doesn't hurt that the setting sun increased the saturation of the whole scene. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/western_mongolia_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Western-Mogolia-Panorama_3to1_108x36.jpg Western Mongolia Panorama Most of my time in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit, was spent in the far west, near the three-way border with Russia and China, and just over 20 miles from Kazakhstan. Much of this time was spent driving through seemingly-endless areas of next-to-nothing. This part of Mongolia looks a lot like that shown in this image - not ideal for raising livestock, but adequate, provided one doesn't mind moving around to find suitable plants and grasses for animal consumption. Thus the nomadic lifestyle that persists here, despite all of it's difficulties. Equal parts intimidating and tranquil. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/turn_back/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Turn-Back_5to4_30x24.jpg Turn Back I visited the far west region of Mongolia in late May, 2015, and my itinerary involved me going camping very close to the Mongolia / Russia / China border at a mountain lake. It would have taken the better part of a day to hike to the lake from the yurt in the steppe in which we'd stayed the night before, but nature had other plans. After walking for a mile or two as conditions got worse and worse, we ultimately made the (probably-wise) decision to turn around. I took this photo just before this decision was reached. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tsengel/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Tsengel_2to1_40x20.jpg Tsengel I wrote this description in late 2020, five and a half years after I visited Western Mongolia, in the summer of 2015. Unfortunately, my memory and notes aren't great, so I'm not even 100% certain of the city in which I took this photo, but I think it is Tsengel, a mostly-Kazakh village of less than 10,000 people. This photo provides a good feel for what I saw of urban centers in western Mongolia. Quiet, dry, and oddly peaceful. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_mini_gobi/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_The-Mini-Gobi_3to2_45x30.jpg The Mini Gobi The time and money I had set aside for my travels in Mongolia allowed me to see some wonderful, beautiful places, and have some unique experiences. Unfortunately, it didn't allow me to see the Gobi Desert. I suppose if I look at this from a "glass half-full" standpoint, it provides me a good reason to return. But I did want to see something that would give me some idea what life would be like in the Gobi, so I visited the "Mini Gobi" in Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, shown here. Interestingly, there is enough moisture in the area for trees and shrubs to grow intermittently among the wind-swept dunes. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_getaway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_The-Getaway_3to2_36x24.jpg The Getaway I liked the composition of this photo even before the kid ran through my shot. In fact, I took a photo a second or two earlier without the kid running through, and I probably would have released that photo if I hadn't gotten this one immediately after. I'm not much of a photojournalist / portrait / people photographer, but every now and then I get lucky! Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_eagle_master/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_The-Eagle-Master_3to2_45x30.jpg The Eagle Master Eagle Master Khairat Khan is a bit of a celebrity in the world of Eagle Hunters. There was a 2005 movie made about his trade, titled "Kiran Over Mongolia," which means "Golden Eagle Over Mongolia." Although we were unable to see him fly or hunt with his new eagle - he'd released his old eagle only four days before our arrival - we were able to spend two days with him and learn about his life and the lifestyles of Kazah Eagle Masters. A truly wonderful and sobering experience. Kiziljar Valley, Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_eagle_master_3/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_The-Eagle-Master-3_3to2_45x30.jpg The Eagle Master 3 Eagle Master Khairat Khan is a bit of a celebrity in the world of Eagle Hunters. There was a 2005 movie made about his trade, titled "Kiran Over Mongolia," which means "Golden Eagle Over Mongolia." Although we were unable to see him fly or hunt with his new eagle - he'd released his old eagle only four days before our arrival - we were able to spend two days with him and learn about his life and the lifestyles of Kazah Eagle Masters. A truly wonderful and sobering experience. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_eagle_master_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_The-Eagle-Master-2_5to4_40x30.jpg The Eagle Master 2 Eagle Master Khairat Khan is a bit of a celebrity in the world of Eagle Hunters. There was a 2005 movie made about his trade, titled "Kiran Over Mongolia," which means "Golden Eagle Over Mongolia." Although we were unable to see him fly or hunt with his new eagle - he'd released his old eagle only four days before our arrival - we were able to spend two days with him and learn about his life and the lifestyles of Kazah Eagle Masters. A truly wonderful and sobering experience. Kiziljar Valley, Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_cyclist/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_The-Cyclist_3to2_36x24.jpg The Cyclist Most of my time in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit, was spent in the far west, near the three-way border with Russia and China, and just over 20 miles from Kazakhstan. Much of this time was spent driving through seemingly-endless areas of next-to-nothing. This is one of many photos I took when I got out of the vehicle to stretch my legs and enjoy the peace and quiet. The guy on the bike really makes this photo. That and the feeling of endlessness given off by the desert background. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunny_with_a_chance_of_rain/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Sunny-With-A-Chance-Of-Rain_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunny With A Chance Of Rain Most of my time in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit, was spent in the far west, near the three-way border with Russia and China, and just over 20 miles from Kazakhstan. Much of this time was spent driving through seemingly-endless areas of next-to-nothing. Aside from Ulgii (population 30,000), the town in which my flight from Ulaanbaatar landed, the only population centers I encountered were villages of maybe 1,000 people here and there, and many nomad camps. I honestly do not know if the residence shown here is occupied year-round, or if it is seasonal housing for a family (or families) of nomads that live in the area. But the feeling of this part of the country is very well encapsulated by this photo. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/something_of_an_oasis/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Something-of-an-Oasis_3to2_45x30.jpg Something of an Oasis Mongolia is one of the driest places on the planet, but the mostly nomadic residents of the far western portion of this landlocked Asian nation have figured out how to make do with what is available, and one of the biggest assets is the White River, which allows for a sliver of arable land in what is otherwise inhospitable, to put it mildly. The contrast is striking! Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/so_long_mongolia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_So-Long-Mongolia_2to1_40x20.jpg So Long, Mongolia This was the final sunset photo I took during my 2015 trip to Mongolia. Usually, if there aren't interesting clouds, I don't find sunrise or sunset photos compelling enough to share. But this one is a little different. The foreground landscape is so simple - seemingly endless steppe - that an equally simply sky is the perfect companion. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/smaller_than_he_appears/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Smaller-Than-He-Appears_3to2_36x24.jpg Smaller than he Appears Although this photo makes it look like this snake could be as big around as one's wrist, and perhaps several feet long, in reality, it was probably only a foot long, and maybe as large around as my pinky. I used a telephoto lens to make it look larger than it actually was. And although it looks somewhat scary, I actually saved his life. I was wandering through the "mini Gobi" a couple hours outside of Ulaanbaatar, during my 2015 visit to Mongolia, when I came over the crest of a sand dune and saw a bird dancing around strangely. I approached to see if I could figure out what was going on, and when I got a bit closer, the bird took flight. I got closer still and spotted this snake. If I hadn't intervened, I think this little guy would have been a snack. You're welcome, snake! Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/przewalskis_horses/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Przewalskis-Horses_5to4_30x24.jpg Przewalski's Horses Przewalski's horses, which are native to the steppes of central Asia, were at one time extinct in the wild, but have been reintroduced to their native habitat in Mongolia beginning in the 1990s. In addition to those in zoos and other facilities, as of 2011, there were more than 400 in three free-ranging populations in the wild. I was lucky enough to photograph these two drinking from a pond, in the wild, in Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve. Although scientists aren't united in their beliefs on the origin of these horses, there are many who believe that Przewalski's horses are the only 'true' wild horse in the world today, never having been domesticated. True or not, it was pretty cool to see and photograph such a rare species. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perfect_sand_dune/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Perfect-Sand-Dune_3to2_45x30.jpg Perfect Sand Dune The time and money I had set aside for my travels in Mongolia in 2015 allowed me to see some wonderful, beautiful places, and have some unique experiences. Unfortunately, it didn't allow me to see the Gobi Desert. I suppose if I look at this from a "glass half-full" standpoint, it provides me a good reason to return. But I did want to see something that would give me some idea what life would be like in the Gobi, so I visited the "Mini Gobi" in Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, shown here. Undisturbed (i.e. not yet walked on) sand dunes make for some of the easiest photography, especially for beginners. If one simply picks a location and takes a bunch of photos at different heights, pointing in different directions, it is almost guaranteed something will turn out well! Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nomad_moon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Nomad-Moon_4to5_24x30.jpg Nomad Moon I took this photo shortly after sunset on the second to last night of my 2015 trip to Mongolia. My last night was in the capitol city of Ulaanbaatar, so options didn't exist for me to take any photos quite like this. It was unplanned dumb luck that there was a full moon on this night, and it happened to rise in the perfect direction for me to capture this traditional Mongolian ger (what Americans refer to as a yurt), along with the owner's herd of goats. This is the lifestyle still prominent among Mongolia's many nomads, and it seemed to me - with the necessary preamble that I was an outsider experiencing it off and on for a week or so - that it was one of peace and quiet. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nomad_lifestyle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Nomad-Lifestyle_3to1_120x40.jpg Nomad Lifestyle I took this photo at sunset on my second-to-last night in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit. I stayed with the family whose yurts (called gers in Mongolia) can be seen just left-of-center in the photo. It really encapsulates a lot of what I saw and experienced during my too-short visit to this culturally- and historically-rich, landlocked nation. In America, we tend to think of a literal nomadic lifestyle as a relic of some past that no longer exists, but in Mongolia, a great deal of the people who live outside the capitol city of Ulaanbaatar remain nomads. Having experienced it, albeit from an outsiders perspective, and for a short time, there is something oddly peaceful about it. And regardless, it makes for some great photos! Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mongolian_mountain/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Mongolian-Mountain_3to2_45x30.jpg Mongolian Mountain An unnamed mountain in the virtually empty far western region of Mongolia. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mongolian_metropolis/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Mongolian-Metropolis_3to2_36x24.jpg Mongolian Metropolis The vast majority of Mongolia is filled with a whole lot of nothing. The population of the entire country is a little over 3 million, but approximately 1.5 million live in the capitol city of Ulaanbaatar, leaving another 1.5 million people living in a country about the size of Alaska. Excluding Ulaanbaatar, this means about 2.5 people live in any given per square mile. Not many. And with no "big cities" aside from Ulaanbaatar, domestic flights in Mongolia tend to go to cities like Ulgii (sometimes spelled Olgii), shown here. The flight between Ulaanbaatar and Ulgii is a couple hours, but the only other option is a bus that claims to take 48 hours, but apparently can frequently take 3-5 days. Ulgii, Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mongolian_golden/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Mongolian-Golden_4to5_30x40.jpg Mongolian Golden On one of my first days in Mongolia, I went to visit the Zaisan Memorial in Ulaanbaatar, which honors allied Mongolian and Soviet soldiers killed in World War II. It is a fairly popular tourist site which allows one a good view of Mongolia's capitol city. It being such a popular spot, there are people there selling trinkets and offering opportunities in which they think tourists may be interested. Mongolia has a long history associated with eagles, and one man at the Memorial had a huge golden eagle that, if you gave him a few thousand togrog (Mongolian currency), you could take photos of this gorgeous bird and spend some time interacting with it up-close. I thought this was a good investment, and the opportunity allowed me to capture this photo. Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mongoatia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_MonGOATia_3to2_45x30.jpg MonGOATia Most of my time in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit, was spent in the far west, near the three-way border with Russia and China, and just over 20 miles from Kazakhstan. Much of this time was spent driving through seemingly-endless areas of next-to-nothing. This part of Mongolia looks a lot like that shown in this image - not ideal for raising livestock, but adequate, provided one doesn't mind moving around to find suitable plants and grasses for animal consumption. Thus the nomadic lifestyle that persists here, despite all of it's difficulties. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mini_gobi_square/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Mini-Gobi-Square_1to1_30x30.jpg Mini Gobi Square The time and money I had set aside for my travels in Mongolia in 2015 allowed me to see some wonderful, beautiful places, and have some unique experiences. Unfortunately, it didn't allow me to see the Gobi Desert. I suppose if I look at this from a "glass half-full" standpoint, it provides me a good reason to return. But I did want to see something that would give me some idea what life would be like in the Gobi, so I visited the "Mini Gobi" in Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, shown here. I've seen and walked across sand dunes in California, New Mexico, Utah, Chile, and my home state of Colroado, but I don't know that I've ever photographed them with quite as "perfect" a sky as in this photo. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mini_gobi_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Mini-Gobi-Portrait_2to3_30x45.jpg Mini Gobi Portrait The time and money I had set aside for my travels in Mongolia in 2015 allowed me to see some wonderful, beautiful places, and have some unique experiences. Unfortunately, it didn't allow me to see the Gobi Desert. I suppose if I look at this from a "glass half-full" standpoint, it provides me a good reason to return. But I did want to see something that would give me some idea what life would be like in the Gobi, so I visited the "Mini Gobi" in Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, shown here. I've seen and walked across sand dunes in California, New Mexico, Utah, Chile, and my home state of Colroado, but I don't know that I've ever photographed them with quite as "perfect" a sky as in this photo. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/last_light_in_mongolia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Last-Light-in-Mongolia_5to2_105x42.jpg Last Light in Mongolia Travel in far-west Mongolia is strange. There are no cities, so one must either camp or stay with a family - and not speaking any Mongolian, this option seems rather dubious. However, during my 2015 visit, I went on a tour of Western Mongolia with 3 other English-speakers and a Mongolian guide. She'd find a family for us to stay with each night, and this was the place we were lucky enough to stay at one night. Sunset was unremarkable, except for a short time when the sun broke through the clouds and illuminated the single mountain in the middle of this panorama. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/khogno_khan_uul/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Khogno-Khan-Uul_5to2_105x42.jpg Khogno Khan Uul Several hours west of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar lies Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, which, based on my experience, didn't seem to be nearly as clearly designated or regulated as nature reserves in other countries, but this makes sense when you consider Mongolia's tiny population and lack of wealth. I stayed with a family who lived at the foot of the hills shown in this panorama, and spent an afternoon climbing around their rocky, barren homeland, enjoying the solitude and taking photos. It was truly a beautiful place. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/khogno_khan_uul_nature_reserve_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Khogno-Khan-Uul-Nature-Reserve-at-Dusk_3to1_108x36.jpg Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve at Dusk Several hours west of the capital city of Ulaanbaatar lies Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, which, based on my experience, didn't seem to be nearly as clearly designated or regulated as nature reserves in other countries, but this makes sense when you consider Mongolia's tiny population and lack of wealth. I stayed with a family who lived at the foot of the hills shown in this panorama, and spent an afternoon climbing around their rocky, barren homeland, enjoying the solitude and taking photos. It was truly a beautiful place. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ive_got_my_eye_on_you/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Ive-Got-My-Eye-On-You_3to2_36x24.jpg I've Got My Eye On You When traveling in western Mongolia in 2015, I came across a group of 50 or so Mongolians who were holding some type of celebration in what was in my mind the middle of nowhere, in the mountains. Many of them had pet - if that is even the correct word - falcons. This is one that I caught mid-flight. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/home_on_the_range/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Home-on-the-Range_3to2_36x24.jpg Home on the Range Most of my time in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit, was spent in the far west, near the three-way border with Russia and China, and just over 20 miles from Kazakhstan. Much of this time was spent driving through seemingly-endless areas of next-to-nothing. Aside from Ulgii (population 30,000), the town in which my flight from Ulaanbaatar landed, the only population centers I encountered were villages of maybe 1,000 people here and there, and many nomad camps. I honestly do not know if the residences shown here are occupied year-round, or if they are seasonal housing for a family (or families) of nomads that live in the area. But the stark, desert peaks and storm clouds above make for a very moody scene. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/home_of_the_eagle_master/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Home-of-the-Eagle-Master_3to2_45x30.jpg Home of the Eagle Master The complex in the lower left corner of this photo is the home and farm of Eagle Master Khairat Khan. I was lucky enough, along with 3 other English-speakers, to spend two nights at his home during my trip to Mongolia in the summer of 2015. Khairat spoke no English, but our tour guide was able to translate for us, and it was a memorable experience. I got to dress in his traditional clothing and have his new golden eagle perch on my hand. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Gers_3to2_45x30.jpg Gers Although tourism exists in Mongolia, outside of Ulaanbaatar, there are virtually no hotels, guesthouses, hostels, etc. When I visited in 2015, the way you stayed overnight somewhere - aside from camping - was to first of all ensure you have a Mongolian-speaking guide. You'd then count on them to either know someone in the region you wanted to stay, or rely on them to talk a local into staying at their house - most of which looked like this. In the US, these are known as yurts, but in Mongolia, they are galled gers. In a land where so many people are still nomadic, having a stranger request to stay at your house is in no way looked down upon, and may be viewed as a necessary part of society. It seemed to work! Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/full_moon_in_mongolia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Full-Moon-in-Mongolia_2to3_24x36.jpg Full Moon in Mongolia The full moon that I photographed on my second-to-last night in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit to this culturally- and historically-rich, landlocked nation. Not seen in the photo is the ger (Mongolian for "yurt") and herd of goats that was wandering around me as I took this photo. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chinggis_khaan/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Chinggis-Khaan_3to2_45x30.jpg Chinggis Khaan I visited the Chinggis Khaan (the Mongolian spelling of Genghis Khan) memorial and museum only briefly, in 2015, and while someone with a greater interest in history may have found many of the ancient artifacts inside to be worthy of admiration and study, I personally found the 131-foot tall statue of Khan on horseback to be of greatest interest. A relatively new complex, construction was completed in 2008, and it is possible to take a set of stairs inside the horse to it's head, where a panoramic view to the east is offered. It is in this direction that Genghis Khan is believed to have been born. Chinggis Khaan Statue Complex, near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/catch_me_if_you_can/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Catch-Me-If-You-Can_3to2_30x20.jpg Catch Me If You Can Tourism in Mongolia is unlike anywhere else I've traveled. The industry is new and small. While tour groups with English-speaking guides may exist, I went with a bit more "authentic" (difficult?) experience during my 2015 visit, and traveled for a few days just east of Ulaanbaatar with a driver who spoke only a tiny bit more English than I speak Mongolian (none). Accordingly, I frequently didn't know what to look for, where we were going, or what was going on. But this was fine and added to the adventure. If I wanted to stop, I could make that clear, and when, during a drive through the steppe, I saw this guy on horseback chasing down other horses, I requested that we stop, and I spent a few minutes taking photos. I'm not sure what was going on beyond the obvious, but it was great to see. near Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/camelrama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Camelrama_3to1_108x36.jpg Camelrama Most of my time in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit, was spent in the far west, near the three-way border with Russia and China, and just over 20 miles from Kazakhstan. Much of this time was spent driving through seemingly-endless areas of next-to-nothing. This part of Mongolia looks a lot like that shown in this image - not ideal for raising livestock, but adequate, provided one doesn't mind moving around to find suitable plants and grasses for animal consumption. Thus the nomadic lifestyle that persists here, despite all of it's difficulties. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/camel/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Camel_3to2_45x30.jpg Camel Most of my time in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit, was spent in the far west, near the three-way border with Russia and China, and just over 20 miles from Kazakhstan. Much of this time was spent driving through seemingly-endless areas of next-to-nothing. This part of Mongolia looks a lot like that shown in this image - not ideal for raising livestock, but adequate, provided one doesn't mind moving around to find suitable plants and grasses for animal consumption. Thus the nomadic lifestyle that persists here, despite all of it's difficulties. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/back_to_work/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_Back-to-Work_2to1_40x20.jpg Back to Work This is another somewhat-typical scene in Mongolia. Much of the population outside of Ulaanbaatar remains nomadic, even in the 21st century. I saw numerous shepherds move their flocks of sheep and / or goats around during my 2015 visit. It was fairly obvious I - a tourist - was a somewhat unusual sight, as the boy in dark blue seemed thrilled to have his photo taken. I have several other photos where he's looking at the camera and smiling. Khogno Khan Uul Nature Reserve, Central Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_different_life/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mongolia_A-Different-Life_3to2_45x30.jpg A Different Life Most of my time in Mongolia, during my 2015 visit, was spent in the far west, near the three-way border with Russia and China, and just over 20 miles from Kazakhstan. Much of this time was spent driving through seemingly-endless areas of next-to-nothing. This part of Mongolia looks a lot like that shown in this image. Almost everyone that lives out here is nomadic, and cities are non-existent. This makes tourism a bit strange. The way it worked, at least when I visited, was that my guide - I was traveling with 3 other English-speaking tourists - would start looking for somewhere to stay the night a couple hours before sunset. She'd then knock on the door, and if lucky, she'd know the family, and they'd invite us to stay the night. Sometimes she didn't know the family, but they'd always let us stay. My group stayed in the yurt shown in this photo one night. Presumably, our guide gave these families (none of them ever spoke any English) some money that we'd paid in order to go on the trip. Our guide would act as our translator for the night. It was a strange and eye-opening way to travel. Western Mongolia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_louis_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Missouri_Saint-Louis-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Saint Louis Panorama The defining object of the Saint Louis skyline is without a doubt the 630-foot tall Gateway Arch, which was completed in 1965. It truly makes the Saint Louis skyline instantly recognizable. Unfortunately, the best place to view downtown Saint Louis and the Gateway Arch is across the Mississippi River, in East Saint Louis, which is often cited as the most dangerous city in America. So I wasn't particularly keen on walking around the area with $10,000 in camera gear around my neck, but eventually decided to give it a go. My gear is insured, after all! And my experience was just as "boring" (I wasn't shot...) as I hoped it would be. I'm really happy with the photos I got here. Saint Louis, Missouri https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_louis_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Missouri_Saint-Louis-at-Dusk_3to2_90x60.jpg Saint Louis at Dusk The defining object of the Saint Louis skyline is without a doubt the 630-foot tall Gateway Arch, which was completed in 1965. It truly makes the Saint Louis skyline instantly recognizable. Unfortunately, the best place to view downtown Saint Louis and the Gateway Arch is across the Mississippi River, in East Saint Louis, which is often cited as the most dangerous city in America. So I wasn't particularly keen on walking around the area with $10,000 in camera gear around my neck, but eventually decided to give it a go. My gear is insured, after all! And my experience was just as "boring" (I wasn't shot...) as I hoped it would be. I'm really happy with the photos I got here. Saint Louis, Missouri https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kansas_city_panorama_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Missouri_Kansas-City-Panorama-2018_3to1_180x60.jpg Kansas City Panorama 2018 During the fall of 2018, I did a quick tour of cities on the East Coast, and the Midwest. One of the cities I was fortunate enough to photograph was Kansas City, Missouri, and the best view of the city - in my opinion - is from the World War One Museum and Memorial. The most prominent building shown in this photo is Union Station. National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kansas_city_from_kaw_point_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Missouri_Kansas-City-from-Kaw-Point-2018_5to2_150x60.jpg Kansas City from Kaw Point 2018 During the fall of 2018, I did a quick tour of cities on the East Coast, and the Midwest. One of the cities I was fortunate enough to photograph was Kansas City, Missouri. I did a quick Google search for the best places to photograph the Kansas City skyline, and near the top of the list was Kaw Point, which is the location from which I took this photo. I like that I was able to get the entire city skyline reflected in the Missouri River. Kaw Point, Kansas City, Kansas https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kansas_city_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Missouri_Kansas-City-2018_3to2_72x48.jpg Kansas City 2018 During the fall of 2018, I did a quick tour of cities on the East Coast, and the Midwest. One of the cities I was fortunate enough to photograph was Kansas City, Missouri, and the best view of the city - in my opinion - is from the World War One Museum and Memorial. The most prominent building shown in this photo is Union Station. National WWI Museum and Memorial, Kansas City, Missouri https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gateway_arch_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Missouri_Gateway-Arch-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Gateway Arch Portrait The defining object of the Saint Louis skyline is without a doubt the 630-foot tall Gateway Arch, which was completed in 1965. It truly makes the Saint Louis skyline instantly recognizable. Unfortunately, the best place to view downtown Saint Louis and the Gateway Arch is across the Mississippi River, in East Saint Louis, which is often cited as the most dangerous city in America. So I wasn't particularly keen on walking around the area with $10,000 in camera gear around my neck, but eventually decided to give it a go. My gear is insured, after all! And my experience was just as "boring" (I wasn't shot...) as I hoped it would be. I'm really happy with the photos I got here. Saint Louis, Missouri https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mississippi_flowers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mississippi_Mississippi-Flowers_4to5_30x40.jpg Mississippi Flowers A field of countless flowers in Bienville National Forest, Mississippi. Bienville National Forest, Mississippi https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pollen_coated_bee/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mississippi_Pollen-Coated-Bee_5to4_24x20.jpg Pollen-coated bee When I first took this photo, in Natchez National Historical Park, in Natchez, Mississippi, I zoomed in on my camera's viewfinder and was surprised and a bit confused by the yellow spheres stuck all over the bee. I then took a macro (close-up) photo of a nearby flower, and found that the pollen covering the flower was identical in shape and color. Guess I solved that mystery! Nachez, Mississippi https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cypress_swamp_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mississippi_Cypress-Swamp-Panorama_3to1_120x40.jpg Cypress Swamp Panorama There are countless places to pull over along the multi-state Natchez Trace Parkway, but the Cypress Swamp, near Canton, Mississippi, proved to be one of my favorites. This type of landscape was common along the 444-mile Natchez Trace. Cypress Swamp near Canton, Mississippi https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wayswougoing_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Wayswougoing-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Wayswougoing Panorama A mere 3.5 miles from the Canadian Border along Minnesota 61, which runs along Lake Superior's beautiful North Shore, lies Wayswaugoing Bay Overlook, a small pull off that one could easily drive by without giving it a second thought. But when I visited, I was trying to take things slow, and enjoy all the sights I could. Fortunately, I found myself at this viewpoint shortly before sunset, on a day with some of the best clouds I could have hoped for, the stop proved to be a good one. It's a beautiful area, in general, and one of the most accessible places I know of that leaves one feeling a sense of solitude that is increasingly difficult to find in the modern world. Wayswaugoing Bay Overlook, Grand Portage, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wayswaugoing_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Wayswaugoing-Bay_3to2_90x60.jpg Wayswaugoing Bay A mere 3.5 miles from the Canadian Border along Minnesota 61, which runs along Lake Superior's beautiful North Shore, lies Wayswaugoing Bay Overlook, a small pull off that one could easily drive by without giving it a second thought. But when I visited, I was trying to take things slow, and enjoy all the sights I could. Fortunately, I found myself at this viewpoint shortly before sunset, on a day with some of the best clouds I could have hoped for, the stop proved to be a good one. It's a beautiful area, in general, and one of the most accessible places I know of that leaves one feeling a sense of solitude that is increasingly difficult to find in the modern world. Wayswaugoing Bay Overlook, Grand Portage, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_dome_at_saint_pauls_cathedral/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_The-Dome-at-Saint-Pauls-Cathedral_5to4_60x48.jpg The Dome at Saint Paul's Cathedral I don't do too much architectural and / or interior photography, but this is something I'd like to do more of, when opportunities present themselves, such as they did while I was attending a show in the Minneapolis / St. Paul region in the summer of 2017. While here, a friend from overseas who at the time lived a few blocks from St. Paul's Cathedral recommended I pay this colossal church a visit, and I did just that. Although it may not have the age of similarly constructed cathedrals in Europe, the feel is remarkably similar. Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/temperance_river_state_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Temperance-River-State-Park_3to2_72x48.jpg Temperance River State Park Temperance River State Park, on the North Shore of Lake Superior, is a small but beautiful park along Lake Superior's north shore. Perhaps the highlight of the park is Temperance River Falls. I photographed these falls, but was surprised to see that my preferred photos were taken a couple hundred feet downstream, where the river enters Lake Superior. This photo, to me, epitomizes the subtle beauty of Lake Superior's North Shore. Temperance River State Park, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stained_glass_at_saint_pauls_cathedral/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Stained-Glass-at-Saint-Pauls-Cathedral_3to2_72x48.jpg Stained Glass at Saint Paul's Cathedral I don't do too much architectural and / or interior photography, but this is something I'd like to do more of, when opportunities present themselves, such as they did while I was attending a show in the Minneapolis / St. Paul region in the summer of 2017. While here, a friend from overseas who at the time lived a few blocks from St. Paul's Cathedral recommended I pay this colossal church a visit, and I did just that. Although it may not have the age of similarly constructed cathedrals in Europe, the feel is remarkably similar. Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shovel_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Shovel-Point_1to2_60x120.jpg Shovel Point Shovel Point, in Tettegouche State Park, along Minnesota's beautiful north shore of Lake Superior, is a lovely view fairly easily accessed by a short hike. The view from Shovel Point stretches for miles in all directions, and allows one to truly enjoy the scale of this amazing lake. Shovel Point, Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_pauls_cathedral/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Saint-Pauls-Cathedral_2to3_48x72.jpg Saint Paul's Cathedral I don't do too much architectural and / or interior photography, but this is something I'd like to do more of, when opportunities present themselves, such as they did while I was attending a show in the Minneapolis / St. Paul region in the summer of 2017. While here, a friend from overseas who at the time lived a few blocks from St. Paul's Cathedral recommended I pay this colossal church a visit, and I did just that. Although it may not have the age of similarly constructed cathedrals in Europe, the feel is remarkably similar. Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_paul_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Saint-Paul-Sunset_5to2_150x60.jpg Saint Paul Sunset I shot the Minneapolis skyline in the summer of 2018 - the first year I really began photographing American city skylines. But I somehow skipped getting Saint Paul. I don't know why, but I thought of them as a single city. The same thing happened to me when I shot Dallas (skipping Fort Worth, which, as of the end of 2021, I still haven't photographed). But I met someone from Saint Paul at an art show elsewhere, and when I mentioned that I had Minneapolis, he was understandably indifferent. This made it obvious to me that I needed to fix this omission, so the next time I was going through the Midwest, I made sure to go out of my way just long enough to get Saint Paul. The Mississippi River, which runs right through Saint Paul, really makes Saint Paul quite photogenic. Saint Paul, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_paul_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Saint-Paul-Dusk_2to1_60x30.jpg Saint Paul Dusk I shot the Minneapolis skyline in the summer of 2018 - the first year I really began photographing American city skylines. But I somehow skipped getting Saint Paul. I don't know why, but I thought of them as a single city. The same thing happened to me when I shot Dallas (skipping Fort Worth, which, as of the end of 2021, I still haven't photographed). But I met someone from Saint Paul at an art show elsewhere, and when I mentioned that I had Minneapolis, he was understandably indifferent. This made it obvious to me that I needed to fix this omission, so the next time I was going through the Midwest, I made sure to go out of my way just long enough to get Saint Paul. The Mississippi River, which runs right through Saint Paul, really makes Saint Paul quite photogenic. Saint Paul, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_paul_and_the_mississippi/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Saint-Paul-and-the-Mississippi_3to1_180x60.jpg Saint Paul and the Mississippi I shot the Minneapolis skyline in the summer of 2018 - the first year I really began photographing American city skylines. But I somehow skipped getting Saint Paul. I don't know why, but I thought of them as a single city. The same thing happened to me when I shot Dallas (skipping Fort Worth, which, as of the end of 2021, I still haven't photographed). But I met someone from Saint Paul at an art show elsewhere, and when I mentioned that I had Minneapolis, he was understandably indifferent. This made it obvious to me that I needed to fix this omission, so the next time I was going through the Midwest, I made sure to go out of my way just long enough to get Saint Paul. The Mississippi River, which runs right through Saint Paul, really makes Saint Paul quite photogenic. Saint Paul, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/patriotic_silo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Patriotic-Silo_2to3_20x30.jpg Patriotic Silo I spent several months in the summer of 2017 driving around the American Midwest, as I attended art shows in the region. The sights I encountered in this part of the country were a far cry from the monumental landscapes I typically photograph in places like the American West, but there's no arguing that there was plenty of beauty to be found. I found this (abandoned?) barn and beautifully-painted silo on a country road, somewhere in Minnesota. Southern Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/minneapolis_and_stone_arch_bridge_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Minneapolis-and-Stone-Arch-Bridge-2018_3to1_180x60.jpg Minneapolis and Stone Arch Bridge 2018 In the summer of 2018, I participated in an art show in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and figured since I was in the city, I should get some photos of the beautiful skyline. I'd read that the view from the Stone Arch Bridge was spectacular, and although it was a bit of a struggle to get to this location, the view made it worthwhile. Minneapolis, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/horseshoe_bay_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Horseshoe-Bay-at-Dusk_3to2_90x60.jpg Horseshoe Bay at Dusk v Horseshoe Bay, Superior National Forest, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/high_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_High-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg High Falls High Falls of the Pigeon River, which lies half within the United States and half within Canada, is, at 120 feet tall, the highest waterfall in Minnesota. The hike to reach the viewpoint of the falls is a single mile, round-trip, and well worth one's time. Grand Portage State Park, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/artists_point_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_Artists-Point-Sunset_5to2_150x60.jpg Artists' Point Sunset Artists' Point, in Grand Marais, Minnesota, lies on Lake Superior's beautiful North Shore, a mere 40 miles from the Canadian border. Artists' Point, itself, is a small nature preserve that provides artistic inspiration for artists from the area. Artists' Point, Grand Marais, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/24th_street_bridge_minneapolis_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Minnesota_24th-Street-Bridge-Minneapolis-2018_2to1_60x30.jpg 24th Street Bridge, Minneapolis, 2018 In the summer of 2018, I participated in an art show in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and figured since I was in the city, I should get some photos of the beautiful skyline. The view from the 24th Street Bridge, above Interstate 35 is thought of as one of the best views of the city, and this proved to be true when I was here. It might be interesting to return somewhere down the line, and take a photo from the same location, to see how it looks when the highway construction shown in the bottom of the photo is complete. Minneapolis, Minnesota https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vineyard/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Vineyard_2to1_60x30.jpg Vineyard I was driving through Michigan in the summer of 2018, not in a particular rush, and was looking for things to see and do. I didn't know there were any wineries in the area, but there turned out to be quite a few. I've been wanting to get a photo like this for years, and sometimes all you need is to be in the right place at the right time. near Traverse City, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/starburst_forest/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Starburst-Forest_3to2_72x48.jpg Starburst Forest Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is famous, mostly, for the spectacular cliffs that plunge into Lake Superior's blue-green depths. But there's much more to the park, such as the many hiking trails that go through densely wooded areas like that shown here. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snail_shell_harbor/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Snail-Shell-Harbor_3to2_72x48.jpg Snail Shell Harbor I was driving through Michigan in the summer of 2018, not in a particular rush, and was looking for things to see and do when I came across a sign for Fayette Historic State Park. I decided to pay it a visit. Located on the southern side of the Upper Peninsula, this State Historic Site was a major pig iron manufacturer between 1867 and 1891, and has subsequently been restored and made open to the public. Aside from the restored buildings, there is a fair bit of natural beauty in the area, as well. Fayette Historic State Park, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pictured_rocks_arch/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Pictured-Rocks-Arch_3to2_45x30.jpg Pictured Rocks Arch I think this photo, more than any other in my album, epitomizes what people envision when they think of visits to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, on the north shore of Michigan's spectacular Upper Peninsula. A warm day, complete with sun shining down on the dense forests growing above the orange cliffs that dive into Lake Superior's icy, blue waters. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/miners_castle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Miners-Castle_2to3_48x72.jpg Miners Castle Miners Castle is the most famous formation of the Pictured Rocks, in part due to the fact that it is the only cliff area in the park accessible by car. As shown in this picture, there is one "turret" remaining of Miners Castle - a second turret collapsed into the depths below in 2006. Miner's Castle Point, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fayette_historic_site/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Fayette-Historic-Site_3to1_180x60.jpg Fayette Historic Site I was driving through Michigan in the summer of 2018, not in a particular rush, and was looking for things to see and do when I came across a sign for Fayette Historic State Park. I decided to pay it a visit. Located on the southern side of the Upper Peninsula, this State Historic Site was a major pig iron manufacturer between 1867 and 1891, and has subsequently been restored and made open to the public. There weren't too many other visitors when I was there, which gave it something of a ghost town feel. Probably worth a stop if you're in the area. Fayette Historic State Park, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Fawn_4to5_30x40.jpg Fawn I'd heard that Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, on the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, was a worthwhile spot to visit if one happens to be in the area. I was making my way through Michigan in the summer of 2018, and saw that stopping here wouldn't be too much of a detour. The weather wasn't particularly wonderful when I was there, and I didn't really get any great photos of the landscape, but I did come across this fawn, hiding on the side of a fairly popular hiking trail. Mom came by a few minutes later, and they both wandered off. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fallen_rocks_at_pictured_rocks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Fallen-Rocks-at-Pictured-Rocks_2to3_30x45.jpg Fallen Rocks at Pictured Rocks The cliffs that make up the namesake of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore are, like all things in nature, in a constant state of flux. Thaws and freezes and natural erosion create an environment that is constantly changing, even if we find it hard to see on a human time scale. At some point in the not-too-distant past, the huge boulder shown in this photo was part of the cliffs above. Next year, or perhaps a thousand years from now, a view of this same spot may be conspicuously void of the rock that gives this photo some interest. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eagle_harbor_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Eagle-Harbor-Sunset_2to1_120x60.jpg Eagle Harbor Sunset I spent roughly a week exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the summer of 2017. I didn't have much in the way of concrete plans, or must-see sights, but when I stumbled upon Eagle Harbor Lighthouse one afternoon, I knew I'd need to stick around for at least one sunset, and one sunrise. This shot was taken shortly after sunset. Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, Eagle Harbor, Upper Peninsula, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eagle_harbor_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Eagle-Harbor-Sunrise_5to2_150x60.jpg Eagle Harbor Sunrise I spent roughly a week exploring Michigan's Upper Peninsula in the summer of 2017. I didn't have much in the way of concrete plans, or must-see sights, but when I stumbled upon Eagle Harbor Lighthouse one afternoon, I knew I'd need to stick around for at least one sunset, and one sunrise. This shot was taken just as the sun began to rise, the day's first light illuminating this historic lighthouse in a warm glow. Eagle Harbor Lighthouse, Eagle Harbor, Upper Peninsula, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_log_slide_overlook/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Dusk-at-Log-Slide-Overlook_3to2_72x48.jpg Dusk at Log Slide Overlook Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is famous, mostly, for the spectacular cliffs that plunge into Lake Superior's blue-green depths. But there's much more to the park, such as this view, taken at dusk at "Log Slide Overlook." Log Slide Overlook, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/detroit_2021/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Detroit-2021_3to1_180x60.jpg Detroit, 2021 I've spent virtually zero time in Detroit, but I was going through the Midwest in the summer of 2021, and knowing that Detroit was one of a decreasing number of large American cities I had yet to shoot, I made enough of a detour to head out to Belle Isle to get this photo. Sitting in the middle of the Detroit River that separates the United States from Canada, it is the best place from which to view Detroit. I have to say, I got pretty lucky with the sky, and although Detroit has its fair share of problems (what city doesn't?), it is a very picturesque skyline. Belle Isle, Detroit, Michigan, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blue_and_green/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Michigan_Blue-and-Green_2to1_60x30.jpg Blue and Green Sometimes an incredibly simple composition is the best way to go in a picture. The three layers of this photo - sky, forest, and lake - divide the picture perfectly into three sections. I took the photo while on a cruise through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, in the summer of 2017. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/camp_spot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Camp-Spot_5to4_40x30.jpg Camp Spot The goal of my December, 2023 trip down Baja California, Mexico, was to make it to Cabo San Lucas, spend a day or two, and then head back north. After roughly a week of travel, I made it to Cabo San Lucas, but almost immediately realized I wasn't here to hang out in a resort town, so I quickly turned around and headed back north, without spending a single night in Cabo. I wasn't sure where to camp that night, but read about a camp spot that's a bit difficult to reach (20 mile single lane dirt / rock road), and decided to give it a try. When I arrived, the views from ground level were decent, but barren, and it just wasn't the most picturesque place. I decided to take my drone out and see how it might look from above, and I'm very happy I did so. If you look in the upper left hand corner of this photo, you'll see my RV. One thing is for sure, this was certainly a different vibe than downtown Cabo! El Conejo, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seashells_aplenty/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Seashells-Aplenty_3to2_90x60.jpg Seashells Aplenty The beach along San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico, is fine, but far from the best on the peninsula. One thing it DID have, though, that I didn't see anywhere else on my December, 2023 Baja trip was sections of the beach where potentially millions of shells washed up and gathered together. A bit of an interesting shot that isn't much like my typical work. San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_ignacios_cormorants/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_San-Ignacios-Cormorants_2to1_60x30.jpg San Ignacio's Cormorants There's one thing you do not see much of in Baja California, Mexico, and that is fresh water. It is a dry place, but there are a couple amazing exceptions, including at the beautiful village of San Ignacio. The drive from the adjacent highway to the village takes one through a literal oasis - like in old timey cartoons with surrounding desert, and just a random lagoon with palm trees. I have some photos of the lagoon, but one thing about fresh water in the desert - it attracts all the nearby animals, for obvious reasons. So it was here that I photographed these three cormorants drying off in the sun. San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_ignacio_oasis_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_San-Ignacio-Oasis-at-Dusk_2to1_72x36.jpg San Ignacio Oasis at Dusk There's one thing you do not see much of in Baja California, Mexico, and that is fresh water. It's a dry place, but there are a couple amazing exceptions, including at the beautiful village of San Ignacio. The drive from the adjacent highway to the village takes one through the literal oasis shown here. It was a strange feeling to know that I was in the middle of an utterly inhospitable desert, but that it was teeming with life for a mile or less in all directions of where I took this photo. It almost looks like an AI-generated image that one might get with the prompt "Oasis." But I promise, it isn't! San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_ignacio_entrance/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_San-Ignacio-Entrance_2to3_48x72.jpg San Ignacio Entrance San Ignacio, in Baja California, Mexico, is one of the most picturesque and charming villages I've ever seen. With a population of roughly 500, it's most famous feature is Misión San Ignacio Kadakaaman, a Jesuit Mission constructed in 1786. Shown here is one of the doors into the mission. San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_felipe_shore/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_San-Felipe-Shore_3to2_45x30.jpg San Felipe Shore The last day of my Baja California, Mexico trip in 2023 was Christmas Day. I'd camped the night before on a beach in San Felipe, and the beach was fine, but honestly nothing to write home about, at least when viewed from ground level. But when I took my drone out, everything changed. What a cool view! I am 100% certain what the little white dots are in the upper left corner of this photo, but I think they're birds. I didn't see them with my naked eye, and I didn't see them when I took this photo. I only realized they were there when I was doing my edits! This would be a cool photo without them, but I love them as an addition I didn't even know existed when I hit the shutter! San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_felipe_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_San-Felipe-Dusk_5to4_40x30.jpg San Felipe Dusk San Felipe, which is located on the Gulf of California (east) side of Baja California, Mexico, is just over 100 miles from the US border, and an ideal place to camp on one's first or last night on the peninsula. I'd skipped San Felipe on my way south, but decided to stop there on the last night of my December, 2023 trip throughout Baja. The beach on which I camped was fine - honestly, it wasn't that special, at least when viewed from ground level, but when I took my drone up, it suddenly got a lot prettier. San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_cosme_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_San-Cosme-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg San Cosme Ultrawide A great deal of my December, 2023 camping trip in Baja California, Mexico, was unplanned - i.e. I would wake up in the morning not knowing where I was going to spend the night. Fortunately, it is very easy to find free (or at least cheap) camp spots all along the peninsula. On my drive back north, I decided to go exploring down a road I knew nothing about, maybe an hour south of Loreto. The road was initially paved, then turned to dirt, then turned to a winding 4WD road that went from the mountains down to the coastal village (population maybe 20) of San Cosme. There were times I was not sure my truck would be able to make some of the sharp corners, but with some patience, I did eventually make it. It ended up being one of my most memorable experiences in Baja, and wow were some of the views from the 4WD road spectacular! approaching San Cosme, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_cosme_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_San-Cosme-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg San Cosme Panorama A great deal of my December, 2023 camping trip in Baja California, Mexico, was unplanned - i.e. I would wake up in the morning not knowing where I was going to spend the night. Fortunately, it is very easy to find free (or at least cheap) camp spots all along the peninsula. On my drive back north, I decided to go exploring down a road I knew nothing about, maybe an hour south of Loreto. The road was initially paved, then turned to dirt, then turned to a winding 4WD road that went from the mountains down to the coastal village (population maybe 20) of San Cosme. There were times I was not sure my truck would be able to make some of the sharp corners, but with some patience, I did eventually make it. It ended up being one of my most memorable experiences in Baja, and wow were some of the views from the 4WD road spectacular! approaching San Cosme, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/playa_la_ribera_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Playa-La-Ribera-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Playa La Ribera Sunset I took this photo at sunset from one of those beaches that seems too good to be true. I free-camped at many beaches in Baja California during my December, 2023 road trip along the peninsula, but most were a fair distance from any city. Playa La Ribera, on the other hand, is a nicely maintained beach in the village of, you guessed it, La Ribera, on the Gulf of California. There was a lot of construction going on in town when I was there, and it seemed to have the goal of turning this sleepy village into something a bit more like a resort town. My feelings on it, and I'm sure the feelings of many of the town's residents, are mixed. Either way, it was a beautiful and perfectly peaceful place to spend a night. Playa la Ribera, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/playa_calfine_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Playa-Calfine-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Playa Calfine Sunset A few days into my December, 2023 road trip down to Baja California, Mexico, I'd made it to La Paz. I'd read about a camp spot among the sand dunes on the coast of the Gulf of California that sounded lovely, but the road there turned out to be sandy enough that I was scared I might get my truck stuck, so I turned around and went exploring, hoping to find another beautiful spot. As luck would have it, only another 10 or 15 miles north, I came across the village of El Cajete, and a small beach called Playa Califin. I camped there with no one else around, and was able to capture some wonderful images of the beach and surrounding mountains at sunset on the day of my arrival (shown here), and sunrise, the following morning. It was a really pleasant surprise! Playa Califin, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/playa_calfine_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Playa-Calfine-Sunrise_3to2_72x48.jpg Playa Calfine Sunrise A few days into my December, 2023 road trip down to Baja California, Mexico, I'd made it to La Paz. I'd read about a camp spot among the sand dunes on the coast of the Gulf of California that sounded lovely, but the road there turned out to be sandy enough that I was scared I might get my truck stuck, so I turned around and went exploring, hoping to find another beautiful spot. As luck would have it, only another 10 or 15 miles north, I came across the village of El Cajete, and a small beach called Playa Califin. I camped there with no one else around, and was able to capture some wonderful images of the beach and surrounding mountains at sunset on the day of my arrival, and sunrise, the following morning, shown here. It was a really pleasant surprise! Playa Califin, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/playa_calfine_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Playa-Calfine-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Playa Calfine Panorama A few days into my December, 2023 road trip down to Baja California, Mexico, I'd made it to La Paz. I'd read about a camp spot among the sand dunes on the coast of the Gulf of California that sounded lovely, but the road there turned out to be sandy enough that I was scared I might get my truck stuck, so I turned around and went exploring, hoping to find another beautiful spot. As luck would have it, only another 10 or 15 miles north, I came across the village of El Cajete, and a small beach called Playa Califin. I camped there with no one else around, and was able to capture some wonderful images of the beach and surrounding mountains at sunset on the day of my arrival, and sunrise, the following morning, shown here. It was a really pleasant surprise! Playa Califin, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/more_than_just_the_mision/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_More-Than-Just-The-Mision_3to2_90x60.jpg More than just the Misión San Ignacio, in Baja California, Mexico, is one of the most picturesque and charming villages I've ever seen. With a population of roughly 500, it's most famous feature is Misión San Ignacio Kadakaaman, a Jesuit Mission constructed in 1786. San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mision_de_san_ignacio/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Mision-de-San-Ignacio_5to4_60x48.jpg Misión de San Ignacio San Ignacio, in Baja California, Mexico, is one of the most picturesque and charming villages I've ever seen. With a population of roughly 500, it's most famous feature is Misión San Ignacio Kadakaaman, a Jesuit Mission constructed in 1786. San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/literal_oasis/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Literal-Oasis_3to1_180x60.jpg Literal Oasis There's one thing you do not see much of in Baja California, Mexico, and that is fresh water. It's a dry place, but there are a couple amazing exceptions, including at the beautiful village of San Ignacio. The drive from the adjacent highway to the village takes one through the literal oasis shown here. It was a strange feeling to know that I was in the middle of an utterly inhospitable desert, but that it was teeming with life for a mile or less in all directions of where I took this photo. It almost looks like an AI-generated image that one might get with the prompt "Oasis." But I promise, it isn't! San Ignacio, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/el_conejo_coast/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_El-Conejo-Coast_5to4_50x40.jpg El Conejo Coast The goal of my December, 2023 trip down Baja California, Mexico, was to make it to Cabo San Lucas, spend a day or two, and then head back north. After roughly a week of travel, I made it to Cabo San Lucas, but almost immediately realized I wasn't here to hang out in a resort town, so I quickly turned around and headed back north, without spending a single night in Cabo. I wasn't sure where to camp that night, but read about a camp spot that's a bit difficult to reach (20 mile single lane dirt / rock road), and decided to give it a try. When I arrived, the views from ground level were decent, but barren, and it just wasn't the most picturesque place. I decided to take my drone out and see how it might look from above, and I'm very happy I did so. What a beautiful coastline, and oh so different than downtown Cabo! El Conejo, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/catavina_sunrise_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Catavina-Sunrise-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Catavina Sunrise Panorama In December, 2023, I drove along Baja California, Mexico, all the way south, to Cabo San Lucas, at the southern end of the peninsula. On my first night in Mexico, I camped in the desert outside the village (maybe 100 residents) of Catavina, among the mountains, rocks, cactus, and, in all likelihood, tarantulas and snakes, although fortunately I didn't see any. It was as picturesque a desert camping spot as one could possibly hope for, and the sense of solitude was incredible. I awoke early the next morning to capture this panorama as the sun crested the horizon, lighting up thousands of saguaros, as far as the eye could see. near Catavina, Baja California, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baja_rocks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Baja-Rocks_3to2_72x48.jpg Baja Rocks! A few days into my December, 2023 road trip down to Baja California, Mexico, I'd made it to La Paz. I'd read about a camp spot among the sand dunes on the coast of the Gulf of California that sounded lovely, but the road there turned out to be sandy enough that I was scared I might get my truck stuck, so I turned around and went exploring, hoping to find another beautiful spot. As luck would have it, only another 10 or 15 miles north, I came across the village of El Cajete, and a small beach called Playa Califin. I camped there with no one else around, and was able to capture some wonderful images of the beach and surrounding mountains at sunset on the day of my arrival (shown here), and sunrise, the following morning. It was a really pleasant surprise! Playa Califin, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baja_osprey/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Baja-Osprey_3to2_45x30.jpg Baja Osprey Ospreys are very adaptable birds, and they can be found in all fifty states, and every continent except Antarctica. It turns out they also live year round in Baja California. I found this guy just outside of La Paz, on an empty beach that, based on the fish in his talon, must serve as good hunting grounds. Playa Califin, Baja California Sur, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baja_desert_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Baja-Desert-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Baja Desert Panorama In December, 2023, I drove along Baja California, Mexico, all the way south, to Cabo San Lucas, at the southern end of the peninsula. On my first night in Mexico, I camped in the desert outside the village (maybe 100 residents) of Catavina, among the mountains, rocks, cactus, and, in all likelihood, tarantulas and snakes, although fortunately I didn't see any. It was as picturesque a desert camping spot as one could possibly hope for, and the sense of solitude was incredible. near Catavina, Baja California, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baja_desert_beauty/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_Baja-Desert-Beauty_3to2_90x60.jpg Baja Desert Beauty In December, 2023, I drove along Baja California, Mexico, all the way south, to Cabo San Lucas, at the southern end of the peninsula. On my first night in Mexico, I camped in the desert outside the village (maybe 100 residents) of Catavina, among the mountains, rocks, cactus, and, in all likelihood, tarantulas and snakes, although fortunately I didn't see any. It was as picturesque a desert camping spot as one could possibly hope for, and the sense of solitude was incredible. near Catavina, Baja California, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_fix_and_flippers_dream/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Mexico_A-Fix-and-Flippers-Dream_2to1_48x24.jpg A Fix and Flipper's Dream San Felipe, which is located on the Gulf of California (east) side of Baja California, Mexico, is just over 100 miles from the US border, and an ideal place to camp on one's first or last night on the peninsula. I'd skipped San Felipe on my way south, but decided to stop there on the last night of my December, 2023 trip throughout Baja. The beach on which I camped was fine - honestly, it wasn't that special, at least when viewed from ground level, but when I took my drone up, it suddenly got a lot prettier. There are lots of abandoned and / or unfinished homes and other properties in Baja, and this cute line of 8 abandoned homes looks to me like a fix and flipper's dream. San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/overcast_in_boston/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Massachusetts_Overcast-in-Boston_2to1_72x36.jpg Overcast in Boston I've spent very little time in Massachusetts (and New England, in general), but when a good friend moved there in 2021, it provided the inspiration for me to finally make it up to Boston. Coincidentally, ever since I started showing cityscape photos in 2019, the number one city request I've gotten is Boston. Why not kill two birds with one stone? I finally made it there in the fall of 2021, and really enjoyed it. I had a bit of difficulty finding the best place to photograph the entire city skyline, but this shot, taken from East Boston (very close to the Tall Ship) I can see why so many people have such a strong connection to this historically-rich American city. Boston, Massachusetts, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/overcast_boston_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Massachusetts_Overcast-Boston-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Overcast Boston Panorama I've spent very little time in Massachusetts (and New England, in general), but when a good friend moved there in 2021, it provided the inspiration for me to finally make it up to Boston. Coincidentally, ever since I started showing cityscape photos in 2019, the number one city request I've gotten is Boston. Why not kill two birds with one stone? I finally made it there in the fall of 2021, and really enjoyed it. I had a bit of difficulty finding the best place to photograph the entire city skyline, but this shot, taken from East Boston (very close to the Tall Ship) I can see why so many people have such a strong connection to this historically-rich American city. Boston, Massachusetts, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/boston_from_the_longfellow_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Massachusetts_Boston-from-the-Longfellow-Bridge_5to2_120x48.jpg Boston from the Longfellow Bridge I've spent very little time in Massachusetts (and New England, in general), but when a good friend moved there in 2021, it provided the inspiration for me to finally make it up to Boston. Coincidentally, ever since I started showing cityscape photos in 2019, the number one city request I've gotten is Boston. Why not kill two birds with one stone? I finally made it there in the fall of 2021, and really enjoyed it. I had a bit of difficulty finding the best place to photograph the entire city skyline, but after getting the more traditional shot of the city, and wanting another vantage point, I discovered a nice view from the newly-renovated Longfellow Bridge. Boston, Massachusetts, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/boston_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Massachusetts_Boston-at-Dusk_3to1_180x60.jpg Boston at Dusk I've spent very little time in Massachusetts (and New England, in general), but when a good friend moved there in 2021, it provided the inspiration for me to finally make it up to Boston. Coincidentally, ever since I started showing cityscape photos in 2019, the number one city request I've gotten is Boston. Why not kill two birds with one stone? I finally made it there in the fall of 2021, and really enjoyed it. I had a bit of difficulty finding the best place to photograph the entire city skyline, but this shot, taken from East Boston (very close to the Tall Ship) I can see why so many people have such a strong connection to this historically-rich American city. Boston, Massachusetts, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/farm_in_maryland/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Maryland_Farm-in-Maryland_3to1_180x60.jpg Farm in Maryland My photography certainly focuses on nature, and epic landscapes, but I sometimes like to switch it up and shoot some different stuff. I was on my way to an art fair in a suburb of Washington, D.C., but in no rush, so I had my GPS route me to avoid highways, and drove on small, country roads that took me by countless farms like this one. Maryland, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baltimore_2021/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Maryland_Baltimore-2021_3to1_180x60.jpg Baltimore, 2021 Being from Colorado, I'm always surprised when I get to the East Coast, and find so many major cities in such close proximity to one another. From Denver, the next closest city with a similar population is Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it is a 7 hour drive away. I've wanted to photograph the Baltimore skyline for several years, but never had the occasion to visit the city. However, I had some art shows in Washington, DC, in the summer of 2021, and was surprised to see that Baltimore is literally one hour away. So I made sure to find time to get there, and I'm glad I did, because it really is a beautiful skyline. I took this photo from the top of Federal Hill Park, which provided a great view of the Inner Harbor, and downtown. Federal Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baltimore_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Maryland_Baltimore-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg Baltimore Ultrawide Being from Colorado, I'm always surprised when I get to the East Coast, and find so many major cities in such close proximity to one another. From Denver, the next closest city with a similar population is Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it is a 7 hour drive away. I've wanted to photograph the Baltimore skyline for several years, but never had the occasion to visit the city. However, I had some art shows in Washington, DC, in the summer of 2021, and was surprised to see that Baltimore is literally one hour away. So I made sure to find time to get there, and I'm glad I did, because it really is a beautiful skyline. I took this photo from the top of Federal Hill Park, which provided a great view of the Inner Harbor, and downtown. Federal Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baltimore_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Maryland_Baltimore-Sunset_5to2_150x60.jpg Baltimore Sunset Being from Colorado, I'm always surprised when I get to the East Coast, and find so many major cities in such close proximity to one another. From Denver, the next closest city with a similar population is Albuquerque, New Mexico, and it is a 7 hour drive away. I've wanted to photograph the Baltimore skyline for several years, but never had the occasion to visit the city. However, I had some art shows in Washington, DC, in the summer of 2021, and was surprised to see that Baltimore is literally one hour away. So I made sure to find time to get there, and I'm glad I did, because it really is a beautiful skyline. I took this photo from the top of Federal Hill Park, which provided a great view of the Inner Harbor, and downtown. Federal Hill Park, Baltimore, Maryland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sri_velayuthar_temple/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Sri-Velayuthar-Temple_3to2_90x60.jpg Sri Velayuthar Temple I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The main thing I wanted to photograph was the Petronas Towers, which I captured successfully almost immediately, and this left me with one extra day to explore and take other photos. The number two tourist hotspot in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, so off I went. There are several caves here, and many of them contain Hindu temples, and thankfully, they encourage photography! Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/petronas_towers_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Petronas-Towers-at-Night_4to5_48x60.jpg Petronas Towers at Night I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. I was in high school when the Petronas Towers were completed, in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings on Earth, until 2004. I remember seeing photos of the towers when they were newly completed, and being blown away by the urban beauty. I never forgot how amazing I thought the city might look, and so before visiting, I did a bit of research to learn the best location from which to photograph the towers. It turns out the best place is the SkyBar in the Traders Hotel, just across the park from the Towers. I went there in the afternoon, worried that it might fill up in the evening, and I'd lose a prime spot from which to photograph the Towers. My worries were unfounded, though, and I relaxed, had a couple drinks, snacked, and periodically photographed the beautiful city skyline. Kuala Lumpur remains one of the most beautiful city skylines on Earth. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/petronas_towers_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Petronas-Towers-at-Dusk_2to3_48x72.jpg Petronas Towers at Dusk I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. I was in high school when the Petronas Towers were completed, in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings on Earth, until 2004. I remember seeing photos of the towers when they were newly completed, and being blown away by the urban beauty. I never forgot how amazing I thought the city might look, and so before visiting, I did a bit of research to learn the best location from which to photograph the towers. It turns out the best place is the SkyBar in the Traders Hotel, just across the park from the Towers. I went there in the afternoon, worried that it might fill up in the evening, and I'd lose a prime spot from which to photograph the Towers. My worries were unfounded, though, and I relaxed, had a couple drinks, snacked, and periodically photographed the beautiful city skyline. Kuala Lumpur remains one of the most beautiful city skylines on Earth. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/petronas_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Petronas-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Petronas Portrait I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. I was in high school when the Petronas Towers were completed, in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings on Earth, until 2004. I remember seeing photos of the towers when they were newly completed, and being blown away by the urban beauty. I only had one day to photograph the towers, and after capturing amazing images of them from a more "standard" view, I did a little exploration and creative shooting. Here's one of my more creative shots that I'm pretty happy with. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/malaysian_macaque/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Malaysian-Macaque_4to5_48x60.jpg Malaysian Macaque I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The main thing I wanted to photograph was the Petronas Towers, which I captured successfully almost immediately, and this left me with one extra day to explore and take other photos. The number two tourist hotspot in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, so off I went. There are several caves here, and many of them contain Hindu temples, and thankfully, they encourage photography! Oh, and there are monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys. Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/looking_up_the_petronas_towers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Looking-Up-the-Petronas-Towers_3to2_90x60.jpg Looking Up the Petronas Towers I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. I was in high school when the Petronas Towers were completed, in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings on Earth, until 2004. I remember seeing photos of the towers when they were newly completed, and being blown away by the urban beauty. I only had one day to photograph the towers, and after capturing amazing images of them from a more "standard" view, I did a little exploration and creative shooting. Here's one of my more creative shots that I'm pretty happy with. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kuala_lumpur_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Kuala-Lumpur-at-Night_3to2_90x60.jpg Kuala Lumpur at Night I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. I was in high school when the Petronas Towers were completed, in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings on Earth, until 2004. I remember seeing photos of the towers when they were newly completed, and being blown away by the urban beauty. I never forgot how amazing I thought the city might look, and so before visiting, I did a bit of research to learn the best location from which to photograph the towers. It turns out the best place is the SkyBar in the Traders Hotel, just across the park from the Towers. I went there in the afternoon, worried that it might fill up in the evening, and I'd lose a prime spot from which to photograph the Towers. My worries were unfounded, though, and I relaxed, had a couple drinks, snacked, and periodically photographed the beautiful city skyline. Kuala Lumpur remains one of the most beautiful city skylines on Earth. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kuala_lumpur_at_night_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Kuala-Lumpur-at-Night-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Kuala Lumpur at Night Panorama I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. I was in high school when the Petronas Towers were completed, in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings on Earth, until 2004. I remember seeing photos of the towers when they were newly completed, and being blown away by the urban beauty. I never forgot how amazing I thought the city might look, and so before visiting, I did a bit of research to learn the best location from which to photograph the towers. It turns out the best place is the SkyBar in the Traders Hotel, just across the park from the Towers. I went there in the afternoon, worried that it might fill up in the evening, and I'd lose a prime spot from which to photograph the Towers. My worries were unfounded, though, and I relaxed, had a couple drinks, snacked, and periodically photographed the beautiful city skyline. Kuala Lumpur remains one of the most beautiful city skylines on Earth. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kuala_lumpur_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Kuala-Lumpur-at-Dusk_3to2_90x60.jpg Kuala Lumpur at Dusk I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. I was in high school when the Petronas Towers were completed, in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings on Earth, until 2004. I remember seeing photos of the towers when they were newly completed, and being blown away by the urban beauty. I never forgot how amazing I thought the city might look, and so before visiting, I did a bit of research to learn the best location from which to photograph the towers. It turns out the best place is the SkyBar in the Traders Hotel, just across the park from the Towers. I went there in the afternoon, worried that it might fill up in the evening, and I'd lose a prime spot from which to photograph the Towers. My worries were unfounded, though, and I relaxed, had a couple drinks, snacked, and periodically photographed the beautiful city skyline. Kuala Lumpur remains one of the most beautiful city skylines on Earth. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kuala_lumpur_at_dusk_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Kuala-Lumpur-at-Dusk-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Kuala Lumpur at Dusk Panorama I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. I was in high school when the Petronas Towers were completed, in 1998, and they were the tallest buildings on Earth, until 2004. I remember seeing photos of the towers when they were newly completed, and being blown away by the urban beauty. I never forgot how amazing I thought the city might look, and so before visiting, I did a bit of research to learn the best location from which to photograph the towers. It turns out the best place is the SkyBar in the Traders Hotel, just across the park from the Towers. I went there in the afternoon, worried that it might fill up in the evening, and I'd lose a prime spot from which to photograph the Towers. My worries were unfounded, though, and I relaxed, had a couple drinks, snacked, and periodically photographed the beautiful city skyline. Kuala Lumpur remains one of the most beautiful city skylines on Earth. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/king_rama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_King-Rama_3to2_90x60.jpg King Rama I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The main thing I wanted to photograph was the Petronas Towers, which I captured successfully almost immediately, and this left me with one extra day to explore and take other photos. The number two tourist hotspot in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, so off I went. There are several caves here, and many of them contain Hindu temples, and thankfully, they encourage photography! Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/king_rama_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_King-Rama-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg King Rama Portrait I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The main thing I wanted to photograph was the Petronas Towers, which I captured successfully almost immediately, and this left me with one extra day to explore and take other photos. The number two tourist hotspot in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, so off I went. There are several caves here, and many of them contain Hindu temples, and thankfully, they encourage photography! Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/king_of_the_temple/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_King-of-the-Temple_3to2_72x48.jpg King of the Temple I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The main thing I wanted to photograph was the Petronas Towers, which I captured successfully almost immediately, and this left me with one extra day to explore and take other photos. The number two tourist hotspot in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, so off I went. There are several caves here, and many of them contain Hindu temples, and thankfully, they encourage photography! Oh, and there are monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys. Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dragon_monkey/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Dragon-Monkey_2to3_48x72.jpg Dragon Monkey I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The main thing I wanted to photograph was the Petronas Towers, which I captured successfully almost immediately, and this left me with one extra day to explore and take other photos. The number two tourist hotspot in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, so off I went. There are several caves here, and many of them contain Hindu temples, and thankfully, they encourage photography! Oh, and there are monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys. Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/batu_caves/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Batu-Caves_2to3_60x90.jpg Batu Caves I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The main thing I wanted to photograph was the Petronas Towers, which I captured successfully almost immediately, and this left me with one extra day to explore and take other photos. The number two tourist hotspot in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, so off I went. There are several caves here, and many of them contain Hindu temples, and thankfully, they encourage photography! Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/batu_cave_monkeys/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Malaysia_Batu-Cave-Monkeys_3to2_45x30.jpg Batu Cave Monkeys I only had a couple days in Malaysia during my visit in December, 2024, so I didn't have time to leave the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. The main thing I wanted to photograph was the Petronas Towers, which I captured successfully almost immediately, and this left me with one extra day to explore and take other photos. The number two tourist hotspot in Kuala Lumpur is the Batu Caves, so off I went. There are several caves here, and many of them contain Hindu temples, and thankfully, they encourage photography! Oh, and there are monkeys. Lots and lots of monkeys. Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/frog/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Maine_Frog_3to2_45x30.jpg Frog I had no idea that frogs lived as far north as Acadia National Park, in Maine. But, as proven by this photo, they do. Acadia National Park, Maine, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fort_knox/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Maine_Fort-Knox_3to2_45x30.jpg Fort Knox Yes, you read the title correctly. This is actually Fort Knox. Just not the Fort Knox you are thinking of. It's a granite fort built between 1844 and 1869 in Maine, at the mouth of the Penobscot River. Fort Knox, Maine, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/boulder_beach_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Maine_Boulder-Beach-Sunrise_2to1_80x40.jpg Boulder Beach Sunrise Acadia National Park is located on a small island off the east coast of Maine. It features some fairly small mountains, but the real highlight is the places where the beautiful, orange rocks plunge into the Atlantic, such as here, at Boulder Beach. The early morning sun made the already orange rocks almost unbelievably vivid, and the pine trees really complete the shot. Acadia National Park, Maine, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bass_harbor_light_station_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Maine_Bass-Harbor-Light-Station-at-Sunset_2to1_80x40.jpg Bass Harbor Light Station at Sunset Bass Harbor Light Station, in Maine's Acadia National Park is one of the most photographed sites in the National Park, and with good reason. I took this photo with my back to the sun as it set on a beautiful fall day in 2015. It took a bit of scrambling to get to the rocks upon which I perched myself for this 4-shot panorama, but the risk turned out to be absolutely worth it. Acadia National Park, Maine, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tricolored_heron_hunting/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Louisiana_Tricolored-Heron-Hunting_3to2_30x20.jpg Tricolored Heron Hunting Southern Louisiana's Creole Nature Trail, which extends south of Lake Charles into swamp and wetlands, is a bird watcher's paradise. Numerous boardwalks along the route make it easy to walk among the wildlife, such as this tricolored heron, which I spotted hunting. On the Creole Nature Trail, Louisiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/swamp_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Louisiana_Swamp-Sunrise_4to5_30x40.jpg Swamp Sunrise Louisiana has a lot of unique beauty. I spent several nights camping at Sam Houston Jones State Park, just outside of Lake Charles, and arose early each morning to photograph the swamp adjacent to my campsite. While a far cry from the mountains and deserts that I typically photograph, I found this place to be both fun and beautiful to photograph. Sam Houston Jones State Park, near Lake Charles, Louisiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/swamp_sunrise_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Louisiana_Swamp-Sunrise-Panorama_5to2_90x36.jpg Swamp Sunrise Panorama Louisiana has a lot of unique beauty. I spent several nights camping at Sam Houston Jones State Park, just outside of Lake Charles, and arose early each morning to photograph the swamp adjacent to my campsite. Although this swamp wasn't particularly large, I found a panoramic format lent itself quite well to the location, especially because of the crystal-clear surface of the water, which reflected the trees perfectly. Sam Houston Jones State Park, near Lake Charles, Louisiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/swamp_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Louisiana_Swamp-Reflection_5to2_120x48.jpg Swamp Reflection I stopped for the night at Fairview-Riverside State Park, north of New Orleans, Louisiana, while en route to an art show in Florida, in April, 2016. I was hoping to take some swamp and wetlands photographs while traveling through the area, and this State Park, although small, provided many opportunities. It was still quite early in the morning when I took this photo. Early mornings are always best for still air and smooth lake / river surfaces, which are ideal for reflection shots, such as this one. Fairview-Riverside State Park, Louisiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/smiling_gator/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Louisiana_Smiling-Gator_3to2_36x24.jpg Smiling Gator Southern Louisiana's Creole Nature Trail, which extends south of Lake Charles into swamp and wetlands, is an amazing place to capture wildlife photographs. Numerous boardwalks along the route make it easy to walk among the wildlife. This was just one of dozens of alligators I saw while on the Trail. Moments after I took this photo, he retreated into the river, the banks of which he'd been peacefully basking for who knows how long when I took this photo. On the Creole Nature Trail, Louisiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/louisiana_lily/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Louisiana_Louisiana-Lily_5to4_30x24.jpg Louisiana Lily I took this photo of a beautiful, white lily in Louisiana's Fairview-Riversside State Park. I shot towards the sky, and used a partially overcast sky to give the gray background that serves to almost make this photo look like a painting. Fairview-Riverside State Park, Louisiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beneath_the_surface/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Louisiana_Beneath-the-Surface_4to5_24x30.jpg Beneath the Surface Southern Louisiana's Creole Nature Trail, which extends south of Lake Charles into swamp and wetlands, is an amazing place to capture wildlife photographs. Numerous boardwalks along the route make it easy to walk among the wildlife. This was just one of dozens of alligators I saw while on the Trail. Prior to seeing the alligators along this trail, I didn't know these creatures were capable of being "cute." But I had to admit it was kind of cute how, when you walked or drove by their resting places in the river, they'd cautiously approach you. I think people feed them, and they've come to accept this as the way of things. Not ideal, but interesting. On the Creole Nature Trail, Louisiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellow_weaver/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Yellow-Weaver_5to4_30x24.jpg Yellow Weaver I spotted this yellow weaver (along with a hundred or so of his friends) at a rest stop an hour or so before I made it to Masai Mara National Reserve. While my companions for the safari were enjoying lunch, I was happily snapping photos of these absolutely astounding birds. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yawning_lioness/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Yawning-Lioness_1to1_30x30.jpg Yawning Lioness I came across two sleeping lionesses in Masai Mara National Reserve, and I was able to convince my driver to stick around for what must have been close to an hour, before one of them finally woke up long enough to let out a big yawn. Immediately afterwards, she went right back to sleep. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Yawn_5to4_50x40.jpg Yawn Leopards are quite elusive, and are one of the more difficult animals to photograph in the wild. They hunt at night, and usually sleep during the day. They can often be found sleeping in trees. This guy, on the other hand, decided to take a nap on a river bank. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_of_a_kind/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Two-of-a-Kind_2to3_30x45.jpg Two of a Kind I took the photo of these gray crowned cranes in Masai Mara National Reserve, in Kenya, shortly after visiting Uganda, in the summer of 2019. I saw them there, as well, which is fitting, as they are the national bird of Uganda. Although these beautiful birds are easy to find in areas of eastern and southern Africa, their range has been greatly reduced, and the IUCH (International Union for Conservation of Nature) uplisted them from vulnerable to endangered in 2012. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/three_thirsty_zebras/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Three-Thirsty-Zebras_5to4_50x40.jpg Three Thirsty Zebras After a scary river crossing, the zebras and wildebeest that survive probably want to get as far as possible from crocodile-infested waters, but they still need to drink. I found this group of zebras drinking from a small pond a few kilometers from where I'd watched them cross a river a couple hours before. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/those_eyes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Those-Eyes_4to5_30x40.jpg Those Eyes Of Kenya's "Big Five" (lion, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard, and cape buffalo), the leopard is generally the hardest to spot. I was lucky on my trip to Masai Mara National Reserve, because I saw one on my first day of safari. My driver spotted this leopard sleeping in a tree in the morning. We watched him for a while, and eventually gave up hoping that he would actually do anything more entertaining than lie around. He did move around just a bit, and even fully opened his eyes just long enough for me to take this beautiful photo. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_warrior/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_The-Warrior_5to4_60x48.jpg The Warrior Lions are probably the most popular subject for African wildlife photography. They're majestic. When they're young, they tend to be free of scars, but after a long and violent life, older males tend to be a bit more on the beat-up side. I cannot imagine what this old warrior must have gone through in his life, but the multitude of scars on his face certainly tells a story. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_mount_kenya/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Sunrise-at-Mount-Kenya_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunrise at Mount Kenya Climbing Africa's second highest mountain, Mt. Kenya, was undoubtedly one of the most physically challenging experiences of my life. The mountain actually has three distinct peaks, and the two highest of these require technical climbing to summit. The shortest of them, Point Lenana, reaches an elevation of 16,355 feet, and doesn't require any ropes or technical knowledge to reach. It does, however, require an absurdly early start - something like midnight - from camp two, to reach the summit at sunrise, which I did in order to take this photo. At the time, I was so sick and tired that I honestly didn't really enjoy the experience. Looking back now, I'm sure glad I stuck with it. The summit of Mt. Kenya, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/speedy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Speedy_5to4_50x40.jpg Speedy On my second trip to Kenya, I hoped to photograph some cheetahs, since I didn't get any good cheetah shots on my first photographic safari to Africa. I had four days in Masai Mara National Reserve, and had been hearing about two cheetah brothers that were photographically friendly (i.e. didn't scare away easily), but by the afternoon of my fourth day, I still hadn't seen them, and was giving up hope of getting any cheetah photos. Then, as we were getting ready to leave the park for good, we heard over the radio that the brothers were close by, and we immediately drove off in their direction. Although I saw them together, they never really struck any great poses while in the same frame, so I guess you'll just have to take my word that there were actually two of these big cats together when I took this shot. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/solitary_giraffe/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Solitary-Giraffe_3to2_45x30.jpg Solitary Giraffe Giraffes frequently travel together, so it can be hard to get a photo of a single giraffe. I was able to do just that, however, with this guy. I had to ask the driver of my safari vehicle to back up a bit, then move forward a tad, then back, then forward, in order to get him placed between the trees in the background, but I think it was time well spent. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sleepy_leopard/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Sleepy-Leopard_2to3_30x45.jpg Sleepy Leopard Of Kenya's "Big Five" (lion, elephant, rhinoceros, leopard, and cape buffalo), the leopard is generally the hardest to spot. I was lucky on my trip to Masai Mara National Reserve, because I saw one on my first day of safari. My driver spotted this leopard sleeping in a tree in the morning. We watched him for a while, and eventually gave up hoping that he would actually do anything more entertaining than lie around. When we returned to the same tree later that evening, guess who was exactly where we'd left him? Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sleepy_kitty/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Sleepy-Kitty_3to2_60x40.jpg Sleepy Kitty Big cats are beautiful. And scary. But seeing this lioness yawn reminded me of how similar they are to house cats. Just a bit bigger and scarier.Africa, Kenya, Masai Mara, safari, animal, animals, wildlife, nature, travel, Serengeti, savanna, lion, cat, lions, yawn, sleep, yellow, lioness Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sisters/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Sisters_3to2_72x48.jpg Sisters I'm not certain these lionesses are sisters, but lions do hang out in family groups, and I saw these two together on a couple occasions. They couldn't have struck a better pose if I'd asked! Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/savanna/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Savanna_3to2_45x30.jpg Savanna The savanna of Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, and Tanzania's Serengetti stretches for hundreds of kilometers, and while there are areas with hills, rocks, and even forests, a major portion of the land is seemingly endless grassland, interrupted only occasionally by a tree or two, like the one shown here. The feeling of solitude and emptiness is quite calming … until you remember that there could be lions prowling through that same grass, and then the calm kinda fizzles. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/savanna_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Savanna-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Savanna Sunset When I think of visiting the African savanna, a view like this is more-or-less what springs to mind. I can't even guess how many animals are in this photo, hidden below the waist-high grasses. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/run/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Run_3to2_60x40.jpg Run! "The Great Migration" refers to the months-long journey of millions of zebras and wildebeest (and other antelope species) between Kenya and Tanzania. It is truly an amazing event to see. Perhaps the most picturesque example of this migration is when a herd of thousands of animals must cross a crocodile-infested river. The herd will gather at the river bank for hours, until one brave animal strikes out for the other side. I took this photo when it appeared these zebras were getting ready to cross a river, but then panicked and ran briefly away in the opposite direction, kicking up tons of dust along the way. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/riverside_rest/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Riverside-Rest_2to1_48x24.jpg Riverside Rest Leopards are quite elusive, and are one of the more difficult animals to photograph in the wild. They hunt at night, and usually sleep during the day. They can often be found sleeping in trees. This guy, on the other hand, decided to take a nap on a river bank. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rhinos_at_lake_nakuru/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Rhinos-at-Lake-Nakuru_3to2_30x20.jpg Rhinos at Lake Nakuru One wouldn't think that rhinos would be a particularly difficult animal to spot in a savanna where most of the grass is only a few feet high. But, unfortunately, they are endangered, and the African plains are massive, so it can require hours, or even days of driving around to spot any. I was able to get quite close to most of the animals I saw on safari, but the closest I was able to get to these rhinos was several hundred yards. Lake Nakuru, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/my_neighborhood/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_My-Neighborhood_3to2_60x40.jpg My Neighborhood On my second trip to Kenya, I hoped to photograph some cheetahs, since I didn't get any good cheetah shots on my first photographic safari to Africa. I had four days in Masai Mara National Reserve, and had been hearing about two cheetah brothers that were photographically friendly (i.e. didn't scare away easily), but by the afternoon of my fourth day, I still hadn't seen them, and was giving up hope of getting any cheetah photos. Then, as we were getting ready to leave the park for good, we heard over the radio that the brothers were close by, and we immediately drove off in their direction. Although I saw them together, they never really struck any great poses while in the same frame, so I guess you'll just have to take my word that there were actually two of these big cats together when I took this shot. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/migration_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Migration-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Migration 2 "The Great Migration" refers to the months-long journey of millions of zebras and wildebeest (and other antelope species) between Kenya and Tanzania. It is truly an amazing event to see. Perhaps the most picturesque example of this migration is when a herd of thousands of animals must cross a crocodile-infested river. The herd will gather at the river bank for hours, until one brave animal strikes out for the other side. This leads to the entire herd crossing the river. They don't usually all make it, as there are crocodiles in these rivers, and they need food, too. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/migration_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Migration-1_3to2_72x48.jpg Migration 1 "The Great Migration" refers to the months-long journey of millions of zebras and wildebeest (and other antelope species) between Kenya and Tanzania. It is truly an amazing event to see. Perhaps the most picturesque example of this migration is when a herd of thousands of animals must cross a crocodile-infested river. The herd will gather at the river bank for hours, until one brave animal strikes out for the other side. This leads to the entire herd crossing the river. They don't usually all make it, as there are crocodiles in these rivers, and they need food, too. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/masai_mara/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Masai-Mara_3to2_60x40.jpg Masai Mara When I think of visiting the African savanna, a view like this is more-or-less what springs to mind. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lonely_elephant/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Lonely-Elephant_4to5_30x40.jpg Lonely Elephant I must have seen over a hundred elephants during my time in Kenya and Tanzania. Generally, they were seen in groups, but this old guy was off wandering on his own through the savanna of Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lions_at_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Lions-at-Dawn_3to2_36x24.jpg Lions at Dawn Wildlife seems to follow generally predictable patterns around the world. Animals are most active in the early morning and evening hours, and tend to be much more sedate throughout the day. This was certainly true of the lions that I saw while in Africa. If I ever chanced to see any in the middle of the day, they were almost guaranteed to be sleeping. So it was a pleasure to see these two actually wandering around as the sun rose on Masai Mara Nature Reserve, Kenya. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lilac_breasted_roller/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Lilac-Breasted-Roller_5to4_50x40.jpg Lilac Breasted Roller Unofficially the national bird of Kenya, the lilac-breasted roller is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest birds around. Their incredibly vibrant plumage makes them easy to spot, and since they often perch atop trees, power poles, and the like, they're quite easy to photograph, provided they don't fly off when you approach. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lets_stop_for_a_drink/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Lets-Stop-for-a-Drink_5to2_75x30.jpg Let's Stop for a Drink After a scary river crossing, the zebras and wildebeest that survive probably want to get as far as possible from crocodile-infested waters, but they still need to drink. I found this group of zebras drinking from a small pond a few kilometers from where I'd watched them cross a river a couple hours before. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lets_stay_here/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Lets-Stay-Here_3to2_60x40.jpg Let's Stay Here Elephants are great. I saw these two wandering around on their own shortly after sunrise. Usually, elephants are herd animals, so it was a bit strange to see them on their own, perhaps they were on their way to re-join their group. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/leader_of_the_pride/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Leader-of-the-Pride_2to3_24x36.jpg Leader of the Pride This lion walked right by my safari truck when we went on our sunrise drive in the Masai Mara during the summer of 2015. The early morning light is great in this shot. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lake_nakuru/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Lake-Nakuru_4to5_30x40.jpg Lake Nakuru I'm not big on abstract photography, but when I saw this totally abstract scene, I knew I had to give it a try. Lake Nakuru - the body of water shown here - lost a lot of water leading up to roughly 1990, but has since recovered significantly, putting these trees that grew up in the meantime under water. Lake Nakuru, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/keep_your_distance/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Keep-Your-Distance_3to2_72x48.jpg Keep your Distance This may be my favorite lioness photo I've taken. I'm sure glad I took this photo from the safety of a vehicle, otherwise I'd say there's a reasonable chance that this sight would have been my last. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/join_me_for_a_drink/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Join-me-for-a-Drink_3to2_60x40.jpg Join me for a Drink? After a scary river crossing, the zebras and wildebeest that survive probably want to get as far as possible from crocodile-infested waters, but they still need to drink. I found this group of zebras drinking from a small pond a few kilometers from where I'd watched them cross a river a couple hours before. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hitching_a_ride/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Hitching-a-Ride_5to4_40x30.jpg Hitching a Ride Seeing a baby baboon ride on the back of it's mother (or father?) shocked me the first time I saw it, but I quickly learned it is a common thing. It never ceased to be fun to watch! Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/headshot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Headshot_4to5_40x50.jpg Headshot If this lion, who I came across in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, ever wants to get a job in Hollywood, I've got his head shot ready. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/handsome_fellow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Handsome-Fellow_3to2_72x48.jpg Handsome Fellow Lions are a lot of fun to photograph, and big males are prized. Life on the savanna is hard, and as animals age, they often acquire numerous scars. I am taking a guess that because of how free of scars this guy is, he's probably quite young. Sitting here, he really does look like the "King of the Jungle." Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/grey_crowned_cranes_in_flight/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Grey-Crowned-Cranes-in-Flight_3to2_36x24.jpg Grey Crowned Cranes in Flight I saw more animals than I can count on my trip to Masai Mara National Reserve, in Kenya. Here are two grey crowned cranes, silhouetted against a cloudy sky. They landed not far from the safari vehicle I was in, and we were able to continue watching them for some time before they again took off. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/grey_crowned_crane/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Grey-Crowned-Crane_2to3_20x30.jpg Grey Crowned Crane Nature is weird. But sometimes that weirdness gives beautiful results, like this undeniably-odd grey-crowned crane. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/giraffes_in_the_rain/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Giraffes-in-the-Rain_2to3_30x45.jpg Giraffes in the Rain The weather I experienced while on safari in Kenya was great. It was very comfortable, and usually sunny, perhaps with scattered clouds. I did experience a bit of rain, though, for something like 5 minutes on one particular day, and it didn't just rain, it monsooned. Rarely have I seen rain this heavy before, or since. I was lucky enough to be near a herd of giraffes as the skies opened up on me, and the conditions allowed for a fairly unique appearance to this shot. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/elephant_close_up/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Elephant-Close-Up_2to3_30x45.jpg Elephant Close-up I saw a ton of elephants on my summer, 2015 safari in Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve, but it was usually from a distance. This guy, however, allowed us to get quite close to him. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cheetah_close_up/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Cheetah-Close-Up_5to4_40x30.jpg Cheetah Close Up On my second trip to Kenya, I hoped to photograph some cheetahs, since I didn't get any good cheetah shots on my first photographic safari to Africa. I had four days in Masai Mara National Reserve, and had been hearing about two cheetah brothers that were photographically friendly (i.e. didn't scare away easily), but by the afternoon of my fourth day, I still hadn't seen them, and was giving up hope of getting any cheetah photos. Then, as we were getting ready to leave the park for good, we heard over the radio that the brothers were close by, and we immediately drove off in their direction. Although I saw them together, they never really struck any great poses while in the same frame, so I guess you'll just have to take my word that there were actually two of these big cats together when I took this shot. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cape_buffalo_herd/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Cape-Buffalo-Herd_3to1_90x30.jpg Cape Buffalo Herd I don't know if I wasn't there at the right time of year, but I only saw a few large herds of animals during my trip to Kenya's Masai Mara National Reserve in the summer of 2015. This herd of several hundred cape buffalo was the largest grouping of a single type of animal in a confined area I saw during my Africa trip. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/big_house_cat/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Big-House-Cat_2to3_40x60.jpg Big House Cat I've been to a few places where guides tell you something to the effect of "This is the only place in the world where lions climb trees!" I've seen it in a couple places, so don't be fooled by anyone telling you this is an activity that occurs in a single area. Nonetheless, it is fun to see these big cats relaxing in treetops. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/big_boy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_Big-Boy_2to3_48x72.jpg Big Boy Weighing up to 13,000 pounds, African Elephants are the largest living land animals on the planet. And this guy was one of the biggest I've ever seen. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/all_wet/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kenya_All-Wet_1to1_42x42.jpg All Wet "The Great Migration" refers to the months-long journey of millions of zebras and wildebeest (and other antelope species) between Kenya and Tanzania. It is truly an amazing event to see. Perhaps the most picturesque example of this migration is when a herd of thousands of animals must cross a crocodile-infested river. The herd will gather at the river bank for hours, until one brave animal strikes out for the other side. I took this photo shortly after a herd of zebras and wildebeest crossed the river I was observing. At least a few animals were taken down by crocodiles, but this little guy was one of the lucky ones who made it across. Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/louisville_panorama_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kentucky_Louisville-Panorama-2018_3to1_180x60.jpg Louisville Panorama 2018 In the fall of 2019, I did a quick tour of Eastern states and midwest cities, in an attempt to diversify my photography portfolio. Louisville, shown here, is quite a beautiful city, especially when viewed from the Indiana side of the Ohio River. The John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge is visible on the bottom of the photo. John F Kennedy Memorial Bridge, Louisville, Kentucky https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/louisville_dusk_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Kentucky_Louisville-Dusk-2018_2to1_120x60.jpg Louisville Dusk 2018 In the fall of 2019, I did a quick tour of Eastern states and midwest cities, in an attempt to diversify my photography portfolio. Louisville, shown here, is quite a beautiful city, especially when viewed from the Indiana side of the Ohio River. The John F. Kennedy Memorial Bridge is visible on the bottom of the photo. John F Kennedy Memorial Bridge, Louisville, Kentucky https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ghosts_on_the_stairs/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Ghosts-on-the-Stairs_4to5_48x60.jpg Ghosts on the Stairs I visited Nachikatsuura and Seiganto-ji temple, several hours south of Osaka and Kyoto, during the fall of 2023. I visited the area to take photos of the beautiful Seiganto-ji temple and accompanying Nachi Falls, and the stairs shown in this photo are part of the path to reach the base of the falls, which are, at a height of 133 meters, the tallest waterfall in Japan with a single drop. Unfortunately, when I visited the falls, the lighting was terrible, so while I didn't end up with the particular photo I'd come down these stairs to take, the stone steps and beautiful forest were too pleasing a composition to skip. Since this photo was taken in the middle of the day in a fairly popular location, it was impossible to capture without crowds, so I came up with a solution. I put a very strong neutral density filter on my camera, so I was able to take a 30-second exposure, thus turning the crowds that walked through as I took the photo into "ghosts." I think it worked out pretty well. Nachikatsuura, Wakayama Prefecture, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yasaka_pagoda/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Yasaka-Pagoda_3to2_72x48.jpg Yasaka Pagoda Higashiyama is one of eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, and is home to some of the city's most famous and beautiful sights - mostly temples and neighborhoods from hundreds of years ago. The centerpiece of this photo has to be Yasaka Pagoda, the spectacular 5-story pagoda that dominates this scene. It is all that remains of a sixth-Century Buddhist complex known as Hokan-ji Temple. But places this beautiful are notoriously difficult to photograph, since there are usually a lot of people around. To get this photo, I had to arrive well before sunrise, and even that was barely enough. The street was full of other photographers and people taking selfies by the time the sun came over the horizon. Yasaka Pagoda, Higashiyama District, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_for_one/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Two-for-One_2to3_48x72.jpg Two for One Although Japanese macaques live throughout the mountains of Japan, the most famous place to see and photograph them is at Jigokudani Monkey Park, near Nagano, which is home to thousands of Japanese macaques, more commonly referred to as "snow monkeys." I got to spend a cold, winter day with these guys in February, 2023, and it was time well spent. It was a lot of fun to watch them swimming in the springs, chasing each other around, and generally having a good time. Snow Monkey Park, near Nagano, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/takasakiyama_macaque/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Takasakiyama-Macaque_5to4_50x40.jpg Takasakiyama Macaque I quasi-lived in the small(ish) town of Beppu, on Japan's southern island during the winter and spring of 2022-23. The town is best known for its multitude of hot springs, known as onsens. Just south of town lies a wildlife park that is home to hundreds of Japanese macaques. Most groups of macaques have a leader that is typically a big male. However, since 2021, one of the two dominant groups of macaques in the Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden has been led by a female, named Yakei. The Garden is a fun place for families and photographers alike, as the monkeys there are used to people being around, and will run along right at your feet. Takasakiyama Natural Zoological Garden, near Beppu, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shirahige_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Shirahige-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Shirahige Sunset I'd seen photos of a beautiful "floating" torii gate before visiting Japan, and knew I needed a photo. The famous floating torii gate is called Itsukushima, and it is located about 10 miles southwest of Hiroshima. This photo is not of Itsukushima. I read somewhere online about Shirahige Shrine, a "secret" floating torii gate, and that's what you are looking at. There's really no easy way to get here as a tourist. I took a train to the closest station, and then trudged along the side of a fairly busy highway for about half an hour to reach the location from which this shot was taken. This photo was actually taken on my second visit to the torii gate. My visit a week earlier was beautiful in a different way - it was very gray and dreary - but I knew I wanted a nice sunset, so I came back, and I sure picked the right evening to do so. Wow, those clouds and distant shoreline are just about perfect. Shirahige Shrine Floating Tori Gate, Lake Biwa, near Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shirahige_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Shirahige-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Shirahige Portrait I'd seen photos of a beautiful "floating" torii gate before visiting Japan, and knew I needed a photo. The famous floating torii gate is called Itsukushima, and it is located about 10 miles southwest of Hiroshima. This photo is not of Itsukushima. I read somewhere online about Shirahige Shrine, a "secret" floating torii gate, and that's what you are looking at. There's really no easy way to get here as a tourist. I took a train to the closest station, and then trudged along the side of a fairly busy highway for about half an hour to reach the location from which this shot was taken. I was hoping for a beautiful sunset with saturated reds and oranges, but on the evening I took this photo, the sky was overcast and gray. Oh well, I found a way to make it work. And on a subsequent visit a week and a half later, I DID get the bright colors I was looking for! Shirahige Shrine Floating Tori Gate, Lake Biwa, near Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shirahige_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Shirahige-Panorama_2to1_80x40.jpg Shirahige Panorama I'd seen photos of a beautiful "floating" torii gate before visiting Japan, and knew I needed a photo. The famous floating torii gate is called Itsukushima, and it is located about 10 miles southwest of Hiroshima. This photo is not of Itsukushima. I read somewhere online about Shirahige Shrine, a "secret" floating torii gate, and that's what you are looking at. There's really no easy way to get here as a tourist. I took a train to the closest station, and then trudged along the side of a fairly busy highway for about half an hour to reach the location from which this shot was taken. This photo was actually taken on my second visit to the torii gate. My visit a week earlier was beautiful in a different way - it was very gray and dreary - but I knew I wanted a nice sunset, so I came back, and I sure picked the right evening to do so. Wow, those clouds and distant shoreline are just about perfect. Shirahige Shrine Floating Tori Gate, Lake Biwa, near Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shirahige_black_and_white/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Shirahige-Black-and-White_2to3_48x72.jpg Shirahige Black and White Definitely one of my most modified shots. I typically aim for realism, or something close to it, in my photography, but this "floating" torii gate, in Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, which is located just northeast of Kyoto, looked too interesting as a black and white for me to skip this opportunity. I'd seen photos of a beautiful "floating" torii gate before visiting Japan, and knew I needed a photo. The famous floating torii gate is called Itsukushima, and it is located about 10 miles southwest of Hiroshima. This photo is not of Itsukushima. I read somewhere online about Shirahige Shrine, a "secret" floating torii gate, and that's what you are looking at. There's really no easy way to get here as a tourist. I took a train to the closest station, and then trudged along the side of a fairly busy highway for about half an hour to reach the location from which this shot was taken. I was hoping for a beautiful sunset with saturated reds and oranges, but on the evening I took this photo, everything was overcast and gray. Oh well, I found a way to make it work. And on a subsequent visit a week and a half later, I DID get the bright colors I was looking for! Shirahige Shrine Floating Tori Gate, Lake Biwa, near Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seiganto_ji_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Seiganto-Ji-at-Sunrise_2to3_60x90.jpg Seiganto-Ji at Sunrise Seiganto-Ji, or the Temple of Crossing the Blue Shore, is a Buddhist Temple several hours south of Osaka and Kyoto. While well-known, it is much less accessible than most of the other spots I photographed during my 2022-2023 visit to Japan, simply because of its distance from major cities and tourism centers. Perhaps because of this, or perhaps in spite of it, Seiganto-ji was one of my favorite photo locations in Japan. Like so many other historical sites in Japan, Seiganto-Ji's history is long and complicated, and involves numerous dynasties, wars, reconstructions, etc., but for me, this location was all about the simple peace and beauty it offers. I made sure to arrive early (before buses began running) to get this photo, which involved me booking a 5AM taxi the night before, but the payoff was well worth it. Did I forget to mention that Nachi Falls, at 133 meters in height and the tallest single-drop waterfall in Japan, is right behind it? Yeah, that's there too. Seiganto-ji Temple, near Nachikatsuura, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ninenzaka_street/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Ninenzaka-Street_3to2_72x48.jpg Ninenzaka Street Higashiyama is one of eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, and is home to some of the city's most famous and beautiful sights - mostly temples and neighborhoods from hundreds of years ago. Ninezaka Street is possibly the most famous street in the area, and for good reason. It truly is beautiful. But places this beautiful are notoriously difficult to photograph, since there are usually a lot of people around. To get this photo, I had to arrive well before sunrise, and it was actually very dark when I took this photo, but I did a long exposure to brighten it up. Higashiyama District, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/monkey_business/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Monkey-Business_3to2_72x48.jpg Monkey Business Although Japanese macaques live throughout the mountains of Japan, the most famous place to see and photograph them is at Jigokudani Monkey Park, near Nagano, which is home to thousands of Japanese macaques, more commonly referred to as "snow monkeys." I got to spend a cold, winter day with these guys in February, 2023, and it was time well spent. It was a lot of fun to watch them swimming in the springs, chasing each other around, and generally having a good time. Snow Monkey Park, near Nagano, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/matsumoto_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Matsumoto-Reflection_3to2_72x48.jpg Matsumoto Reflection Matsumoto City, which lies less than 50 miles southwest of Nagano, was, for me, a surprise highlight of Japan, and Matsumoto Castle was the highlight of Matsumoto City. Originally built in the late 1500s, it, like most historic locations in Japan, has been burned down and rebuilt, and is today considered one of Japan's three premier historic castles (along with Himeji and Kumamoto). Due to its black exterior, it is also known as the "Crow Castle." I visited Matsumoto Castle at the beginning of December, 2022, and my timing coincided with holiday lighting of the castle - thus the weird (and quite beautiful) purple and cyan lighting along the shoreline and in the trees. Aside from all the history, this castle is just pretty. Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/matsumoto_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Matsumoto-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Matsumoto Portrait Matsumoto City, which lies less than 50 miles southwest of Nagano, was, for me, a surprise highlight of Japan, and Matsumoto Castle was the highlight of Matsumoto City. Originally built in the late 1500s, it, like most historic locations in Japan, has been burned down and rebuilt, and is today considered one of Japan's three premier historic castles (along with Himeji and Kumamoto). Due to its black exterior, it is also known as the "Crow Castle." Aside from all the history, this castle is just pretty. Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/matsumoto_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Matsumoto-Panorama_2to1_96x48.jpg Matsumoto Panorama Matsumoto City, which lies less than 50 miles southwest of Nagano, was, for me, a surprise highlight of Japan, and Matsumoto Castle was the highlight of Matsumoto City. Originally built in the late 1500s, it, like most historic locations in Japan, has been burned down and rebuilt, and is today considered one of Japan's three premier historic castles (along with Himeji and Kumamoto). Due to its black exterior, it is also known as the "Crow Castle." Aside from all the history, this castle is just pretty. Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/matsumoto_lightshow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Matsumoto-Lightshow_3to2_72x48.jpg Matsumoto Lightshow Matsumoto City, which lies less than 50 miles southwest of Nagano, was, for me, a surprise highlight of Japan, and Matsumoto Castle was the highlight of Matsumoto City. Originally built in the late 1500s, it, like most historic locations in Japan, has been burned down and rebuilt, and is today considered one of Japan's three premier historic castles (along with Himeji and Kumamoto). Due to its black exterior, it is also known as the "Crow Castle." I visited Matsumoto Castle at the beginning of December, 2022, and my timing coincided with holiday lighting of the castle - thus the crazy lighting of the castle, bridge, and trees. Aside from all the history, this castle is just pretty. Matsumoto Castle, Matsumoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/looking_up_in_arashiyama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Looking-Up-in-Arashiyama_3to2_72x48.jpg Looking Up in Arashiyama The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, in Kyoto, is one of the most popular spots for photographers in all of Japan, and for good reason. I visited the location twice in the fall of 2023, and this photo was taken on my first visit. I took more traditional photos of the same location on both occasions, but as sometimes happens, I learned a few things on my first visit that I was able to apply in order to make the photos from my second visit, one week later, even better. I took this photo looking straight up through a path in the forest with a 12mm (very wide angle) lens, and although the contrast was extreme, I was able to use some photography tricks to end up with a fairly realistic, but somewhat abstract view of this famous location, with a bit of a unique twist. Arashyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kinkaku_ji/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Kinkaku-ji_2to1_80x40.jpg Kinkaku-ji Kinkaku-ji (Temple of the Golden Pavilion), officially named Rokuon-ji (Deer Garden Temple) is one of the most popular buildings in Kyoto for both locals and tourists. As with most temples, gardens, castles, etc. in Japan, its history is long and complicated, but the site dates back to 1397. The current pavilion was built in 1955, after the original was burned down by a mentally-ill 22-year-old novice monk. The current version is beautiful, but because of how popular it is with tourists, one is not able to freely explore the grounds - there is a particular route one must follow when visiting, and most of the grounds are roped off. Even so, it is worth a visit. Kinkaku-ji (Golden Temple), Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/japanese_lanterns_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Japanese-Lanterns-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Japanese Lanterns 2 Itsukushima is a small island off the coast of Hiroshima that is most famous for its large, "floating" torii gate. While most visitors to the island spend a single afternoon there, enjoy the torii gate and some local cuisine, and return to the mainland on the same day, I was fortunate enough to spend a few days there, which gave me more time to explore. My favorite part of the island (aside from the floating torii gate) was probably the Daishoin Temple complex, which consisted of multiple gardens and structures. I found the lights in one of these buildings to be particularly beautiful. Daishoin Temple, Itsukushima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/japanese_lanterns_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Japanese-Lanterns-1_3to2_72x48.jpg Japanese Lanterns 1 Itsukushima is a small island off the coast of Hiroshima that is most famous for its large, "floating" torii gate. While most visitors to the island spend a single afternoon there, enjoy the torii gate and some local cuisine, and return to the mainland on the same day, I was fortunate enough to spend a few days there, which game me more time to explore. My favorite part of the island (aside from the floating torii gate) was probably the Daishoin Temple complex, which consisted of multiple gardens and structures. I found the lights in one of these buildings to be particularly beautiful. Daishoin Temple, Itsukushima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/itsukushima/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Itsukushima_5to4_60x48.jpg Itsukushima A "floating" torii gate has been located at Itsukushima (an island just outside of Hiroshima) since 1168, but the current one was built in 1875. It is one of Japan's most famous and popular tourist attractions. I visited the island in the winter of 2023, and actually spent three days on Itsukushima. Most visitors take a ferry to the island in the morning, and return the same afternoon. Having a few days there allowed me to feel like I had the island to myself in the evenings and mornings - a very nice experience. Itsukushima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/itsukushima_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Itsukushima-Night_3to2_72x48.jpg Itsukushima Night A "floating" torii gate has been located at Itsukushima (an island just outside of Hiroshima) since 1168, but the current one was built in 1875. It is one of Japan's most famous and popular tourist attractions. I visited the island in the winter of 2023, and actually spent three days on Itsukushima. Most visitors take a ferry to the island in the morning, and return the same afternoon. Having a few days there allowed me to feel like I had the island to myself in the evenings and mornings - a very nice experience. It wasn't particularly late when I took this photo - 7:45 if my camera clock is to be trusted - and I was the only one in sight. Quite the contrast from 3-4 hours earlier, when there were hundreds, possibly thousands of visitors enjoying the torii gate's beauty. Itsukushima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hiroshima_castle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Hiroshima-Castle_3to2_72x48.jpg Hiroshima Castle I visited Hiroshima on a semester abroad program called Semester-at-Sea in 2005. Obviously, I went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on this visit. During my visit in 2022-23, however, I was not feeling prepared to deal with the sadness of seeing that again, so I went somewhere prettier - the rebuilt Hiroshima Castle. And guess what, it is quite pretty! Hiroshima Castle, Hiroshima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hiroshima_castle_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Hiroshima-Castle-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Hiroshima Castle Portrait I visited Hiroshima on a semester abroad program called Semester-at-Sea in 2005. Obviously, I went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial on this visit. During my visit in 2022-23, however, I was not feeling prepared to deal with the sadness of seeing that again, so I went somewhere prettier - the rebuilt Hiroshima Castle. And guess what, it is quite pretty! Hiroshima Castle, Hiroshima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/himeji_castle_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Himeji-Castle-Sunset_3to2_60x40.jpg Himeji Castle Sunset Himeji Castle, located in the city of Himeji, Japan, is regarded as the finest surviving example of prototypical Japanese castle architecture. Originally constructed in 1346 (and like seemingly all castles, temples, etc. in Japan, rebuilt, added to, etc. many times since), it has amazingly survived for now more than 700 years, remaining intact despite the WWII bombing of Himeji, and the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. Due to its white color, it is frequently called the "White Egret Castle" or "White Heron Castle." Since it is built on a hill, most views of this historic castle are from below, but an adjacent city park on a hill allows one, after a bit of an uphill hike, to view the castle from ground level. This photo was taken as the sun was setting over my right shoulder, thus lighting up the western walls of this beautiful castle. Himeji Castle, Himeji, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/higashiyama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Higashiyama_3to2_72x48.jpg Higashiyama Higashiyama is one of eleven wards in the city of Kyoto, and is home to some of the city's most famous and beautiful sights - mostly temples and neighborhoods from hundreds of years ago. But places this beautiful are notoriously difficult to photograph, since there are usually a lot of people around. To get this photo, I had to arrive well before sunrise, and it was actually very dark when I took this photo, but I did a long exposure to brighten it up. Higashiyama District, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/harajiri_flower_festival/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Harajiri-Flower-Festival_2to1_72x36.jpg Harajiri Flower Festival I quasi-lived in the small(ish) town of Beppu, on Japan's southern island during the winter and spring of 2022-23. One of my favorite things to do overseas is to go exploring on a motorcycle. I was able to get my hands on a motorcycle for a few days in the spring of 2023, and on one of my rides, I had a waterfall that I planned on visiting and photographing. It turns out that there was a wildflower festival happening at the waterfall grounds, so I made sure to snap a few photos and enjoy some local cuisine. near Harajiri Falls, Kyusu Island, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fushimi_inari_taisha/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Fushimi-Inari-taisha_3to2_72x48.jpg Fushimi Inari-taisha Fushimi Inari-taisha is one of the most popular tourist spots in all of Japan, and therefore extremely difficult to photograph without crowds of tourists. I took this photo on my second visit to Fushimi Inari-taisha, this time very early in the morning, instead of late at night. Daytime is beautiful but not an option for photography - too many tourists! Located in Kyoto, Fushimi Inari-taishi features thousands of torii gates that one can pass through. Doing so symbolically allows one to pass from the mundane to the sacred. I must have done so thousands of times to get these photos! Fushimi Inari Taishi, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fushimi_inari_taisha_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Fushimi-Inari-taisha-Panorama_2to1_72x36.jpg Fushimi Inari-taisha Panorama Fushimi Inari-taisha is one of the most popular tourist spots in all of Japan, and therefore extremely difficult to photograph without crowds of tourists. It was also my first stop in Kyoto, when I visited in the Fall of 2023. I arrived late at night, and visited the famous Shinto shrine, getting this photo almost right away - it was one of only five or so on my "must photograph" list. What a great start to my trip to Japan! Fushimi Inari Taishi, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fujiyoshida_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Fujiyoshida-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg Fujiyoshida Portrait There are a lot of famous views of Mount Fuji in Japan. This is one of them, taken at an intersection in the city of Fujiyoshida, where the street lines up perfectly with Mount Fuji. I'm pretty sure they knew what they were doing when they designed this road. Fujiyoshida, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fujiyoshida_landscape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Fujiyoshida-Landscape_3to2_72x48.jpg Fujiyoshida Landscape There are a lot of famous views of Mount Fuji in Japan. This is one of them, taken at an intersection in the city of Fujiyoshida, where the street lines up perfectly with Mount Fuji. I'm pretty sure they knew what they were doing when they designed this road. Fujiyoshida, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fuji_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Fuji-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Fuji Portrait When people think of Japan, many things come to mind: Tokyo, sushi, and Mount Fuji among them. At 12,388 feet in elevation, Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, and if conditions are good, it is visible for hundreds of miles in many directions. With that said, it is a bit difficult to find a good spot from which to photograph this Japanese icon. My research led me to believe that the town of Fujiyoshida, which lies just north of the mountain itself, has some of the best views of Mount Fuji, so I made my way there for a few days in the spring of 2023. Possibly the single most famous view of Mount Fuji is taken from the grounds of Chureito Pagoda (not shown in this photo), and I was fortunate enough to visit on a rare day in which the cherry blossoms were in bloom and Mount Fuji was only partially obscured by clouds. near Chureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eikan_do_in_autumn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Eikan-do-in-Autumn_3to2_60x40.jpg Eikan-do in Autumn Japan is beautiful most of the year, but in the fall, when the leaves change color, it is like nowhere else. Nowhere that I've been, anyway. This is a photo of Kyoto's Eikan-do temple, the history of which stretches back to roughly 853 - although the construction of the entire complex continued, in phases, for centuries. I find eastern temples and gardens like this to be among the most peaceful locations on the planet, but this particular temple is extraordinarily popular for both locals and tourists when the leaves turn red, so it was probably less calming than usual when I took this photo, as I was one of hundreds making my way through the grounds. Eikan-do Temple, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dotonbori_alley/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Dotonbori-Alley_2to3_48x72.jpg Dotonbori Alley I visited Osaka in the fall of 2022, and intended to photograph Osaka Castle. I'm sure it is possible to take good photos of the castle, but I was unsuccessful in doing so. Disappointed in myself, I got online and looked at what else was in the area. Dotonbori? Sure. It is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, most famous for its nightlife and neon lights. Not usually my thing photographically, but we all have to grow, right? And cliches are cliches for a reason - there really is something beautiful, and unmistakably Japanese, about a night shot of a narrow alley filled with neon lights and electrical lines. Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dotonbori_3/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Dotonbori-3_3to2_72x48.jpg Dotonbori 3 I visited Osaka in the fall of 2022, and intended to photograph Osaka Castle. I'm sure it is possible to take good photos of the castle, but I was unsuccessful in doing so. Disappointed in myself, I got online and looked at what else was in the area. Dotonbori? Sure. It is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, most famous for its nightlife and neon lights. Not usually my thing photographically, but we all have to grow, right? Amazingly, I really loved how my Dotonbori photos turned out! Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dotonbori_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Dotonbori-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Dotonbori 2 I visited Osaka in the fall of 2022, and intended to photograph Osaka Castle. I'm sure it is possible to take good photos of the castle, but I was unsuccessful in doing so. Disappointed in myself, I got online and looked at what else was in the area. Dotonbori? Sure. It is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, most famous for its nightlife and neon lights. Not usually my thing photographically, but we all have to grow, right? Amazingly, I really loved how my Dotonbori photos turned out! Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dotonbori_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Dotonbori-1_3to2_72x48.jpg Dotonbori 1 I visited Osaka in the fall of 2022, and intended to photograph Osaka Castle. I'm sure it is possible to take good photos of the castle, but I was unsuccessful in doing so. Disappointed in myself, I got online and looked at what else was in the area. Dotonbori? Sure. It is one of the principal tourist destinations in Osaka, most famous for its nightlife and neon lights. Not usually my thing photographically, but we all have to grow, right? Amazingly, I really loved how my Dotonbori photos turned out! Dotonbori, Osaka, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/darumas/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Darumas_3to2_90x60.jpg Darumas Katsuo-ji is another beautiful temple that is a bit difficult to reach as a tourist. It is several m https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/daishoin_-statues/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Daishoin-Statues_3to2_72x48.jpg Daishoin Statues Itsukushima is a small island off the coast of Hiroshima that is most famous for its large, "floating" torii gate. While most visitors to the island spend a single afternoon there, enjoy the torii gate and some local cuisine, and return to the mainland on the same day, I was fortunate enough to spend a few days there, which gave me more time to explore. My favorite part of the island (aside from the floating torii gate) was probably the Daishoin Temple complex, which consisted of multiple gardens and structures. Outside one of the structures was a hillside filled with probably a hundred or so of these statues. Daishoin Temple, Itsukushima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cute_hat/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Cute-Hat_3to2_72x48.jpg Cute Hat Itsukushima is a small island off the coast of Hiroshima that is most famous for its large, "floating" torii gate. While most visitors to the island spend a single afternoon there, enjoy the torii gate and some local cuisine, and return to the mainland on the same day, I was fortunate enough to spend a few days there, which gave me more time to explore. My favorite part of the island (aside from the floating torii gate) was probably the Daishoin Temple complex, which consisted of multiple gardens and structures. Many of the paths between the different temple buildings were flanked by tens or even hundreds of small (two to three feet tall) statues of smiling figures, and many of them had hand-woven red scarfs and hats. Very interesting and incredibly peaceful. Daishoin Temple, Itsukushima, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chureito_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Chureito-Night_3to2_90x60.jpg Chureito Night When people think of Japan, many things come to mind: Tokyo, sushi, and Mount Fuji among them. At 12,388 feet in elevation, Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, and if conditions are good, it is visible for hundreds of miles in many directions. With that said, it is a bit difficult to find a good spot from which to photograph this Japanese icon. My research led me to believe that the town of Fujiyoshida, which lies just north of the mountain itself, has some of the best views of Mount Fuji, so I made my way there for a few days in the spring of 2023. Possibly the single most famous view of Mount Fuji is taken from the grounds of Chureito Pagoda, visible on the right side of this photo. This was actually my second day photographing from this location, and I'm thrilled I came back since on my first day the mountain was always at least partially hidden by clouds. On day two, I was lucky enough to get it fully visible. The artificial lighting on Chureito and the city below really take this photo to the next level. Chureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chureito_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Chureito-Dusk_3to2_72x48.jpg Chureito Dusk When people think of Japan, many things come to mind: Tokyo, sushi, and Mount Fuji among them. At 12,388 feet in elevation, Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, and if conditions are good, it is visible for hundreds of miles in many directions. With that said, it is a bit difficult to find a good spot from which to photograph this Japanese icon. My research led me to believe that the town of Fujiyoshida, which lies just north of the mountain itself, has some of the best views of Mount Fuji, so I made my way there for a few days in the spring of 2023. Possibly the single most famous view of Mount Fuji is taken from the grounds of Chureito Pagoda, visible on the right side of this photo. This was actually my second day photographing from this location, and I'm thrilled I came back since on my first day the mountain was always at least partially hidden by clouds. On day two, I was lucky enough to get it fully visible. The artificial lighting on Chureito and the city below really take this photo to the next level. Chureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chureito_day/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Chureito-Day_3to2_72x48.jpg Chureito Day When people think of Japan, many things come to mind: Tokyo, sushi, and Mount Fuji among them. At 12,388 feet in elevation, Fuji is the highest mountain in Japan, and if conditions are good, it is visible for hundreds of miles in many directions. With that said, it is a bit difficult to find a good spot from which to photograph this Japanese icon. My research led me to believe that the town of Fujiyoshida, which lies just north of the mountain itself, has some of the best views of Mount Fuji, so I made my way there for a few days in the spring of 2023. Possibly the single most famous view of Mount Fuji is taken from the grounds of Chureito Pagoda, visible on the right side of this photo, and I was fortunate enough to visit on a rare day in which the cherry blossoms were in bloom and Mount Fuji was only partially obscured by clouds. Chureito Pagoda, Fujiyoshida, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beppu_blossoms_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Beppu-Blossoms-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Beppu Blossoms Portrait I quasi-lived in the small(ish) town of Beppu, on Japan's southern island during the winter and spring of 2022-23. Cherry blossom season in Japan can run for more than a month, since they bloom as the weather warms, so blossoms will move from south to north and from higher to lower elevations as spring progresses. I took this photo in my town's central park in late March of 2023. Beppu Park, Beppu, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beppu_blossoms_landscape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Beppu-Blossoms-Landscape_3to2_72x48.jpg Beppu Blossoms Landscape I quasi-lived in the small(ish) town of Beppu, on Japan's southern island during the winter and spring of 2022-23. Cherry blossom season in Japan can run for more than a month, since they bloom as the weather warms, so blossoms will move from south to north and from higher to lower elevations as spring progresses. I took this photo in my town's central park in late March of 2023. Beppu Park, Beppu, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baby_monkey_hot_tub_time_machine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Baby-Monkey-Hot-Tub-Time-Machine_3to2_45x30.jpg Baby Monkey Hot Tub Time Machine Although Japanese macaques live throughout the mountains of Japan, the most famous place to see and photograph them is at Jigokudani Monkey Park, near Nagano, which is home to thousands of Japanese macaques, more commonly referred to as "snow monkeys." I got to spend a cold, winter day with these guys in February, 2023, and it was time well spent. It was a lot of fun to watch them swimming in the springs, chasing each other around, and generally having a good time. Snow Monkey Park, near Nagano, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arashyama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Arashyama_3to2_72x48.jpg Arashyama The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, in Kyoto, is one of the most popular spots for photographers in all of Japan, and for good reason. I visited the location twice in the fall of 2023, and this photo was taken on my second visit. I took more traditional photos of the same location on both occasions, but as sometimes happens, I learned a few things on my first visit that I was able to apply in order to make the photos from my second visit, one week later, even better. If you make it to Kyoto and hope to get a photo like this, I have a bit of advice: arrive early. Like, uncomfortably early. Worth it though! Arashyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arashyama_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Arashyama-Portrait_2to3_40x60.jpg Arashyama Portrait The Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, in Kyoto, is one of the most popular spots for photographers in all of Japan, and for good reason. I visited the location twice in the fall of 2023, and this photo was taken on my second visit. I took more traditional photos of the same location on both occasions, but as sometimes happens, I learned a few things on my first visit that I was able to apply in order to make the photos from my second visit, one week later, even better. If you make it to Kyoto and hope to get a photo like this, I have a bit of advice: arrive early. Like, uncomfortably early. Worth it though! Arashyama Bamboo Forest, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/adashino/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Adashino_3to2_90x60.jpg Adashino In the northwest portion of Kyoto, there is a Buddhist temple called Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, well-known for the plethora (roughly 8000) of Buddhist statues that memorialize the souls of the dead. What is less well-known about this complex is that it also is home to the Adashino Bamboo Forest, which rivals, and is perhaps even more beautiful than, the more famous Arashyama Bamboo Forest, a mile or so to the south. Photographing Arashyama was logistically difficult because of how many people are there. Adashino? No problem. And honestly, I think it's even prettier. Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/adashino_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Japan_Adashino-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Adashino Portrait In the northwest portion of Kyoto, there is a Buddhist temple called Adashino Nenbutsu-ji, well-known for the plethora (roughly 8000) of Buddhist statues that memorialize the souls of the dead. What is less well-known about this complex is that it also is home to the Adashino Bamboo Forest, which rivals, and is perhaps even more beautiful than, the more famous Arashyama Bamboo Forest, a mile or so to the south. Photographing Arashyama was logistically difficult because of how many people are there. Adahino? No problem. And honestly, I think it's even prettier. Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, Kyoto, Japan https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rice_lake_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iowa_Rice-Lake-Sunset_33to2_72x48.jpg Rice Lake Sunset I usually try to find free places to camp as I travel around the country to go to art shows. I'd picked Rice Lake, Iowa out, because I'd read it was a nice place to camp, and it was right along my route. I had no idea if it would be worth photographing, but when I arrived, I realized that if the sunset was good, I could probably get a nice shot. Sometimes a little luck is all you need, and I certainly received my fair share on the evening I took this photo. The clouds were beautiful, and the water was very still - a perfect combination for a good sunset photo. Rice Lake, Iowa https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/des_moines_from_the_state_capitol/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iowa_Des-Moines-from-the-State-Capitol_3to2_45x30.jpg Des Moines from the State Capitol In the summer of 2019, I found myself in Des Moines, Iowa, in order to appear at an art show. As I'd made tradition the year before, I used this opportunity to photograph the city. I took this photo from the State Capitol - an unusual and beautiful building in its own right - shortly after a beautiful sunset, while there was still enough ambient light to light up the sky in a long exposure, while keeping the lit-up buildings nicely lit. Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/des_moines_from_the_state_capitol_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iowa_Des-Moines-from-the-State-Capitol-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg Des Moines from the State Capitol (portrait) In the summer of 2019, I found myself in Des Moines, Iowa, in order to appear at an art show. As I'd made tradition the year before, I used this opportunity to photograph the city. I took this photo from the State Capitol - an unusual and beautiful building in its own right - shortly after a beautiful sunset, while there was still enough ambient light to light up the sky in a long exposure, while keeping the lit-up buildings nicely lit. Iowa State Capitol, Des Moines, Iowa https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/des_moines_and_the_martin_luther_king_junior_bridge_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iowa_Des-Moines-and-the-Martin-Luther-King-Junior-Bridge-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Des Moines and the Martin Luther King Junior Bridge Panorama In the summer of 2019, I found myself in Des Moines, Iowa, in order to appear at an art show. As I'd made tradition the year before, I used this opportunity to photograph the city. I took this photo from the East bank of the Des Moines River, just upstream of where it joins the Raccoon River, looking across the Martin Luther King Junior Parkway bridge, into downtown. This photo was taken well after sunset, but I left the lens open long enough to capture the little bit of remaining blue in the night sky, and keep the buildings and bridge in the photo properly lit. Des Moines, Iowa https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upper_cataract_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Upper-Cataract-Falls_3to2_90x60.jpg Upper Cataract Falls I was traveling through the Midwest in the summer of 2021, and decided to do some exploring. A little bit of research led me to Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, about an hour southwest of Indianapolis. It's a small park, but there are a number of nice hiking trails, and two (perhaps more) beautiful waterfalls, Upper and Lower Cataract Falls. Upper Cataract Falls, shown here, is right off the road, and features a beautiful, red covered bridge. Cars are too big and heavy, now, for many of these old covered bridges, but it has now been incorporated into the park as part of a hiking trail. If one goes across the bridge (right to left in this photo) and continues downstream, doing a bit of bushwhacking along the way, a spectacular view of the falls, complete with the bridge, makes itself apparent. I timed my arrival here to coincide with sunset, and while this photo probably would be beautiful at any time of day, the subtle orange in the sky above the bridge really completes the picture. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lower_cataract_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Lower-Cataract-Falls_5to2_150x60.jpg Lower Cataract Falls I was traveling through the Midwest in the summer of 2021, and decided to do some exploring. A little bit of research led me to Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, about an hour southwest of Indianapolis. It's a small park, but there are a number of nice hiking trails, and two (perhaps more) beautiful waterfalls, Upper and Lower Cataract Falls. Lower Cataract Falls, shown here, is accessible via a 2 minute walk from a parking lot, and when I visited, there was hardly a soul around. It was a peaceful experience, and I found Lower Cataract Falls to be particularly beautiful. Cataract Falls State Recreation Area, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/juvenile_cardinal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Juvenile-Cardinal_5to4_30x24.jpg Juvenile Cardinal I was traveling through the Midwest in the summer of 2021, and decided to do some exploring. A little bit of research led me to Clifty Falls State Park, on the banks of the Ohio River, roughly halfway between Louisville and Cincinnati, but on the Indiana side. The weather wasn't particularly great when I visited, so none of my landscapes turned out particularly interesting, but on my way out of the park, I saw this young cardinal, and spent a few minutes photographing him before he flew away. If you look closely, you'll notice he does not yet have his full adult coat of feathers. Clifty Falls State Park, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/juvenile_cardinal_square/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Juvenile-Cardinal-Square_1to1_24x24.jpg Juvenile Cardinal Square I was traveling through the Midwest in the summer of 2021, and decided to do some exploring. A little bit of research led me to Clifty Falls State Park, on the banks of the Ohio River, roughly halfway between Louisville and Cincinnati, but on the Indiana side. The weather wasn't particularly great when I visited, so none of my landscapes turned out particularly interesting, but on my way out of the park, I saw this young cardinal, and spent a few minutes photographing him before he flew away. If you look closely, you'll notice he does not yet have his full adult coat of feathers. Clifty Falls State Park, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/indianapolis_2019/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Indianapolis-2019_3to2_72x48.jpg Indianapolis, 2019 I was passing through Indiana in 2019, and seized the opportunity to photograph the capitol city, Indianapolis. The Indiana State Museum provided the perfect location from which to see the downtown skyline. Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/indianapolis_2019_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Indianapolis-2019-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Indianapolis, 2019 Portrait I was passing through Indiana in 2019, and seized the opportunity to photograph the capitol city, Indianapolis. The Indiana State Museum provided the perfect location from which to see the downtown skyline. Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/indianapolis_over_the_white_river/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Indianapolis-over-the-White-River_5to2_120x48.jpg Indianapolis over the White River I was passing through Indiana in 2019, and seized the opportunity to photograph the capitol city, Indianapolis. There are more than a few good locations from which to view the downtown skyline, but I took this one from the western shore of the White River, with the skyline in the back. Indianapolis, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hardwood_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Hardwood-Panorama_2to1_80x40.jpg Hardwood Panorama I was passing through Indiana in 2022, and stopped at Chain O Lakes State Park for a nice, relaxing place to camp. I didn't expect to get any great photos on my visit, but was pleasantly surprised by the simple beauty of the forest in this nice, quiet State Park. Chain O Lakes State Park, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hardwood_panorama_3/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Hardwood-Panorama-3_5to2_150x60.jpg Hardwood Panorama 3 I was passing through Indiana in 2022, and stopped at Chain O Lakes State Park for a nice, relaxing place to camp. I didn't expect to get any great photos on my visit, but was pleasantly surprised by the simple beauty of the forest in this nice, quiet State Park. Chain O Lakes State Park, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hardwood_panorama_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Indiana_Hardwood-Panorama-2_3to1_162x54.jpg Hardwood Panorama 2 I was passing through Indiana in 2022, and stopped at Chain O Lakes State Park for a nice, relaxing place to camp. I didn't expect to get any great photos on my visit, but was pleasantly surprised by the simple beauty of the forest in this nice, quiet State Park. Chain O Lakes State Park, Indiana https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/smokestacks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Illinois_Smokestacks_2to3_48x72.jpg Smokestacks I had some art shows in the Midwest in the summer of 2021, and decided to use some of my free time to see what kind of nature there was to enjoy. I did some research of beautiful parks in the area, and decided I'd give the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, in Shawnee National Forest a visit. The Recreation Area itself is very small - there's a campground and a few miles of hiking trails that mostly weave around through the hilly terrain, and afford one views of the unusual "smokestacks" that rise up from some of the hillsides. Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, Illinois https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/garden_of_the_illinois_gods/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Illinois_Garden-of-the-Illinois-Gods_2to1_120x60.jpg Garden of the (Illinois) Gods I had some art shows in the Midwest in the summer of 2021, and decided to use some of my free time to see what kind of nature there was to enjoy. I did some research of beautiful parks in the area, and decided I'd give the Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, in Shawnee National Forest a visit. The Recreation Area itself is very small - there's a campground and a few miles of hiking trails that mostly weave around through the hilly terrain, and afford one views of the unusual "smokestacks" that rise up from some of the hillsides. Considering the fact that I only had one night here, I got very lucky with the sunset. Garden of the Gods Recreation Area, Illinois https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chicago_skyline/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Illinois_Chicago-Skyline_5to2_150x60.jpg Chicago Skyline The skyline shot of Chicago that I've always wanted to capture, taken at the Adler Planetarium, in the summer of 2018. Adler Planetarium, Chicago, Illinois https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cascade_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Illinois_Cascade-Falls_3to2_90x60.jpg Cascade Falls I had some art shows in the Midwest in the summer of 2021, and decided to use some of my free time to see what kind of nature there was to enjoy. I did some research of beautiful parks in the area, and decided I'd check out Matthiessen State Park, which lies about 50 miles southwest of Chicago. There are a lot of nice, well-maintained hiking trails, and a lot of waterfalls to be enjoyed. It is a popular park, so getting a photo without a ton of people in frame proved to be difficult. I spent far more time sitting and waiting for a clear shot than I did hiking. But this shot of Cascade Falls made all that waiting worthwhile. Matthiessen State Park, Illinois https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upper_mesa_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Idaho_Upper-Mesa-Falls_2to1_96x48.jpg Upper Mesa Falls Upper Mesa Falls, in southern Idaho, is stunning, and, since it is in the middle of nowhere, the crowds tend to be minimal. At 114 feet tall and roughly 200 feet wide, it is truly a sight to see! I took this photo on a quick trip through Southern Idaho, but it left me yearning to return and spend some more time in this beautiful and rugged state. Upper Mesa Falls, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Idaho https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shoshone_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Idaho_Shoshone-Falls_5to2_120x48.jpg Shoshone Falls Shoshone Falls, sometimes referred to as "Niagara of the West," is nearly 1,000 feet wide and, at 212 feet high, 45 feet taller than Niagara Falls. The quantity of water flowing over the rim can reach up to 20,000 cubic feet per second, and, while I don't know the volume of water that was flowing when I took this photo, it seemed quite high - high enough, in fact, to generate enough mist to create not one, but two rainbows, seen on the left side of this photo! near Twin Falls, southern Idaho https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rolling_canola/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Idaho_Rolling-Canola_3to2_72x48.jpg Rolling Canola Most of my photography focuses on nature - as uninfluenced by man as possible, and it tends to gravitate towards grand, inspirational scenes. I was making my way through southeastern Idaho towards the end of a Summer, 2018 trip through the Pacific Northwest, and was surprised (and delighted) to find some rolling hills of canola that were just begging to be photographed. Although this photo is unlike the majority of my nature photography, there is definitely beauty to be found in some pastoral scenes, such as this one, in which the beauty of simple shapes and colors can define an entire scene. eastern Idaho https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pillsbury_mills_inc/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Idaho_Pillsbury-Mills-Inc_2to1_60x30.jpg Pillsbury Mills, Inc. Although I've driven through Idaho on several occasions, as of mid-2019, I still haven't shot it to nearly the extent I would like to. I took this photo near the end of a tour of the Pacific Northwest, in the summer of 2018, on the Idaho side of one of the most spectacular mountain ranges on the planet - the Grand Tetons. I've traveled around and photographed the Wyoming side of the Tetons on many occasions, but was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Western (Idaho) side of the mountains is just as beautiful, but has a much different feel from Wyoming. Instead of raw nature, the valley below the Tetons in Idaho is filled with rolling hills and farmland. eastern Idaho https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/farmland_and_tetons/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Idaho_Farmland-and-Tetons_2to1_72x36.jpg Farmland and Tetons Although I've driven through Idaho on several occasions, as of mid-2019, I still haven't shot it to nearly the extent I would like to. I took this photo near the end of a tour of the Pacific Northwest, in the summer of 2018, on the Idaho side of one of the most spectacular mountain ranges on the planet - the Grand Tetons. I've traveled around and photographed the Wyoming side of the Tetons on many occasions, but was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Western (Idaho) side of the mountains is just as beautiful, but has a much different feel from Wyoming. Instead of raw nature, the valley below the Tetons in Idaho is filled with rolling hills and farmland. eastern Idaho https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canola_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Idaho_Canola-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg Canola Portrait Most of my photography focuses on nature - as uninfluenced by man as possible, and it tends to gravitate towards grand, inspirational scenes. I was making my way through southeastern Idaho towards the end of a Summer, 2018 trip through the Pacific Northwest, and was surprised (and delighted) to find some rolling hills of canola that were just begging to be photographed. Although this photo is unlike the majority of my nature photography, there is definitely beauty to be found in some pastoral scenes, such as this one, in which the beauty of simple shapes and colors can define an entire scene. eastern Idaho https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canola_and_tetons/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Idaho_Canola-and-Tetons_3to2_72x48.jpg Canola and Tetons Although I've driven through Idaho on several occasions, as of mid-2019, I still haven't shot it to nearly the extent I would like to. I took this photo near the end of a tour of the Pacific Northwest, in the summer of 2018, on the Idaho side of one of the most spectacular mountain ranges on the planet - the Grand Tetons. I've traveled around and photographed the Wyoming side of the Tetons on many occasions, but was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Western (Idaho) side of the mountains is just as beautiful, but has a much different feel from Wyoming. Instead of raw nature, the valley below the Tetons in Idaho is filled with rolling hills and farmland. There's something oddly peaceful about the juxtaposition of something as massive and inspiring of the Grand Tetons with the rolling hills of canola which are found throughout the valley below, in southeast Idaho. eastern Idaho https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/washed_ashore/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Washed-Ashore_3to2_72x48.jpg Washed Ashore The icebergs that calve off of Breithamerkurjokull Glacier, and into Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon come in all shapes and sizes. Many of them wash directly out into the ocean, but some, like those shown here, come to rest on the lake shore. The clarity of the ice is astounding. Jokulsarlon, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vesturhorn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Vesturhorn_3to2_72x48.jpg Vesturhorn I visited Iceland in the fall of 2017, and almost drove around the perimeter of the entire island. However, extraordinarily heavy and sustained rain caused flooding which closed the road - yes, there is literally only one - in the northeast of the island, so I had to backtrack all the way around the island. This cost me a day, and meant I did not get to see Vesturhorn, shown here. When I returned to Iceland in January, 2023, in order to photograph ice caves, I knew I needed to give Vesturhorn another try. One nice thing about winter photography this far north is that daylight hours are short, so while this photo was taken at sunrise, it was probably almost noon!What a crazy spot! Super jagged mountains rising almost directly from a black sand beach. I don't know if there is anywhere else quite like this on Earth. Vesturhorn, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vesturhorn-panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Vesturhorn-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Vesturhorn I visited Iceland in the fall of 2017, and almost drove around the perimeter of the entire island. However, extraordinarily heavy and sustained rain caused flooding which closed the road - yes, there is literally only one - in the northeast of the island, so I had to backtrack all the way around the island. This cost me a day, and meant I did not get to see Vesturhorn, shown here. When I returned to Iceland in January, 2023, in order to photograph ice caves, I knew I needed to give Vesturhorn another try. One nice thing about winter photography this far north is that daylight hours are short, so while this photo was taken at sunrise, it was probably almost noon!What a crazy spot! Super jagged mountains rising almost directly from a black sand beach. I don't know if there is anywhere else quite like this on Earth. Vesturhorn, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/unpronounceable_canyon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Unpronounceable-Canyon_1to2_60x120.jpg Unpronounceable Canyon Go ahead. Give it a try: Fjathrargljufur. See why I called this one "Unpronounceable Canyon?" Located in southern Iceland, I didn't know what to expect when I visited Fjathrargljufur, but the combination of the tall canyon walls, blue waters, and yellow and green grasses proved highly photogenic. Fjathrargljufur, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/unnamed_waterfall_near_dupavik/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Unnamed-Waterfall-near-Dupavik_2to5_60x150.jpg Unnamed Waterfall Near Dupavik Iceland is a small country with an even smaller population, so traveling through much of it provides a peaceful feeling of emptiness. This is especially true, though, in the most northwestern portion of the country, called the West Fjords. Although there are dozens of villages in the area, the population of the entire area is under 8,000, and accordingly, one can frequently drive long distances without seeing another vehicle. It was on a drive on a dirt road through the West Fjords that I came upon this stunning waterfall immediately next to the road. If this waterfall were in Kansas, people would drive hundreds of miles to see it, but, this being Iceland, it didn't even have a name. near Dupavik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/unimaginably_vast/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Unimaginably-Vast_2to1_72x36.jpg Unimaginably Vast Granni (meaning 'Neighbor', right) and Haifoss (meaning 'Tall Falls,' center) are, at roughly 375 feet high, two of the tallest waterfalls in Iceland. Seeing the two of them plus the canyon the water from them has carved out over the millenia made me feel smaller than any other attraction in Iceland. Some waterfalls in Iceland are so crowded that it kind of sucks the fun out of a visit. Granni and Haifoss are many miles off the main road, and one must take a 6-mile 4WD road to reach them. This means no crowds! I'm sure one day the road will be paved, and there will have to be guard rails and, probably, a coffee shop. But when I visited it in 2017, it was still relatively untouched, and an absolute joy to visit! Haifoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/svinafellsjokull_up_close/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Svinafellsjokull-Up-Close_3to2_45x30.jpg Svinafellsjokull Up Close I had no intention of stopping at Svinafellsjokull Glacier when I drove by it, but I saw a lot of cars turning and figured maybe everyone else knew something that I didn't, so I followed the herd, and I'm glad I did. There are many places where it is possible to see a glacier from far away, but not too many where one can access a glacier up close. I used a long-lens to zoom in and get all kinds of detail in the glacier. When I got home and did a bit of research on the location, I learned that it is where part of "Interstellar" was filmed. One can see why, as it does look otherworldly. Svinafellsjokull, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/svinafellsjokull_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Svinafellsjokull-Panorama_5to2_120x48.jpg Svinafellsjokull Panorama I had no intention of stopping at Svinafellsjokull Glacier when I drove by it, but I saw a lot of cars turning and figured maybe everyone else knew something that I didn't, so I followed the herd, and I'm glad I did. There are many places where it is possible to see a glacier from far away, but not too many where one can access a glacier up close. I used a long-lens to zoom in and get all kinds of detail in the glacier. When I got home and did a bit of research on the location, I learned that it is where part of "Interstellar" was filmed. One can see why, as it does look otherworldly. Svinafellsjokull, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunstar_over_urridafoss/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Sunstar-over-Urridafoss_3to1_180x60.jpg Sunstar over Urridafoss Although there are beautiful landscapes to be found throughout Iceland, on one of my last days in the country, I was in the Southeast, and not particularly close to any famous photo spots. Fortunately, the night before, I'd stumbled upon Urridafoss, a relatively unknown waterfall / cascade, and decided I'd come here for sunrise. Boy am I glad I did! Urrithafoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_in_an_ice_cave/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Sunset-in-an-Ice-Cave_5to4_60x48.jpg Sunset in an Ice Cave In January, 2023, I visited Iceland with the goal of photographing an ice cave at the foot of Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. Not being an expert mountaineer, I elected to hire a private guide to get me to Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, and since I was already halfway around the world, I decided to get a second day in which I told my guide I'm a photographer and am basically just looking to find some beautiful, semi-secret spots. He took me to Heinabergsjökull lagoon, and walking on what is essentially a frozen lake was one of the scariest things I've ever done. Occasionally the ice would crack and freak me out. My guide assured me we were safe, and the payoff was this photo, taken from a "cave" inside a big iceberg on the frozen surface of the lagoon. Heinabergsjökull lagoon, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_reykjafoss/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Sunset-at-Reykjafoss_2to1_80x40.jpg Sunset at Reykjafoss Most of the sites I visited in Iceland were well-marked on maps, roads, and tourist books. Reykjafoss, on the other hand, remains, for now, at least, a bit of a secret. I stayed at a farm the evening that I took this photo, and the owner of the property had told me about a little-known waterfall not far from his property. He gave me directions, and I came here for sunset. What a pleasant surprise it was! Reyjkafoss, near Varmahlith, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stykkisholmer_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Stykkisholmer-at-Dusk_3to1_144x48.jpg Stykkisholmer at Dusk Iceland has a population of roughly 330,000 people, roughly 220,000 of whom live in the region of the capitol city of Reykjavik. The next biggest city has a population of roughly 17,000, and the rest of the 'urban areas' are, obviously, even smaller. I stayed in the village of Stykkisholmer (population 1,195), shown here, for two nights, and it proved to be quite similar to most of the villages around the country, albeit a bit prettier, thanks to the beautiful and nicely-maintained port. Stikkishulmer, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/selvallafoss/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Selvallafoss_2to3_48x72.jpg Selvallafoss There are so many spectacular waterfalls in Iceland, it is hard to keep track of them all. While many have signs and information plaques, Selvallafoss, shown here, had none of these, and my stumbling upon it was a bit of an accident. I'd pulled the car over to photograph a mountain in the distance, but decided I might get a better perspective if I followed this creek downstream a bit. Doing so led me to this waterfall. As it turned out, the mountain photograph ended up fairly mediocre, but I had to keep this beauty. Selvallafoss, near Baularvallavatn Lake, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/selfoss_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Selfoss-Panorama_5to2_120x48.jpg Selfoss Panorama Selfoss, the waterfall shown here, is located in northern Iceland. Made up of dozens - perhaps hundreds - of smaller waterfalls, Selfoss falls only roughly 35 feet, but does so over the course of a hundred or more yards. Several hundred yards downstream lies the more accessible Dettifoss - the most powerful waterfall in Europe. I took some photos of this waterfall as well, but in this case, bigger wasn't better - at least in terms of photographic quality. Selfoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rauthfeldar_canyon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Rauthfeldar-Canyon_2to3_48x72.jpg Rauthfeldar Canyon I've seen my share of slot canyons before, but they have always been in places like Arizona and Utah, and instead of green and wet, they've always been orange, and dry. So Rauthfeldar, on Iceland's Snaefellsnes peninsula, was a welcome change. Getting this photo proved to be quite a challenge, since the inside of this slot canyon was quite dark, but after a few failed attempts, I got the shot I wanted. Rauthfeldar Canyon, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rainbow_at_skogafoss/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Rainbow-at-Skogafoss_2to1_120x60.jpg Rainbow at Skogafoss Skogafoss is another one of Iceland's most visited attractions. It is incredibly easy to reach, being just off the main road that goes around the country, and the walk to the falls from the parking lot is measured in feet, not miles. I was lucky to have good conditions when I was here. I'd seen faint rainbows at several different waterfalls I'd managed to shoot while traveling around the country for the preceding two weeks, but none as pronounced as the one I saw here. Skogafoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/northern_lights_through_clouds/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Northern-Lights-through-Clouds_3to2_72x48.jpg Northern Lights through Clouds I was staying at a tiny hotel in the village of Dupavik, in Iceland's West Fjords on the night of September 22, 2017. After I'd completed my dinner, I went outside and happened to look up. Never before had I seen the Northern Lights, and this moment, the first time I ever saw them, is burned into my memory. I grabbed my camera gear and drove a couple miles in order to get rid of the artificial light from the hotel, and to find a better perspective, and what you see here is the result. Although I saw the Aurora Borealis on several more occasions before I came back home, the night that I saw them in Dupavik remains possibly my most memorable experience with them. near Dupavik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moonlit_seascape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Moonlit-Seascape_3to2_72x48.jpg Moonlit Seascape I'd gone to Dyrholaey, outside of the village of Vik, in southern Iceland, in order to shoot the rising harvest moon, in early October, 2017. The sunset prior to the moonrise was great, and the moon itself was very pretty, but I primarily shot it, as I typically do, using a telephoto lens. On my way back to the car, though, after the moon had risen a fair bit over the horizon, I decided to do a more traditional, scenic landscape view. I liked what I was seeing, and played around a bit with different foregrounds and whatnot until I got this one that I really like. The moon - still orange from the sun which had set less than an hour before - was the primary source of light for this picture. Check out the shadow of the sea stack on the right, caused by the moon. near Vik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kirkjufell_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Kirkjufell-Sunrise_2to1_120x60.jpg Kirkjufell Sunrise Kirkjufell, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/inside_looking_out/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Inside-Looking-Out_3to2_72x48.jpg Inside Looking Out Heinabergsjökull lagoon, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/icelandic_mossy_rocks_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Icelandic-Mossy-Rocks-at-Sunset_2to1_120x60.jpg Icelandic Mossy Rocks at Sunset Finally, a sunset! Of my roughly three weeks in Iceland, I was treated to only three decent sunsets, and on one of the other two occasions, I wasn't in a good place to photograph it. So, when I saw the sky beginning to light up as I was driving back to the hotel for the night, I immediately began searching for a good place to shoot it from. I was lucky enough to find these moss-covered lava rocks that I'd shot the day before, in the middle of the day. At least I got one beautiful sunset! near Vik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/icelandic_horses/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Icelandic-Horses_5to4_40x30.jpg Icelandic Horses Icelandic horses, shown here, are much smaller than typical horses people in North America are used to. Reaching a height of only 52-56 inches, and weighing only 730-840 pounds, these horses have long life-spans and are considered quite hardy. Much of Iceland is farm land, so when traveling in the country, it is frequently possible to pull over to the side of the road, walk up to a fence, and see these majestic animals up close. They usually aren't shy at all, and will often walk right up to you! near Olafsvik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/icelandic_arctic_fox/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Icelandic-Arctic-Fox_5to4_30x24.jpg Icelandic Arctic Fox The arctic fox is the only land mammal native to Iceland. Scientists have determined that they arrived on the small, island nation at the end of the last ice age, having walked over the frozen sea. Scientists may have determined this, but I determined that they are incredibly cute! Arctic Fox Center, Sudavik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/iceberg_lagoon_at_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Iceberg-Lagoon-at-Dawn_5to2_150x60.jpg Iceberg Lagoon at Dawn I returned to Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon for a non-existent sunrise the morning after I'd spent an almost non-existent sunset there. I was hoping for bright reds, oranges, pinks, and purples in the clouds above, but everything was fogged in. So, I tried to get some moodier shots, and this panorama is one of them that I liked a lot. Jokulsarlon, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ice_cave_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Ice-Cave-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg Ice Cave Portrait In January, 2023, I visited Iceland with the goal of photographing an ice cave at the foot of Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier. Not being an expert mountaineer, I elected to hire a private guide to get me to Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, and since I was already halfway around the world, I decided to get a second day in which I told my guide I'm a photographer and am basically just looking to find some beautiful, semi-secret spots. He took me to Heinabergsjökull lagoon, and walking on what is essentially a frozen lake was one of the scariest things I've ever done. Occasionally the ice would crack and freak me out. My guide assured me we were safe, and the payoff was this photo, taken from a "cave" inside a big iceberg on the frozen surface of the lagoon. Heinabergsjökull lagoon, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/i_still_dont_believe_it/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_I-Still-Dont-Believe-It_2to1_120x60.jpg I Still Don't Believe It At some point early in my photography career, I stumbled across a couple photos of an ice cave, and loved them. I knew I needed to get my own shots of an ice cave. Then a decade passed and I hadn't gotten around to it, largely because there are not a ton of places (or times) where one can walk into a glacial cave. Iceland is one of a small number of places where this can safely be done, and in early 2023, I flew from Japan (where I was temporarily living) to Iceland specifically to get some ice cave photos. This particular glacier is called Breiðamerkurjökull, and is in southern Iceland. I'm happy to report that I ended up getting quite a few nice photos. Flying halfway around the world to take one photo was certainly one of the strangest things I've ever done, but it paid off. What a blast! Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hraunfossar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Hraunfossar_2to1_120x60.jpg Hraunfossar Hraunfossar was my last planned photographic stop on my 2017 Iceland trip. Many - perhaps most - of the waterfalls I photographed while in Iceland were beautiful, in part due to their scale. They were frequently tall, and almost always involved huge quantities of water. Hraunfossar was the exact opposite, but just as beautiful as any of the others. I also love this shot because of the Autumn colors on display. Without trees, it can be difficult to show fall colors. Hraunfossar provided a new and unique way for me to showcase both the beauty of a small waterfall and the changing of the seasons without having a single tree in the shot. Hraunfossar, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hraunfossar_out_of_context/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Hraunfossar-out-of-Context_2to1_96x48.jpg Hraunfossar out of Context Hraunfossar was my last planned photographic stop on my 2017 Iceland trip. Many - perhaps most - of the waterfalls I photographed while in Iceland were beautiful, in part due to their scale. They were frequently tall, and almost always involved huge quantities of water. Hraunfossar was the exact opposite, both short, and short on water, but as beautiful as any of the others. I love this shot because of the Autumn colors on display. It is kind of difficult to determine what, exactly, is happening in this photo, which is another reason I like it (and is the reason I call it Hraunfossar out of Context). Hraunfossar - see the entire picture in my photo "Hraunfossaar" - is a small cascade / waterfall that seems to come from nowhere. It is actually an underground river that comes to the surface just above another river, and it is at this point that it cascades down the rock walls as seen in this photo. Hraunfossar, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/horses_or_ponies/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Horses-or-Ponies_3to2_60x40.jpg Horses or Ponies? For animal photography, I much prefer wildlife to domesticated animals. That said, I do enjoy photographing Icelandic horses. They're so goofy looking. Near Vesturhorn, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/harvest_moon_at_vik/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Harvest-Moon-at-Vik_3to2_36x24.jpg Harvest Moon at Vik I love shooting the harvest moon. I took this photo in southern Iceland, near the village of Vik, looking to the east as the full moon rose over the horizon, and its orange glow began to bathe the ocean in a warm glow. near Vik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gulfoss/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Gulfoss_2to3_60x90.jpg Gulfoss The Golden Circle - a one-day roadtrip from Iceland's capitol city of Reykjavik - takes one to many of Iceland's most famous destinations, including Thingvellir, Geysir, and, as shown here, the mighty waterfall of Gulfoss. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Iceland, and for good reason. I arrived here in the late afternoon, and hung out until after the sun had gone down, shooting from different directions and under different lighting conditions. I love this composition, as it manages to show both the 60 plus foot main drop, as well as the canyon through which the water carries on after making this plunge. Gullfoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/glowing_ice_cubes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Glowing-Ice-Cubes_3to2_72x48.jpg Glowing Ice Cubes I'm usually not big on abstract - I tend to stick to realistic interpretations of landscapes. But when I saw another photographer on Jokulsarlon Black Sand Beach pointing a flashlight at one of the many icebergs that had washed up on the shore, it gave me an idea. I gathered all the light sources I could, and set them up behind a few of the small icebergs. I couldn't begin to guess why some of the ice is blue and some is white / clear. Another admission - my edits are usually minimal, but the lens flares in this photo were absurd, so I had to spend a bit more time editing this image on my computer than normal. It sure worked out, though! Jokulsarlon, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/glacially_fed_cascade/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Glacially-fed-Cascadde_3to2_72x48.jpg Glacially-fed Cascade Iceland is a small country with an even smaller population, so traveling through much of it provides a peaceful feeling of emptiness. This is especially true, though, in the most northwestern portion of the country, called the West Fjords. Although there are dozens of villages in the area, the population of the entire area is under 8,000, and accordingly, one can frequently drive long distances without seeing another vehicle. It was on a drive on a dirt road through the West Fjords that I came upon a stunning waterfall immediately next to the road. The cascades shown here represent a small portion of this waterfall. near Dupavik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dyrholaey_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Dyrholaey-at-Sunset_2to1_120x60.jpg Dyrholaey at Sunset Most of the photos I took in Iceland were of particular, and frequently famous, named landmarks. This scene is not of a famous location, but it does a good job of encompassing many of the natural features that make Iceland so wonderful. In a single picture, one can see the black sand of a beach in the lower left, the yellow and green grasses that cover much of the island, some beautiful orange cliffs, as well as mountains in the back and a tiny portion of the enormous Vatnajokull ice field. This was taken on one of my last nights in the country, and it was a nice goodbye view … not to mention it was one of only three evenings with nice weather of the entire trip! Dyrholaey, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dyrholaey_arch_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Dyrholaey-Arch-at-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Dyrholaey Arch at Sunset I took this photo on my second visit to Dyrholaey Arch within a couple days. The first time I visited, the wind must have been blowing 40 miles per hour, and the sky was completely gray. I glanced at the arch, didn't even take a snapshot, and got back in the car. I knew there was potential for a beautiful photograph, but in those conditions, I knew I would just have loaded the picture onto my computer and immediately deleted it. So my return a couple days later was a nice surprise. I was here an hour or so before sunset, and the horizontal light turned the cliff wall a beautiful shade of orange, which contrasted perfectly with the blues and greens of the sky and ocean, both above and below. Dyrholaey, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/desolation/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Desolation_5to2_120x48.jpg Desolation This is a different composition of another of my photos titled "Is This Earth?", taken on a different day. This photo looks, to me, like it could just as easily have been taken on Mars as on Earth. It is strange how quickly landscapes change. Half an hour before I took this photo, I was driving through farm land. Half an hour later, I was in grass-filled prairie. East of Reykjahlith, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bruarfoss/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Bruarfoss_3to2_90x60.jpg Bruarfoss This is a photo of Bruarfoss, which is located a couple hours from Reykjavik, Iceland. I hiked here on my January, 2023 visit to this beautiful island nation, and while I had read that the water is very blue, I was not ready for it to be as blue as it turned out to be. I made the hike in the hour or two before sunrise, and it was a little cold, but seeing this location with no one else around made the mild discomfort worth it! Bruarfoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bruarfoss_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Bruarfoss-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Bruarfoss Portrait This is a photo of Bruarfoss, which is located a couple hours from Reykjavik, Iceland. I hiked here on my January, 2023 visit to this beautiful island nation, and while I had read that the water is very blue, I was not ready for it to be as blue as it turned out to be. I made the hike in the hour or two before sunrise, and it was a little cold, but seeing this location with no one else around made the mild discomfort worth it! Bruarfoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bruarfoss_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Bruarfoss-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Bruarfoss Panorama This is a photo of Bruarfoss, which is located a couple hours from Reykjavik, Iceland. I hiked here on my January, 2023 visit to this beautiful island nation, and while I had read that the water is very blue, I was not ready for it to be as blue as it turned out to be. I made the hike in the hour or two before sunrise, and it was a little cold, but seeing this location with no one else around made the mild discomfort worth it! Bruarfoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/breidamerkurjokull/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Breidamerkurjokull_3to2_72x48.jpg Breidamerkurjokull At some point early in my photography career, I stumbled across a couple photos of an ice cave, and loved them. I knew I needed to get my own shots of an ice cave. Then a decade passed and I hadn't gotten around to it, largely because there are not a ton of places (or times) where one can walk into a glacial cave. Iceland is one of a small number of places where this can safely be done, and in early 2023, I flew from Japan (where I was temporarily living) to Iceland specifically to get some ice cave photos. This particular glacier is called Breiðamerkurjökull, and is in southern Iceland. I'm happy to report that I ended up getting quite a few nice photos. Flying halfway around the world to take one photos certainly one of the strangest things I've ever done, but it paid off. What a blast! Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/breidamerkurjokull_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Breidamerkurjokull-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Breidamerkurjokull Panorama At some point early in my photography career, I stumbled across a couple photos of an ice cave, and loved them. I knew I needed to get my own shots of an ice cave. Then a decade passed and I hadn't gotten around to it, largely because there are not a ton of places (or times) where one can walk into a glacial cave. Iceland is one of a small number of places where this can safely be done, and in early 2023, I flew from Japan (where I was temporarily living) to Iceland specifically to get some ice cave photos. This particular glacier is called Breiðamerkurjökull, and is in southern Iceland. I'm happy to report that I ended up getting quite a few nice photos. Flying halfway around the world to take one photos certainly one of the strangest things I've ever done, but it paid off. What a blast! Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/breidamerkurjokull_at_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Breidamerkurjokull-at-Dawn_2to1_120x60.jpg Breidamerkurjokull at Dawn At some point early in my photography career, I stumbled across a couple photos of an ice cave, and loved them. I knew I needed to get my own shots of an ice cave. Then a decade passed and I hadn't gotten around to it, largely because there are not a ton of places (or times) where one can walk into a glacial cave. Iceland is one of a small number of places where this can safely be done, and in early 2023, I flew from Japan (where I was temporarily living) to Iceland specifically to get some ice cave photos. This particular glacier is called Breiðamerkurjökull, and is in southern Iceland. I'm happy to report that I ended up getting quite a few nice photos. Flying halfway around the world to take one photos certainly one of the strangest things I've ever done, but it paid off. What a blast! Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bolafjall_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Bolafjall-Sunrise_2to1_96x48.jpg Bolafjall Sunrise Bolafjall is a 2,000 foot high, flat-topped mountain in Iceland's West Fjords. I took this photo from the top of Bolafjall, which, fortunately, can be reached by car, at sunrise in late September, 2017. I love the layers of rock that make up the mountain, as well as the mixture of colors present - the black and red soils, the green vegetation, the blue of the ocean and clouds, and the orange of the rising sun. Bolafjall, near Bolungarvik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bjarnarfoss/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Bjarnarfoss_1to2_40x80.jpg Bjarnarfoss Bjarnarfoss is Icelandic for Bear Falls (or Bear Waterfall), which is odd because there are no bears on Iceland. Apparently, though, polar bears have historically ended up on or near the island, having drifted over on icebergs originating in Greenland. A 260 foot tall, 2 section waterfall, Bjarnarfoss can be seen from Highway 54, on the south side of the Snaefellsnes peninsula. The fog caused by the waterfall sometimes causes a rainbow to be visible near the lower portion of the falls - in fact, if you look closely, one is ever-so-slightly visible in front of the lower drop. Bjarnarfoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/behind_seljalandsfoss/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Behind-Seljalandsfoss_2to3_48x72.jpg Behind Seljalandsfoss Seljalandsfoss is one of Iceland's most famous waterfalls, partially because it is the only one (that I know of, anyway) that it is possible to walk behind, which is exactly what I had to do in order to take this picture. Seljalandsfoss, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/basalt_columns_in_vik_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Basalt-Columns-in-Vik-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Basalt Columns in Vik (Portrait) Iceland's volcanic history is evident everywhere. Case in point: the hexagonal basalt columns rising straight out of the black sand beach near Vik, on Iceland's southern coast. Formed by slowly cooled lava, these columns can be found throughout Iceland, but are perhaps most accessible here. Black sand beach at Vik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/basalt_columns_in_vik_landscape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Basalt-Columns-in-Vik-Landscape_3to2_72x48.jpg Basalt Columns in Vik (Landscape) Iceland's volcanic history is evident everywhere. Case in point: the hexagonal basalt columns rising straight out of the black sand beach near Vik, on Iceland's southern coast. Formed by slowly cooled lava, these columns can be found throughout Iceland, but are perhaps most accessible here. Black sand beach at Vik, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/aurora_borealis_over_mountain_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Aurora-Borealis-over-Mountain-Lake_2to3_48x72.jpg Aurora Borealis over Mountain Lake It took me several compositions to get the shot I wanted here, of the Aurora Borealis lighting up the star-filled sky, and reflecting on the mountain lake and stream below. Although it looks like this was a cloud-free night, this was far from the case. To both the left and right of this frame, there were abundant clouds, so getting the composition and timing to work in tandem proved difficult, and took quite a bit of time. But with these kind of results, I can't really complain! Aurora Borealis over Mountain Lake https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arnarstapi_sea_stacks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Arnastapi-Sea-Stacks_3to2_72x48.jpg Arnarstapi Sea Stacks I was lucky enough to visit the Arnarstapi Sea Stacks, at the end of Iceland's Snaefellsnes peninsula, on one of very few sunny days I had while visiting this beautiful country. Being a volcanic island, hexagonal basalt columns, like many of those in these sea stacks, can be seen all over Iceland. Arnastapi, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arnarstapi_sea_stacks_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Arnastapi-Sea-Stacks-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Arnarstapi Sea Stacks 2 I was lucky enough to visit the Arnarstapi Sea Stacks, at the end of Iceland's Snaefellsnes peninsula, on one of very few sunny days I had while visiting this beautiful country. Being a volcanic island, hexagonal basalt columns, like many of those in these sea stacks, can be seen all over Iceland. Admittedly, this photo is a bit difficult to comprehend without the context of having seen the entire scene. On the right half of the photo is half of an arch. Arnastapi, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/antelope_canyon_but_ice/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Antelope-Canyon-but-Ice_3to2_72x48.jpg Antelope Canyon but Ice At some point early in my photography career, I stumbled across a couple photos of an ice cave, and loved them. I knew I needed to get my own shots of an ice cave. Then a decade passed and I hadn't gotten around to it, largely because there are not a ton of places (or times) where one can walk into a glacial cave. Iceland is one of a small number of places where this can safely be done, and in early 2023, I flew from Japan (where I was temporarily living) to Iceland specifically to get some ice cave photos. This particular glacier is called Breiðamerkurjökull, and is in southern Iceland. I'm happy to report that I ended up getting quite a few nice photos. Flying halfway around the world to take one photos certainly one of the strangest things I've ever done, but it paid off. What a blast! Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ancient_ice/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Ancient-Ice_3to2_72x48.jpg Ancient Ice A closeup of one of the icebergs that washed ashore from Jokulsarlon Iceberg Lagoon, in southern Iceland. Certainly more abstract (and less colorful) than my usual work, I enjoy the patterns, lines, shapes, and contrast here. Jokulsarlon, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/abstract_ice-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Abstract-Ice_3to2_72x48.jpg Abstract Ice At some point early in my photography career, I stumbled across a couple photos of an ice cave, and loved them. I knew I needed to get my own shots of an ice cave. Then a decade passed and I hadn't done it. Iceland is one of not too many places where a photo like this can be taken, and in early 2023, I flew from Japan (where I was temporarily living) to Iceland specifically to get some ice cave photos. I got quite a few, and I love all of them. This photo, as abstract and weird as it is, is the ceiling of Breiðamerkurjökull, a glacier in southern Iceland. Flying halfway around the world to take one photo seems a bit silly when I think about it, but I don't know how else I could have done it. What a blast! Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/abstract_ice_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Iceland_Abstract-Ice-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Abstract Ice Portrait At some point early in my photography career, I stumbled across a couple photos of an ice cave, and loved them. I knew I needed to get my own shots of an ice cave. Then a decade passed and I hadn't done it. Iceland is one of not too many places where a photo like this can be taken, and in early 2023, I flew from Japan (where I was temporarily living) to Iceland specifically to get some ice cave photos. I got quite a few, and I love all of them. This photo, as abstract and weird as it is, is the ceiling of Breiðamerkurjökull, a glacier in southern Iceland. Flying halfway around the world to take one photo seems a bit silly when I think about it, but I don't know how else I could have done it. What a blast! Breiðamerkurjökull Glacier, Iceland https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/island_paradise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Island-Paradise_3to2_72x48.jpg Island Paradise I spent two weeks photographing four Hawaiian islands in December, 2018, and each of them had their perks. I'd been looking for an empty, palm-tree laden beach for the duration of my time in Hawai'i, and found several that were spectacular. It wasn't until my last day, however, that I found the exact scene I was looking for. Getting to Mahai'ula Beach involved a short, but very bumpy road, and perhaps this is why it wasn't as crowded as it may otherwise have been. To me, this scene epitomizes what people think of when they visualize the phrase "Island Paradise." Mahai'ula Beach, the Big Island, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_hibiscus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_White-Hibiscus_5to4_40x30.jpg White Hibiscus Although I enjoy photographing flowers, I rarely go out of my way to do so. But when I came across this big, beautiful hibiscus while on the Big Island of Hawai'i in late 2018, I took the time to get a proper photo. I'm usually drawn to much more vividly-colored flowers than this nearly white hibiscus, but somehow, the pale, subdued colors really worked out in this photo. Makalawena Beach, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/waipio_valley_lookout/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Waipio-Valley-Lookout_3to2_60x40.jpg Waipi'o Valley Lookout The northeast corner of the Big Island of Hawai'i is utterly inaccessible to cars and all but the most daring of people. Nearly vertical cliffs of hundreds, maybe thousands of feet in height, plunge almost vertically into the turquoise waters below. It is possible to view these cliffs from either the Pololu Valley lookout, to the north, or from the Waipi'o Valley Lookout, to the south. They're both spectacular views. Waipi'o Valley Lookout, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/waimea_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Waimea-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Waimea Panorama Waimea Canyon, or the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific," is a 3,000 foot deep canyon on the western side of the Hawaiian Island of Kaua'i. Canyons can be difficult to photograph because of the extreme contrast caused by the sun hitting one side of the canyon at a time, while leaving the other side in shadow, except in the middle of the day, when the sun comes in from directly overhead. Unfortunately, light in the middle of the day isn't great for photography. Some advanced techniques allowed me to capture details in both the lights and shadows of this photo, which was taken shortly before sunset. There are tons of great viewpoints along the canyon, and most are accessible by car and a short stroll. Waimea Canyon, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/waikani_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Waikani-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Waikani Falls Waikani (or Three Bears) Falls, along Maui's "Road to Hana," looks much more accessible than it really is. Parking to access the falls is very limited, and requires one to walk along the frighteningly-narrow road that doesn't have a shoulder for about 500 feet. And after that, one must deal with the frequently-slippery trail and a couple sketchy drops to access the plunge pool below the falls. I elected not to walk to the base of the falls, and found a suitable shooting location above. I think I was just lucky, again, to have the view to myself. A few people wandering around in the shot and swimming would have made it much less special. Waikani Falls, Maui, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/under_hanalei_pier_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Under-Hanalei-Pier-2_3to2_60x40.jpg Under Hanalei Pier 2 Hanalei Pier, on the north shore of Kaua'i, is a great subject for photography. I stayed a few nights near Hanalei Bay, and found myself on the beach for several sunrises and sunsets. Taken shortly after sunrise, on what must have been a day fairly free of clouds, the water of Hanalei Bay was simply a wonderful shade of blue. Hanalei Peir, Kauai, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/under_hanalei_pier_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Under-Hanalei-Pier-1_3to2_36x24.jpg Under Hanalei Pier 1 Hanalei Pier, on the north shore of Kaua'i, is a great subject for photography. I stayed a few nights near Hanalei Bay, and found myself on the beach for several sunrises and sunsets. One morning, I decided to shoot through the pier's legs as the day's first light illuminated it. The early morning light really makes this photo. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/through_the_palms/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Through-the-Palms_3to2_72x48.jpg Through the Palms The last day of my two-week Hawaiian photo journey in late 2018 was spent on Makalawena Beach, on the Big Island. It was an ideal way to finish up two fun weeks. It encapsulated the essence of what I'd traveled to Hawai'i to photograph more than anything else. It was a beautiful, blue-sky day, and I spent it on a nearly-deserted white sand beach, complete with palm trees, and turquoise water. The composition of this shot is extraordinarily simple - all I really did was point the camera up, and click. Makalawena Beach, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_north_shore/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_The-North-Shore_3to2_72x48.jpg The North Shore Oahu's North Shore is famous for massive waves and some of the best surfing on the planet. When I visited the North Shore, however, the waves were small and the weather was beautiful. I'd have been happy with weather like that I got, or with gigantic waves. North Shore, Oahu, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_from_above/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Sunset-from-Above_2to3_40x60.jpg Sunset from Above I took this photo on the Hawaiian island of Maui, but it could have been taken anywhere. I've wanted to get a photo of clouds from above for some time, but never found myself in the right place at the right time. Sometimes the right place and the right time happen by accident! Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_kualoa/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Sunrise-at-Kualoa_2to3_48x72.jpg Sunrise at Kualoa Kualoa Regional Park, roughly an hour north of Honolulu, on Oahu's North Shore, is a great little park that I discovered quite by accident, as I was trying to find a nice spot for a sunrise photo on my only morning in Oahu, during my late 2018 trip to Hawai'i. Although light on sand and beaches, it had more than a few palm trees, and great views of the ocean. Kualoa Regional Park, Oahu, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_koki_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Sunrise-at-Koki-Beach_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunrise at Koki Beach Maui's "Road to Hana" is a 64 mile long two-lane road through lush jungles on the southern part of the island. Despite the relatively short length of the road, it takes about 2.5 hours to drive it one-way because of how narrow and windy the road is. So getting this shot, near the end of the road, at sunrise, required me to start driving by something like 3AM. Obviously, there weren't many cars on the road at that hour, which was nice, but the drive was still stressful in the dark. However, getting to Koki Beach in time to take this awesome sunrise shot made it all worthwhile. And it was one of very few times I truly had a Hawaiian beach to myself, although even that didn't last long. Koki Beach, Maui, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/smiling_gecko/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Smiling-Gecko_5to4_40x30.jpg Smiling Gecko I went to Hawai'i in late 2018 with the goal of photographing some inspiring and colorful beach scenes, hopefully some waterfalls, and maybe some other seascapes. I hoped to photograph some wildlife, as well, but didn't make any plans with this as an objective. I figured if I came across any particularly interesting animals, I'd deal with them in the moment. Such was the case when I stumbled across this gold dust day gecko on the Big Island. Native to Madagascar, they made their way to Hawai'i at some point, and I suppose are considered an invasive species. It's a shame, because they're simply beautiful animals! Rainbow Falls Area, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shipwreck_cove/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Shipwreck-Cove_2to3_60x90.jpg Shipwreck Cove Kaua'i's Shipwreck Beach is so named for a small wooden boat that laid at the water's edge for many years, but Hurricane Iwa, which hit Kaua'i in 1982, destroyed and removed what was left of the titular shipwreck. However, looking at the rocky shoreline to the north of the beach itself, one can see how it may be easy to wreck a ship in these waters. Shipwreck Beach, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shipwreck_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Shipwreck-Beach_3to1_180x60.jpg Shipwreck Beach Shipwreck, or Keoneloa Beach, on Kauai's south side, is a great place to avoid some of the crowds found on some of Kaua'i's more popular beaches. I spent a few hours wandering and photographing the area in late 2018, and was especially happy with this panorama that showcases the entire half-mile of beach. Shipwreck Beach, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pololu_valley_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Pololu-Valley-Portrait_2to3_40x60.jpg Pololu Valley Portrait The Pololu Valley Lookout, on the northern end of the Big Island of Hawai'i, is a beautiful and popular spot for photography. I went there planning to shoot from the observation area, but quickly found that abundant underbrush would have eaten up the bottom portion of any photos of this spectacular coastline. So I went exploring, and found a good viewpoint a short distance up the road. The sunset didn't disappoint, and I love the simplicity of this piece. Pololu Valley Lookout, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pololu_valley_lookout/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Pololu-Valley-Lookout_3to2_60x40.jpg Pololu Valley Lookout The Pololu Valley Lookout, on the northern end of the Big Island of Hawai'i, is a beautiful and popular spot for photography. I went there planning to shoot from the observation area, but quickly found that abundant underbrush would have eaten up the bottom portion of any photos of this spectacular coastline. So I went exploring, and found a good viewpoint a short distance up the road. The sunrise didn't disappoint, and I love the simplicity of this piece. Pololu Valley Lookout, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/peaceful_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Peaceful-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Peaceful Falls The Big Island of Hawai'i is actually pretty big, and while I had plans to see a number of specific places during my time on the island in late 2018, I also spent some time just driving around, finding new roads, and exploring them. It was on one such drive that I found this small, peaceful waterfall. I don't know that I could find it again if I needed to. Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/palms_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Palms-Portrait_2to3_40x60.jpg Palms Portrait I spent five days of a two week Hawai'i photo trip on the Big Island, and it, along with Kaua'i, turned out to be my favorites. Although I had a number of specific places and things I wanted to photograph on the Big Island, there are many nice, fairly empty roads that are fun for driving and simply exploring the landscape. It was on one such unplanned drive that I came upon a hill utterly covered in palm trees. The afternoon sun illuminated the whole scene nicely. Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/palm_tree_forest/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Palm-Tree-Forest_3to2_72x48.jpg Palm Tree Forest I spent five days of a two week Hawai'i photo trip on the Big Island, and it, along with Kaua'i, turned out to be my favorites. Although I had a number of specific places and things I wanted to photograph on the Big Island, there are many nice, fairly empty roads that are fun for driving and simply exploring the landscape. It was on one such unplanned drive that I came upon a hill utterly covered in palm trees. The afternoon sun illuminated the whole scene nicely. Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/not_the_best_place_for_a_swim/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Not-The-Best-Place-For-A-Swim_2to3_30x45.jpg Not the Best Place for a Swim I spent a great deal of my December, 2018 photo trip to Hawai'i trying to get photos of palm trees, blue skies, and white sand beaches. But more violent ocean scenes with cliffs can be beautiful, too. I took this photo on the dramatic southern coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i. Near Holei Sea Arch, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/na_pali-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Na-Pali_2to1_120x60.jpg Na Pali Ground access to Kaua'i's spectacular Na Pali Coast is limited and difficult in the best of times, but when I visited the island in late 2018, road access to anything anywhere nearby was restricted to locals only because of mudslides and recent volcanic activity in the area. I went on a couple doors-off helicopter rides that allowed me to see the area from above, but I wanted to find a spot from which I'd be able to set up a tripod and take some proper panoramic images of this iconic coast. After talking with a few locals, I learned of the roughly 8-mile (round trip) Nualolo trail, which terminates at Lolo Vista, the location from which I took this photo. The hike is steep, often muddy and slippery, and features rapidly-changing weather. It doesn't feature many hikers, though, which was a nice change from the beaches and whatnot that I'd spent a lot of time visiting in the preceding days. This view made the struggle of the trail all worth it. Na Pali Coast, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/na_pali_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Na-Pali-Portrait_4to5_40x50.jpg Na Pali Portrait Ground access to Kaua'i's spectacular Na Pali Coast is limited and difficult in the best of times, but when I visited the island in late 2018, road access to anything anywhere nearby was restricted to locals only because of mudslides and recent volcanic activity in the area. Fortunately, I was able to see the famous coastline on a doors-off helicopter tour, and it was truly a sight to behold. A doors-off helicopter tour of Kaua'i isn't cheap, but if you find yourself on this beautiful island, you can probably afford it, and there's no other way to achieve some of these views. Na Pali Coast, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/na_pali_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Na-Pali-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Na Pali Panorama Ground access to Kaua'i's spectacular Na Pali Coast is limited and difficult in the best of times, but when I visited the island in late 2018, road access to anything anywhere nearby was restricted to locals only because of mudslides and recent volcanic activity in the area. I went on a couple doors-off helicopter rides that allowed me to see the area from above, but I wanted to find a spot from which I'd be able to set up a tripod and take some proper panoramic images of this iconic coast. After talking with a few locals, I learned of the roughly 8-mile (round trip) Nualolo trail, which terminates at Lolo Vista, the location from which I took this photo. The hike is steep, often muddy and slippery, and features rapidly-changing weather. It doesn't feature many hikers, though, which was a nice change from the beaches and whatnot that I'd spent a lot of time visiting in the preceding days. This view made the struggle of the trail all worth it. Na Pali Coast, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/na_pali/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Na-Pali-Coast_3to2_60x40.jpg Na Pali Ground access to Kaua'i's spectacular Na Pali Coast is limited and difficult in the best of times, but when I visited the island in late 2018, road access to anything anywhere nearby was restricted to locals only because of mudslides and recent volcanic activity in the area. I went on a couple doors-off helicopter rides that allowed me to see the area from above, but I wanted to find a spot from which I'd be able to set up a tripod and take some proper panoramic images of this iconic coast. After talking with a few locals, I learned of the roughly 8-mile (round trip) Nualolo trail, which terminates at Lolo Vista, the location from which I took this photo. The hike is steep, often muddy and slippery, and features rapidly-changing weather. It doesn't feature many hikers, though, which was a nice change from the beaches and whatnot that I'd spent a lot of time visiting in the preceding days. This view made the struggle of the trail all worth it. Na Pali Coast, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mauna_kea_observatory/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Mauna-Kea-Observatory_3to2_72x48.jpg Mauna Kea Observatory Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawai'i, rises to just under 14,000 feet in elevation, and feels like another planet. At the top of the mountain lies the Mauna Kea Observatories, placed here because of the high elevation, lack of light pollution, low humidity, and other factors. I don't typically include much in the way of man-made stuff in my landscape photos, but the observatory shown here, painted in beautiful pinks and oranges by the setting sun, only enhances the image. Mauna Kea, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mars/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Mars_3to2_72x48.jpg Mars Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawai'i, rises to just under 14,000 feet in elevation, and feels like another planet. If you've ever looked at photos taken by NASA's Curiosity Rover of the surface of Mars, it looks quite a bit like this … just ignore the clouds. Interesting fact about the 13,803 foot high Mauna Kea: If measured from from its underwater base, it is the tallest mountain in the world, measuring 33,500 feet high. Mauna Kea, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/makena_beach_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Makena-Beach-Sunset_5to2_150x60.jpg Makena Beach Sunset I only had three days on Maui during my 2-week tour of four Hawaiian Islands in late 2018, and my first photographic stop was here, at Makena State Park's "Big Beach." Stretching a mile and a half long and more than 100 feet wide, it's a popular spot, and one would be hard-pressed to ever have it truly to one's self. But by sunset, most visitors have gone home, so I was able to get this shot on a relatively isolated stretch of the beach. (I'll freely admit that I was unable to take the photo without a single person in the frame, but Photoshop allowed me to get rid of them.) Makena Beach, Maui, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/makalawena_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Makalawena-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Makalawena Panorama Long-exposre seascape panoramas are difficult to capture because the movement of water doesn't always work well when stitching several photos together. If that sounded like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo, here's a translation: This was a deceptively difficult photo to take. But it is exactly what I was trying to capture: a beautiful, blue-sky day over an empty beach, with palm trees and turquoise waters. This is a photo to look at when feeling stressed out in order to help calm down. Makalawena Beach, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mahaiula_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Mahaiula-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Mahai'ula Sunset The last day of my two-week Hawaiian photo journey in late 2018 was spent on Makalawena Beach, on the Big Island. It was an ideal way to finish up two fun weeks. It encapsulated the essence of what I'd traveled to Hawai'i to photograph more than anything else. It was a beautiful, blue-sky day, and I spent it on a nearly-deserted white sand beach, complete with palm trees, and turquoise water. Capturing this sunset was the perfect way to end a beautiful trip. Mahai'ula Beach, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mahaiula_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Mahaiula-Beach_3to2_72x48.jpg Mahai'ula Beach The last day of my two-week Hawaiian photo journey in late 2018 was spent on Makalawena Beach, on the Big Island. It was an ideal way to finish up two fun weeks. It encapsulated the essence of what I'd traveled to Hawai'i to photograph more than anything else. It was a beautiful, blue-sky day, and I spent it on a nearly-deserted white sand beach, complete with palm trees, and turquoise water. All I was missing was a Mai Tai and a hammock. Now I know what to pack for my next trip! Mahai'ula Beach, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lush/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Lush_2to3_48x72.jpg Lush The Big Island of Hawai'i is actually pretty big, and while I had specific plans to see a number of specific places during my time on the island in late 2018, I also spent some time just driving around, finding new roads, and exploring them. It was on one such drive that I found myself in the midst of an incredibly dense, endlessly green jungle. Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/little_guy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Little-Guy_3to2_60x40.jpg Little Guy Although this photo makes this crab look fairly large, I took it with a telephoto lens, and in reality, he was probably only an inch wide. Who knew crabs could be cute?! North Shore, Oahu, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kauais_official_bird/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Kauaiis-Official-Bird_5to4_50x40.jpg Kaua'i's Official Bird The chicken is humorously referred to as the Official Bird of Kaua'i. You can find these oddly beautiful (the feathers are often iridescent!) once-domestic birds wandering everywhere on Hawai'i's Garden Island. Apparently, the wild chickens are the descendants of birds that escaped when their coops were largely destroyed by Hurricanes Iwa and Iniki in 1982 and 1992, respectively. They're fun to watch, but you'd be hard pressed to find a spot on the island that will allow you to escape their all-hours cock-a-doodle-dooing and get a good night's sleep! Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kapalua_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Kapalua-Beach_3to2_60x40.jpg Kapalua Beach Kapalua Bay, in northwest Maui, has won just about every "Best Beach" award there is at one point or another, and with views like this, it's no wonder why. Don't go there thinking you'll have it to yourself, but if you don't mind crowds, it's certainly worth a visit. I took this photo at sunset, after most beach-goers had returned home, but I had to use Photoshop to get rid of a few stragglers on the beach. Kapalua Beach, Maui, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kalalau_valley_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Kalalau-Valley-Sunset_5to2_150x60.jpg Kalalau Valley Sunset As a part of Kaua'i's Na Pali Coast, the Kalalau Valley is inaccessible to motor vehicles. One can, however, view it from above at the Pu'u O Kila Lookout, which is accessible by car, and is the location from which I took this photo. The valley is frequently filled with clouds, especially in the early morning and late evening, so I was quite lucky to have it relatively cloud-free when I was there at sunset. Pu'u O Kila Overlook, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kahili_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Kahili-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Kahili Falls Nope, I don't own a drone (as of early 2020). I took this photo looking down from a "door's off" helicopter on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. In less than an hour in one of these helicopter rides, you can circle the entire island, and see more than you could ever hope to remember. The system of waterfalls here, Kahili Falls, is in fact made up of five waterfalls. Kahili Falls was made famous in the 1993 blockbuster, "Jurassic Park." They're next to impossible to reach on foot, but easy enough to see on a helicopter tour. Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/in_the_shadow_of_a_giant/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_In-the-Shadow-of-a-Giant_5to2_120x48.jpg In the Shadow of a Giant Mauna Kea, on the Big Island of Hawai'i, rises to just under 14,000 feet in elevation, and feels like another planet. I drove to the top of Mauna Kea to watch the sunset in early December, 2018, and was thrilled to have an "overcast" evening in which to watch the sun set. Thrilled because, at the top of Mauna Kea, I was high above the clouds, and able to watch the sun set into clouds below. Quite an interesting experience. I think my favorite part of this particular photo is the shadow of Mauna Kea, itself, racing off into the distance. Mauna Kea, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/honolulu_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Honlulu-Panorama_4to1_240x60.jpg Honolulu Panorama I landed in Honolulu on the afternoon of November 28, 2018, and after picking up my rental car, I didn't have much time to do any kind of hiking or exploring. I knew there was a fairly easy to reach viewpoint of Honlulu and Waikiki Beach up a road called "Round Top Drive," so this is where I went on my first night in Hawai'i. It proved to be a great choice, as it provided a spectacular view of the city, and Diamond Head, in the upper left of this panorama. Round Top Drive, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/honolulu_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Honlulu-at-Night_2to1_60x30.jpg Honolulu at Night Round Top Drive, Honolulu, Oahu, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hawaiian_hibiscus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Hawaiian-Hibiscus_5to4_50x40.jpg Hawaiian Hibiscus Although I enjoy photographing flowers, I rarely go out of my way to do so. But when I came across this big, beautiful hibiscus while on the Big Island of Hawai'i in late 2018, I took the time to get a proper photo. Yellow and blue are complementary colors, so they go together quite well. Thus, the yellow flower and blue sky. Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hanauma_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Hanauma-Beach_3to2_72x48.jpg Hanauma Beach I spent about three weeks on four Hawaiian Islands in November and December, 2018. I was probably least excited by the prospect of visiting Oahu, because of Honolulu, and what I wanted to be a nature-oriented trip being made more difficult by being in proximity to such a big city. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that at certain times and places, even on an island as popular as Oahu, it is possible to feel more or less alone. Such was the feeling when I took this photo as the sun rose over the beautiful Hanauma Bay, just outside Honolulu. Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hanauma_bay_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Hanauma-Bay-at-Sunrise_2to1_96x48.jpg Hanauma Bay at Sunrise I spent about three weeks on four Hawaiian Islands in November and December, 2018. I was probably least excited by the prospect of visiting Oahu, because of Honolulu, and what I wanted to be a nature-oriented trip being made more difficult by being in proximity to such a big city. But I was pleasantly surprised to find that at certain times and places, even on an island as popular as Oahu, it is possible to feel more or less alone. Such was the feeling when I took this photo as the sun rose over the beautiful Hanauma Bay, just outside Honolulu. Hanauma Bay, Oahu, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hanalei_pier_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Hanalei-Pier-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Hanalei Pier Panorama Hanalei Pier, on the north shore of Kaua'i, is a great subject for photography. I stayed a few nights near Hanalei Bay, and found myself on the beach for several sunrises and sunsets. A pier as beautiful as this one could make a great subject for photography on its own, but Kaua'i's volcanic mountains, illuminated by the early morning light, take this photo over the top. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hanakapi_ai_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Hanakapiai-Falls_2to3_40x60.jpg Hanakapi'ai Falls Nope, I don't own a drone (as of early 2020). I took this photo looking down from a "door's off" helicopter on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. In less than an hour in one of these helicopter rides, you can circle the entire island, and see more than you could ever hope to remember. The waterfall shown here is Hanakapi'ai Falls, which is possible to reach via a strenuous hike, but I was unable to do so because major portions of Kaua'i were closed when I visited in late 2018. Oh well, the view from the helicopter is probably better than what I would have been able to get from the ground. Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/haipuaena_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Haipuaena-Falls_2to1_120x60.jpg Haipua'ena Falls Haipua'ena Falls, along Maui's famous "Road to Hana" is a beautiful and easily accessible waterfall with gorgeous, turquoise water. I was lucky to get this shot, as there are frequently people swimming in the pond below the falls. Actually, within a few seconds of when I finished taking this photo (which was a minutes-long process), someone jumped in. Really had my timing work out this day. Haipua'ena Falls, Maui, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gold_dust_day_gecko/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Gold-Dust-Day-Gecko_4to5_24x30.jpg Gold Dust Day Gecko I went to Hawai'i in late 2018 with the goal of photographing some inspiring and colorful beach scenes, hopefully some waterfalls, and maybe some other seascapes. I hoped to photograph some wildlife, as well, but didn't make any plans with this as an objective. I figured if I came across any particularly interesting animals, I'd deal with them in the moment. Such was the case when I stumbled across this gold dust day gecko on the Big Island. Native to Madagascar, they made their way to Hawai'i at some point, and I suppose are considered an invasive species. It's a shame, because they're simply beautiful animals! Rainbow Falls Area, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/first_light_on_hanalei_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_First-Light-on-Hanalei-Pier_3to2_72x48.jpg First Light on Hanalei Pier There really isn't a bad angle from which to photograph Kaua'i's Hanalei Pier, but if you're lucky enough to see it at sunrise or sunset, it's truly wonderful. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eucalyptus_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Eucalyptus-Portrait_2to3_40x60.jpg Eucalyptus Portrait I spent five days of a two week Hawai'i photo trip on the Big Island, and it, along with Kaua'i, turned out to be my favorites. Although I had a number of specific places and things I wanted to photograph on the Big Island, there are many nice, fairly empty roads that are fun for driving and simply exploring the landscape. It was on one such unplanned drive that I came upon this forest of densely packed eucalyptus trees. The perfectly vertical trunks and repetition ended up making a great composition. Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eucalyptus_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Eucalyptus-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Eucalyptus Panorama There are more than 90 eucalyptus tree species on Hawai'i, but I couldn't begin to guess which species these are. The simple pattern of repeated vertical lines in this photo, as well as a subdued two-color palate make for a simple but beautiful composition. Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eucalyptus_forest/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Eucalyptus-Forest_3to2_72x48.jpg Eucalyptus Forest I spent five days of a two week Hawai'i photo trip on the Big Island, and it, along with Kaua'i, turned out to be my favorites. Although I had a number of specific places and things I wanted to photograph on the Big Island, there are many nice, fairly empty roads that are fun for driving and simply exploring the landscape. It was on one such unplanned drive that I came upon this forest of densely packed eucalyptus trees. The perfectly vertical trunks and repetition ended up making a great composition. Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/crashing/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Crashing_3to2_60x40.jpg Crashing I'd hoped to get some wave photographs on Oahu's legendary North Shore, but when I visited there a week or so before I took this photo, the waves were quite small. But wandering a random beach on the Big Island allowed me to find a good vantage point from which to enjoy some crashing turquoise waves from the side. There's something oddly beautiful about the shapes and ever-changing nature of waves on a sunny day. Lapakahi State Historical Park, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/coming_up_for_air/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Coming-Up-For-Air_3to2_45x30.jpg Coming up for Air Green sea turtles are on the IUCN's endangered list, but you wouldn't guess that after spending time in Hawai'i. They're fairly easy to spot in the wild. I got this photo of a green sea turtle coming up for air from a cliff overlook of Kaua'i's Shipwreck Beach. I had a pet tortoise as a kid, and I've found tortoises and turtles to be beautiful and interesting creatures for as long as I can remember. Shipwreck Beach, Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/changing_tide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Changing-Tide_3to2_72x48.jpg Changing Tide I spent a great deal of my December, 2018 photo trip to Hawai'i trying to get photos of palm trees, blue skies, and white sand beaches. But more violent ocean scenes with cliffs can be beautiful, too. I took this photo on the dramatic southern coast of the Big Island of Hawai'i. Near Holei Sea Arch, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/byodo_in/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Byodo-In_3to2_90x60.jpg Byodo-In Dedicated in August, 1968, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the first Japanese immigrants to Hawai'i, Byodo-In is a non-denominational Buddhist temple, and a replica of the Byodoin Temple in Japan, which was established a year or two earlier, in 1052. All that history aside, it's also beautiful. Byodo-In Temple, Oahu, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/birds_eye_view_of_the_napali_coast/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Birds-Eye-View-of-the-Napali-Coast_3to2_45x30.jpg Bird's Eye view of the Napali Coast Nope, I don't own a drone (as of early 2020). I took this photo looking down from a "door's off" helicopter on the Hawaiian island of Kaua'i. In less than an hour in one of these helicopter rides, you can circle the entire island, and see more than you could ever hope to remember. I wonder if the pilots ever get sick of their job...? Kaua'i, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/above_the_clouds/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_Above-the-Clouds_3to2_60x40.jpg Above the Clouds I took this photo on the Hawaiian island of Maui, but it could have been taken anywhere. I've wanted to get a photo of clouds from above for some time, but never found myself in the right place at the right time. Sometimes the right place and the right time happen by accident! Haleakala National Park, Maui, Hawai'i https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_quiet_spot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_A-Quiet-Spot_2to3_48x72.jpg A Quiet Spot The Big Island of Hawai'i is actually pretty big, and while I had plans to see a number of specific places during my time on the island in late 2018, I also spent some time just driving around, finding new roads, and exploring them. It was on one such drive that I found myself in the midst of an dense jungle, complete with a babbling brook. Talk about a peaceful spot! Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_day_at_the_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Hawaii_A-Day-At-The-Beach_3to2_60x40.jpg A Day at the Beach Green sea turtles are on the IUCN's endangered list, but you wouldn't guess that after spending time in Hawai'i. They're fairly easy to spot in the wild. I got this photo of a green sea turtle on Makalawena Beach on the Big Island of Hawai'i. Makalawena Beach, Hawai'i (The Big Island) https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/welcoming/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Welcoming_5to4_75x60.jpg Welcoming This is the type of photo that I don't typically consider myself very good at capturing, but I guess practice has improved my skills more than I thought, because I really like the way this photo, taken in the village of Rethimno, on Crete, Greece, turned out. There's just something so peaceful about old European architecture that is so welcoming and comforting. I don't think this hotel was even open when I visited, which made photographing it that much easier! Old Town Rethimno, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upward_at_emporio/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Upward-at-Emporio_3to2_90x60.jpg Upward at Emporio Santorini is one of Greece's most famous and visited islands, but many visitors have less than a day here, as they visit on part of a cruise through the Mediterranean. I was lucky enough to spend a few days on this beautiful island, which allowed me to visit some of the less well-known locations, like Emporio Village. The village was built as a fortified stronghold against pirates, and feels like a labyrinth because of its many narrow alleys ans archways, that give it a maze-like feeling. Here's a view from the village looking straight up - this photo can be hung horizontally or vertically! Emporio Village, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/through_the_columns_of_ancient_greece-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Through-the-Columns-of-Ancient-Greece_2to1_120x60.jpg Through the Columns of Ancient Greece The Stoa of Attalos is a mostly outdoors museum near the base of Athens' famous Parthenon. A small part of it is newly constructed, and quasi-indoors, and it was from here that I took this photo of a beautiful hallway of ancient looking columns. The struggle of taking the photo was getting it without anyone in the photo. Lots of waiting, but it paid off, as this photo is one of my favorite from my three weeks in Greece. Ancient Agora Museum, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/through_the_columns_of_ancient_greece_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Through-the-Columns-of-Ancient-Greece-Wide_5to2_150x60.jpg Through the Columns of Ancient Greece Wide The Stoa of Attalos is a mostly outdoors museum near the base of Athens' famous Parthenon. A small part of it is newly constructed, and quasi-indoors, and it was from here that I took this photo of a beautiful hallway of ancient looking columns. The struggle of taking the photo was getting it without anyone in the photo. Lots of waiting, but it paid off, as this photo is one of my favorite from my three weeks in Greece. Ancient Agora Museum, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/theater_of_dionysus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Theater-of-Dionysus_3to2_72x48.jpg Theater of Dionysus I spent about three weeks in Greece between late November and early December, 2024. I flew into, and flew out of Athens, and only had real time for photography for the couple days after I arrived. I spent those days photographing all kinds of stuff in Athens, but ran out of time to actually visit the Acropolis and Parthenon. I did photograph this famous site, but from far away, and with a telephoto lens. I ran out of time, though, to actually visit the site, so I had to put it off until the day of my departure from the country. I made sure to get up early, so I could visit the Acropolis and Parthenon as soon as it opened. This is a photo of the Theater of Dionysus, which is just one small part of the amazing Acropolis. Theater of Dionysus, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_varlaam_monastery_and_the_grand_meteoron/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_The-Varlaam-Monastery-and-the-Grand-Meteoron_5to2_150x60.jpg The Varlaam Monastery and the Grand Meteoron Meteora was the surprise highlight of my trip to Greece in the fall of 2024. It is a mountainous area with numerous ancient monasteries, and photo shows two of the largest of them, the Varlaam Monastery (left) and the Grand Meteoron (right) shortly after sunrise. Meteora, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_porch_of_the_caryatids/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_The-Porch-of-the-Caryatids_5to4_60x48.jpg The Porch of the Caryatids I spent about three weeks in Greece between late November and early December, 2024. I flew into, and flew out of Athens, and only had real time for photography for the couple days after I arrived. I spent those days photographing all kinds of stuff in Athens, but ran out of time to actually visit the Acropolis and Parthenon. I did photograph this famous site, but from far away, and with a telephoto lens. I ran out of time, though, to actually visit the site, so I had to put it off until the day of my departure from the country. I made sure to get up early, so I could visit the Acropolis and Parthenon as soon as it opened. This is a photo of the Porch of the Caryatids, which is just one small part of the amazing Acropolis. The Acropolis, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_acropolis_and_mount_lycabettus/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_The-Acropolis-and-Mount-Lycabettus_5to2_150x60.jpg The Acropolis and Mount Lycabettus There are many ways to photograph the Parthenon, and while the best general views are, in my opinion, from Mount Lycabettus, roughly a half hour walk away, that view does not show the Theater of Dionysus (lower left) or Mount Lycabettus (the mountain on the right). Having already gotten the shots from Mount Lycabettus, I decided on my last evening in Arthens, to get it from a new angle, and this shot didn't disappoint. It was also from a less well-known shooting location, so I had it completely to myself, a nice bonus! The Acropolis, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/temple_of_demeter/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Temple-of-Demeter_2to1_80x40.jpg Temple of Demeter Naxos is a small island in the Greek archipelago, which, like every island here, is filled with amazing historical sites and ruins. One of those sites is the Temple of Demeter, shown here. Built in the 6th Century BC, it honors Demeter, the Greek goddess of harvest and fertility, and is considered a precursor to the much more famous Parthenon's design. I arrived at the site at about 4:30 PM, and the poor, lonely worker (I visited in December and seemingly no one else was around) was closing everything down when I arrived, even though the site was supposed to be open until 5. She seemed a bit bothered to stick around, so I gave her a few extra Euros, and promised to be quick. I wandered around the ruins, took a few quick shots, and was gone a bit before the official 5PM closing time. Temple of Demeter, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/temple_of_apollo_gate_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Temple-of-Apollo-Gate-Portrait_4to5_60x75.jpg Temple of Apollo Gate Portrait Naxos is a small island in the Greek archipelago, and the main city on the island, conveniently also named Naxos (confusingly, also "Chora"). I took this photo from the a small part of the city through the island's most famous site, the Temple of Apollo Gate. This photo would have been impossible in tourist season, and is yet another testament to visiting popular sites when they are not popular! Temple of Apollo Gate, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/temple_of_apollo_gate_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Temple-of-Apollo-Gate-Dusk_3to2_90x60.jpg Temple of Apollo Gate Dusk Naxos is a small island in the Greek archipelago, and the main city on the island, conveniently also named Naxos (confusingly, also "Chora"). I took this photo of the island's most famous site, the Temple of Apollo Gate. I was lucky to have a good post-sunset sky with some pink clouds. Temple of Apollo Gate, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_from_kokkini_paralia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Sunset-from-Kokkini-Paralia_3to2_90x60.jpg Sunset from Kokkini Paralia There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Most visitors to the island have a day (or less), and don't have time to see much of the island, but I was lucky enough to spend a few days here, so I was able to get to some of the less seen locations, such as Kokkini Paralia (Red Beach), the location from which I took this sunset photo. islands off Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_view_from_santorini/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Sunrise-View-from-Santorini_3to2_90x60.jpg Sunrise View from Santorini This could be a photograph of any Greek island at sunrise, but this was taken from the Castle of Oia, on Santorini, and gives a nice idea of what sunrise can look like - with good conditions! - on this spectacular Mediterranean gem. Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_meteora/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Sunrise-at-Meteora_2to1_120x60.jpg Sunrise at Meteora Meteora, which is roughly a 4-hour drive from Athens, was probably the best surprise of my 3-week trip to Greece in November / December, 2024. I was in Greece when I was in Greece, not because I'd planned to be there when the fall colors were at their best, but, as often happens with photography, this photo was something of a beautiful accident. Some places are so beautiful that they are great subjects for photography even in mediocre conditions, but having this view, with these colors on the tree was tough to beat! This photo was taken shortly after sunrise, and if you look closely in the upper right-hand corner of the photo, you'll find a couple spectacular Greek Monasteries that you could easily look right over. What a perfect morning... Meteora, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_meteora_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Sunrise-at-Meteora-Wide_5to2_150x60.jpg Sunrise at Meteora Wide Meteora, which is roughly a 4-hour drive from Athens, was probably the best surprise of my 3-week trip to Greece in November / December, 2024. I was in Greece when I was in Greece, not because I'd planned to be there when the fall colors were at their best, but, as often happens with photography, this photo was something of a beautiful accident. Some places are so beautiful that they are great subjects for photography even in mediocre conditions, but having this view, with these colors on the tree was tough to beat! This photo was taken shortly after sunrise, and if you look closely in the upper right-hand corner of the photo, you'll find a couple spectacular Greek Monasteries that you could easily look right over. What a perfect morning... Meteora, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stoa_of_attalos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Stoa-of-Attalos_3to2_90x60.jpg Stoa of Attalos The Stoa of Attalos is a mostly outdoors museum near the base of Athens' famous Parthenon. A small part of it is newly constructed, and quasi-indoors, and it was from here that I took this photo of a beautiful hallway of ancient looking columns. The struggle of taking the photo was getting it without anyone in the photo. Lots of waiting, but it paid off, as this photo is one of my favorite from my three weeks in Greece. Ancient Agora Museum, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/santorini_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Santorini-Sunrise_3to2_90x60.jpg Santorini Sunrise There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Oia is the village on the northwest side of the island, and it is here that the most of the photos of the island you may have seen come from. Probably the best viewpoint of Oia comes from the Castle of Oia, which allows one to view the city in both directions. I took this photo from the castle looking to the east at sunrise. I definitely got lucky with the clouds! Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/santorini_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Santorini-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Santorini Panorama There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Oia is the village on the northwest side of the island, and it is here that the most of the photos of the island you may have seen come from. Probably the best viewpoint of Oia comes from the Castle of Oia, which allows one to view the city in both directions. I took this photo from the castle looking to the east roughly an hour after sunrise, before the light got midday boring, but after all the pinks and oranges were gone from the clouds - if you want the photo with those colorful clouds, I have it, too! Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/santorini_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Santorini-Dawn_5to2_150x60.jpg Santorini Dawn There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Oia is the village on the northwest side of the island, and it is here that the most of the photos of the island you may have seen come from. Probably the best viewpoint of Oia comes from the Castle of Oia, which allows one to view the city in both directions. I took this photo looking to the northwest right at sunrise. The famous windmills of Oia are clearly visible here, and add a nice focal point. Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/santorini_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Santorini-at-Night_2to1_120x60.jpg Santorini at Night There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Oia is the village on the northwest side of the island, and it is here that the most of the photos of the island you may have seen come from. Probably the best viewpoint of Oia comes from the Castle of Oia, which allows one to view the city in both directions. I took this photo looking to the northwest shortly after dark. The famous windmills of Oia are clearly visible here, and add a nice focal point. Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/santorini_and_ammoudi/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Santorini-and-Ammoudi_3to1_180x60.jpg Santorini and Ammoudi There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Oia is the village on the northwest side of the island, and it is here that the most of the photos of the island you may have seen come from. Probably the best viewpoint of Oia comes from the Castle of Oia, which allows one to view the city in both directions. I took this photo looking to the northwest. I chose to shoot with a wider-angle view than normal, in order to include the beautiful Ammoudi Bay, seen in the lower left corner of the photo. Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saint_nicholas_chapel/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Saint-Nicholas-Chapel_3to2_90x60.jpg Saint Nicholas Chapel I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. If one visits Crete (or any Greek Island, really) during busy season, apparently it is a madhouse, but the biggest perk of visiting in the quietest season is the absolute lack of tourists. When I go somewhere new, I typically have a list of places I want to photograph, and then just stumble onto others. Saint Nicholas Chapel, out on a tiny man-made island outside the village of Georgioupoli was one that I'd wanted to photograph, but as it turns out, the vibe of the place was actually more memorable than the photo. It seemed like a great place to "camp" for a few days, and I met a German bikepacker (like a backpacker, but … on a bike) who was doing exactly that. As someone that lives in an RV in the US, this struck me as the perfect little place to spend a week. St. Nicholas Chapel, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/old_town_rethimno/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Old-Town-Rethomo_2to3_60x90.jpg Old Town Rethimno This is the type of photo that I don't typically consider myself very good at capturing, but I guess practice has improved my skills more than I thought, because I really like the way this photo, taken in the village of Rethimno, on Crete, Greece, turned out. There's just something so peaceful about an old Eurpoean path through buildings older than any in the USA, and having it free of a bunch of people (best perk of visiting in off season!) just makes it that much more comforting. Old Town Rethimno, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nice_drive_on_naxos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Nice-Drive-on-Naxos_5to2_150x60.jpg Nice Drive on Naxos I spent a few days on the spectacular Greek island of Naxos in December, 2025, and because I was visiting in the lowest season possible, I was able to get a rental car for something like $20 a day. The island isn't particularly big, and I spent a good portion of my time there exploring, and driving around, trying to find nice views. Here's one that I stumbled across by accident. I have a motorcycle, and really enjoy driving it on windy roads - here's a spot that I really wish I would have had a motorcycle for, rather than my cheap little coupe. What a great drive! Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/naxos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Naxos_5to2_150x60.jpg Naxos Naxos is a small island in the Greek archipelago, and the main city on the island, conveniently also named Naxos (confusingly, also "Chora"). I took this photo from the island's most famous site, the Temple of Apollo Gate, which is not shown in this photo, but I have in a couple other shots. Naxos City, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/naxos_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Naxos-at-Night_3to1_180x60.jpg Naxos at Night Naxos is a small island in the Greek archipelago, and the main city on the island, conveniently also named Naxos (confusingly, also "Chora"). I took this photo from the island's most famous site, the Temple of Apollo Gate, which is not shown in this photo, but I have in a couple other shots. Naxos City, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/naxian_marble/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Naxian-Marble_3to2_90x60.jpg Naxian Marble There are photographers that build their entire career on photos of old, typically-European doorways. Here's one of my attempts to get that vibe. I took this photo in the village of Chalkio, on Greece's spectacular island of Naxos. Chalkio village, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/narrow_passage_in_naxos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Narrow-Passage-in-Naxos_4to5_60x75.jpg Narrow Passage in Naxos Naxos is a small island in the Greek archipelago, and the main city on the island, conveniently also named Naxos (confusingly, also "Chora"). It is home to a year-round population of 7-8,000 people, but this number balloons to roughly 20,000 in tourist season. I was fortunate enough to visit in December, so I was - mild exaggeration - the only tourist on the entire island, which allowed me to get this photo of a typical path through the city, without any distracting tourists … or locals... but yes, one suspicious looking cat. Naxos City, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/monastic_passage/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Monastic-Passage_3to2_90x60.jpg Monastic Passage Yet another accidental photo spot on my fall 2024 visit to Greece! December is very quiet on Crete, the largest of Greece's many islands, and that made my visit to the Sacred Monastery of Arkadi that much more enjoyable. It was a spot that I didn't plan on visiting (or even know it existed, frankly), but I spotted it while driving, and figured I'd check it out. One of my better accidental discoveries while traveling, there's no way I would have been able to get this photo during peak tourist season. There are perks to going places when no one else is there! I simply love the architecture of these old (by American standards) sites! Arkadi Monastery, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/monastic_passage_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Monastic-Passage-Portrait_4to5_60x75.jpg Monastic Passage Portrait Yet another accidental photo spot on my fall 2024 visit to Greece! December is very quiet on Crete, the largest of Greece's many islands, and that made my visit to the Sacred Monastery of Arkadi that much more enjoyable. It was a spot that I didn't plan on visiting (or even know it existed, frankly), but I spotted it while driving, and figured I'd check it out. One of my better accidental discoveries while traveling, there's no way I would have been able to get this photo during peak tourist season. There are perks to going places when no one else is there! I simply love the architecture of these old (by American standards) sites! Arkadi Monastery, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/monastery_of_fotodoti/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Monastery-of-Fotodoti_5to2_150x60.jpg Monastery of Fotodoti Visiting Greece in the off-season is awesome! I haven't been during the busy season, but it honestly has no appeal. I took this photo of the Monastery of Fotodoti shortly before sunset, in the middle of December, 2025. I can only imagine it would be fairly busy in tourist season, but I was the only person here when I visited, and I was here for more than an hour. A pretty nice place made even better by the composition that shows a few of the tiny islands off the coast of the already small island of Naxos. Monastery of Fotodoti, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mediterranean_mosaic/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Mediterranean-Mosaic_3to2_90x60.jpg Mediterranean Mosaic There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Oia is the village on the northwest side of the island, and it is here that the most of the photos of the island you may have seen come from. Probably the best viewpoint of Oia comes from the Castle of Oia, which allows one to view the city in both directions. I took this photo from the castle looking to the east roughly an hour after sunrise, before the light got midday boring, but after all the pinks and oranges were gone from the clouds - if you want the photo with those colorful clouds, I have it, too! Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/loaf_street_art/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Loaf-Street-Art_2to1_80x40.jpg Loaf Street Art I only had a couple days in Athens, but I really enjoyed the city. There's a cute neighborhood right at the base of the Acropolis called Anafiotika with adorable homes, narrow streets (pedestrians only, not nearly enough room for cars), and lots of street art. This black-and-white street art of eyeballs was the most, ahem, eye-catching of all the street art. And it was only a 5 or 10 minute walk to my hotel! Anafiotika neighborhood, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lakkoi/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Lakkoi_5to2_150x60.jpg Lakkoi I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. There are no large cities on the island, but there are plenty of small to midsize villages, like Lakkoi, shown here, a tiny village up in the mountains. Lakkoi, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lake_voulismeni/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Lake-Voulismeni_2to3_60x90.jpg Lake Voulismeni I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. There are no large cities on the island, but there are plenty of small to midsize villages, like Agios Nikolaos, with spectacular Mediterranean architecture. Lake Voulismeni lies near the center of town and has direct access to the Sea, but only for small boats, like the one shown here. Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kokkini_paralia_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Kokkini-Paralia-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Kokkini Paralia Panorama There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Most visitors to the island have a day (or less), and don't have time to see much of the island, but I was lucky enough to spend a few days here, so I was able to get to some of the less seen locations, such as Kokkini Paralia (Red Beach), and I was lucky enough to get a pretty nice sunset view of this empty beach. Had I been here in May, instead of December, there would have been hundreds (thousands?) of visitors. Visiting popular locations off-season has its perks. Kokkini Paralia (Red Beach), Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kalamitsia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Kalamitsia_2to1_120x60.jpg Kalamitsia The Old Jesuits Resort at Kalamitsia was built on the Greek island of Naxos in 1673. It is made up of a a two-story building, a chapel, and some small auxiliary structures, and today is in a state of relative disrepair. Visiting in December, I took my rental car down the narrow, somewhat scary unpaved and muddy road to the site, and unsurprisingly, had it entirely to myself for an hour or more. Here's one of the views the site offers - it can't have changed much in the 350 years since it was built! Old Jesuits Resort at Kalamitsia, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/inside_naxos_old_city/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Inside-Naxos-Old-City_2to1_96x48.jpg Inside Naxos Old City Naxos is a small island in the Greek archipelago, and the main city on the island, conveniently also named Naxos (confusingly, also "Chora"). It is home to a year-round population of 7-8,000 people, but this number balloons to roughly 20,000 in tourist season. I was fortunate enough to visit in December, so I was - mild exaggeration - the only tourist on the entire island, which allowed me to get this photo of a bunch of shops that wouldn't be open for months, and without a single person blocking my view. Naxos City, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/holy_monastery_of_varlaam/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Holy-Monastery-of-Varlaam_2to3_60x90.jpg Holy Monastery of Varlaam Meteora was the surprise highlight of my trip to Greece in the fall of 2024. It is a mountainous area with numerous ancient monasteries, and this is one of the largest of those, the Holy Monastery of Varlaam. Meteora, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/greek_cafe/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Greek-Cafe_3to2_90x60.jpg Greek Cafe This is the type of photo that I don't typically consider myself very good at capturing, but I've been working on it as I've spent more time in Eurpoe. There's nothing unique about this particular cafe on the Greek island of Naxos, but it feels oddly representative of a cute indoor / outdoor cafe in Greece, and maybe Europe, more generally. Naxos City, Naxos, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/geropotamos_beach_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Geropotamos-Beach-Sunset_3to2_90x60.jpg Geropotamos Beach Sunset Greece is famous for its beaches, but I'm honestly not much of a beach guy, so I typically put beaches near the bottom of my photography to-do list. But on my last night on Crete, the largest of Greece's many islands, I came across Geropotamos Beach and had to pay it a visit. I'm certain that it would have been overrun with visitors during the warmer months, but in December, I had the place to myself - alright there was one Greek guy there who left shortly before I took this photo. I feel like this is a photo that is make-or-break due to conditions, and the awesome sunset here turned this photo from mediocre to amazing! Geropotamos Beach, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/emporio_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Emporio-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Emporio Portrait Santorini is one of Greece's most famous and visited islands, but many visitors have less than a day here, as they visit on part of a cruise through the Mediterranean. I was lucky enough to spend a few days on this beautiful island, which allowed me to visit some of the less well-known locations, like Emporio Village. The village was built as a fortified stronghold against pirates, and feels like a labyrinth because of its many narrow alleys ans archways, that give it a maze-like feeling. The path shown here is too narrow for two people to walk side-by-side, and the design feels insane, there are ultra-narrow stairways that lead to doors to the second floor that feel way too close to the first floor. Emporio Village, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/emporio_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Emporio-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Emporio Panorama Santorini is one of Greece's most famous and visited islands, but many visitors have less than a day here, as they visit on part of a cruise through the Mediterranean. I was lucky enough to spend a few days on this beautiful island, which allowed me to visit some of the less well-known locations, like Emporio Village. The village was built as a fortified stronghold against pirates, and feels like a labyrinth because of its many narrow alleys ans archways, that give it a maze-like feeling. This path is too narrow for two people to walk side-by-side. Emporio Village, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/elafonissi_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Elafonissi-Beach_2to1_80x40.jpg Elafonissi Beach I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. If one visits Crete (or any Greek Island, really) during busy season, apparently it is a madhouse, but the biggest perk of visiting in the quietest season is the absolute lack of tourists. The day I took this photo was cloudy and dreary all day, but that aesthetic somehow worked with this photo. Elafonissi Beach, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dinner_on_lake_voulismeni/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Dinner-on-Lake-Voulismeni_3to2_90x60.jpg Dinner on Lake Voulismeni I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. There are no large cities on the island, but there are plenty of small to midsize villages, like Agios Nikolaos, with spectacular Mediterranean architecture. Lake Voulismeni lies near the center of town and has direct access to the Sea, but only for small boats. It is an absolutely perfect spot to grab dinner or a coffee, and enjoy the spectacular views. Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/did_m_c_escher_design_this_place/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Did-M.C.-Escher-Design-this-Place_3to2_72x48.jpg Did M.C. Escher Design this Place? Santorini is one of Greece's most famous and visited islands, but many visitors have less than a day here, as they visit on part of a cruise through the Mediterranean. I was lucky enough to spend a few days on this beautiful island, which allowed me to visit some of the less well-known locations, like Emporio Village. The village was built as a fortified stronghold against pirates, and feels like a labyrinth because of its many narrow alleys ans archways, that give it a maze-like feeling. Parts of it (like the view here) feel like it was designed by M.C. Escher. Emporio Village, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cliffs_of_crete/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Cliffs-of-Crete_3to2_90x60.jpg Cliffs of Crete Greece is famous for its beaches, but I'm honestly not much of a beach guy, so I typically put beaches near the bottom of my photography to-do list. But on my last night on Crete, the largest of Greece's many islands, I came across Geropotamos Beach and had to pay it a visit. I ended up getting some nice photos there, but on the way back to my hotel for the night, the sunset looked amazing, and I saw a few dirt roads out on some cliffs in the area, and decided to do some exploring. What a good decision! I didn't know about this arch, but it, in combination with beautiful blue Mediterranean water, and an impressive sunset, resulted in a pretty good photo! Geropotamos Beach, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cliffs_of_crete_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Cliffs-of-Crete-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Cliffs of Crete Portrait Greece is famous for its beaches, but I'm honestly not much of a beach guy, so I typically put beaches near the bottom of my photography to-do list. But on my last night on Crete, the largest of Greece's many islands, I came across Geropotamos Beach and had to pay it a visit. I ended up getting some nice photos there, but on the way back to my hotel for the night, the sunset looked amazing, and I saw a few dirt roads out on some cliffs in the area, and decided to do some exploring. What a good decision! I didn't know about this arch, but it, in combination with beautiful blue Mediterranean water, and an impressive sunset, resulted in a pretty good photo! Geropotamos Beach, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/classic_meteora/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Classic-Meteora_3to2_90x60.jpg Classic Meteora Meteora, which is roughly a 4-hour drive from Athens, was probably the best surprise of my 3-week trip to Greece in November / December, 2024. I was in Greece when I was in Greece, not because I'd planned to be there when the fall colors were at their best, but, as often happens with photography, this photo was something of a beautiful accident. Some places are so beautiful that they are great subjects for photography even in mediocre conditions, but having this view, with these colors on the tree was tough to beat! Meteora, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/classic_meteora_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Classic-Meteora-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Classic Meteora Portrait Meteora, which is roughly a 4-hour drive from Athens, was probably the best surprise of my 3-week trip to Greece in November / December, 2024. I was in Greece when I was in Greece, not because I'd planned to be there when the fall colors were at their best, but, as often happens with photography, this photo was something of a beautiful accident. Some places are so beautiful that they are great subjects for photography even in mediocre conditions, but having this view, with these colors on the tree was tough to beat! Meteora, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/balos_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Balos-Beach_2to1_120x60.jpg Balos Beach I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. If one visits Crete (or any Greek Island, really) during busy season, apparently it is a madhouse, but the biggest perk of visiting in the quietest season is the absolute lack of tourists. Apparently Balos Beach can be quite busy, but when I was there - and getting there was a bit of a hassle with a pretty beat up dirt road that left me wondering how I would deal with a flat tire - I only saw a handful of other people. I took this photo shortly before sunset, and the colors and clouds are just perfect. Balos Beach, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/athens_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Athens-Dusk_3to1_180x60.jpg Athens Dusk The best views of the Acropolis are not from right outside the Acropolis, but rather from Mount Lycabettus, which is a half hour walk away. I made sure to arrive at the top of the mountain early, so I could set up a tripod and get some nice shots, but even though I arrived more than an hour before sunset, the viewing platform was full of people, and I had no hope of taking any photos with a tripod. One (obvious) perk of taking a lot of photos is that one can more quickly identify good and bad compositions, and after more closely examining the view, I decided the view would, counter-intuitively, be better from further down the mountain. So down I went. This photo was taken at sunset, and shows not only the Acropolis, but also a big portion of the city of Athens, itself. The Acropolis and Athens skyline, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arkadi_cloister/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Arkadi-Cloister_3to2_90x60.jpg Arkadi Cloister Yet another accidental photo spot on my fall 2024 visit to Greece! December is very quiet on Crete, the largest of Greece's many islands, and that made my visit to the Sacred Monastery of Arkadi that much more enjoyable. It was a spot that I didn't plan on visiting (or even know it existed, frankly), but I spotted it while driving, and figured I'd check it out. One of my better accidental discoveries while traveling, there's no way I would have been able to get this photo during peak tourist season. There are perks to going places when no one else is there! I simply love the architecture of these old (by American standards) sites! Arkadi Monastery, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ancient_arkadi_passage/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Ancient-Arkadi-Passage_3to2_90x60.jpg Ancient Arkadi Passage Yet another accidental photo spot on my fall 2024 visit to Greece! December is very quiet on Crete, the largest of Greece's many islands, and that made my visit to the Sacred Monastery of Arkadi that much more enjoyable. It was a spot that I didn't plan on visiting (or even know it existed, frankly), but I spotted it while driving, and figured I'd check it out. One of my better accidental discoveries while traveling, there's no way I would have been able to get this photo during peak tourist season. There are perks to going places when no one else is there! I simply love the architecture of these old (by American standards) sites! Arkadi Monastery, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ammoudi_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Ammoudi-Bay_3to1_180x60.jpg Ammoudi Bay There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Oia is the village on the northwest side of the island, and it is here that the most of the photos of the island you may have seen come from. There's also a small bay, Ammoudi Bay, which one can reach by taking the zigzagging 300(ish) steps down. Since I was visiting Santorini in December, literally nothing at Ammoudi Bay was open, but it was still beautiful, and probably easier to photograph without a million tourists around! Ammoudi Bay, Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/agios_nikolaos_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Agios-Nikolaos-2_5to2_150x60.jpg Agios Nikolaos 2 I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. There are no large cities on the island, but there are plenty of small to midsize villages, like Agios Nikolaos, with spectacular Mediterranean architecture. Lake Voulismeni lies near the center of town and has direct access to the Sea, but only for small boats. It is an absolutely perfect spot to grab dinner or a coffee, and enjoy the spectacular views. Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/agios_nikolaos_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Agios-Nikolaos-1_5to2_150x60.jpg Agios Nikolaos 1 I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. There are no large cities on the island, but there are plenty of small to midsize villages, like Agios Nikolaos, with spectacular Mediterranean architecture. Lake Voulismeni lies near the center of town and has direct access to the Sea, but only for small boats. It is an absolutely perfect spot to grab dinner or a coffee, and enjoy the spectacular views. Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/agia_triada/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Agia-Triada_2to1_120x60.jpg Agia Triada I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. If one visits Crete (or any Greek Island, really) during busy season, apparently it is a madhouse, but the biggest perk of visiting in the quietest season is the absolute lack of tourists. When I go somewhere new, I typically have a list of places I want to photograph, and then just stumble onto others. Agia Triada was one I stumbled upon. I was driving across the island, and saw, in the distance, some domes from what looked like a cathedral or monastery of some type. I pulled my car over, checked Google Maps, and saw Agia Triada Monastery, which looked promising. What an understatement! The orange of the buildings goes so beautifully with a blue sky. Agia Triada Monastery, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/agia_triada_garden_path/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Agia-Triada-Garden-Path_2to3_48x72.jpg Agia Triada Garden Path I spent roughly a week on Crete, the largest island in the Greek archipelago, during my fall, 2024 trip to this beautiful, and culturally monumental country. If one visits Crete (or any Greek Island, really) during busy season, apparently it is a madhouse, but the biggest perk of visiting in the quietest season is the absolute lack of tourists. When I go somewhere new, I typically have a list of places I want to photograph, and then just stumble onto others. Agia Triada was one I stumbled upon. I was driving across the island, and saw, in the distance, some domes from what looked like a cathedral or monastery of some type. I pulled my car over, checked Google Maps, and saw Agia Triada Monastery, which looked promising. What an understatement! This cute little passage in the monastery's cloister felt as welcoming as anything I've seen before! Agia Triada Monastery, Crete, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/acropolis_morning/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Acropolis-Morning_5to2_150x60.jpg Acropolis Morning The best views of the Acropolis are not from right outside the Acropolis, but rather from Mount Lycabettus, which is a half hour walk away. I had scouted the location the night before I took this photo, and found that there were better views from roughly halfway up the mountain, instead of from the summit. I knew I wanted to take versions of this photo in both the evening and in the morning, and had found what I think is the best view the evening before. So, I woke up early and walked through the dark, quiet streets of downtown Athens with $10,000+ of camera gear (in a backpack) and had plenty of time to get the photos I wanted. The most memorable part of this morning was, unfortunately, a visit by three plainclothes police officers who thought I looked suspicious, like maybe I was scouting the Parthenon out with a a big telephoto lens, but after borrowing my passport to verify I wasn't some kind of criminal, they let me go about my business. Scary in the moment, because I didn't know if they were legit, or there to rob me, but it all worked out, and I got some awesome photos of the Acropolis. The Acropolis, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/acropolis_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Acropolis-at-Night_3to1_180x60.jpg Acropolis at Night The best views of the Acropolis are not from right outside the Acropolis, but rather from Mount Lycabettus, which is a half hour walk away. This is an early morning shot, but I'd scouted the location the evening before, and returned to where I think the most photogenic shots could be taken. This photo was taken before sunrise, and focuses on the Acropolis itself, rather than including much of the surrounding area. I think it looks amazing with all the artificial lighting. The Acropolis, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/acropolis_at_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Acropolis-at-Dawn_3to2_90x60.jpg Acropolis at Dawn The best views of the Acropolis are not from right outside the Acropolis, but rather from Mount Lycabettus, which is a half hour walk away. I had scouted the location the night before I took this photo, and found that there were better views from roughly halfway up the mountain, instead of from the summit. I knew I wanted to take versions of this photo in both the evening and in the morning, and had found what I think is the best view the evening before. So, I woke up early and walked through the dark, quiet streets of downtown Athens with $10,000+ of camera gear (in a backpack) and had plenty of time to get the photos I wanted. The most memorable part of this morning was, unfortunately, a visit by three plainclothes police officers who thought I looked suspicious, like maybe I was scouting the Parthenon out with a a big telephoto lens, but after borrowing my passport to verify I wasn't some kind of criminal, they let me go about my business. Scary in the moment, because I didn't know if they were legit, or there to rob me, but it all worked out, and I got some awesome photos of the Acropolis. The Acropolis, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/acropolis_at_dawn_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_Acropolis-at-Dawn-Wide_2to1_80x40.jpg Acropolis at Dawn Wide The best views of the Acropolis are not from right outside the Acropolis, but rather from Mount Lycabettus, which is a half hour walk away. This is an early morning shot, but I'd scouted the location the evening before, and returned to where I think the most photogenic shots could be taken. This photo was taken before sunrise, and focuses on the Acropolis itself, rather than including much of the surrounding area. I think it looks amazing with all the artificial lighting. The Acropolis, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_new_angle_on_santorinis_blue_domes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_A-New-Angle-on-Santorinis-Blue-Domes_3to2_90x60.jpg A New Angle on Santorini's Blue Domes There's a lot to see on Santorini, possibly Greece's most famous island vacation spot. Oia is the village on the northwest side of the island, and it is here that the most of the photos of the island you may have seen come from. Maybe the most famous view of Santorini is that of several blue domed churches. I took this photo from a hundred or so meters away from where the cliché photo was taken, and honestly, I prefer my version of the photo! The more famous blue domes can be seen halfway into the photo. Oia, Santorini, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_is_for_athens/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_A-is-for-Athens_3to2_90x60.jpg A is for Athens I only had a couple days in Athens, and I'd stumbled across some great photos from a rooftop bar located 5-minutes from my hotel, so I decided to check it out on my first night in town. I corresponded with the owner, who was alright with me bringing a big camera (but no tripod) in to take some photos, and they turned out excellent! The drinks weren't bad, either! A is for Athens rooftop bar, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_is_for_athens_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Greece_A-is-for-Athens-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg A is for Athens Portrait I only had a couple days in Athens, and I'd stumbled across some great photos from a rooftop bar located 5-minutes from my hotel, so I decided to check it out on my first night in town. I corresponded with the owner, who was alright with me bringing a big camera (but no tripod) in to take some photos, and they turned out excellent! The drinks weren't bad, either! A is for Athens rooftop bar, Athens, Greece https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wormsloe/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Wormsloe_3to2_72x48.jpg Wormsloe Wormsloe Historic Site, or Wormsloe Plantation, as it is frequently called, is an 822 acre plot of land established by one of Georgia's colonial founders, Noble Jones. I found the site to be interesting enough, but the highlight, for me, was the live oak-lined avenue leading to the site's interior. It looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wormsloe_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Wormsloe-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Wormsloe Panorama Wormsloe Historic Site, or Wormsloe Plantation, as it is frequently called, is an 822 acre plot of land established by one of Georgia's colonial founders, Noble Jones. I found the site to be interesting enough, but the highlight, for me, was the live oak-lined avenue leading to the site's interior. It looks like something straight out of a fairy tale. Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/live_oaks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Live-Oaks_3to2_72x48.jpg Live Oaks Wormsloe Historic Site, or Wormsloe Plantation, as it is frequently called, is an 822 acre plot of land established by one of Georgia's colonial founders, Noble Jones. There are no trees anything like these live oaks in my home state of Colorado, but they're everywhere in the Savannah area. Wormsloe Historic Site, Savannah, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dukes_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Dukes-Creek-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Dukes Creek Falls Located in northern Georgia, Chattahoochee National Forest takes its name from the Chattahoochee River, whose headwaters begin in the North Georgia mountains. The mountains and forest are home to many species of birds and mammals, and has numerous easy-to-reach waterfalls, such as Dukes Creek Falls, shown here. Chattahoochee National Forest, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/driftwood_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Driftwood-Beach_3to2_72x48.jpg Driftwood Beach Long used seasonally by the indigenous people of the area, Jekyll Island, which occupies less than ten square miles of land off the coast of Georgia, exists today, primarily, as a tourist destination. I visited the island on a gloomy day in the spring of 2018. Skies like this don't lead to traditionally uplifting and beautiful photography, but are great for moody scenes. The beach on which I took this photo is fittingly called "Driftwood Beach," and the ambiance of the day fit this scene perfectly. Jekyll Island, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/desaturated/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Desaturated_3to2_72x48.jpg Desaturated Long used seasonally by the indigenous people of the area, Jekyll Island, which occupies less than ten square miles of land off the coast of Georgia, exists today, primarily, as a tourist destination. I visited the island on a gloomy day in the spring of 2018. Skies like this don't lead to traditionally uplifting and beautiful photography, but are great for moody scenes. The beach on which I took this photo is fittingly called "Driftwood Beach," and the ambiance of the day fit this scene perfectly. Jekyll Island, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/atlanta_2019/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Atlanta-2019_2to1_120x60.jpg Atlanta, 2019 Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when I found myself in Atlanta. I took this photo from a parking garage at SCAD - an art school located at the interchange of Interstates 75 and 85, just north of downtown. Atlanta, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/atlanta_from_the_jackson_street_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Atlanta-from-the-Jackson-Street-Bridge_2to1_72x36.jpg Atlanta from the Jackson Street Bridge Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when I found myself in Atlanta. I took this photo from the Jackson Street Bridge, which spans Highway 10 as it approaches downtown, and is a famous spot for Atlanta skyline photos. Although I usually don't bother taking city skyline photos until the sun has already set, I couldn't resist taking this one, as the scary-looking storm clouds really added mood to the scene. It was a good thing I took the photo when I did, because within a few minutes those clouds unleashed heavy rain on Atlanta. Atlanta, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/atlanta_from_scad/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Atlanta-from-SCAD_3to1_180x60.jpg Atlanta from SCAD Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when I found myself in Atlanta. I took this photo from a parking garage at SCAD - an art school located at the interchange of Interstates 75 and 85, just north of downtown. Atlanta, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/atlanta_at_night_from_the_jackson_street_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Georgia_Atlanta-at-Night-from-the-Jackson-Street-Bridge_3to2_60x40.jpg Atlanta at Night from the Jackson Street Bridge Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when I found myself in Atlanta. I took this photo from the Jackson Street Bridge, which spans Highway 10 as it approaches downtown, and is a famous spot for Atlanta skyline photos. The bridge is usually populated with photographers, especially near and after sunset, but on the evening I took this photo, it had just rained heavily, which scared away most of the photographers. I stuck around and got this shot once the rain had stopped, and had the scene to myself. Love the way the clouds turned out here! Atlanta, Georgia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/downtown_miami_ultrawide-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Downtown-Miami-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg Downtown Miami Ultrawide Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This ultrawide panorama, which was taken from the MacArthur Causeway bridge that links the mainland to Jungle Island, shows downtown Miami (on the left), as well as some of the city's high-end hotels and condos on the right. Miami, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/spot_the_spoonbill/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Spot-the-Spoonbill_2to3_30x45.jpg Spot the Spoonbill Highway 41 is the southernmost road in Florida that connects the East and West coasts. There is a small detour along Highway 41 called "Loop Road Big Cypress National Reserve" that takes drivers off the main road, and through beautiful swamp scenery adjacent to Everglades National Park. I stopped on this road for a few minutes to shoot the cypress swamp, and as I was setting up for this shot, a solitary roseate spoonbill flew in, over my head, and perched on the closest tree. Can you spot him? Loop Road Big Cypress National Reserve, South Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/young_raccoon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Young-Raccoon_4to5_24x30.jpg Young Raccoon I went to the Audubon Society's Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in January, 2017, after having read an article about painted buntings - one of the most colorful birds in the United States. I hadn't really considered the fact that I might see some other, interesting wildlife while there. But lo and behold, I did just that. There was a family of raccoons that frequented the bird feeders set up to attract the painted buntings. They showed up and ate the seeds dropped by the birds. This young raccoon was especially cute. Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tree_nymphs_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Tree-Nymphs_5to4_50x40.jpg Tree Nymphs 1 I'm a sucker for butterfly exhibits, so when I was driving through Gainesville, Florida, and saw a billboard for the University of Florida's "Butterfly Rainforest," I made sure to stop by. I was unable to use a tripod (or even a monopod), so photography proved more difficult than I'd hoped, but I still managed to get a few great shots, including this one of these two tree nymphs, who are native to Southeast Asia, but can also be found in Northern Australia and Southern Taiwan. Butterfly Rainforest, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tree_nymphs_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Tree-Nymphs-2_5to4_40x30.jpg Tree Nymphs 2 I'm a sucker for butterfly exhibits, so when I was driving through Gainesville, Florida, and saw a billboard for the University of Florida's "Butterfly Rainforest," I made sure to stop by. I was unable to use a tripod (or even a monopod), so photography proved more difficult than I'd hoped, but I still managed to get a few great shots, including this one of these two tree nymphs, who are native to Southeast Asia, but can also be found in Northern Australia and Southern Taiwan. Butterfly Rainforest, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tampa_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Tampa-at-Night_3to2_72x48.jpg Tampa at Night Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo was taken from the Platt Street Bridge, and features the turquoise-lit Selmon Expressway bridge where it spans the Hillsborough River. Tampa, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tampa_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Tampa-at-Dusk_2to1_96x48.jpg Tampa at Dusk Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo was taken from the Tampa General Hospital on Davis Island, and features the brightly-lit Platt Street Bridge, which spans the Hillsborough River where it empties into Hillsborough Bay, and subsequently, Tampa Bay. Tampa, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_naples_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Sunset-at-Naples-Pier_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunset at Naples Pier Hundreds of tourists visit Naples Pier and the surrounding beach each and every sunset during tourist season - weather permitting, which it usually is - and applaud as the sun disappears below the horizon. My photography tends to avoid having the center of attention focus on humans, but the silhouette of the kayaker in the lower right really adds something to this photo. Naples Pier, Naples, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_in_the_everglades/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Sunrise-in-the-Everglades_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunrise in the Everglades I don't typically point my camera towards the sun at either sunrise or sunset. I prefer to have the sun behind me, or coming in diagonally over one of my shoulders. This allows for the horizontal light cast by the sun, low on the horizon, to light up scenes with vivd hues that last only minutes. When this shot presented itself, though, I couldn't resist shooting at the sun, and love the result. The early-morning fog low on the ground completes the scene. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_in_the_everglades_3/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Sunrise-in-the-Everglades-3_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunrise in the Everglades 3 I don't typically point my camera towards the sun at either sunrise or sunset. I prefer to have the sun behind me, or coming in diagonally over one of my shoulders. This allows for the horizontal light cast by the sun, low on the horizon, to light up scenes with vivd hues that last only minutes. When this shot presented itself, though, I couldn't resist shooting at the sun, and love the result. The early-morning fog low on the ground completes the scene. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_in_the_everglades_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Sunrise-in-the-Everglades-2_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunrise in the Everglades 2 I took this photo during a stop in Everglades National Parks in between art shows in Florida, in February, 2017. The scenery in this National Park isn't as epic in scale as the National Parks I shoot in further west, but it is beautiful nonetheless, especially at sunrise. I took this photo from the roof of my van, which allowed me to shoot over the medium-height brush that would otherwise have blocked my view of the morning fog in the mid-distance. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/southeast_florida_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Southeast-Florida-Sunset_5to2_75x30.jpg Southeast Florida Sunset A panoramic view of the Atlantic Ocean, as seen from Juno Beach, Florida, at sunset, on March 11, 2017. Juno Beach, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/showoff/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Showoff_4to5_40x50.jpg Showoff It seems that something like half of the photographers I run into while in Florida tend to show photos of deserted beaches, and egrets with mating-season plumage. I'd wanted to photograph some of these beautiful birds for a few years, and I finally got around to it in the winter of 2021. The best place (for photography, anyway) that I was able to find to photograph these beautiful birds was at the Venice Rookery, in southwest Florida. Great egrets were aggressively hunted in the late nineteenth century to make adornments for ladies hats, but have since then staged a recovery. Venice Rookery, Venice, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sea_birds_at_abandoned_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Sea-Birds-at-Abandoned-Pier_4to5_40x50.jpg Sea Birds at Abandoned Pier Naples, Florida, has a beautiful beach that is usually crowded with both people and seabirds. I found the remnants of an old pier a few hundred meters from Naples Pier, and it turned out to be a popular spot for a number of the seabirds to rest. Naples, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/screeching_osprey/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Screeching-Osprey_3to2_45x30.jpg Screeching Osprey Ospreys can be found all across North America, but I photographed this particular one on Big Pine Island, Florida. I was out for a stroll in a park on the island, and came across four or five nests in less than an hour. Thanks to the ban on DDT, osprey numbers have rebounded significantly, and they are now among the most easily spotted raptors across the US. Big Pine Island, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sarasota_2022/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Sarasota-2022_3to1_144x48.jpg Sarasota, 2022 I've visited Sarasota many times, but it took me until early 2022 to finally get a skyline photo. Taken from West John Ringling Causeway Park, this location is perfect for photography, as it allows one to capture the city itself, as well as the John Ringling Causeway bridge. Sarasota, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sandhill_crane_profile/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Sandhill-Crane-Profile_2to3_30x45.jpg Sandhill Crane Profile I took this photo en route to an art show in Miami, Florida. I had pulled over to simply stretch my legs, and spotted two beautiful sandhill cranes much closer than I thought I'd be able to get. I followed them around for several minutes, snapping quite a few photos of them striking different poses. At the end, though, I was most pleased with this head-only composition. Their eyes are unlike those of any other animal I can think of. Near Daytona Beach, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sand_key_park_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Sand-Key-Park-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Sand Key Park Sunset There are a lot of small parks and beaches in and around Tampa, Florida, but Sand Key Park, in Clearwater - a coastal suburb of Tampa - is considered one of the most beautiful. The clean, white sand is trampled throughout the day by a significant number of beachgoers, but by sunset (in the right season, anyway), the crowds dwindle away, and a relatively empty beach remains. On the night that I visited, I was lucky enough to be there just as a touristh ship went by as the sun set. Sand Key Park, Clearwater, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/roadside_swamp/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Roadside-Swamp_2to1_96x48.jpg Roadside Swamp Highway 41 is the southernmost road in Florida that connects the East and West coasts. There is a small detour along Highway 41 called "Loop Road Big Cypress National Reserve" that takes drivers off the main road, and through beautiful swamp scenery adjacent to Everglades National Park. It was on this road that I shot this photo of one of many beautiful roadside swamps. Take a closer look in the lower right hand corner to spot a juvenile alligator. Loop Road Big Cypress National Reserve, South Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/relaxing_ride_in_the_keys/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Relaxing-Ride-in-the-Keys_3to2_36x24.jpg Relaxing Ride in the Keys I went on a scenic flight in the Florida Keys in February, 2017, and was fortunate enough to have perfect weather for the flight. Although there were many boats in the beautiful waters near Marathon (the key from which I took off), this one, and the path it was taking through the blue and turquoise waters below, really caught my eye. Near Marathon, Florida Keys https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/redington_long_pier_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Redington-Long-Pier-at-Night_3to2_60x40.jpg Redington Long Pier at Night I had read that the Redington Long Pier, in St. Petersburg, Florida, was a nice place to be at sunset, but I wasn't able to make it there until well after the sun had sunk below the horizon. Fortunately, I was able to find an alternate shot that I was quite happy with. Redington Long Pier, St. Petersburg, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/purple_gallinule/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Purple-Gallinule_3to2_36x24.jpg Purple Gallinule Purple Gallinules are, as one might guess by observing their ridiculously bright plumage, not particularly common in the United States. They live in Central and Northern South America, but some live as far north as Southern Florida, such as in the Everglades, where I was lucky enough to spot this one. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/preparing_for_takeoff/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Preparing-for-Takeoff_3to2_45x30.jpg Preparing for Takeoff Everglades National Park, in south Florida, is a wonderful place to go for bird photography. Enough people visit the area that the birds do not frighten quite as easily as those that live in more remote areas, which makes photographing them easier. I took this photo of this egret shortly after sunrise, and moments after I'd taken this shot, he took off. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/posing/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Posing_1to1_36x36.jpg Posing It seems that something like half of the photographers I run into while in Florida tend to show photos of deserted beaches, and egrets with mating-season plumage. I'd wanted to photograph some of these beautiful birds for a few years, and I finally got around to it in the winter of 2021. The best place (for photography, anyway) that I was able to find to photograph these beautiful birds was at the Venice Rookery, in southwest Florida. Great egrets were aggressively hunted in the late nineteenth century to make adornments for ladies hats, but have since then staged a recovery. Venice Rookery, Venice, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perched_roseate_spoonbill/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Perched-Roseate-Spoonbill_2to3_20x30.jpg Perched Roseate Spoonbill A solitary roseate spoonbill resting in Big Cypress National Reserve, in Southern Florida. Loop Road Big Cypress National Reserve, South Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/peaceful_view_of_the_gulf/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Peaceful-View-of-the-Gulf_3to2_60x40.jpg Peaceful View of the Gulf This is another shot that doesn't look much like my typical work. The simplicity, though, of a horizontal horizon, a few clouds, beautiful blue and green water, and white sand is peaceful and refreshing. Near Destin, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/palm_tree_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Palm-Tree-at-Sunset_2to3_30x45.jpg Palm Tree at Sunset Beautiful sunsets are far from rare in the Florida Keys. I was lucky enough to experience one in early February, 2017, when I took this photo of a beautiful sky and the upper portion of a palm tree. Marathon, Florida Keys, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/painted_bunting/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Painted-Bunting_1to1_30x30.jpg Painted Bunting Small birds are notoriously difficult to photograph. Even with an enormous lens, small birds are still small, and therefore one must be quite close to them in order to capture any detail. Fortunately, the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, outside of Naples, Florida, has several bird feeders set up near boardwalks that are intended to draw painted buntings to them. There was one point where I saw five of the males (this is a male, the females are drab by comparison) all hanging out by the feeder. I didn't even know this type of bird existed the day before I took this photo, but now that I've seen a few, I have to concur with the bird watching community, that seems to be in agreement that this is one of the most beautiful birds in America. Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/osceola/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Osceola_3to2_72x48.jpg Osceola Osceola National Forest is located roughly 50 miles west of Jacksonville, in northeast Florida. The roughly 200,000 acres that make up the National Forest consist primarily of hardwood swamps like that shown here. Osceola National Forest, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/osceola_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Osceola-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Osceola Panorama Osceola National Forest is located roughly 50 miles west of Jacksonville, in northeast Florida. The roughly 200,000 acres that make up the National Forest consist primarily of hardwood swamps like that shown here. Osceola National Forest, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/orlando_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Orlando-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg Orlando Ultrawide Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo of Orlando was taken from the eastern shore of Lake Eola - which is actually a sinkhole! - and was famously gifted to the city by wealthy Orlando resident Jacob Summerlin, who stipulated that if the land weren't made and kept beautiful by the city, in order for all citizens to be able to enjoy it, the park could be retaken by his heirs. The fountain in the lake is one of many symbols of the City of Orlando. Orlando, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/orlando_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Orlando-2_2to1_120x60.jpg Orlando 2 Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo of Orlando was taken from the eastern shore of Lake Eola - which is actually a sinkhole! - and was famously gifted to the city by wealthy Orlando resident Jacob Summerlin, who stipulated that if the land weren't made and kept beautiful by the city, in order for all citizens to be able to enjoy it, the park could be retaken by his heirs. The fountain in the lake is one of many symbols of the City of Orlando. Orlando, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/orlando_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Orlando-1_5to2_150x60.jpg Orlando 1 Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo of Orlando was taken from the eastern shore of Lake Eola - which is actually a sinkhole! - and was famously gifted to the city by wealthy Orlando resident Jacob Summerlin, who stipulated that if the land weren't made and kept beautiful by the city, in order for all citizens to be able to enjoy it, the park could be retaken by his heirs. The fountain in the lake is one of many symbols of the City of Orlando. Orlando, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/on_the_lookout/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_On-the-Lookout_2to3_30x45.jpg On the Lookout It seems that something like half of the photographers I run into while in Florida tend to show photos of deserted beaches, and egrets with mating-season plumage. I'd wanted to photograph some of these beautiful birds for a few years, and I finally got around to it in the winter of 2021. The best place (for photography, anyway) that I was able to find to photograph these beautiful birds was at the Venice Rookery, in southwest Florida. Great egrets were aggressively hunted in the late nineteenth century to make adornments for ladies hats, but have since then staged a recovery. Venice Rookery, Venice, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/on_down_the_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_On-Down-the-Pier_3to2_72x48.jpg On Down the Pier Naples Pier has to be one of the most picturesque piers in all of Florida. I spent many evenings here during the winter of 2017, when I was frequently in the area to appear in art shows. This shot was fairly difficult to get, because the pier was crowded at sunset, so I had to wait for a lull in the crowd, and use a neutral density filter to get a long enough exposure to "erase" the people that walked through my shot. Naples Pier, Naples, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Moon_3to2_36x24.jpg Moon I had hoped to shoot the full moon on the evening of March 11, 2017, just as it rose above the horizon, but cloudy skies dictated that I rethink my plans. Fortunately, an hour or so later, there was still just enough ambient light to allow for a sharp image of the moon but with just a hint of blue sky in the background. Juno Beach, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/miami_and_the_venetian_causeway_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Miami-and-the-Venetian-Causeway-Bridge_3to1_144x48.jpg Miami and the Venetian Causeway Bridge Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo of Miami features the Venetian Causeway bridge, as well as the waterfront neighborhoods of Edgewater, Beverly Terrace, and Buena Vista, and was taken from the MacArthur Causeway bridge that links the mainland to Jungle Island. This photo would have been beautiful even with a clear blue sky, but the beautiful clouds really tie it all together! Miami, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/looe_key_reef/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Looe-Key-Reef_3to2_36x24.jpg Looe Key Reef Looe Key, shown here, is named after the HMS Looe, which sank after running aground here in 1744. It lies entirely within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and remains, for good reason, a popular spot for SCUBA diving and snorkeling. Looe Key Reef, near Marathon, Florida Keys https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/jacksonville_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Jacksonville-at-Night_5to2_150x60.jpg Jacksonville at Night Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo was taken from Jacksonville's Friendship Park, and prominently features the Saint Johns River, and the John T Alsop Junior (or Main Street) Bridge. Jacksonville, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/jacksonville_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Jacksonville-at-Dusk_2to1_120x60.jpg Jacksonville at Dusk Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo was taken from Jacksonville's Friendship Park, and prominently features the Saint Johns River, and the John T Alsop Junior (or Main Street) Bridge. Jacksonville, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/great_egret_profile/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Great-Egret-Profile_3to2_60x40.jpg Great Egret Profile It seems that something like half of the photographers I run into while in Florida tend to show photos of deserted beaches, and egrets with mating-season plumage. I'd wanted to photograph some of these beautiful birds for a few years, and I finally got around to it in the winter of 2021. The best place (for photography, anyway) that I was able to find to photograph these beautiful birds was at the Venice Rookery, in southwest Florida. Great egrets were aggressively hunted in the late nineteenth century to make adornments for ladies hats, but have since then staged a recovery. Venice Rookery, Venice, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/great_blue_heron_profile/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Great-Blue-Heron-Profile_3to2_72x48.jpg Great Blue Heron Profile Great blue herons can be found throughout the United States, and can grow up to four and a half feet tall, with a wingspan of well over six feet. I was lucky enough to come across this guy (or girl - they're virtually indistinguishable) in Lakeland, Florida, where they live in close proximity to humans, and are therefore much better subjects for photography - they don't fly away as soon as you get a hundred yards away! Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/great_blue_heron_at_shark_valley/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Great-Blue-Heron-at-Shark-Valley_2to3_30x45.jpg Great Blue Heron at Shark Valley I never really thought about how adaptable some species are, until I'd seen them in environments as different from one another as deserts are from swamps. Such is the case of great blue herons, which I've seen in northern Arizona, Africa, and, as seen here, in southern Florida. I took this photo at the Shark Valley portion of Everglades National Park, an excellent place to photograph bird life. Shark Valley, Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gold_breasted_waxbill/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Gold-Breasted-Waxbill_3to2_45x30.jpg Gold Breasted Waxbill I'm a sucker for butterfly exhibits, so when I was driving through Gainesville, Florida, and saw a billboard for the University of Florida's "Butterfly Rainforest," I made sure to stop by. As I've seen at other butterfly exhibits, the living creatures on display aren't strictly limited to butterflies. There were plenty of birds to be found, too, including this gold breasted waxbill (also called an orange breasted waxbill), which is a species typically found in the grassland and savannas south of the Sahara. Butterfly Rainforest, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/full_moon_over_the_atlantic/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Full-Moon-over-the-Atlantic_2to3_20x30.jpg Full Moon over the Atlantic I wasn't able to shoot the full moon immediately after it rose over the horizon on the evening of March 11, 2017, because clouds obstructed the view. However, fifteen minutes later, the moon found a nice gap in the clouds and made an appearance over the Atlantic Ocean. Juno Beach, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fort_lauderdale_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Fort-Lauderdale-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Fort Lauderdale Panorama I found myself in southeast Florida in the spring of 2020 as I was exhibiting at some art shows in the area. One of these shows happened to be held in Fort Lauderdale, so after a bit of research, I figured out a nice spot from which to photograph the city (the Seventeenth Street Causeway Bridge), and went there shortly before sunset. The scene certainly didn't disappoint! Fort Lauderdale, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fort_lauderdale_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Fort-Lauderdale-at-Dusk_3to2_72x48.jpg Fort Lauderdale at Dusk I found myself in southeast Florida in the spring of 2020 as I was exhibiting at some art shows in the area. One of these shows happened to be held in Fort Lauderdale, so after a bit of research, I figured out a nice spot from which to photograph the city (the Seventeenth Street Causeway Bridge), and went there shortly before sunset. The scene certainly didn't disappoint! Fort Lauderdale, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/florida_great_egret/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Florida-Great-Egret_3to2_36x24.jpg Florida Great Egret I've taken hundreds of photos of great egrets - they're beautiful birds. But I like the simplicity of this one: the bird fills the frame nicely, and his white feathers contrast beautifully with the nearly-black water. Loop Road Big Cypress National Reserve, South Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/enjoying_a_snack/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Enjoying-a-Snack_5to4_30x24.jpg Enjoying a Snack I had been told of a particular road in Everglades National Park, in South Florida, where one can reliably spot barred owls, on my first day in the park in 2016. The next morning, I went there first thing, and was thrilled to find several of these beautiful birds perched in trees on the sides of the road. They waited patiently for crawdads to crawl across the road, at which point they would swoop down, and enjoy a (presumably) delicious meal. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_in_sarasota/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Dusk-in-Sarasota_3to1_180x60.jpg Dusk in Sarasota I've visited Sarasota many times, but it took me until early 2022 to finally get a skyline photo. Taken from West John Ringling Causeway Park, this location is perfect for photography, as it allows one to capture the city itself, as well as the John Ringling Causeway bridge. Sarasota, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_in_miami/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Dusk-in-Miami_2to1_120x60.jpg Dusk in Miami Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This photo of Miami features the Venetian Causeway bridge, as well as the waterfront neighborhoods of Edgewater, Beverly Terrace, and Buena Vista, and was taken from the MacArthur Causeway bridge that links the mainland to Jungle Island. This photo would have been beautiful even with a clear blue sky, but the beautiful clouds really tie it all together! Miami, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dragonfly_silhouette/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Dragonfly-Silhouette_2to3_20x30.jpg Dragonfly Silhouette Dragonflies are far from difficult to spot in south Florida's Everglades National Park. These insects are quite common, and like to perch atop flowers and stalks that rise above the surrounding landscape. I took this photo early in the morning, while the light was still somewhat dim, and really like the effect it had. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/downtown_miami_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Downtown-Miami-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg Downtown Miami Ultrawide Starting in 2018, every time I visited a new city, and had the opportunity to do so, I made it a point to try and photograph the city skyline. I took this photo in the spring of 2019, when two back-to-back Florida art shows gave me the opportunity to photograph some of the State's larger cities. This ultrawide panorama, which was taken from the MacArthur Causeway bridge that links the mainland to Jungle Island, shows downtown Miami (on the left), as well as some of the city's high-end hotels and condos on the right. Miami, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dancing/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Dancing_1to1_42x42.jpg Dancing It seems that something like half of the photographers I run into while in Florida tend to show photos of deserted beaches, and egrets with mating-season plumage. I'd wanted to photograph some of these beautiful birds for a few years, and I finally got around to it in the winter of 2021. The best place (for photography, anyway) that I was able to find to photograph these beautiful birds was at the Venice Rookery, in southwest Florida. Great egrets were aggressively hunted in the late nineteenth century to make adornments for ladies hats, but have since then staged a recovery. Venice Rookery, Venice, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cute_couple/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Cute-Couple_3to2_60x40.jpg Cute Couple This is a wood duck that I photographed in the spring of 2021. Many years prior to my having taken this photo, I took a picture of a mandarin duck in South Korea. Both these species of duck are simply beautiful, but I think the mandarin edges out the wood duck. However, I've had numerous people come into my booth, see my mandarin duck photo, and ask if it is a wood duck. As soon as I learned of the existence of wood ducks, it became a minor goal of mine to find and photograph one. An opportunity to do just that presented itself at an art show in Lakeland, Florida, where there are tons of water-loving birds and ducks that have become conditioned to people being in close proximity, and are therefore much easier to photograph than similar birds one may find in a less populated area. Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/crescent_moon_over_naples_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Crescent-Moon-over-Naples-Pier_2to3_48x72.jpg Crescent Moon Over Naples Pier I visited Naples Pier on February 28, 2017, with the intention of getting some shots of the crescent moon over this beautiful structure. Of all the shots I got that include both the pier and the moon, this one is my favorite. Naples Pier, Naples, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/coastal_plain_cooter/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Coastal-Plain-Cooter_5to4_30x24.jpg Coastal Plain Cooter This photo makes it difficult to guess the size of this turtle - actually a coastal plain cooter that I spooted at the Shark Valley portion of Southern Florida's Everglades National Park. It appears that he could be a full-grown turtle measuring maybe 8 or more inches in diameter. Not the case. He was just a little guy, probably only 3 inches in diameter. I spotted him crossing a road, and managed to get a few shots (and made sure he didn't get run over) before he successfully made it across the road. Shark Valley, Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/close_up_cormorant/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Close-Up-Cormorant_4to5_24x30.jpg Close-up Cormorant One of the benefits of taking pictures of wildlife at areas frequented by humans - such as Everglades National Park, in south Florida - is that the animals tend to be less wary of humans than in less frequently-visited locations. This cormorant, for example, was perched on top of a shelter that was built into a boardwalk through a wetland. He didn't take off when I passed only a couple feet below him, in fact, he seemed to strike a perfect pose for me to photograph. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/brown_pelican/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Brown-Pelican_2to3_60x90.jpg Brown Pelican Brown pelicans can be found along the coast of almost the entire US (as well as Mexico, central America, and northern South America). In the Florida Keys, they can be found all over the place, and they are fairly used to being near people, which makes them much easier to photograph. Even given their lack of fear of humans, I was surprised by how close I was able to get to this particular bird The detail in this photo is amazing! Florida Keys, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/black_swan/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Black-Swan_5to4_50x40.jpg Black Swan Lakeland, Florida has some type of special connection to swans. There are swan logos on everything in and around town, and actual swans can be found in and around many of the lakes that form the namesake of the town. Here's one I was able to photograph from an art show I participated in during the spring of 2021. Lake Morton, Lakeland, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beautiful_cardinal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Beautiful-Cardinal_4to5_24x30.jpg Beautiful Cardinal I spotted this cardinal at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, outside of Naples, Florida, in January, 2017. There are no cardinals in my home state of Colorado, so it is always a treat for me to see these bright red birds. Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Naples, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/barred_owl/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Barred-Owl_3to2_36x24.jpg Barred Owl I had been told of a particular road in Everglades National Park, in South Florida, where one can reliably spot barred owls, on my first day in the park in 2016. The next morning, I went there first thing, and was thrilled to find several of these beautiful birds perched in trees on the sides of the road. They waited patiently for crawdads to crawl across the road, at which point they would swoop down, and enjoy a (presumably) delicious meal. Here's one of those very owls, posing perfectly as he waited for his breakfast to make an appearance. Everglades National Park, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/another_day_in_paradise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Another-Day-in-Paradise_3to2_72x48.jpg Another Day in Paradise This is not one of my typical shots. I tend to shoot at or near sunrise and / or sunset, or at night, when lighting is unusual, or more vivid than normal. But when I was walking along a beach near Destin, Florida, and this incredibly simple scene presented itself, I couldn't resist. A very simple shot, this white sand beach and ocean view perfectly embodies some people's concept of paradise. Near Destin, Florida https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/alligator_key_lighthouse/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Florida_Alligator-Key-Lighthouse_3to2_36x24.jpg Alligator Key Lighthouse Sombrero and Alligator Reefs, both of which are off the coast of Marathon, are apparently great locations for SCUBA diving, but can be trecherous for boats, which is why each of them has a lighthouse. Alligator Reef Light, shown here, was originally constructed in 1873, automated in 1963, and shut down in 2014. It is to be replaced by a less-powerful light on a much shorter stand. Alligator Key, near Marathon, Florida Keys https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/thats_a_tree/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Thats-A-Tree_1to2_60x120.jpg That's A Tree I had terrible luck with the weather on my November, 2024 trip to Costa Rica, but there were brief moments where it wasn't pouring rain on me. During one such brief respite from the rain, I visited Curi-Cancha Reserve and took this photo of a giant tree. Curi-Cancha Reserve, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/spider_monkey/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Spider-Monkey_1to1_48x48.jpg Spider Monkey Costa Rica is known for its natural beauty and abundance of wildlife. On one of very few nice (i.e. not pouring rain) afternoons I had in the country, I spent some time in "Mystical Arenal Hanging Bridges Wildlife Park," and came across this spider monkey. He was moving around a lot, which made him difficult to photograph, but he did sit still at one point just long enough for me to capture this image. Mystical Arenal Hanging Bridges wildlife park, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_gerardo_de_dota_stream/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_San-Gerado-de-Dota-Stream_3to2_90x60.jpg San Gerardo de Dota Stream I had terrible luck with the weather on my November, 2024 trip to Costa Rica, but there were brief moments where it wasn't pouring rain on me. During one such brief respite from the rain, I visited a hotel property known for the frequent appearance of Costa Rica's most famous bird, the resplendent quetzal. I managed to get a couple shots of these magnificent birds, and then wandered the grounds and captured this image of a nice, peaceful stream. San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_gerardo_de_dota_stream_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_San-Gerado-de-Dota-Stream-2_3to2_90x60.jpg San Gerardo de Dota Stream 2 I had terrible luck with the weather on my November, 2024 trip to Costa Rica, but there were brief moments where it wasn't pouring rain on me. During one such brief respite from the rain, I visited a hotel property known for the frequent appearance of Costa Rica's most famous bird, the resplendent quetzal. I managed to get a couple shots of these magnificent birds, and then wandered the grounds and captured this image of a nice, peaceful stream. San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/resplendent_quetzal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Resplendent-Quetzal_2to3_40x60.jpg Resplendent Quetzal I had terrible luck with the weather on my November, 2024 trip to Costa Rica, but there were brief moments where it wasn't pouring rain on me. During one such brief respite from the rain, I visited a hotel property known for the frequent appearance of Costa Rica's most famous bird, the resplendent quetzal. I guess as bad as my luck was with the weather, it was pretty good in that I was lucky enough to both see, and get close enough to photograph a couple of these magnificent birds. Look closely how long the tail is. Wow! San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/resplendent_quetzal_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Resplendent-Quetzal-2_2to3_30x45.jpg Resplendent Quetzal 2 I had terrible luck with the weather on my November, 2024 trip to Costa Rica, but there were brief moments where it wasn't pouring rain on me. During one such brief respite from the rain, I visited a hotel property known for the frequent appearance of Costa Rica's most famous bird, the resplendent quetzal. I guess as bad as my luck was with the weather, it was pretty good in that I was lucky enough to both see, and get close enough to photograph a couple of these magnificent birds. San Gerardo de Dota, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/misty_arenal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Misty-Arenal_3to2_72x48.jpg Misty Arenal Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica's most famous features. It rained on me almost the entire time I was there, so I wasn't able to get any photos in the style I usually go for - lots of bright colors. Instead, I had to go for more "moody" photography, and I think doing so turned out pretty well with this photo of the top of Arenal. This was a long enough exposure that the clouds moving over the peak have a blurred look. Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/la_fortuna_waterfall/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_La-Fortuna-Waterfall_2to3_60x90.jpg La Fortuna Waterfall My November, 2024 trip to Costa Rica was plagued with awful weather, but I had one morning with an hour or two of sun, and fortunately, I was at La Fortuna Waterfall on that particular morning, so I was able to get a nice photo of this beautiful waterfall. La Fortuna Waterfall, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fun_guys_in_costa_rica/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Fun-Guys-in-Costa-Rica_2to3_60x90.jpg Fun Guys in Costa Rica I had terrible luck with the weather on my November, 2024 trip to Costa Rica, but there were brief moments where it wasn't pouring rain on me. During one such brief respite from the rain, I visited Curi-Cancha Reserve and took this photo of these mushrooms. Curi-Cancha Reserve, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/curi_cancha_pathway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Curi-Cancha-Pathway_3to2_90x60.jpg Curi-Cancha Pathway I had terrible luck with the weather on my November, 2024 trip to Costa Rica, but there were brief moments where it wasn't pouring rain on me. During one such brief respite from the rain, I visited Curi-Cancha Reserve and took this photo of a cute trail through the forest. Curi-Cancha Reserve, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/costa_rican_hummingbird/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Costa-Rican-Hummingbird_5to4_40x30.jpg Costa Rican Hummingbird Costa Rica has 948 species of birds, and given the country's small size, this means it has the greatest density of bird species of any continental American country. I didn't see too many on my November, 2024 trip here, because it was pouring rain for the majority of my visit, but I did capture this awesome image of a beautiful and iridescent hummingbird in Curi-Cancha Reserve. Curi-Cancha Reserve, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arenal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Arenal_3to2_90x60.jpg Arenal Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica's most famous features. It rained on me almost the entire time I was there, so I wasn't able to get any photos in the style I usually go for - lots of bright colors. Instead, I had to go for more "moody" photography, and I think doing so turned out pretty well with this photo of the top of Arenal. Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arenal_abstract/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Costa-Rica_Arenal-Abstract_2to1_80x40.jpg Arenal Abstract Arenal Volcano is one of Costa Rica's most famous features. It rained on me almost the entire time I was there, so I wasn't able to get any photos in the style I usually go for - lots of bright colors. Instead, I had to go for more "moody" photography, and I think doing so turned out pretty well with this photo of the top of Arenal. This was a long enough exposure that the clouds moving over the peak have a blurred look. Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/young_bull_moose/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Young-Bull-Moose_2to1_60x30.jpg Young Bull Moose I've spent quite a bit of time in Canada - known for moose - but to this day, I think portions of the Rocky Mountains remain the best spot I've found for seeing and photographing moose. I found this young bull moose while out photographing the aspen trees near Crested Butte in the fall. I spent an hour or so watching him wade through the meandering rivers and ponds in the area, and had a great time photographing him. near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellow_pond_lily_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Yellow-Pond-Lily-2_2to3_40x60.jpg Yellow Pond Lily 2 I drive along Interstate 70, through Colorado's Rocky Mountains, dozens of times every year, but it wasn't until 2020 that I discovered a popular trailhead probably half a mile from the interstate, near the mountain town of Silverthorne. A 3.5 mile round-trip hike takes one to Lily Pad Lake, appropriately named, since, at least when I was there, almost the entire surface of the lake was covered with lily pads, and because I was accidentally there at the right time of year, there were many blooming flowers growing in the lake as well. I had my telephoto lens with me in the hopes I'd be able to photograph some wildlife along the trail, but there was very little to be found. I made use of the long lens, though, in capturing this image of one of the yellow pond lilies that were too far away to capture with a normal lens. Lily Pad Lake, near Frisco, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/yellow_pond_lily_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Yellow-Pond-Lily-1_4to5_40x50.jpg Yellow Pond Lily 1 I drive along Interstate 70, through Colorado's Rocky Mountains, dozens of times every year, but it wasn't until 2020 that I discovered a popular trailhead probably half a mile from the interstate, near the mountain town of Silverthorne. A 3.5 mile round-trip hike takes one to Lily Pad Lake, appropriately named, since, at least when I was there, almost the entire surface of the lake was covered with lily pads, and because I was accidentally there at the right time of year, there were many blooming flowers growing in the lake as well. I had my telephoto lens with me in the hopes I'd be able to photograph some wildlife along the trail, but there was very little to be found. I made use of the long lens, though, in capturing this image of one of the yellow pond lilies that were too far away to capture with a normal lens. Lily Pad Lake, near Frisco, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/winter_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Winter-Reflection_3to2_90x60.jpg Winter Reflection In the midst of 2020's Coronavirus lockdown, a brief but powerful blizzard blew through northern Colorado, where I live. I don't typically spend much time in my home state during this time of year, but there was a quarantine in place, so, there I was. I used the opportunity, shortly after the snow stopped falling, to drive out to the farmland north of where I live, and photograph some of the country draped in white. near Greeley, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/white_on_white/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_White-on-White_2to1_72x36.jpg White on White In the midst of 2020's Coronavirus lockdown, a brief but powerful blizzard blew through northern Colorado, where I live. I don't typically spend much time in my home state during this time of year, but there was a quarantine in place, so, there I was. I used the opportunity, shortly after the snow stopped falling, to drive out to the farmland north of where I live, and photograph some of the country draped in white. near Greeley, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/uncompaghre_afternoon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Uncompaghre-Afternoon_2to1_80x40.jpg Uncompaghre Afternoon Southwest Colorado is beautiful. Uncompaghre National Forest, which is easily accessible from Ridgway, has few amenities, but primitive camping is easy to find, the dirt roads are a pleasure to drive along, there are plenty of nice hikes and rivers for fishing, and the views of the Cimarron Ridge are unparalleled. I took this photo from my camp spot on the shore of the Cimarron River. Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado,USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_or_three_geese/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Two-or-Three-Geese_3to2_45x30.jpg Two or Three Geese I have a friend that lives near Severance, Colorado. It's a village, really, with little claim to fame, except that huge numbers of geese frequently spend the winter here. I saw a flock of tens of thousands of such geese during a visit here in the winter of 2015, and had to get out of the car to snap a few shots. I wasn't able to get very close to them, because as soon as I tried, they'd take off in numbers so large they seemed to blacken the sky, as seen here. Near Severance, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/trail_ridge_road_marmot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Trail-Ridge-Road-Marmot_3to2_60x40.jpg Trail Ridge Road Marmot Marmots and pikas are among my favorite animals to photograph. I'm sure part of that comes from my having grown up an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park, in northern Colorado, so I have many fond memories of seeing them as a kid. When you encounter them in areas frequented by large numbers of tourists, they tend to be easy to photograph, since they are accustomed to people gawking at them. One of the best places I know of to photograph these animals, which inhabit high mountain tundras, is along Rocky Mountain National Park's Trail Ridge Road - a spectacular two-lane road that takes one over the continental divide and reaches a peak elevation of 12,183 feet. I was happy to catch this yellow-bellied marmot in profile as he surveyed the surrounding mountainside. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/trail_ridge_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Trail-Ridge-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Trail Ridge Panorama Trail Ridge Road, in northern Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, is a beautiful, 2-lane paved road that crosses the Continental Divide, and reaches a peak elevation of 12,183 feet - a ways above treeline. The views from Trail Ridge Road extend in every direction, and allow one to take in the beauty of the Rocky Mountains. I took this photo in the summer of 2020, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a beautiful orange hue on all the mountain tops in the area. Just a bit left of center in this photo lies Longs Peak, the highest mountain in Rocky Mountain National Park, at an elevation of 14,259 feet. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/through_the_aspen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Through-the-Aspen_2to3_48x72.jpg Through the Aspen Colorado is a beautiful state, filled with huge mountains, beautiful lakes, and, of course, nearly endless aspen groves. I took this photo of a Forest Service road winding through one such grove near Crested Butte, Colorado, in the fall of 2018, just as many of the leaves in the area began to change from green to yellow. near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_grotto_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_The-Grotto-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg The Grotto (Portrait) There's a lot to see along Independence Pass, outside of Aspen, Colorado. I drove across Independence Pass during the summer of 2018, en route to an art fair in Aspen, and made sure to give myself a bit of extra time for exploration and photography. I saw a sign for "The Grotto" during my drive, and decided to check it out. Having captured this photo, I'm certainly glad I took the time to explore! The Grotto, near Aspen, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_grotto_landscape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_The-Grotto-Landscape_3to2_72x48.jpg The Grotto (Landscape) There's a lot to see along Independence Pass, outside of Aspen, Colorado. I drove across Independence Pass during the summer of 2018, en route to an art fair in Aspen, and made sure to give myself a bit of extra time for exploration and photography. I saw a sign for "The Grotto" during my drive, and decided to check it out. Having captured this photo, I'm certainly glad I took the time to explore! The Grotto, near Aspen, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/surreal_aspen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Surreal-Aspen_2to3_48x72.jpg Surreal Aspen Kebler Pass, which runs west from Crested Butte, Colorado, through Gunnison National Forest, is a (mostly) gravel road that, because of its elevation, is closed in the winters. Between late spring and fall, however, it is accessible by any vehicle, and allows those who are interested the opportunity to see some of Colorado's most beautiful aspen groves. I took this photo shortly before sunset, when the leaves of the aspen trees between those shown here and the sun filtered the light in a unique way, that gave these aspen trunks something of a surreal look. Kebler Pass, near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_panorama_from_independence_pass/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Sunset-Panorama-from-Independence-Pass_3to1_144x48.jpg Sunset Panorama from Independence Pass I've driven over Independence Pass, on the way to Aspen, Colorado many times in my youth, but never stopped to get out and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. I decided to give myself some extra time to shoot Independence Pass during the summer of 2018, en route to an art fair in Aspen, Colorado. I had hopes, but no expectations, for a nice sunset, and when the clouds that I'd seen in the afternoon stuck around until close to sunset time, I began to get more optimistic about my chances of getting a good sunset photo. The colors worked out wonderfully! Independence Pass, near Aspen, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_courthouse_mountain/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Sunset-at-Courthouse-Mountain_3to2_90x60.jpg Sunset at Courthouse Mountain Courthouse Mountain, in the Cimarron Range, just east of Ridgway, Colorado, isn't super famous, but it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest peaks in the State. Lying in the Grand Mesa / Uncompaghre / Gunnison National Forest, there is a great deal of dispersed camping in the region, so I found a spot to park my van for the night that afforded me this view only a few steps from where I camped. Not a bad view to fall asleep (or wake up!) to. Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado,USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/summer_sunrise_at_the_maroon_bells/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Summer-Sunrise-at-the-Maroon-Bells_3to2_90x60.jpg Summer Sunrise at the Maroon Bells The Maroon Bells are touted as the most photographed spot in Colorado. I'm not sure this is correct, but they are absolutely beautiful. Located a mere half hour from Aspen, Colorado, the Maroon Bells loom over appropriately named Maroon Lake, and are a sight to behold, especially at sunrise. I got lucky with the weather when I was here in July, 2017. I took this photo at sunrise, facing west. The skies above the Maroon Bells are filled with beautiful, threatening-looking clouds, but behind me, there was enough of an opening in the cloud cover to allow for the horizontal rays of light from the early-morning sunrise to illuminate the 14,000+ foot peaks of the Maroon Bells. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/summer_aspen_grove_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Summer-Aspen-Grove-Panorama_5to2_120x48.jpg Summer Aspen Grove Panorama Although I live in Colorado, it is a 5 hour drive from my home town to the beautiful, mountain town of Aspen. I participated in an Art Festival in Aspen, Colorado, in July, 2017, and made sure to arrive a day or two early in order to do some photography in the area. There are thick stands of aspen all around the appropriately named city, including this spectacular stand of old trees that grew so thick it was difficult to see through the forest. near Redstone, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stormy_sunrise_at_the_maroon_bells/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Stormy-Sunrise-at-the-Maroon-Bells_5to2_150x60.jpg Stormy Sunrise at the Maroon Bells The Maroon Bells are touted as the most photographed spot in Colorado. I'm not sure this is correct, but they are absolutely beautiful. Located a mere half hour from Aspen, Colorado, the Maroon Bells loom over appropriately named Maroon Lake, and are a sight to behold, especially at sunrise. I got lucky with the weather when I was here in July, 2017. I took this photo at sunrise, facing west. The skies above the Maroon Bells are filled with beautiful, threatening-looking clouds, but behind me, there was enough of an opening in the cloud cover to allow for the horizontal rays of light from the early-morning sunrise to illuminate the 14,000+ foot peaks of the Maroon Bells. Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stormy_skies_at_red_mountain/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Stormy-Skies-at-Red-Mountain_3to2_72x48.jpg Stormy Skies at Red Mountain Red Mountain Pass, which is part of the "Million Dollar Highway" between Ouray, and Silverton, Colorado, is simply spectacular. A 2-lane highway that lies in a relatively remote area of the state, it switchbacks back and forth before and after the views of Red Mountain, shown here. There used to be a lot of mining done here, and the abandoned building in the lower, right hand corner is one of many such buildings that remain standing in the region. Red Mountain Pass, Ouray County, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/squeak_squeak/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Squeak-Squeak_4to5_40x50.jpg Squeak Squeak Marmots and pikas are among my favorite animals to photograph. I'm sure part of that comes from my having grown up an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park, in northern Colorado, so I have many fond memories of seeing them as a kid. When you encounter them in areas frequented by large numbers of tourists, they tend to be easy to photograph, since they are accustomed to people gawking at them. One of the best places I know of to photograph these animals, which inhabit high mountain tundras, is along Rocky Mountain National Park's Trail Ridge Road - a spectacular two-lane road that takes one over the continental divide and reaches a peak elevation of 12,183 feet. I was lucky enough to be pressing the shutter on my camera just as this yellow-bellied marmot let out a high-pitched squeak. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sprague_lake_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Sprague-Lake-Sunrise_2to1_96x48.jpg Sprague Lake Sunrise Rocky Mountain National Park's Sprague Lake is an easy-to-reach gem. It is still plenty cold and there's traditionally quite a bit of snow left on the ground here in mid-April, which is when I took this photo in 2016. I had to get up pretty early to be here before sunrise, but the fairly calm waters of the lake and the ability to enjoy this view without being shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other visitors made it absolutely worthwhile. This shot was taken shortly after sunrise, which allowed the nearly-horizontal sunlight to turn the mountain range behind the lake the vibrant shade of orange shown here. Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sprague_lake_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Sprague-Lake-Dawn_2to1_96x48.jpg Sprague Lake Dawn Rocky Mountain National Park's Sprague Lake is an easy-to-reach gem. It is still plenty cold and there's traditionally quite a bit of snow left on the ground here in mid-April, which is when I took this photo in 2016. I had to get up pretty early to be here before sunrise, but the fairly calm waters of the lake and the ability to enjoy this view without being shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of other visitors made it absolutely worthwhile. This shot was taken maybe 15 minutes before sunrise. Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/spotlight/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Spotlight_5to4_60x48.jpg Spotlight I'd never visited the chalk cliffs outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, until a cross-Colorado camping trip I went on in the summer of 2020. When viewed in the middle of the day, these cliffs are nearly white, but I took this photo at sunrise, and the horizontal light gave the landscape a more saturated color palate. near Buena Vista, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/south_denver/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_South-Denver_3to2_72x48.jpg South Denver I grew up in Colorado, and even lived in Denver for a short stint from 2006-2008, and yet, it took me until late 2018 to get a good photo of the beautiful city skyline. I took this photo on a fairly cold night in November, which helped to keep the air clear, and it was taken early enough in the evening that many of the office towers still had a fair number of interior lights on. The city has grown tremendously in the past couple decades, and it will be interesting to take another photo from the same location in another decade or so, and see how different the skyline looks then! Denver, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snowmass_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Snowmass-Reflection_3to2_72x48.jpg Snowmass Reflection Sunrise at Snowmass Lake, with Snowmass Mountain reflected on the surface. This is where a friend and I camped our first night when we hiked the spectacular 'Four Pass Loop' in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness.  Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snow_at_great_sand_dunes_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Snow-at-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park_2to3_20x30.jpg Snow at Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve was only established as a National Park in 2004 - prior to that, it had been a National Monument. When I awoke in my tent, a stone's throw from the base of the dunes, I looked outside and was initially unhappy with the weather. I'd hoped to get some colorful sunrise shots, but what greeted me was the most dull, gray sky imaginable. I got up anyway, and went for a bit of a walk among the dunes. It had actually snowed a minuscule amount the night before, and this, in combination with the wind, made for some beautiful, if rather bleak sights. Although I converted this photo to black and white, the original, color shot is barely recognizable as being something other than black and white. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snow_at_great_sand_dunes_national_park_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Snow-at-Great-Sand-Dunes-National-Park-2_4to5_20x24.jpg Snow at Great Sand Dunes National Park 2 Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve was only established as a National Park in 2004 - prior to that, it had been a National Monument. When I awoke in my tent, a stone's throw from the base of the dunes, I looked outside and was initially unhappy with the weather. I'd hoped to get some colorful sunrise shots, but what greeted me was the most dull, gray sky imaginable. I got up anyway, and went for a bit of a walk among the dunes. It had actually snowed a minuscule amount the night before, and this, in combination with the wind, made for some beautiful, if rather bleak sights. Although I converted this photo to black and white, the original, color shot is barely recognizable as being something other than black and white. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/skies_above_and_below/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Skies-Above-and-Below_2to1_96x48.jpg Skies Above and Below I'd never driven across Cottonwood Pass, which connects Buena Vista to Almot, Colorado, until the summer of 2020. I went over the pass during the day, and thought it might look nice at sunrise, so I came back before sunrise the following day, and tried a few different compositions of the area. This one is my favorite of the lot. Cottonwood Pass, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shades_of_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Shades-of-Dusk_2to1_72x36.jpg Shades of Dusk Cloudless skies are generally not what one looks for when taking landscape photos. There are exceptions to this rule, of course, and when a composition like this can be found, a cloudless sky can actually work to one's advantage. I took this photo shortly after the sun set behind me, since it allowed me to make part of the focus of this photograph on the spectrum of color in the twilight sky, ranging from pink up high, and blue, lower down on the horizon. This photo was taken near Crested Butte, Colorado, in mid-September as the aspen trees in the area were just beginning to turn yellow. near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ruby_peak_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Ruby-Peak-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Ruby Peak Panorama I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Ruby Peak, near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ruby_peak_afternoon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Ruby-Peak-Afternoon_2to1_120x60.jpg Ruby Peak Afternoon I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Ruby Peak, near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rifle_falls_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Rifle-Falls-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Rifle Falls Portrait Colorado isn't exactly famous for its waterfalls, but there are quite a few good ones scattered throughout the state. I'd heard of and seen photos of Rifle Falls for years before I made it to Rifle Falls State Park in the summer of 2020, and finally got this image. I can't think of any other waterfalls that are made up of three distinct streams. Quite a sight. Rifle Falls State Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rifle_falls_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Rifle-Falls-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Rifle Falls Panorama Colorado isn't exactly famous for its waterfalls, but there are quite a few good ones scattered throughout the state. I'd heard of and seen photos of Rifle Falls for years before I made it to Rifle Falls State Park in the summer of 2020, and finally got this image. I can't think of any other waterfalls that are made up of three distinct streams. Quite a sight. Rifle Falls State Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/red_panda_in_the_snow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Red-Panda-in-the-Snow_1to1_16x16.jpg Red Panda in the Snow Red pandas are among my favorite animals on the planet. They are undoubtedly one of the cutest, and if you haven't ever seen them play before, I highly recommend you dedicate at least a few minutes to a Youtube search for "Red Panda," or something similar. This is actually one of my earliest shots that I consider to be of high enough quality to justify putting on my site. Denver Zoo, Denver, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/red_mountain_pass_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Red-Mountain-Pass-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Red Mountain Pass Panorama Colorado's "Million Dollar Highway," which stretches from Ouray to Silverton, is one of the prettiest drives on the planet. Red Mountain Pass, which reaches a peak elevation of 11,018 feet, is the highest elevation along this route, and it is from this pass that one has the best view of Red Mountain, shown here. The way the red rocks contrast with the green trees and blue sky makes this one of the most picturesque locations in Colorado. Red Mountain Pass, Ouray County, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/posing_pika/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Posing-Pika_3to2_45x30.jpg Posing Pika Marmots and pikas are among my favorite animals to photograph. I'm sure part of that comes from my having grown up an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park, in northern Colorado, so I have many fond memories of seeing them as a kid. When you encounter them in areas frequented by large numbers of tourists, they tend to be easy to photograph, since they are accustomed to people gawking at them. One of the best places I know of to photograph these animals, which inhabit high mountain tundras, is along Rocky Mountain National Park's Trail Ridge Road - a spectacular two-lane road that takes one over the continental divide and reaches a peak elevation of 12,183 feet. I'd gone up Trail Ridge Road shortly before sunset one evening in the summer of 2020 in order to take some landscape photos, but when I reached the location from which I intended to shoot, I heard a little squeak less than ten feet away. I glanced down and saw this adorable pika. He paid me no heed, but scampered about, collecting grasses and occasionally squeaking at god-knows-what. This photo makes it seem like he was there for the same reason as I was - to enjoy the sunset. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/piney_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Piney-Lake_3to2_90x60.jpg Piney Lake I'd never heard of Piney Lake, even though I grew up in Colorado, until I appeared at an art show in Avon, and had several people recommend I go there to take some photos. So I did just that. Having now seen and photographed it myself, I can fully understand the recommendations! What a great semi-secret spot! Piney Lake, near Avon, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/piney_lake_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Piney-Lake-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Piney Lake Panorama I'd never heard of Piney Lake, even though I grew up in Colorado, until I appeared at an art show in Avon, and had several people recommend I go there to take some photos. So I did just that. Having now seen and photographed it myself, I can fully understand the recommendations! What a great semi-secret spot! Piney Lake, near Avon, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pika/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Pika_5to4_20x16.jpg Pika A pika. These furry little critters are among my favorite animals to photograph. They tend to live in rocky mountain sides at high elevations, and can be spotted fairly easily by simply waiting patiently in their habitat, or by listening for their characteristic squeak.  Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pawnee_windmill_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Pawnee-Windmill-at-Night_2to3_30x45.jpg Pawnee Windmill at Night Photographing old windmills is harder than one would think, since they are frequently hard to get to - they're often on private land - and when they can be reached, the background is often less than spectacular. I found this windmill in northern Colorado's Pawnee National Grassland, and thought that the combination of the glowing horizon, the moving clouds, and the dozen or so visible stars in the sky created a wonderful shot. Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pawnee_buttes_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Pawnee-Buttes-at-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Pawnee Buttes at Sunset Most of Colorado's known natural beauty is due to the fact that the western portion of the state is occupied by the beautiful and majestic Rocky Mountains. The eastern half of the state is largely occupied by prairie, and is fairly flat and unexciting, for the most part. The Pawnee National Grassland, in the northeast corner of the state, however, is quite beautiful. The most well-known feature of this region is the Pawnee Buttes, shown here at sunset. Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/owl_creek_pass/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Owl-Creek-Pass_2to1_120x60.jpg Owl Creek Pass I did a lot of camping in 2020, since there were no art shows, and being outside and away from people seemed a good way to spend time when being around other people was not really an option. In late September, I was near Ridgway, in southwest Colorado, with the goal of shooting the changing leaves. Many of the aspen groves in the area had quite a bit of yellow mixed in on the day I took this photo, but the forests here, along the Cimarron Ridge, were still probably a week away from reaching peak color. However, a lot of the underbrush was already at its peak, coming through in shades of orange and red. I didn't want to miss this opportunity, and the clouds when I took this photo were absolutely perfect. Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado,USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/owl_butterfly_closeup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Owl-Butterfly-Closeup_3to2_45x30.jpg Owl Butterfly Closeup The Butterfly Pavilion, in Westminster, Colorado, is home to over 5000 animals, and is just about the best place in the world to hang out, up close, with more butterflies than you could otherwise ever hope to see. The guy in this photo is a owl butterfly. Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/overcast_owl/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Overcast-Owl_3to2_45x30.jpg Overcast Owl Owls are among my favorite birds. They're tough to find and photograph, so I considered myself quite lucky when I spotted this guy perched above a creek near Craig, Colorado. I grabbed my telephoto lens, plus a 2x teleconverter (which turned my 200-600mm lens into a 400-1200), and set up my tripod. With such a long focal length, several things come into play that make getting a good photograph difficult, but years of knowledge and practice paid off, and I was able to get this nice photo of a great horned owl waiting patiently for his next meal to make an appearance. I hoped to see him again the next day with brighter light - this photo was taken at dusk - but I never saw him again. near Craig, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/north_clear_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_North-Clear-Creek-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg North Clear Creek Falls North Clear Creek Falls, outside of Lake City, Colorado, is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in the state. And it's incredibly accessible. There's a parking lot about two minutes from where I took this photo. Rio Grande National Forest, Near Lake City, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/north_clear_creek_falls_square/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_North-Clear-Creek-Falls-Square_1to1_60x60.jpg North Clear Creek Falls Square North Clear Creek Falls, near Lake City, Colorado, is kind of in the middle of nowhere, and doesn't get many visitors. But it is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Colorado, and it is a one-minute walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint from which I took this photo. Everything around the waterfall is relatively flat, so you'd never know it was there if not for the signs. It's definitely one of my favorite waterfalls, and unquestionably one of the easiest to photograph. Near Lake City, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/north_clear_creek_falls_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_North-Clear-Creek-Falls-2_2to3_60x90.jpg North Clear Creek Falls 2 North Clear Creek Falls, near Lake City, Colorado, is kind of in the middle of nowhere, and doesn't get many visitors. But it is one of the prettiest waterfalls in Colorado, and it is a one-minute walk from the parking lot to the viewpoint from which I took this photo. Everything around the waterfall is relatively flat, so you'd never know it was there if not for the signs. It's definitely one of my favorite waterfalls, and unquestionably one of the easiest to photograph. Near Lake City, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nearly_monochromatic_cascade/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Nearly-Monochromatic-Cascade_5to4_40x30.jpg Nearly Monochromatic Cascade Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park is most famous for, obviously, the sand dunes. But there's more to the park, as seen in this photo of a small cascade found in the park. The lighting and color of the rocks makes this photo almost appear black and white. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mount_sopris_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Mount-Sopris-Sunrise_3to1_144x48.jpg Mount Sopris Sunrise Mount Sopris, which reaches a peak elevation of less than 13,000 feet in Colorado, a state which prides itself on its many 14,000 foot peaks, is nonetheless the most prominent mountain in the Carbondale (and to a lesser extent, Glenwood Springs and Aspen) area. It's a beautiful mountain, and is easy to spot from several directions. I knew I wanted to photograph this peak at sunrise, and scouted some potential locations the day before, and ended up settling on the shoulder of Price Creek Road, a little-used dirt road just north of the mountain. The early morning horizontal sunlight saturated the normally gray / brown peak in wonderful shades of orange, which contrasted beautifully with the blue sky above, and the green of the forest below. Near Carbondale, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mount_sneffels_and_the_east_dallas_valley_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Mount-Sneffels-and-the-East-Dallas-Valley-at-Sunrise_5ot2_150x60.jpg Mount Sneffels and the East Dallas Valley at Sunrise The drive to Mount Sneffels along Dallas Creek Road, somewhere between Ridgway and Telluride, is beautiful. Portions of the drive are in the forest, but there comes a point where a valley opens up in front of you, and allows for the spectacular view, seen here, of Mount Sneffels, and the borad valley in front of it. I took this photo at sunrise, in the middle of September, 2018, when the aspen were beginning to change colors. Mount Sneffels, near Ridgway, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mormon_butterfly/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Mormon-Butterfly_3to2_45x30.jpg Mormon Butterfly The Butterfly Pavilion, in Westminster, Colorado, is home to over 5000 animals, and is just about the best place in the world to hang out, up close, with more butterflies than you could otherwise ever hope to see. The guy in this photo is a mormon butterfly. Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/misty_morning/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Misty-Morning_3to2_60x40.jpg Misty Morning This is a photo that could have been taken anywhere. It was taken near Buena Vista, Colorado, but I don't think the location is particularly important here. And although this is a color photograph, it could almost pass as a black-and-white. A nice, simple composition with a lot of contrast, and it worked out alright. near Buena Vista, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/marmot_glamour_shot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Marmot-Glamour-Shot_3to2_45x30.jpg Marmot Glamour Shot Marmots and pikas are among my favorite animals to photograph. I'm sure part of that comes from my having grown up an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park, in northern Colorado, so I have many fond memories of seeing them as a kid. When you encounter them in areas frequented by large numbers of tourists, they tend to be easy to photograph, since they are accustomed to people gawking at them. One of the best places I know of to photograph these animals, which inhabit high mountain tundras, is along Rocky Mountain National Park's Trail Ridge Road - a spectacular two-lane road that takes one over the continental divide and reaches a peak elevation of 12,183 feet. This marmot was particularly brave, venturing mere feet from many tourists who happily snapped hundreds of photos of him. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lower_fish_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Lower-Fish-Creek-Falls_2to3_40x60.jpg Lower Fish Creek Falls I found myself in Steamboat Springs in late July, 2020, and without much of a plan on how to spend my day, I went to one of the most popular day hikes in the area - Fish Creek and Lower Fish Creek Falls. This being 2020, COVID was on everyone's mind, and when I arrived at the trailhead, I almost turned around because of how crowded it was. But mask compliance was, for the most part, quite good, so I popped on my own mask and went for a nice little hike. Lower Fish Creek Falls, shown here, is only a 5-10 minute walk from the trailhead, and easy to photograph. The rest of the hike was enjoyable, but didn't result in any spectacular photos. Lower Fish Creek Falls, near Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/looking_up/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Looking-Up_3to2_60x40.jpg Looking Up Although I live in Colorado, it is a 5 hour drive from my home town to the beautiful, mountain town of Aspen. I participated in an Art Festival in Aspen, Colorado, in July, 2017, and made sure to arrive a day or two early in order to do some photography in the area. There are thick stands of aspen all around the appropriately named city, including this spectacular stand of old trees that grew so thick it was difficult to see through the forest. near Redstone, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/longs_peak_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Longs-Peak-at-Sunset_3to1_180x60.jpg Longs Peak at Sunset Perhaps the busiest trails in Colorado's spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park are those around Bear Lake. My favorite of these trails gives one access to a series of higher and higher elevation mountain lakes - first Nymph, then Dream, and finally Emerald Lake. On a summer 2020 trip to RMNP, I'd gone up this trail to photograph these lakes at sunset, but nearly cloudless skies caused me to give up on any sunset photos. On my walk back to the parking lot, I noticed a vista of the highest mountain in the Park - Longs Peak (14,258 feet) - and with the horizontal light of a nearly set sun, I couldn't resist snapping a few shots. This panorama turned out especially well. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/last_light_at_ruby_peak/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Last-Light-at-Ruby-Peak_5to2_150x60.jpg Last Light at Ruby Peak I grew up in Colorado, and have probably taken more photos here than any other state or country. There's a ton to see throughout the state, but the Crested Butte area remains near the top of my list. Forest Service Road 12, which is an easy drive and only open seasonally, runs west from town, through some of the most picturesque mountain and forest scenery in the entire state. Roughly ten miles west of Crested Butte, Ruby Peak comes into view, and when viewed at sunrise or sunset, it is, in my opinion, one of the prettiest views in the state. Ruby Peak, near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lake_irwin_campground/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Lake-Irwin-Campground_2to1_120x60.jpg Lake Irwin Campground There's a ton of beautiful nature and wildlife to see in and around Colorado, and in the last few years, the Crested Butte area has become one of my favorite spots in my home state. I took this photo in the Lake Irwin Campground, Gunnison National Forest, near Crested Butte. This view is available at one of the actual camping spots (that I wasn't lucky enough to snag for myself), so I had to be very quiet when I came here at sunrise, so I wouldn't awake the people camping a dozen or so yards from where I got this shot. Lake Irwin, near Crested Butte, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/juvenile_great_horned_owl/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Juvenile-Great-Horned-Owl_5to4_30x24.jpg Juvenile Great Horned Owl I was visiting a friend in Steamboat Springs in the Summer of 2010, and he told me he'd heard of a family of Great Horned Owls that had a nest at a local church. A short while later, and there we were. Although no full grown owls made an appearance, it was quite a spectacular experience to watch this juvenile hopping around on the rocks and trees around the church. Steamboat Springs, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/independence_pass/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Independence-Pass_2to1_96x48.jpg Independence Pass I've driven over Independence Pass, on the way to Aspen, Colorado many times in my youth, but never stopped to get out and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding area. I decided to give myself some extra time to shoot Independence Pass during the summer of 2018, en route to an art fair in Aspen, Colorado. I shot the area throughout the afternoon, and even enjoyed a spectacular sunset here, then decided to stick around a while longer. I shot this photo shortly after sunset, while the color of the sky was still nice and saturated, but while enough ambient light still existed to show detail in the foreground and mountains in the distance. Independence Pass, near Aspen, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/impenetrable_aspen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Impenetrable-Aspen_1to1_30x30.jpg Impenetrable Aspen Kebler Pass, which runs west from Crested Butte, Colorado, through Gunnison National Forest, is a (mostly) gravel road that, because of its elevation, is closed in the winters. Between late spring and fall, however, it is accessible by any vehicle, and allows those who are interested the opportunity to see some of Colorado's most beautiful aspen groves, such as the one shown in this photo. Crested Butte, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hummingbird_in_flight/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Hummingbird-in-Flight_5to4_30x24.jpg Hummingbird in Flight Hummingbirds are incredibly difficult to photograph. They are tiny, they move quickly and erratically, and their wings beat in the neighborhood of 50 times per second, so getting a photo where the wings appear still is tough. In the summer of 2020, I found myself at a cafe in the Flat Tops Wilderness in northwest Colorado, and they had a bunch of hummingbird feeders out that were extraordinarily successful in bringing in dozens of these beautiful creatures. So I ordered an ice cream sundae, and spent close to an hour snapping photos. Out of the hundreds of photos I took, very few were in focus, but this one turned out especially well. I have so much respect for the small number of people who are able to make a living on wildlife (i.e. no landscape) photography. I can't begin to comprehend the patience required. Flat Tops Wilderness, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hanging_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Hanging-Lake_3to2_72x48.jpg Hanging Lake Hanging Lake, which lies several miles east of Glenwood Springs, Colorado, can be reached via a short, but steep hike. The popularity of this location has blossomed with the population boom presently taking place in Colorado, and it is anyone's guess how much longer it will be accessible to anyone who wishes to visit this majestic spot. Hanging Lake, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/green_birdwing/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Green-Birdwing_2to3_24x36.jpg Green Birdwing The Butterfly Pavilion, in Westminster, Colorado, is home to over 5000 animals, and is just about the best place in the world to hang out, up close, with more butterflies than you could otherwise ever hope to see. The guy in this photo is a green birdwing. Butterfly Pavilion, Westminster, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/golden_mantled_ground_squirrel/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Golden-Mantled-Ground-Squirrel_3to2_72x48.jpg Golden-Mantled Ground Squirrel In the summer of 2020, I went on a cross-Colorado camping trip, visiting locations throughout the state that I'd never been to before. One such location was the Grand Mesa - the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, occupying approximately 500 square miles. It was pretty, and I'll have to return some day, and hope for better weather - there were many wildfires burning throughout the state when I visited which greatly reduced visibility. So I didn't get any good landscape photos, but I did stumble across the "Land's End Observatory," a Works Progress Administration / Civilian Conservation Corps site from the 1930s that affords - in less smoky conditions, anyway - long-reaching views of western Colorado and eastern Utah. And because it gets fairly frequent human visitors, little rodents in the area have learned to act cute and beg for food. I didn't feed any of the cute little rodents (you shouldn't - they can become accustomed to human food and have a hard time making it through the winter), but did get some nice photos, since they weren't afraid of getting close to me. Grand Mesa National Forest, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fox_and_flowers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Fox-and-Flowers_5to4_20x16.jpg Fox and Flowers This is one of my favorite pictures I've ever taken. I found this fox kit and his sibling playing together in a field of wildflowers while camping near Crested Butte, Colorado. Mama wasn't far off, but wasn't willing to get as close to humans as her young. Crested Butte, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fishermans_paradise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Fishermans-Paradise_2to1_120x60.jpg Fisherman's Paradise Forest Service Road 520, located between Creede and Lake City, Colorado, is an isolated drive through a beautiful valley. There are several lakes and reservoirs along the drive, and although I'm not a fisherman myself, when I saw this peaceful valley with a meandering stream running through it, I couldn't help but think of a fly fisherman's dream location. Near Lake City, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/enjoying_the_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Enjoying-the-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Enjoying the Sunset Marmots and pikas are among my favorite animals to photograph. I'm sure part of that comes from my having grown up an hour from Rocky Mountain National Park, in northern Colorado, so I have many fond memories of seeing them as a kid. When you encounter them in areas frequented by large numbers of tourists, they tend to be easy to photograph, since they are accustomed to people gawking at them. One of the best places I know of to photograph these animals, which inhabit high mountain tundras, is along Rocky Mountain National Park's Trail Ridge Road - a spectacular two-lane road that takes one over the continental divide and reaches a peak elevation of 12,183 feet. I'd gone up Trail Ridge Road shortly before sunset one evening in the summer of 2020 in order to take some landscape photos, but when I reached the location from which I intended to shoot, I heard a little squeak less than ten feet away. I glanced down and saw this adorable pika. He paid me no heed, but scampered about, collecting grasses and occasionally squeaking at god-knows-what. This photo makes it seem like he was there for the same reason as I was - to enjoy the sunset. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dream_lake_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Dream-Lake-Sunrise_3to2_72x48.jpg Dream Lake Sunrise Perhaps the busiest trails in Colorado's spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park are those around Bear Lake. My favorite of these trails gives one access to a series of higher and higher elevation mountain lakes - first Nymph, then Dream, and finally Emerald Lake. On a summer 2020 camping trip to RMNP, I tried to photograph these lakes at sunset, but the lighting wasn't great, so I set my alarm for 4AM the following day in order to reach Dream Lake (the prettiest of the three, in my opinion) before the sun came up. I shot this scene from multiple locations, with different foregrounds and formats, but this simple composition may very well be my favorite. Who needs a foreground when the colors and simplicity of the reflection are this perfect?! Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dream_lake_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Dream-Lake-Portrait_4to5_60x75.jpg Dream Lake Portrait Perhaps the busiest trails in Colorado's spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park are those around Bear Lake. My favorite of these trails gives one access to a series of higher and higher elevation mountain lakes - first Nymph, then Dream, and finally Emerald Lake. On a summer 2020 camping trip to RMNP, I tried to photograph these lakes at sunset, but the lighting wasn't great, so I set my alarm for 4AM the following day in order to reach Dream Lake (the prettiest of the three, in my opinion) before the sun came up. I took photos from a few angles and with different foregrounds, and most of them were landscape format, as opposed to portrait. Mountain reflection shots tend to work better as landscapes or panoramas than as portraits, but, having found a location that allowed me to keep both the top and reflection of Hallet Peak (left, elevation 12,713) in frame, as well as some trees in the foreground, I got this portrait-format photo that may work better to hang on certain walls. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dew_covered_day_lily/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Dew-Covered-Day-Lily_3to2_45x30.jpg Dew-Covered Day Lily No exciting story on this one. I took this photo one morning in my back yard. Greeley, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/denver_2018/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Denver-2018_3to1_180x60.jpg Denver, 2018 I grew up in Colorado, and even lived in Denver for a short stint from 2006-2008, and yet, it took me until late 2018 to get a good photo of the beautiful city skyline. I took this photo on a fairly cold night in November, which helped to keep the air clear, and it was taken early enough in the evening that many of the office towers still had a fair number of interior lights on. The city has grown tremendously in the past couple decades, and it will be interesting to take another photo from the same location in another decade or so, and see how different the skyline looks then! Denver, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/crystal_mill/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Crystal-Mill_4to5_48x60.jpg Crystal Mill Crystal Mill, near Marble, Colorado, is something of a Colorado icon. It isn't incredibly easy to reach, but one can do it in a four-wheel drive vehicle, or by walking a few miles along a 4WD road. You're never going to have this view to yourself, but it is worth checking out either way, if you can find the time to do so. near Marble, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/crystal_mill_from_below/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Crystal-Mill-from-Below_2to3_60x90.jpg Crystal Mill from Below Crystal Mill, near Marble, Colorado, is something of a Colorado icon. It isn't incredibly easy to reach, but one can do it in a four-wheel drive vehicle, or by walking a few miles along a 4WD road. You're never going to have this view to yourself, but it is worth checking out either way, if you can find the time to do so. near Marble, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/columbines/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Columbines_5to4_40x30.jpg Columbines The columbine is Colorado's State Flower. It blooms in the high mountains in late summer, sometimes in such density that, along with other flowers, they turn entire valleys blue, purple, and red. Crested Butte, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/colorado_turbines_at_sunset_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Colorado-Turbines-at-Sunset-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Colorado Turbines at Sunset (Portrait) I went out on the evening of October 15, 2016, with hopes of photographing the full moon. None of my full moon shots turned out particularly well; however, the evening was far from a waste, since I was able to capture this beautiful photo of a northern Colorado farm scattered with wind turbines beneath the clouds of a spectacular sunset. Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/colorado_turbines_at_sunset_landscape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Colorado-Turbines-at-Sunset-Landscape_3to2_72x48.jpg Colorado Turbines at Sunset (Landscape) I went out on the evening of October 15, 2016, with hopes of photographing the full moon. None of my full moon shots turned out particularly well; however, the evening was far from a waste, since I was able to capture this beautiful photo of a northern Colorado farm scattered with wind turbines beneath the clouds of a spectacular sunset. Pawnee National Grassland, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/colorado_bullfrog/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Colorado-Bullfrog_5to4_40x30.jpg Colorado Bullfrog In the late summer of 2020, I went on a cross-Colorado camping trip, exploring parts of the state I'd never visited before. I camped a few nights near Craig, in northwest Colorado, and one evening, while wandering around the campground, I came across a pond with a whole bunch of frogs on the surface. I ran back to my van, grabbed my telephoto lens, and returned to snap this photo. Small animals can be quite tough to photograph, since the best animal photos are always taken at eye-level. Well, it's impossible to get a camera to eye-level of a frog, because even if the camera is on the ground, the center of the lens will be higher than the animal's eyes. But a photo like this is about as close to eye-level of a frog as one can hope to get, and I think it turned out quite well. near Craig, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cloudy_forest/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Cloudy-Forest_1to1_36x36.jpg Cloudy Forest I rarely break out a long lens for landscape photography, and I equally rarely convert to black and white, but this photo is an example of where each of these ideas seemed to work out quite well. When I took this photo, the landscape was engulfed in clouds, and traditional, grand scenic shots weren't really in the cards. This closeup of a mountainside forest just outside of Crested Butte, Colorado, however, managed to succeed as a more abstract shot than I typically shoot. Lake Irwin, near Crested Butte, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cimarron_ridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Cimarron-Ridge_5to2_150x60.jpg Cimarron Ridge Southwest Colorado is beautiful. Uncompaghre National Forest, which is easily accessible from Ridgway, has few amenities, but primitive camping is easy to find, the dirt roads are a pleasure to drive along, there are plenty of nice hikes and rivers for fishing, and the views of the Cimarron Ridge are unparalleled. I took this photo from my camp spot on the shore of the Cimarron River. Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado,USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chipmunk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Chipmunk_5to4_40x30.jpg Chipmunk In the summer of 2020, I went on a cross-Colorado camping trip, visiting locations throughout the state that I'd never been to before. One such location was the Grand Mesa - the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, occupying approximately 500 square miles. It was pretty, and I'll have to return some day, and hope for better weather - there were many wildfires burning throughout the state when I visited which greatly reduced visibility. So I didn't get any good landscape photos, but I did stumble across the "Land's End Observatory," a Works Progress Administration / Civilian Conservation Corps site from the 1930s that affords - in less smoky conditions, anyway - long-reaching views of western Colorado and eastern Utah. And because it gets fairly frequent human visitors, little rodents in the area have learned to act cute and beg for food. I didn't feed any of the cute little rodents (you shouldn't - they can become accustomed to human food and have a hard time making it through the winter), but did get some nice photos, since they weren't afraid of getting close to me. Grand Mesa National Forest, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chalk_cliffs_closeup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Chalk-Cliffs-Closeup_3to2_72x48.jpg Chalk Cliffs Closeup I'd never visited the chalk cliffs outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, until a cross-Colorado camping trip I went on in the summer of 2020. When viewed in the middle of the day, these cliffs are nearly white, but I took this photo at sunrise, and the horizontal light gave the landscape a saturated orange hue. I took this photo with a telephoto lens to bring the detail of the cliffs into focus. It's a much more abstract photo than what I usually chase, but the colors, contrast, and patterns of lines is quite beautiful. near Buena Vista, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chalk_cliffs_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Chalk-Cliffs-at-Sunrise_2to1_120x60.jpg Chalk Cliffs at Sunrise I'd never visited the chalk cliffs outside of Buena Vista, Colorado, until a cross-Colorado camping trip I went on in the summer of 2020. When viewed in the middle of the day, these cliffs are nearly white, but I took this photo at sunrise, and the horizontal light gave the landscape a saturated orange hue. near Buena Vista, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beware/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Beware_1to1_48x48.jpg Beware I've spent quite a bit of time in Canada - known for moose - but to this day, I think portions of the Rocky Mountains remain the best spot I've found for seeing and photographing moose. I found this young bull moose while out photographing the aspen trees near Crested Butte in the fall. I spent an hour or so watching him wade through the meandering rivers and ponds in the area, and although it looks in this photo that he might be considering charging me, I never actually found his behavior to be at all aggressive. I made sure to keep my distance, and had a great time photographing him. near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/before_the_light/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Before-the-Light_3to2_90x60.jpg Before the Light Perhaps the busiest trails in Colorado's spectacular Rocky Mountain National Park are those around Bear Lake. My favorite of these trails gives one access to a series of higher and higher elevation mountain lakes - first Nymph, then Dream, and finally Emerald Lake. On a summer 2020 camping trip to RMNP, I tried to photograph these lakes at sunset, but the lighting wasn't great, so I set my alarm for 4AM the following day in order to reach Dream Lake (the prettiest of the three, in my opinion) before the sun came up. I'd scouted some shooting locations the night before, and found this location that allowed me to place some trees in the foreground, but keep the top of Hallet peak (left), as well as it's reflection in the mirror-smooth lake below, both in frame. This photo was taken mere minutes before the sun rose. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bear_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Bear-Creek-Falls_2to3_40x60.jpg Bear Creek Falls Colorado's "Million Dollar Highway," which stretches from Ouray to Silverton, is one of the prettiest drives on the planet. There are numerous jeep and / or hiking trails, lakes and rivers for fishing, abandoned mining towns, dispersed and organized camping spots, and scenic viewpoints along this amazing highway. One of the easiest spots to reach is the Bear Creek Falls lookout, which is a 30-second stroll from the road. If you were to drive past the small parking lot, you'd never know these falls were here, because the top of the falls begins underneath the road, itself. Quite the feat of engineering! Red Mountain Pass, Ouray County, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/autumns_arrival/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Autumns-Arrival_3to2_60x40.jpg Autumn's Arrival I did a lot of camping in 2020, since there were no art shows, and being outside and away from people didn't pose any COVID risks. In late September, I was near Ridgway, in southwest Colorado, with the goal of shooting the changing leaves. I love photographing aspen groves just before they reach their "peak" color. The mix of green and yellow is quite beautiful. Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado,USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/autumns_arrival_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Autumns-Arrival-Portrait_2to3_40x60.jpg Autumn's Arrival Portrait I did a lot of camping in 2020, since there were no art shows, and being outside and away from people didn't pose any COVID risks. In late September, I was near Ridgway, in southwest Colorado, with the goal of shooting the changing leaves. I love photographing aspen groves just before they reach their "peak" color. The mix of green and yellow is quite beautiful. Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado,USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/autumn_warmth/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Autumn-Warmth_3to2_60x40.jpg Autumn Warmth Somewhere around the middle of September, the aspen trees in the Rocky Mountains throughout Colorado begin to change color. Depending on the weather, the change from green to yellow to gone can take place throughout a couple weeks, or a couple days, if storms with strong enough wind come through. I took this photo in the middle of September, 2018, near Crested Butte, and zoomed in on a portion of the forest where nearly all the leaves were yellow, and backlit by the late-afternoon sun. near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/aspen_sunstar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Aspen-Sunstar_2to1_72x36.jpg Aspen Sunstar Kebler Pass, which runs west from Crested Butte, Colorado, through Gunnison National Forest, is a (mostly) gravel road that, because of its elevation, is closed in the winters. Between late spring and fall, however, it is accessible by any vehicle, and allows those who are interested the opportunity to see some of Colorado's most beautiful aspen groves, such as the one shown in this photo. I took this photo just as the aspen trees were beginning to change color, so there is a spectrum of green and yellow leaves shown. Kebler Pass, near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/aspen_in_autumn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Aspen-in-Autumn_3to2_72x48.jpg Aspen in Autumn Somewhere around the middle of September, the aspen trees in the Rocky Mountains throughout Colorado begin to change color. Depending on the weather, the change from green to yellow to gone can take place throughout a couple weeks, or a couple days, if storms with strong enough wind come through. I took this photo in the middle of September, 2018, near Crested Butte, when roughly half the aspen leaves in the surrounding forests were green, and half were yellow. I think the mixture of colors looks better than if all of the leaves were either green or yellow. The white trunks of the aspen trees really helps to offset the bright colors. near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/aspen_in_autumn_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Aspen-in-Autumn-Panorama_3to1_144x48.jpg Aspen in Autumn Panorama Somewhere around the middle of September, the aspen trees in the Rocky Mountains throughout Colorado begin to change color. Depending on the weather, the change from green to yellow to gone can take place throughout a couple weeks, or a couple days, if storms with strong enough wind come through. I took this photo in the middle of September, 2018, near Crested Butte, when roughly half the aspen leaves in the surrounding forests were green, and half were yellow. I think the mixture of colors looks better than if all of the leaves were either green or yellow. The white trunks of the aspen trees really helps to offset the bright colors. near Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/aspen_grove_vertical_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Aspen-Grove-Vertical-Panorama_1to2_48x96.jpg Aspen Grove Vertical Panorama This is a shot I've been trying to capture for a long time. Although aspen trees are ubiquitous throughout major portions of the American West, it is difficult to find stands of them as thick, with trees as large as those shown in this photo. This is a perfect shot to hang in a stairway, or somewhere else that has a tall, but not particularly wide wall. near Redstone, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arctic_fox/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Arctic-Fox_5to4_40x30.jpg Arctic Fox There aren't too many places in the world to find arctic foxes in the wild, and seeing them in the winter sounds … shall we say, uncomfortable? So while I try to get as many wildlife shots in the wild as I can, I happily admit that I got this shot of this beautiful+ arctic fox at the Denver Zoo. Denver Zoo https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/aphrodite_fritillary-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Aphrodite-Fritillary_5to4_40x30.jpg Aphrodite Fritillary Mount Sneffels and the surrounding area, in southwest Colorado, is one of my favorite places for camping and photography. I was camping there in the late summer of 2022, hoping to get some nice photos of Sneffels, which unfortunately didn't really work out, and I found myself camping next to a whole bunch of bristle thistles, which I just learned is considered a noxious weed in Colorado! Quite a beautiful weed. It seemed that these thistles worked well to attract both honeybees and a bunch of butterflies, specifically aphrodite fritillaries, like the one shown here. They were everywhere! Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado,USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/aphrodite_fritillary/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_Aphrodite-Fritillary-Square_1to1_48x48.jpg Aphrodite Fritillary Mount Sneffels and the surrounding area, in southwest Colorado, is one of my favorite places for camping and photography. I was camping there in the late summer of 2022, hoping to get some nice photos of Sneffels, which unfortunately didn't really work out, and I found myself camping next to a whole bunch of bristle thistles, which I just learned is considered a noxious weed in Colorado! Quite a beautiful weed. It seemed that these thistles worked well to attract both honeybees and a bunch of butterflies, specifically aphrodite fritillaries, like the one shown here. They were everywhere! Uncompahgre National Forest, Colorado,USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/after_the_storm/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_After-the-Storm_3to2_90x60.jpg After the Storm In the midst of 2020's Coronavirus lockdown, a brief but powerful blizzard blew through northern Colorado, where I live. I don't typically spend much time in my home state during this time of year, but there was a quarantine in place, so, there I was. I used the opportunity, shortly after the snow stopped falling, to drive out to the farmland north of where I live, and photograph some of the country draped in white. near Greeley, Colorado https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_bit_windy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Colorado_A-Bit-Windy_3to2_45x30.jpg A Bit Windy Great Sand Dunes National Park, in south central Colorado, is a fun spot to visit. Well, it usually is. I was there in early September, 2020, when winds like none I'd experienced before in Colorado came through. I was camping in the National Park Campground, and had intended to continue my camping trip for the next week or so, but greatly-reduced visibility caused by the worst wildfires in state history, combined with the just-mentioned winds caused me to re-think my plans, and ultimately cancel the last week of my planned trip. I took this photo on my way out of the park, and heard later that day that the Parks Service had to close the campground and kick everyone out because of the dangers associated with the insane wind. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/golden_whip_stream_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Golden-Whip-Stream-2_30x45.jpg Golden Whip Stream 2 Golden Whip Stream, in Zhangjiajie National Park, Hunan Province, China, is the central feature of a popular hiking trail. The trail takes one along the stream banks among thousand-foot rock spires, through dense forests filled with macaques, and frequently, through the clouds. One doesn't need to hike too far in to leave behind the crowds, and experience some kind of solitude in an incredibly peaceful environment. Zhangiajie National Park, Hunan Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/zhangjiajie_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Zhangjiajie-Panorama_2to1_80x40.jpg Zhangjiajie Panorama Zhangjiajie National Park, which is roughly a two-hour flight north of Hong Kong, is an otherworldly place. Major portions of James Cameron's 2009 "Avatar" were filmed here. It is frequently completely surrounded by and filled with clouds that make visibility impossible beyond a few hundred feet, but I was fortunate enough to have good visibility on the day that I took this photo. Zhangiajie National Park, Hunan Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/xingping_city_street/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_XingPing-City-Street_4to5_30x40.jpg XingPing City Street XingPing village, near Guilin, China, remains one of my favorite places I've ever visited. I met virtually no one here who spoke a word of English, so I had to figure out what I was going to see and do on my own. I spent most of my time simply wandering, trying to find good photo opportunities. And there were plenty to be found. Although most streets in the village featured modern or somewhat modern architecture, there was one pedestrians-only street, where I took this photo, and where all the architecture was traditional. I actually ate dinner in the building on the left before I took this photo. Xingping, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vertical_sprawl/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Vertical-Sprawl_3to2_60x40.jpg Vertical Sprawl Hong Kong has been one of my favorite cities on the planet since the first time I laid eyes upon it, way back in 2005. I've returned several times since then, and always have a blast. My time in the city was brief in early 2020, but I did manage to go on a harbor cruise, and take some photos of the surrounding skyscrapers, which make up some of the most expensive real estate on the planet. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tianmen_mountain_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Tianmen-Mountain-Portrait_4to5_24x30.jpg Tianmen Mountain Portrait Tianmen Mountain National Park, a couple hours north of Hong Kong, is a beautiful place, although frequently socked in by clouds, much as it was when I visited in 2015. A long cable car ride takes one from the town of Zhangjiajie, at the base of the mountain, to the top, and affords one spectacular views in all directions. I took this photo from the cable car. Tianmen Mountain National Park, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tianmen_mountain_cable_car/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Tianmen-Mountain-Cable-Car_3to2_36x24.jpg Tianmen Mountain Cable Car Tianmen Mountain National Park, a couple hours north of Hong Kong, is a beautiful place, although frequently socked in by clouds, much as it was when I visited in 2015. A long cable car ride takes one from the town of Zhangjiajie, at the base of the mountain, to the top, and affords one spectacular views in all directions. I took this photo from the cable car. Tianmen Mountain National Park, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_on_the_lijiang/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Sunset-on-the-Lijiang_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunset on the Lijiang XingPing village, near Guilin, China, remains one of my favorite places I've ever visited. I met virtually no one here who spoke a word of English, so I had to figure out what I was going to see and do on my own. I spent most of my time simply wandering, trying to find good photo opportunities. And there were plenty to be found. Boats seemed to play a large role in the economy of the village, and their frequently bright colors contrasted well with the brown water of the Lijiang River. This photo was taken very close to the famous "20 Yuan Viewpoint," so named because the scenery is iconic enough to be shown on the 20 Yuan (the currency of China) bill. Xingping, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_over_xingping/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Sunrise-over-XingPing_2to1_80x40.jpg Sunrise over XingPing XingPing village, near Guilin, China, remains one of my favorite places I've ever visited. I met virtually no one here who spoke a word of English, so I had to figure out what I was going to see and do on my own. I spent most of my time simply wandering, trying to find good photo opportunities. And there were plenty to be found. Taken from the banks of the Lijiang River at sunrise, this is one of my favorite images of China. Xingping, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_music_from_paradise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Sunrise-at-Music-from-Paradise_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunrise at Music From Paradise The Longji (sometimes called Longsheng) Rice Terraces, in Guangxi Province, China, are beautiful, and reminiscent of a nearly-lost time. I was fortunate enough to spend three days here in 2015, and saw the terraces under a variety of lighting conditions. It was a lot of fun to walk for miles and miles through the terraces, and the many villages that dot the surrounding countryside. To this day, I look back and miss staying in the lodges here, trying to figure out how to communicate with the proprietors whose English abilities were typically as good as my Chinese - i.e. nonexistent. Although I did spend three days here, I only had one good sunrise (and no good sunsets), but I didn't miss the singular opportunity I was given to get this spectacular photo. Longji Rice Terraces, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stepping_back_in_time/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Stepping-back-in-Time_2to3_48x72.jpg Stepping Back in Time One of my best friends used to lived in Da Peng, a suburb of Shenzhen, China, just across the border from Hong Kong. I visited this friend in late 2018, and used the opportunity to photograph some of the interesting places in the region, including Dapeng Fortress, which was constructed in 1394, and stands today as something of a living museum. Some hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people still live there, but it is also something of a local tourist spot. The cobblestone streets are too narrow for vehicles, so one can get around only by foot or on bicycle. The shops cater to tourists, primarily selling food, drinks, and knickknacks Walking around the city at night feels like taking a step back in time. Dapeng Fortress, Shenzhen, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/peace/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Peace_2to3_30x45.jpg Peace Golden Whip Stream, in Zhangjiajie National Park, Hunan Province, China, is the central feature of a popular hiking trail. The trail takes one along the stream banks among thousand-foot rock spires, through dense forests filled with macaques, and frequently, through the clouds. One doesn't need to hike too far in to leave behind the crowds, and experience some kind of solitude in an incredibly peaceful environment. Zhangiajie National Park, Hunan Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/one_dangerous_step_viewpoint/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_One-Dangerous-Step-Viewpoint_5to2_120x48.jpg One Dangerous Step Viewpoint I took this photo on my first day wandering around alone in China. I made my way to an infrequently visited portion of Zhangjiajie National Park, and then started walking, until I was more-or-less on my own - not an easy thing to accomplish in China. The walk was absolutely worth it, since it allowed me to enjoy this view without the hustle and bustle that is typically unavoidable in the world's most populated country. This shot is exactly what I think of when I think about China's natural beauty. Zhangjiajie National Park, Hunan, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/night_at_xingping/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Night-at-XingPing_3to2_45x30.jpg Night at XingPing XingPing village, near Guilin, China, remains one of my favorite places I've ever visited. I met virtually no one here who spoke a word of English, so I had to figure out what I was going to see and do on my own. I spent most of my time simply wandering, trying to find good photo opportunities. And there were plenty to be found. I took a photo from this same location at sunrise, and knew that it was a good composition. I'd also noticed, on prior evenings, that XingPing lights up at night. So I wandered back out to where I'd gotten my awesome sunrise photo, and waited for night. And when it came, the village lit up exactly as I'd hoped, allowing me to capture this stunningly colorful image. Xingping, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moon_and_sun_pagodas/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Moon-and-Sun-Pagodas_2to3_30x45.jpg Moon and Sun Pagodas Guilin's Moon and Sun Pagodas are, in my mind, the only real reason to spend any time in this city of millions. It seems to me that Guilin would have been a beautiful place to visit, as a tourist, twenty years ago. But it now appears to be no different than any other large Chinese city. Fortunately, it is a great place to jump off into some more rural Chinese adventures, and walking around the city at night is worth it if for no other reason that to see the beautiful Moon and Sun Pagodas. Guilin, Guangxi, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/montane_mansion_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Montane-Mansion-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Montane Mansion Portrait Hong Kong has been one of my favorite cities on the planet since the first time I laid eyes upon it, way back in 2005. I've returned several times since then, and before visiting in 2018, I'd seen some interesting photos taken at an apartment complex called the Montane Mansion. My visit there yielded some great photos that are quite unlike my typical photography. I used a long exposure to get the buildings vividly lit, and the clouds slightly blurred as they slowly moved across the night sky. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/montane_mansion_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Montane-Mansion-2_3to2_90x60.jpg Montane Mansion 2 Hong Kong has been one of my favorite cities on the planet since the first time I laid eyes upon it, way back in 2005. I've returned several times since then, and before visiting in 2018, I'd seen some interesting photos taken at an apartment complex called the Montane Mansion. My visit there yielded some great photos that are quite unlike my typical photography. I used a long exposure to get the buildings vividly lit, and the clouds slightly blurred as they slowly moved across the night sky. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/montane_mansion_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Montane-Mansion-1_3to2_72x48.jpg Montane Mansion 1 Hong Kong has been one of my favorite cities on the planet since the first time I laid eyes upon it, way back in 2005. I've returned several times since then, and before visiting in 2018, I'd seen some interesting photos taken at an apartment complex called the Montane Mansion. My visit there yielded some great photos that are quite unlike my typical photography. I used a long exposure to get the buildings vividly lit, and the clouds slightly blurred as they slowly moved across the night sky. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/modern_meets_mythical/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Modern-Meets-Mythical_5to4_60x48.jpg Modern Meets Mythical One of my best friends used to lived in Da Peng, a suburb of Shenzhen, China, just across the border from Hong Kong. I visited this friend in late 2018, and used the opportunity to photograph some of the interesting places in the region, including Dapeng Fortress, which was constructed in 1394, and stands today as something of a living museum. Some hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people still live there, but it is also something of a local tourist spot. The cobblestone streets are too narrow for vehicles, so one can get around only by foot or on bicycle. The shops cater to tourists, primarily selling food, drinks, and knickknacks Walking around the city at night feels like taking a step back in time. Dapeng Fortress, Shenzhen, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/longji_rice_terraces_panorama_3/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Longji-Rice-Terraces-Panorama-3_2to1_72x36.jpg Longji Rice Terraces Panorama 3 The Longji (sometimes called Longsheng) Rice Terraces, in Guangxi Province, China, are beautiful, and reminiscent of a nearly-lost time. I was fortunate enough to spend three days here in 2015, and saw the terraces under a variety of lighting conditions. It was a lot of fun to walk for miles and miles through the terraces, and the many villages that dot the surrounding countryside. To this day, I look back and miss staying in the lodges here, trying to figure out how to communicate with the proprietors whose English abilities were typically as good as my Chinese - i.e. nonexistent. The landscapes here are so massive here that panoramic photos really do them the best justice. Longji Rice Terraces, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/longji_rice_terraces_panorama_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Longji-Rice-Terraces-Panorama-1_3to1_120x40.jpg Longji Rice Terraces Panorama 1 The Longji (sometimes called Longsheng) Rice Terraces, in Guangxi Province, China, are beautiful, and reminiscent of a nearly-lost time. I was fortunate enough to spend three days here in 2015, and saw the terraces under a variety of lighting conditions. It was a lot of fun to walk for miles and miles through the terraces, and the many villages that dot the surrounding countryside. To this day, I look back and miss staying in the lodges here, trying to figure out how to communicate with the proprietors whose English abilities were typically as good as my Chinese - i.e. nonexistent. The landscapes here are so massive here that panoramic photos really do them the best justice. Longji Rice Terraces, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/laozhai_hill_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Laozhai-Hill-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Laozhai Hill Sunset I took this photo from Laozhai Hill, which lies on the edge of the Chinese village of XingPing. XingPing is surrounded by thousand-foot karst mountains, like those shown in this photo. Taken at sunset, the layers of mountains visible here give one a sense of scale of the place. Laozhai Hill, XingPing, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/laozhai_hill_monochrome/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Laozhai-Hill-Monochrome_2to3_30x45.jpg Laozhai Hill Monochrome I took this photo from Laozhai Hill, which lies on the edge of the Chinese village of XingPing. XingPing is surrounded by thousand-foot karst mountains, like those shown in this photo. I took this photo looking towards the sun, but through clouds, and the incredible contrast of the scene resulted in a nearly monochromatic look. Laozhai Hill, XingPing, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/iconic_china/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Iconic-China_2to1_72x36.jpg Iconic China Laozhai Hill, on the edges of the small village of XingPing, China, is one of the best places I have ever gone to watch the sunset. The Lijiang River makes nearly a complete loop here, and surrounds a portion of XingPing. The karst mountains throughout the area are simply spectacular, and appear to go on forever. This is undoubtedly one of the most famous and picturesque locations in all of China. Laozhai Hill, XingPing, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hong_kong_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Hong-Kong-Night_3to1_120x40.jpg Hong Kong Night There's a strong case to be made for Hong Kong's skyline to be named the most beautiful of any city on earth. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hong_kong_from_victoria_peak/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Hong-Kong-from-Victoria-Peak_5to2_105x42.jpg Hong Kong from Victoria Peak Hong Kong has one of the most spectacular city skylines on the planet. There are countless ways to frame the city, but this one, taken from Victoria Peak, is one of my favorites. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hong_kong_clock_tower/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Hong-Kong-Clock-Tower_2to3_30x45.jpg Hong Kong Clock Tower A clock tower I spotted while wandering around Hong Kong in 2015. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hong_kong_and_star_ferry/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Hong-Kong-and-Star-Ferry_3to2_45x30.jpg Hong Kong and Star Ferry Hong Kong is a city that is divided into two parts by Kowloon Bay. No visit to Hong Kong would be complete without setting foot on both sides of the bay, and doing so requires one to take the Star Ferry line. Keeping this in mind, I decided I needed to capture a photo of Hong Kong that accented the importance of the Bay, and this photo is the result. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/heaven_linking_avenue/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Heaven-Linking-Avenue_3to2_36x24.jpg Heaven Linking Avenue Tianmen Mountain National Park, a couple hours north of Hong Kong, is a beautiful place, although frequently socked in by clouds, much as it was when I visited in 2015. A long cable car ride takes one from the town of Zhangjiajie, at the base of the mountain, to the top, and affords one spectacular views in all directions. Alternatively, one can take a bus to the top on the road shown in this photo. With a total of 99 switchbacks, this road is nicknamed "Heaven Linking Avenue." Tianmen Mountain National Park, Zhangjiajie, Hunan Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/close_quarters/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Close-Quarters_2to3_40x60.jpg Close Quarters Hong Kong has been one of my favorite cities on the planet since the first time I laid eyes upon it, way back in 2005. I've returned several times since then, and always have a blast. My time in the city was brief in early 2020, but I did manage to go on a harbor cruise, and take some photos of the surrounding skyscrapers, which make up some of the most expensive real estate on the planet. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chengyang_bridge-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_ChengYang-Bridge_3to2_45x30.jpg ChengYang Bridge My three-week trip to China wasn't planned to the extent that many visitors would be comfortable with. After arriving in Hong Kong, I flew two hours north, to Zhangjiajie National Park, and beyond that, just knew that I had about two and a half weeks to get back to Hong Kong for my flight to Mongolia. The English ability of most people in China is very low, and it was only the occasional hotel worker with whom I'd be able to communicate. My coming to Chenyang - where I took this photo - would probably have never happened if I'd planned in advance, because it is relatively unknown, especially for foreign visitors. So I'm glad I was as unprepared as I was, because seeing this ancient bridge was one of the highlights of my time in China. Chengyang Bridge, Guangxi, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chengyang_bridge_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_ChengYang-Bridge-Portrait_2to3_30x45.jpg ChengYang Bridge Portrait My three-week trip to China wasn't planned to the extent that many visitors would be comfortable with. After arriving in Hong Kong, I flew two hours north, to Zhangjiajie National Park, and beyond that, just knew that I had about two and a half weeks to get back to Hong Kong for my flight to Mongolia. The English ability of most people in China is very low, and it was only the occasional hotel worker with whom I'd be able to communicate. My coming to Chenyang - where I took this photo - would probably have never happened if I'd planned in advance, because it is relatively unknown, especially for foreign visitors. So I'm glad I was as unprepared as I was, because seeing this ancient bridge was one of the highlights of my time in China. Chengyang Bridge, Guangxi, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chengyang_bridge_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_ChengYang-Bridge-at-Dusk_3to2_36x24.jpg ChengYang Bridge at Dusk My three-week trip to China wasn't planned to the extent that many visitors would be comfortable with. After arriving in Hong Kong, I flew two hours north, to Zhangjiajie National Park, and beyond that, just knew that I had about two and a half weeks to get back to Hong Kong for my flight to Mongolia. The English ability of most people in China is very low, and it was only the occasional hotel worker with whom I'd be able to communicate. My coming to Chenyang - where I took this photo - would probably have never happened if I'd planned in advance, because it is relatively unknown, especially for foreign visitors. So I'm glad I was as unprepared as I was, because seeing this ancient bridge was one of the highlights of my time in China. Chengyang Bridge, Guangxi, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/build_up_not_out/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Build-Up-Not-Out_2to3_48x72.jpg Build Up, Not Out Hong Kong has been one of my favorite cities on the planet since the first time I laid eyes upon it, way back in 2005. I've returned several times since then, and always have a blast. My time in the city was brief in early 2020, but I did manage to go on a harbor cruise, and take some photos of the surrounding skyscrapers, which make up some of the most expensive real estate on the planet. Hong Kong https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/boats_on_the_lijiang_river/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Boats-on-the-Lijiang-River_4to5_30x40.jpg Boats on the Lijiang River XingPing village, near Guilin, China, remains one of my favorite places I've ever visited. I met virtually no one here who spoke a word of English, so I had to figure out what I was going to see and do on my own. I spent most of my time simply wandering, trying to find good photo opportunities. And there were plenty to be found. Boats seemed to play a large role in the economy of the village, and their frequently bright colors contrasted well with the brown water of the Lijiang River. Xingping, Guangxi Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/awe_inspiring_spire/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_Awe-Inspiring-Spire_1to2_36x72.jpg Awe-Inspiring Spire Zhangjiajie National Park, which is roughly a two-hour flight north of Hong Kong, is an otherworldly place. Major portions of James Cameron's 2009 "Avatar" were filmed here. It is frequently completely surrounded by and filled with clouds that make visibility impossible beyond a few hundred feet, but I was fortunate enough to have good visibility on the day that I took this photo. Zhangiajie National Park, Hunan Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/at_home_in_dapeng_fortress/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_At-Home-in-Dapeng-Fortress_3to2_72x48.jpg At Home in Dapeng Fortress One of my best friends used to lived in Da Peng, a suburb of Shenzhen, China, just across the border from Hong Kong. I visited this friend in late 2018, and used the opportunity to photograph some of the interesting places in the region, including Dapeng Fortress, which was constructed in 1394, and stands today as something of a living museum. Some hundreds (perhaps thousands) of people still live there, but it is also something of a local tourist spot. The cobblestone streets are too narrow for vehicles, so one can get around only by foot or on bicycle. The shops cater to tourists, primarily selling food, drinks, and knickknacks Walking around the city at night feels like taking a step back in time. Dapeng Fortress, Shenzhen, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/an_apple_a_day/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_An-Apple-a-Day_4to5_24x30.jpg An Apple a Day Golden Whip Stream, in Zhangjiajie National Park, Hunan Province, China, is the central feature of a popular hiking trail. The trail takes one along the stream banks among thousand-foot rock spires, through dense forests filled with macaques, and frequently, through the clouds. Shown here is one of dozens of macaques I saw while on this hike. They were in no way intimidated by the people on the trail, and would frequently venture out of the trees, and walk directly across the trail, completely ignoring their larger ancestral cousins. Zhangiajie National Park, Hunan Province, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/20_yuan_viewpoint/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_China_20-Yuan-Viewpoint_5to4_30x24.jpg 20 Yuan Viewpoint Xing Ping is a pretty Chinese village located on both shores of the Lijiang River. Not too long ago, fishermen in the village would catch fish using cormorants with necklaces that limited their ability to swallow fish above a certain size. The fishermen would then save the fish that were too large for the cormorants to swallow. Although this tradition is no longer in active use, the village celebrates its fishing heritage with performances showing how things used to be done. Xing Ping, Guangxi, China https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/young_guanaco/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Young-Guanaco_2to3_40x60.jpg Young Guanaco outside Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/what_more_could_you_ask_for/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_What-More-Could-You-Ask-For_3to2_80x54.jpg What More Could You Ask For? I took this photo on January 1, 2020, and remember thinking that if I were to post it online, I'd get bombarded with people saying it must be fake. And I would understand people thinking as much. As if the mountains in the back of the photo weren't enough, there's a field of multicolored lupines in the foreground so thick that it's almost impossible to see the leaves and grass underneath. C'mon?! How can this possibly exist? Well, it does, and it can be found in one of the most amazing places I've ever been - Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wasteland_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Wasteland-Panorama_5to2_120x48.jpg Wasteland Panorama My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) Perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Atacama Desert is the Valle de Luna (Valley of the Moon). It is a big, empty, desert park that feels exactly like what it is called. I was only granted one beautiful sunset while visiting the Atacama - I'm glad I happened to be at the Valle de Luna when it happened! Valle de Luna, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/walk_this_way/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Walk-this-Way_3to2_45x30.jpg Walk this Way I visited Patagonia in late 2019 and early 2020, and one of the first things I did while there was to visit the Parque Pinguino Rey (King Penguin Park) on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego. Weighing up to 40 pounds and standing up to 39 inches tall, king penguins are the second largest species of penguin, surpassed only by emperor penguins. Although I would have preferred to visit on a less dreary day, the overcast skies helped to reduce contrast, which may otherwise have been difficult to compensate for. I was lucky enough to watch this group of mostly adults (there are a few juveniles in the mix) for more than an hour, and although there was some walking around and minor vocalization, they mostly just stood in place and ignored me. Parque Pinguino Rey, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/valle_de_arcoiris/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Valle-de-Arcoiris_3to1_180x60.jpg Valle de Arcoiris My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) One fairly well known but hard to reach spot in the Atacama is Valle de Arcoiris - Rainbow Valley. Given the spectrum of colors in the rock and sand at Valle de Arcoiris, it is easy to see how it got the name. Valle de Arcoiris, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upland_geese/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Upland-Geese_3to2_72x48.jpg Upland Geese Many things surprised me about Patagonia, but two in particular: (1) The abundance of wildflowers, and (2) the ample opportunities for wildlife photography. I'm sure if I'd done more research prior to my trip, I would have been expecting these things, but I didn't, and they were both great surprises. I brought my telephoto lens almost as an afterthought, as I was certain I'd be doing landscape photography almost exclusively, but as it turned out, some of my favorite photos from the entire trip were of wildlife. This is a pair of upland (or Magellan) geese - the female is the brown one in the foreground, and the male, in the background, is white. I took this photo on the shores of Lago del Toro in Torres del Paine National Park. I was able to get quite close to the pair of them and get some highly-detailed photos of these beautiful birds. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/torres_del_paine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Torres-del-Paine_3to1_180x60.jpg Torres Del Paine One of the most beautiful views on the planet. The mountains in southern Chile's Torres del Paine National Park aren't the tallest. They aren't the coldest. They aren't the most visited. They don't set many "records." But wow, do they have to be seen to be believed. I truly believe the view of these mountains, when viewed over the glacially-fed, otherworldly blue waters of Lago Toro, is one of the best in the world. I can't get back here soon enough! Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/torres_del_paine_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Torres-Del-Paine-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg Torres Del Paine Ultrawide I spent a few days on either side of the first day of 2020 in Chile's spectacular Torres del Paine National Park, and probably spent too much of that time taking this photo and many variations thereof, featuring Lago del Toro (Bull Lake) in the front, and the Torres del Paine mountains in the back. This photo was taken at sunrise, and I intentionally cropped it as an ultrawide (four-to-one) panorama, in order to draw focus to the detail in the mountains and the clouds just above. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/torres_del_paine_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Torres-Del-Paine-Reflection_3to2_90x60.jpg Torres Del Paine Reflection I woke up before sunrise on January 1, 2020, at Lago Azul (Blue Lake) campground in Chile's majestic Torres del Paine National Park. Although the rest of the year didn't live up to how it began, it was probably the best start to a year I can remember. I started the day by photographing some landscape scenes with early morning light in one of the prettiest places on the planet. This photo was taken a stone's throw from a roadside pull out. I had to walk through a bit of swampy mud to get to this location, from which I was able to capture the majestic Torres del Paine mountains, framed perfectly with a mirror-smooth reflection in the foreground. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/this_place_exists/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_This-Place-Exists_2to3_60x90.jpg This Place Exists? I took this photo on January 1, 2020, and remember thinking that if I were to post it online, I'd get bombarded with people saying it must be fake. And I would understand people thinking as much. As if the mountains in the back of the photo weren't enough, there's a field of multicolored lupines in the foreground so thick that it's almost impossible to see the leaves and grass underneath. C'mon?! How can this possibly exist? Well, it does, and it can be found in one of the most amazing places I've ever been - Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_end_of_the_world-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_The-End-of-the-World_3to2_90x60.jpg The End of the World I took this photo about as far south as I've ever traveled (at least as of mid-2020), on a three week trip to Patagonia. I picked up my rented camper van in Punta Arenas, which is the largest city south of the 46th parallel south, and instead of immediately beginning my journey north, I decided to take a one-night trip to the nearly-empty lands south of Punta Arenas. Although Google Maps shows the road from Punta Arenas going all the way south to San Isidro Lighthouse, it turned out that the road ends a couple miles before this, at a spot that is barely visible in this photo. Nightfall was getting close at this point, so I skipped the hike and instead wandered the area to photograph the area. I love the way this one turned out. It has a bit of everything: rocky shoreline with turbulent waters, a forest that nearly reaches the beach, and in the distance, snow-capped mountains fading away into nothingness. near Puerto del Hambre, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_best_place_to_enjoy_a_pisco_sour/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_The-Best-Place-to-Enjoy-a-Pisco-Sour_2to1_120x60.jpg The Best Place to Enjoy a Pisco Sour I'd been dreaming about taking this photo - or some variation thereof - for years, when I was finally in a position to do so on the evening of December 30, 2019. I had a few days to spend in Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park, and took this photo at sunset. It turned out exactly as I'd hoped it would. But I must have had a bit too much adrenaline in my system from the joy of capturing this image, because when I left, I didn't immediately notice my camper van was behaving a bit unusually. A mile or two later, I pulled over and learned I'd been driving on a flat tire. Oh well, worth it. And no, the pisco sour thing isn't related - I DID have one or two of Chile's national drinks at a hotel lobby here a couple days later, and that's what inspired the title. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_beginning_of_a_long_drive/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_The-Beginning-of-a-Long-Drive_3to2_72x48.jpg The Beginning of a Long Drive Chile is a long, thin country that has a lot of mountains, fjords, and lakes, at least in the southern half. Accordingly, some drives with endpoints only a dozen or so miles away (as the crow flies) can be hours or days long. Such is the case when driving north from Chile Chico. Fortunately, the scenery in the area is spectacular, and if one is not in a rush, it's an area worth enjoying at a leisurely pace. Most of the roads here are dirt, such as the one shown in this photo, which I took at the beginning of my drive north from Chile Chico. near Chile Chico, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/stunningly_lit/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Stunningly-Lit_3to2_90x60.jpg Stunningly Lit I was lucky enough to spend a few days on either side of January 1, 2020, in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. It is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and the highlight for any photographer is the eponymous Torres del Paine mountains. I took a ton of photos of these mountains, and although they lend themselves to panoramic shapes more than standard aspect ratios like that of this photo, I found a way to make this image work out. The weather throughout major portions of my trip was less than ideal, but sunrise on December 31 was perfect, and allowed me to capture this photo - maybe my favorite non-panoramic mountain image I've ever taken. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/some_lupine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Some-Lupine_3to2_72x48.jpg Some Lupine There were many things about Patagonia that surprised me when I visited in late 2019 and early 2020. The two biggest surprises were (1) the wildlife photography opportunities, and (2) the abundance of wildflowers I saw, primarily lupine. I suppose if I'd done more research, neither of these would have come as much of a surprise, but that's honestly one of the things I love about arriving at a location with minimal knowledge of what to expect. I took this photo a day's drive north of Punta Arenas. By the time I found this lupine field, I'd seen several others, but this one was the densest I'd seen yet. I positioned my camera to take the photo in such a way that minimized the green, and made the entire focus of the photo the incredibly bright and detailed lupine. near Puerto Natales, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/so_long_torres_del_paine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_So-Long-Torres-Del-Paine_2to1_120x60.jpg So Long, Torres Del Paine I was lucky enough to spend a few days before and after January 1, 2020, in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. It is unquestionably one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and the highlight for any photographer is the eponymous Torres del Paine mountains. A visitor to the park can find endless ways to frame these spectacular peaks, and constantly changing weather, lighting, foregrounds, and seasons means one could spend a lifetime here and not see everything. This was the last image I took of these majestic mountains, and looking at it now, I'm already yearning to the day I'm able to return. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/puesta_de_sol_en_la_valle_de_luna/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Puesta-de-Sol-en-la-Valle-de-Luna_2to1_120x60.jpg Puesta de Sol en la Valle de Luna My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) Perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Atacama Desert is the Valle de Luna (Valley of the Moon). It is a big, empty, desert park that feels exactly like what it is called - although I think Valle de Marte (Valley of Mars) would be a more appropriate name, given the orange and red shades to everything in the area. This is my personal favorite of all the Atacama photos I captured. Valle de Luna, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/post_apocalyptic/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Post-Apocalyptic_3to2_72x48.jpg Post Apocalyptic My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) This photo is a roadside shot I took while returning to my hostel from Laguna Miniques. I feel this shot is a fairly good representation of what the Atacama Desert looks and feels like. Although I think the skies are typically much less cloudy. San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/piedras_rojas_lookout/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Piedras-Rojas-Lookout_3to1_144x48.jpg Piedras Rojas Lookout My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) Unfortunately, a lot of tourist stops in the Atacama were closed for one reason or another when I visited, and I was often unable to find this out until I'd driven most or all of the way there. One such spot was Piedras Rojas (Red Rocks), which lies in the lower, right hand corner of this photo. The overcast skies made everything gray, but when the sun is out, I guess the area looks much different. Oh well, one more reason to return to Chile. Near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/patagonian_fox_pup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Patagonian-Fox-Pup_3to2_36x24.jpg Patagonian Fox Pup One of the things that surprised me most about my visit to Chile and Argentina - primarily to visit Patagonia - in late 2019 and early 2020, was the number of opportunities for wildlife photography. I didn't think I'd get my telephoto lens out a single time while in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, but I was thrilled when this turned out to be an incorrect assumption. On the evening of December 31, 2019, I was driving my rented camper van to Lago Azul (Blue Lake) to camp for the night, and came across another photographer. I couldn't tell what he was photographing, but eventually, using my broken Spanish, learned that he was photographing some baby foxes he'd seen on the road. I decided I'd stick around for a few minutes to see if any of them showed up. Lo and behold, eventually a few decided to make an appearance! It soon got too dark to continue photographing them, but I loved the 15 or so minutes I was able to spend with them. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/patagonian_crested_duck/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Patagonian-Crested-Duck_3to2_60x40.jpg Patagonian Crested Duck I visited Patagonia in late 2019 and early 2020, and one of the first things I did while there was to visit the Parque Pinguino Rey (King Penguin Park) on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego. It turned out that a majority of the day was spent in a van, getting us to and from Parque Pinguino Rey, but there were several stops along the way, including one stop at a ghost town called La Estancia San Gregorio, where there are two shipwrecks visitors are allowed to explore. As interesting as the ghost town and shipwrecks were, I found myself drawn to a pair of Patagonian crested ducks that were in the area. Their almost demonic red eyes make up for their otherwise rather dull coloring. near Punta Arenas, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/one_place_to_fix_a_flat/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_One-Place-to-Fix-a-Flat_5to2_150x60.jpg One Place to Fix a Flat I'd been dreaming of seeing and photographing these mountains for years, when I was finally in a position to do so on the evening of December 30, 2019. I had a few days to spend in Patagonia's Torres del Paine National Park, and took some photos of this mountain range at sunset. But I must have had a bit too much adrenaline in my system from the joy of capturing the images, because when I drove off to find a camp spot for the night, I didn't immediately notice my camper van was behaving a bit unusually. A mile or two later, I pulled over and learned I'd been driving on a flat tire. And this was the view I had when I changed the tire. I didn't finish until after dark, and that's when this image was captured. A long exposure allowed the last bit of the day's light, as well as moon- and starlight to illuminate the Torres del Paine range. Look carefully in the sky and you'll notice some star trails. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/on_top_of_the_world/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_On-Top-of-the-World_3to2_72x48.jpg On Top of the World I found myself surprised by the amount and variety of wildlife in Patagonia. This is a guanaco - an undomesticated cousin of the llama, which typically lives further north in South America. I encountered guanacos in the mountainous areas of Patagonia, as well as the Atacama desert, the driest (non-polar) region in the world. Apparently they're quite adaptable. When he turned his head and faced one of the snow-capped peaks of the Torres del Paine mountains, I knew I had a keeper. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/not_your_typical_shot_of_tdp/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Not-Your-Typical-Shot-of-TDP_3to1_180x60.jpg Not Your Typical Shot of TDP Torres del Paine is one of the most beautiful places on the planet, and there are a corresponding number of wonderful photos from the region. I went ahead and took a lot of photos from standard photo locations, but wanted to try to capture some more original photos, too. Thus, this photo. The lake-in-the-foreground composition is great, and I got a lot of photos using this concept, but for this image, the hill in front provided a bit of variety, and I think it worked out pretty well. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mirador_de_las_banderas/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Mirador-De-Las-Banderas_5to2_150x60.jpg Mirador De Las Banderas After leaving Torres del Paine, I spent a few days in Argentina before coming back into Chile via the funky little town of Chile Chico. It's small, but colorful, and far enough away from the major tourist draws to seem authentic, but touristy enough to mean tourist activities were available. On my next trip to Patagonia, I'm going to try to leave myself some more time to enjoy Chile Chico. In the limited time I had available, I was able to get this photo of part of the Chilean shoreline of General Carerra Lake, the largest lake in Chile. Interestingly, the Chile / Argentina border goes through the lake, splitting it roughly in half. If I'd panned a bit further to the right, some of the water shown would have been in Argentina. near Chile Chico, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mirador_cuernos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Mirador-Cuernos_4to5_48x60.jpg Mirador Cuernos Chile's Torres del Paine National Park is home to a great deal of wildlife, glaciers, mountains, and lakes of every shade of blue. When one spots a lake in a shade of blue like this, it is usually safe to assume it is glacial melt. The grinding of glaciers on the rocks below erode the rock to an ultra-fine powder that ends up in the lagoons below many glaciers. It is this powder that causes these lakes to have such beautiful colors, such as in Mirador Cuernos, at the base of Torres del Paine. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/marble_caves_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Marble-Caves-Panorama_2to1_72x36.jpg Marble Caves Panorama The "Marble Caves," located on General Carrera Lake in Chilean Patagonia, are accessible only by boat, and I believe motorized boat traffic is restricted in some way. At least, I didn't see any power boats cruising around when I kayaked to the Marble Caves. And they remain something of a secret spot - as of mid-2020, the "Marble Caves" don't have a Wikipedia entry! Some of this has to do with how remote and inaccessible they are. But if you ever find yourself near Chile Chico, on the Argentina / Chile border in Patagonia, do yourself a favor and check them out! Truly a sight to behold! Marble Caves, Chile Chico, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/marble_caves_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Marble-Caves-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Marble Caves 2 The "Marble Caves," located on General Carrera Lake in Chilean Patagonia, are accessible only by boat, and I believe motorized boat traffic is restricted in some way. At least, I didn't see any power boats cruising around when I kayaked to the Marble Caves. And they remain something of a secret spot - as of mid-2020, the "Marble Caves" don't have a Wikipedia entry! Some of this has to do with how remote and inaccessible they are. But if you ever find yourself near Chile Chico, on the Argentina / Chile border in Patagonia, do yourself a favor and check them out! Truly a sight to behold! Marble Caves, Chile Chico, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/marble_caves_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Marble-Caves-1_3to2_60x40.jpg Marble Caves 1 The "Marble Caves," located on General Carrera Lake in Chilean Patagonia, are accessible only by boat, and I believe motorized boat traffic is restricted in some way. At least, I didn't see any power boats cruising around when I kayaked to the Marble Caves. And they remain something of a secret spot - as of mid-2020, the "Marble Caves" don't have a Wikipedia entry! Some of this has to do with how remote and inaccessible they are. But if you ever find yourself near Chile Chico, on the Argentina / Chile border in Patagonia, do yourself a favor and check them out! Truly a sight to behold! Marble Caves, Chile Chico, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lupine_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Lupine-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg Lupine Portrait There were many things about Patagonia that surprised me when I visited in late 2019 and early 2020. The two biggest surprises were (1) the wildlife photography opportunities, and (2) the abundance of wildflowers I saw, primarily lupine. I suppose if I'd done more research, neither of these would have come as much of a surprise, but that's honestly one of the things I love about arriving at a location with minimal knowledge of what to expect. I took this photo a day's drive north of Punta Arenas. By the time I found this lupine field, I'd seen several others, but this one was the densest I'd seen yet. I positioned my camera to take the photo in such a way that minimized the green, and made the entire focus of the photo the incredibly bright and detailed lupine. near Puerto Natales, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/licancabur/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Licancabur_3to2_60x40.jpg Licancabur My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) Perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Atacama Desert is the Valle de Luna (Valley of the Moon). It is a big, empty, desert park that feels exactly like what it is called - although I think Valle de Marte (Valley of Mars) would be a more appropriate name, given the orange and red shades to everything in the area. See all the snow on the mountains in the background? None of that was there the day before I took this photo. It is the snow from the random precipitation that occurred while I was visiting. Valle de Luna, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/learning_to_hunt/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Learning-to-Hunt_3to2_36x24.jpg Learning to Hunt One of the things that surprised me most about my visit to Chile and Argentina - primarily to visit Patagonia - in late 2019 and early 2020, was the number of opportunities for wildlife photography. I didn't think I'd get my telephoto lens out a single time while in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park, but I was thrilled when this turned out to be an incorrect assumption. On the evening of December 31, 2019, I was driving my rented camper van to Lago Azul (Blue Lake) to camp for the night, and came across another photographer. I couldn't tell what he was photographing, but eventually, using my broken Spanish, learned that he was photographing some baby foxes he'd seen on the road. I decided I'd stick around for a few minutes to see if any of them showed up. Lo and behold, eventually a few decided to make an appearance! It soon got too dark to continue photographing them, but I loved the 15 or so minutes I was able to spend with them. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/laguna_miniques/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Laguna-Miniques_3to1_180x60.jpg Laguna Miniques My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) Laguna Miniques, shown here, is on the edge of the Atacama, so the precipitation here is a bit higher, but it is still high and dry. The elevation of the lake is a surprising 13,520 feet, and the average annual temperature is 36 degrees Fahrenheit. This whole part of the country looks like something from a post-Apocalyptic movie set. Laguna Miniques, Atacama Desert, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/guanaco_kisses/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Guanaco-Kisses_5to4_50x40.jpg Guanaco Kisses There were many things about Patagonia that surprised me when I visited in late 2019 and early 2020. The two biggest surprises were (1) the wildlife photography opportunities, and (2) the abundance of wildflowers I saw. I got many photos of both. This is a photo of a couple guanacos (actually, chulengoes, which are juvenile guanacos), lesser-known and undomesticated relatives of the llama. They live throughout southern South America, frequently at high elevation, where their high red blood cell count allows them to thrive where other animals can't. I took this photo shortly before entering Torres Del Paine National Park, which was my favorite portion of my trip to Patagonia. It turns out finding these adorable chulengoes was a sign of good things to come! outside Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gregarious_goose/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Gregarious-Goose_2to3_40x60.jpg Gregarious Goose Many things surprised me about Patagonia, but two in particular: (1) The abundance of wildflowers, and (2) the ample opportunities for wildlife photography. I'm sure if I'd done more research prior to my trip, I would have been expecting these things, but I didn't, and they were both great surprises. I brought my telephoto lens almost as an afterthought, as I was certain I'd be doing landscape photography almost exclusively, but as it turned out, some of my favorite photos from the entire trip were of wildlife. This is a male upland (or Magellan) goose. He was half of a monogamous pair that I found on the shores of Lago del Toro in Torres del Paine National Park, and neither of them were shy at all. I was able to get quite close to the pair of them and get some highly-detailed photos of these beautiful birds. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/glamour_shot/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Glamour-Shot_2to3_60x90.jpg Glamour Shot I took this photo about as far south as I've ever traveled (at least as of mid-2020), on a three week trip to Patagonia. I picked up my rented camper van in Punta Arenas, which is the largest city south of the 46th parallel south, and instead of immediately beginning my journey north, I decided to take a one-night trip to the nearly-empty lands south of Punta Arenas. It was a good thing I did so, because I immediately hit a snag that might otherwise have caused a major headache. Driving along on a dirt road, I saw some horses in a field, and got out to take some photos, including this one. I forgot to turn off my headlights, and the van battery was drained within 5 minutes. Fortunately, I was able to use my broken Spanish to get a jump from a farmer, and get back to Punta Arenas, where the rental company purchased me a new starter battery. Problem solved … and I got this awesome photo of a beautiful horse out of the mess! near Puerto del Hambre, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/follow_me/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Follow-Me_5to4_40x30.jpg Follow Me There were many things about Patagonia that surprised me when I visited in late 2019 and early 2020. The two biggest surprises were (1) the wildlife photography opportunities, and (2) the abundance of wildflowers I saw. I got many photos of both. This is a photo of a few guanacos (actually, chulengoes, which are juvenile guanacos), lesser-known and undomesticated relatives of the llama. They live throughout southern South America, frequently at high elevation, where their high red blood cell count allows them to thrive where other animals can't. I took this photo shortly before entering Torres Del Paine National Park, which was my favorite portion of my trip to Patagonia. It turns out finding these adorable chulengoes was a sign of good things to come! outside Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fantasy_land/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Fantasy-Land_3to2_72x48.jpg Fantasy Land Who knew there were flamingos in Patagonia?! I sure didn't, so it came as a surprise when I saw these three beautiful birds at Lago Azul in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. I remember thinking, "...this can't be real..." when I hit the shutter and got this shot. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/endless_yellow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Endless-Yellow_3to2_60x40.jpg Endless Yellow There were many things about Patagonia that surprised me when I visited in late 2019 and early 2020. The two biggest surprises were (1) the wildlife photography opportunities, and (2) the abundance of wildflowers I saw. I got many photos of both. The flowers I most enjoyed photographing were lupine, but lupine was not the only type of flower to be found. This is a hillside just outside of Torres del Paine National Park that is awash in dandelions. Although dandelions may be common enough in many portions of North America to be readily ignored, I was unable to do so when I saw this field. outside Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dramatic_peaks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Dramatic-Peaks_3to2_72x48.jpg Dramatic Peaks The beauty of the mountains in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park cannot be overstated. Their elevation, however, comes as a surprise to many. Looking at these peaks, one might assume they stand at 10, 15, or even 20,000 feet in elevation. The highest peak in Torres del Paine, surprisingly, reaches only 9,462 feet, while Cuerno Principal, shown on the left in this photo, stands less than 7,000 feet above sea level. Take a look at some of my other Torres del Paine photos, and see if you can figure out which peak this is! Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dont_rain_on_our_parade/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Dont-Rain-on-Our-Parade_2to1_72x36.jpg Don't Rain on Our Parade I visited Patagonia in late 2019 and early 2020, and one of the first things I did while there was to visit the Parque Pinguino Rey (King Penguin Park) on the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego. Weighing up to 40 pounds and standing up to 39 inches tall, king penguins are the second largest species of penguin, surpassed only by emperor penguins. Although I would have preferred to visit on a less dreary day, the overcast skies helped to reduce contrast, which may otherwise have been difficult to compensate for. I was lucky enough to watch this group of mostly adults (there are a few juveniles in the mix) for more than an hour, and although there was some walking around and minor vocalization, they mostly just stood in place and ignored me. Parque Pinguino Rey, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/curious_lamb/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Curious-Lamb_5to4_60x48.jpg Curious Lamb Patagonia is a land of incredible contrast. It is most famous for it's jagged mountains, but there's so much more to it - some parts more mundane than others. I'm from northern Colorado, and I drive through southern Wyoming with some regularity. There were several occasions when, driving through southern Chile and Argentina, I found myself thinking about how beige and Wyoming-like parts of the landscape were. And while these parts may not be as dramatic and traditionally beautiful as the more famous parts of Patagonia, they still serve a purpose. Farming, for instance. I came across a herd of sheep in one such stretch of land, and deciding it was a good time to stretch my legs, I took some photos of the sheep surrounding me. This guy was more interested in me than I was in him. near Punta Arenas, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chilean_flamingos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Chilean-Flamingos_5to4_50x40.jpg Chilean Flamingos Who knew there were flamingos in Patagonia?! I sure didn't, so it came as a surprise when I saw these two beautiful birds at Lago Azul in Chile's Torres del Paine National Park. I used my telephoto lens in this photo to zoom in and see these birds up close, but I have another photo ("Fantasy Land," in my Chile album) that shows them inclusive of the environment. They look so out of place! Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cascado_rio_paine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Cascado-Rio-Paine_3to2_90x60.jpg Cascado Rio Paine Southern Chile's Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. And the crowds aren't terrible there, either. I was the only one here, at Cascado Rio Paine, on the morning of January 1, 2020, when I got this photo at sunrise. Torres Del Paine National Park, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blue_towers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Blue-Towers_3to2_72x48.jpg Blue Towers Torres del Paine National Park, in Chilean Patagonia, is one of the most beautiful places I've ever visited. Translated from a combination of Spanish and an indigenous Patagonian tongue, Torres del Paine translates to "Blue Towers." And it is the mountains in this photo to which the name refers. On blue sky days, they are apparently quite blue. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/atacam_-ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Atacama-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg Atacama Ultrawide My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) Perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Atacama Desert is the Valle de Luna (Valley of the Moon). It is a big, empty, desert park that feels exactly like what it is called - although I think Valle de Marte (Valley of Mars) would be more appropriate, given the orange and red shades to everything in the area. Valle de Luna, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/another_planet/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Another-Planet_3to2_90x60.jpg Another Planet My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) Perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Atacama Desert is the Valle de Luna (Valley of the Moon). It is a big, empty, desert park that feels exactly like what it is called. I was only granted one beautiful sunset while visiting the Atacama - I'm glad I happened to be at the Valle de Luna when it happened! Valle de Luna, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/another_planet_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Another-Planet-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Another Planet Panorama My month-long trip to Chile and Argentina in late 2019 and early 2020 was split into two parts. I spent the first two-thirds of my time in Patagonia, at the south and southwestern portion of South America, and then spent my last week or so in the San Pedro de Atacama Desert in northern Chile. The contrast from Patagonia to the Atacama desert couldn't have been more stark. I got rained on quite a bit in Patagonia. The Atacama Desert, on the other hand, is the second driest place on the planet. The driest place? Antarctica. Seriously. (Interesting side note - I DID get rained on in the Atacama. At one point, it was coming down so hard I had to pull over because my windshield wipers couldn't keep up.) Perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the Atacama Desert is the Valle de Luna (Valley of the Moon). It is a big, empty, desert park that feels exactly like what it is called. I was only granted one beautiful sunset while visiting the Atacama - I'm glad I happened to be at the Valle de Luna when it happened! Valle de Luna, San Pedro de Atacama, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/angry_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_Angry-Lake_4to5_60x75.jpg Angry Lake Chile's Torres del Paine National Park is one of the prettiest places I've ever been. Within its boundaries lie a variety of wildlife, numerous glaciers, some world-class trekking, and, as featured in many of the photos I took while visiting in early 2020, some of the most dramatic mountains and lakes anywhere on the planet. I took this photo of the titular Torres del Paine mountains from the shore of Lago del Toro, which means Bull Lake, or Angry Lake. When the wind gets going in this part of the world, it can get very strong, and apparently the waves on this lake can get enormous, thus the name. Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/all_different_shades/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Chile_All-Different-Shades_3to2_72x48.jpg All Different Shades There were many things about Patagonia that surprised me when I visited in late 2019 and early 2020. The two biggest surprises were (1) the wildlife photography opportunities, and (2) the abundance of wildflowers I saw, primarily lupine. I suppose if I'd done more research, neither of these would have come as much of a surprise, but that's honestly one of the things I love about arriving at a location with minimal knowledge of what to expect. I took this photo from a roadside pull off just outside of Punta Arenas. It was one of the first fields of lupine I came across and was simply stunned. By the time I left South America several weeks later, the shock of turning a corner and seeing fields of purple, pink, red, white, and sometimes yellow lupine had been reduced, but it never got old. near Punta Arenas, Chile https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/worlds_largest_land_carnivore/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Worlds-Largest-Land-Carnivore_5to4_40x30.jpg World's Largest Land Carnivore I arrived in Churchill on October 29, 2018, and had a relaxing, do-nothing day before meeting my tour group on the morning of the 30th. From there, we spent almost every moment of daylight driving around near Churchill - the "Polar Bear Capitol of the World" - searching for bears. This was the first one I saw. I love the composition I was able to get here, with the blue sky above and the icy-cold waters of Hudson Bay contrasted beautifully with the gray rocks, white snow, and, of course, the bear walking into the frame. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/who_makes_the_next_move/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Who-Makes-the-Next-Move_5to4_30x24.jpg Who Makes the Next Move? Polar bears are the main draw for visitors to Churchill, but they aren't the only animals to call this land home. There are many bird species that migrate through the area, depending on the time of year, as well as red and arctic foxes. I wasn't lucky enough to see an arctic fox, but I did see a few red foxes, such as this beautiful guy. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/what_are_you_looking_at/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_What-Are-You-Looking-At_5to4_40x30.jpg What Are You Looking At? I took this shot from maybe 50 meters from the bear shown, and that was the closest I got to a bear, at least while out of the bus I was traveling in. This photo makes it look like he was just as interested in me as I was in him! near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/waterton_lakes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Waterton-Lakes_2to1_72x36.jpg Waterton Lakes Sharing the US/Canada border with Montana's Glacier National Park, Canada's Waterton Lakes National Park, shown here, is truly beautiful. I had to run up the trail in order to get to this viewpoint in time to get this photo before the last light of the day disappeared from the mountains in the center of this photo. Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/waiting_for_ice_floes_to_form_on_the_hudson_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Waiting-for-Ice-Floes-to-form-on-the-Hudson-Bay_3to2_45x30.jpg Waiting for Ice Floes to form on the Hudson Bay I arrived in Churchill on October 29, 2018, and had a relaxing, do-nothing day before meeting my tour group on the morning of the 30th. From there, we spent almost every moment of daylight driving around near Churchill - the "Polar Bear Capitol of the World" - searching for bears. This was the first one I saw. I love the composition I was able to get here, with the blue sky above and the icy-cold waters of Hudson Bay contrasted beautifully with the gray rocks, white snow, and, of course, the bear walking into the frame. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vibrant_shrubbery/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Vibrant-Shrubbery_3to2_45x30.jpg Vibrant Shrubbery I like to plan my shots to the greatest degree possible, but sometimes, you just stumble onto something that you know will make a great photo. This is exactly what happened when I pulled off the road in Canada's Yukon Territory along the Haines Highway into Kluane National Park. Autumn colors were coming through in places, but the aspen trees in this photo were still sporting green leaves. Fortunately, the underbrush had gone through a terriffic transformation, and was now all kinds of beautiful colors, from green to yellow to red. I had to "focus stack" this photograph in order to get the whole scene sharp, but the extra work proved to be entirely worthwhile. Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/under_watchful_eye/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Under-Watchful-Eye_3to2_36x24.jpg Under Watchful Eye I saw dozens of bears during my trip to Churchill in late 2018, and saw a couple mothers with cubs, but these were the only ones that got close enough for me to get any good photos. It was a blast watching them walk by. Mom didn't seem to want to slow down while walking by, so the cub, also called a coy (which means "cub of the year," and means the cub was born this year) had to jog in order to keep up. It was beyond cute. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_jack_sunrise_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Two-Jack-Sunrise_3to2_45x30.jpg Two Jack Sunrise 2 When I visited the Canadian Rockies in 2012, I had pretty bad luck with light at sunrise and sunset. Even so, Two Jack Lake was one of my favorite places to shoot. I knew I'd have to return to Two Jack during my 2016 trip in the Canadian Rockies, and I even found a different perspective from which to shoot the lake and Mt. Rundle. I used a polarizer in this photo in orer to make the clouds more noticeable, and I really love this photo, especially considering it doesn't have the golden-hour light that I so often aim for in my landscape photography. Two Jack Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_jack_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Two-Jack-Sunrise-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Two Jack Sunrise Two Jack Lake and Cascade Mountain, just outside Banff, Alberta. On a trip largely devoid of impressive sunrises and sunsets, it was nice to finally see some impressive colors in the clouds on this beautiful morning in the early fall of 2012. Two Jack Lake, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/too_close_for_comfort/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Too-Close-for-Comfort_2to3_30x45.jpg Too Close for Comfort I arrived in Churchill on October 29, 2018, and had a relaxing, do-nothing day before meeting my tour group on the morning of the 30th. From there, we spent almost every moment of daylight driving around near Churchill - the "Polar Bear Capitol of the World" - searching for bears. This was the first one I saw. I love the composition I was able to get here, with the blue sky above and the icy-cold waters of Hudson Bay contrasted beautifully with the gray rocks, white snow, and, of course, the bear walking into the frame. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tlingit_totems/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Tlingit-Totems_2to3_48x72.jpg Tlingit Totems The Tlingit are Indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest Coast of North America. These totem poles are made by Tlingit people, and are believed to be imbued with spiritual power. near Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_raven/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_The-Raven_3to2_45x30.jpg The Raven Ravens are interesting and intelligent animals, but they've never been anywhere near the top of my must-photograph list. When I saw a bunch of people huddled around what must have been the most tame raven on the planet, though, I knew I probably wouldn't get another chance like this. I love the detail apparent in this photo. The scratches in his beak seem to tell stories about the life this oddly beautiful black bird has lived. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_far_north/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_The-Far-North_4to1_192x48.jpg The Far North Tombstone Territorial Park, far into Canada's Yukon Territory, is a place unlike any I've visited before. I was here in the middle of summer, and the sun didn't set until roughly midnight. Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tangle_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Tangle-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Tangle Falls Canada's magnificent Icefields Parkway connects Jasper (in the north) to Banff (in the South). It is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on. It takes one past countless mountains and waterfalls. While many of the falls it passes are magnificent due to their size, those shown here - Tangle Falls - aren't incredibly impressive, size-wise. But as is often the case, Tangle Falls proves that waterfalls need not be enormous to be photogenic. In fact, I find that smaller waterfalls with layers of cascades are often easier to photograph than their larger cousins. Tangle Falls, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunwapta_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Sunwapta-Falls_2to3_48x72.jpg Sunwapta Falls The Icefields Parkway, which connects the beautiful villages of Banff and Jasper, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, may be my favorite drive on the planet. There are so many places to pull off and hike, or photograph a glacier, or a high mountain lake, or a waterfall, that it is frankly a bit overwhelming. Sunwapta Falls, shown here, is one of the most popular stops along the route, and for good reason! Sunwapta Falls, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_reflection_at_mount_rundle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Sunset-Reflection-at-Mount-Rundle_3to2_90x60.jpg Sunset Reflection at Mount Rundle I spent several evenings on the shore of Vermillion Lake, just outside of Banff, Alberta, hoping to get a great sunset shot. There were several evenings where the weather simply conspired against me, and I went back to my campground without a single shot. But I did finally get lucky on my last night in Banff, when the skies cleared and the setting sun turned the ever-present Mt. Rundle a wonderful shade of yellow. The perfectly smooth water of the lake provided for an almost glass-like reflection of this beautiful mountain. Vermillion Lakes, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_on_the_alcan_highway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Sunset-on-the-Alcan-Highway_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunset on the Alcan Highway Although the southern portion of the Canadian Rockies - the Banff and Jasper area, specifically - receive the lion's share of the attention these mountains get, the northern part of this majestic range is also quite spectacular, and much less crowded. I took this shot looking south on the northernmost end of the Canadian Rockies, just north of Muncho Lake, in northern British Columbia, and didn't feel at all uncomfortable setting up a tripod on the largest highway for hundreds of miles because of the solitude afforded by the region. just north of Muncho Lake, British Columbia, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_moraine_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Sunrise-at-Moraine-Lake_3to2_90x60.jpg Sunrise at Moraine Lake Moraine Lake, in Banff National Park. It's one of the country's best-known views - in fact, it is shown on the 1969 and 1979 editions of the Canadian Twenty dollar bill. The otherworldly shade of blue in the water is caused by the abundance of rock flour in the water, which exists because it is a glacially-fed lake. I had to get up at an absurdly early hour in order to get here for sunrise, but the beautifully-illuminated mountains in the back make it all worthwhile. Moraine Lake, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_hopewell_rocks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Sunrise-at-Hopewell-Rocks_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunrise at Hopewell Rocks The Bay of Fundy, on the eastern edge of New Brunswick, has the largest vertical tides in the world - a difference of approximately fifty feet from low- to high-tide. I was fortunate that low tide coincided with sunrise during my visit to the region, because it allowed me to go down to a vantage point that is inaccessible for most of the day. I also count myself lucky that I was treated to a particularly beautiful sunrise, since I'd been getting up at obscenely early hours for the preceding week or so, in the hopes of seeing a particularly photogenic sunrise, but had struck out until now. This shot made all the waiting worthwhile. The Rocks Provincial Park, New Brunswick https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/salmon_glacier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Salmon-Glacier_3to1_180x60.jpg Salmon Glacier Salmon Glacier, in British Columbia but right on the border with Alaska, is beautiful, and fairly unique in that it is possible to easily reach a location above the glacier, so you can look down on it. Weather in the area makes the road to this viewpoint accessible only from early July through late September. Salmon Glacier, Stewart, British Columbia, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/salmon_glacier_closeup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Salmon-Glacier-Closeup_3to2_45x30.jpg Salmon Glacier Closeup Salmon Glacier, in British Columbia but right on the border with Alaska, is beautiful, and fairly unique in that it is possible to easily reach a location above the glacier, so you can look down on it. Weather in the area makes the road to this viewpoint accessible only from early July through late September. Salmon Glacier, Stewart, British Columbia, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rising_moon_at_banff/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Rising-Moon-at-Banff_3to2_60x40.jpg Rising Moon at Banff The rising moon taken over Mount Rundle, an iconic mountain just outside of Banff, Alberta, in the spectacular Canadian Rockies. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ready_for_takeoff/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Ready-for-Takeoff_5to2_120x48.jpg Ready for Takeoff The drive from Colorado to Alaska is long, and huge stretches of the drive are through parts of Canada that are almost completely uninhabited. Scenes like this one appear from time to time. I took this at Muncho Lake, and the Northern Rockies Lodge, which is just about the only sign of civilization for more than a hundred miles in either direction. Muncho Lake, northern Rockies, British Columbia, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/quebec_citys_notre_dame/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Quebec-Citys-Notre-Dame_4to5_30x40.jpg Quebec City's Notre Dame Quebec City is a beautiful city filled with spectacular architecture from the past several hundred years. I took this photo in Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica. Notre-Dame de Quebec Basilica, Quebec City, Quebec https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pyramid_mountain_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Pyramid-Mountain-at-Sunrise_3to2_72x48.jpg Pyramid Mountain at Sunrise Pyramid Lake and Pyramid Mountain, in Jasper National Park, Alberta, are beautiful any time of day, but being there when the sun first illuminates the mineral-rich face of Pyramid Mountain is awe-inspiring. Most mountains in the area, although spectacular, are simply gray. But the abundance of metals and minerals in Pyramid Mountain gives it an orange color that has to be seen to believe. Pyramid Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/prince_of_wales_hotel/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Prince-of-Wales-Hotel_3to2_45x30.jpg Prince of Wales Hotel The Prince of Wales Hotel, in Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada, was built in 1926-27 by the Great Northern Railway to lure tourists from America to Canada during the Prohibition era. This beautiful hotel was designated a National Historic Site in 1995. Waterton Lakes National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/price_edward_island_bee/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Prince-Edward-Island-Bee_3to2_36x24.jpg Price Edward Island Bee A bee collecting pollen on a yellow flower on Prince Edward Island. Near Summerside, Prince Edward Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/poppy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Poppy_3to2_36x24.jpg Poppy I suppose it makes sense for flowers to grow as far north as Canada and Alaska, but I'd never really given it much thought until my trip to this area in the summer of 2016. The city of Dawson is a cute, little gold-rush town that thrives, today, as a tourist spot along the famous Alcan Highway, taking travelers through Alberta, British Columbia, and the Yukon Territory en route to Alaska. The city has a lot of historical buildings, including the commissioner's home, which hasn't been inhabited for close to a century, but is beautifully maintained as a historical site. The garden in front is kept as it was during the city's heyday, and one of the flowers that seems to grow best in the region is this species of poppy, which filled a large portion of the gardens in the region. Dawson, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/poking_through_the_clouds/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Poking-through-the-Clouds_1to1_24x24.jpg Poking through the Clouds One of the many mountain peaks just outside of Jasper, Alberta, Canada. Saying the Canadian Rockies are beautiful is beyond an understatement. Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pink_dahlias/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Pink-Dahlias_3to2_36x24.jpg Pink Dahlias President Roosevelt had a cottage in New Brunswick which is now an International Park, and the gardens there are superb, with many types of flowers. Dahlias of many different sizes and colors were on display when I visited, including this one which had a diameter of roughly eight inches. Roosevelt Campobello International Park, New Brunswick https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perched_dragonfly/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Perched-Dragonfly_3to2_36x24.jpg Perched Dragonfly A dragonfly perched on a white flower. Near Antigonish, Nova Scotia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/peggys_point_lighthouse_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Peggys-Point-Lighthouse-at-Dusk_3to2_45x30.jpg Peggy's Point Lighthouse at Dusk Peggy's Point Lighthouse is probably the most famous lighthouse in Nova Scotia. It isn't particularly large, but it is in a beautiful location, and the simple architecture is striking. Peggy's Point Lighthouse, Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/oh_canada/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Oh-Canada_3to2_45x30.jpg Oh, Canada! A visit to Canada's Eastern Provinces wouldn't be complete without a stop at the government buildings in Ottawa. The building shown here is Parliament, and every night during the summer, they have a show called "Northern Lights," in which Parliament is lit up in all kinds of beautiful ways, and a brief history of Canada is given. Parliament of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moonrise_in_the_canadian_rockies/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Moonrise-in-the-Canadian-Rockies_3to2_72x48.jpg Moonrise in the Canadian Rockies Sometimes you are just in the right place at the right time. I knew a nearly-full moon was going to be rising a little bit before the sun set on the evening of September 12, 2016, but I was in the car and had a limited range of view because I was driving through a forest. Then, as I went around a corner, the road opened up a path through the forest in front of me, providing me with a perfect view of a newly-risen moon standing above a mountain face that was just beginning to glow with that wonderful pre-sunset light. It would have been difficult to consciously place myself somewhere with a better view. I'll take it! Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/misty_mountainside/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Misty-Mountainside_3to2_72x48.jpg Misty Mountainside My trip to Hyder, Alaska, was supposed to be all about seeing bears. Unfortunately, I didn't see a single bear while there. Oh well. I'd just spent a month and a half in Alaska, and seen more bears than I could count. So when I didn't see any bears in or around Hyder, it wasn't the end of the world. It proved to be a beautiful region, nonetheless, as evidenced by this mountainside shrouded in fog. Outisde Stewart, British Columbia, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/midnight_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Midnight-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Midnight Sunset I took this photo about as far north as I have ever traveled, on the Yukon Territory's Dempster Highway. Earlier this day, I'd driven to the Arctic Circle, but returned a couple hours south to my hotel to spend the night. This photo was actually taken at 12:09 AM, and the sun had not yet set. Eagle Plains, Dempster Highway, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/medicine_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Medicine-Lake_3to2_45x30.jpg Medicine Lake Maligne Lake, an hour or so west of Jasper, in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, is a beautiful, glacial lake visited by hordes of tourists. The drive to Maligne Lake goes by Medicine Lake, shown here, which I found to be even more beautiful than Maligne Lake. I took this photo in 2012, and when I revisited the same spot three years later, the water had dropped twenty or thirty feet! Medicine Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/louisbourg_harbor_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Louisbourg-Harbor-Reflection_2to1_80x40.jpg Louisbourg Harbor Reflection I really love this photo. I couldn't have asked for the water to be smoother when I took this photo shortly after sunrise on the morning of September 6, 2015, just outside the village of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia. Louisbourg Harbor, Louisbourg, Nova Scotia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kathleen_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Kathleen-Lake_2to1_108x54.jpg Kathleen Lake Kathleen Lake, in Canada's Yukon Territory, was an unexpected delight. Just south of Haines Junction, on the west side of the Haines Highway lies Kluane National Park and Preserve, and there is only one established campground in the whole park. It's at Kathleen Lake. It has a spectacular day-use area, but the real highlight is the lake itself. If I ever find myself in the area again, I am going to make sure to give myself at least a couple nights to camp here. Kathleen Lake, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/great_blue_heron_taking_off/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Great-Blue-Heron-Taking-Off_1to1_24x24.jpg Great Blue Heron Taking Off I saw this great blue heron perched on a rock in a bay near the village of Glen Margaret, in Nova Scotia, and tried to sneak up on him to get some close up shots. Unfortunately, he saw me coming, and took off before I was able to get as close as I'd hoped. However, he flew off directly over the bay, and I really liked the seemingly endless water horizon. Aspotagan Peninsula Drive, Glen Margaret, Nova Scotia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/foxy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Foxy_5to4_40x30.jpg Foxy Although I always keep my eyes open for wildlife in the wild, some animals are very difficult to find and photograph in their natural environment. Fortunately, there are places like the Two Rivers Wildlife Park, in Huntington, Nova Scotia, where one can observe wild animals in environments at least similar to those from which they came. This guy (or gal) is a silver fox, which, confusedly, is simply an unusually colored red fox. Two Rivers Wildlife Park, Huntington, Nova Scotia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/forty_winks_as_the_sun_sinks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Forty-Winks-as-the-Sun-Sinks_5to4_40x30.jpg Forty Winks as the Sun Sinks I posted 11 polar bear shots from my 2018 trip to Churchill, and this is the only one where there is any kind of sunlight. The weather was very dreary for the duration of my time in the "Polar Bear Capitol of the World." And this bear was going to enjoy it as much as possible by doing one of the things polar bears do best - napping. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fireweed/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Fireweed_2to3_48x72.jpg Fireweed Although fireweed grows as far south as Arizona and New Mexico, it seems to be much more widespread as one goes further north. Summer in northern Canada and Alaska sees entire fields turn pink as this ubiquitous plant comes into bloom. near Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fading_into_the_backlit_snow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Fading-into-the-Backlit-Snow_5to4_30x24.jpg Fading into the Backlit Snow Most of the polar bears I saw on my trip to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, in late October, 2018 tended to either ignore me completely, or do their best to avoid me. This one, on the other hand, seemed curious about the bus I was in, and after getting up from an afternoon nap, walked right up to me. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/edith_cavell_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Edith-Cavell-at-Sunrise_3to2_90x60.jpg Edith Cavell at Sunrise I had to come to Lake Cavell on back-to-back mornings to get this shot, because on my first day, the sky was nothing but clouds, and I didn't get any early-morning light on the mountaintops. But my second day was much more successful. Surprising for a place this beautiful was the fact that there was only one other photographer there when I took this photo, and he was completely cooperative when I explained that I was going to wade out into the freezing-cold lake in order to get the shot I wanted. Small sacrifices - like cold feet - are sometimes necessary to get shots like this. Cavell Lake, Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cub_walking_in_lock_step/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Cub-Walking-in-Lock-Step_3to2_45x30.jpg Cub Walking in Lock-Step I saw dozens of bears during my trip to Churchill in late 2018, and saw a couple mothers with cubs, but these were the only ones that got close enough for me to get any good photos. It was a blast watching them walk by. Mom didn't seem to want to slow down while walking by, so the cub, also called a coy (which means "cub of the year," and means the cub was born this year) had to jog in order to keep up. It was beyond cute. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cross_fox_ready_to_pounce/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Cross-Fox-Ready-to-Pounce_3to2_30x20.jpg Cross Fox Ready to Pounce Polar bears are the main draw for visitors to Churchill, but they aren't the only animals to call this land home. There are many bird species that migrate through the area, depending on the time of year, as well as red and arctic foxes. I wasn't lucky enough to see an arctic fox, but I did see a few red foxes, such as this beautiful guy. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/churchill_manitoba_with_ruins_of_the_ithaka/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Churchill-Manitoba---With-Ruins-of-the-Ithaka_5to4_40x30.jpg Churchill, Manitoba - With Ruins of the Ithaka Getting this shot was a bit of an accident. The boat in the background - the "Ithaka" - wrecked on the shores of Hudson Bay in 1960, and is something of a Churchill landmark. I was tracking the bear in the bottom right of the photo, snapping away, and didn't even realize I'd captured him with the Ithaka behind him. AND there was another bear in the shot. I can't believe I didn't realize either of these things until a few minutes later, when I was looking through my recent shots. Sometimes things just work out. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cape_breton_island_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Cape-Breton-Island-Dusk_3to2_45x30.jpg Cape Breton Island Dusk The Cabot Trail (which is, in fact, a road - a portion of which can be seen in this picture) is one of the most beautiful drives I have ever been on. Encompassing Cape Breton Island's northwest, it allows visitors to experience all that Cape Breton Highlands National Park has to offer, including a short hike on the famous Skyline Trail to the viewpoint from which I took this photo. Seen in the photo is Cape Breton Highlands' stunning coastline. Cape Breton Highlands National Park, Nova Scotia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canola_fields/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Canola-Fields_3to2_72x48.jpg Canola Fields I spent the summer of 2016 on an Alaskan camping trip. On the drive to Alaska from Colorado, fields of canola began to appear in Montana. They continued along the side of the road for several hundred miles into Canada, but it wasn't until just outside of Dawson Creek, on the western (British Columbian) side of the BC / Alberta border, that a fully-blooming field came into view at the same time as a pleasing sky. I love the simplicity of this shot, as well as the contrast between the yellow foreground and the mostly blue sky. outside Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canola_field_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Canola-Field-Portrait_4to5_40x50.jpg Canola Field Portrait I spent the summer of 2016 on an Alaskan camping trip. On the drive to Alaska from Colorado, fields of canola began to appear in Montana. They continued along the side of the road for several hundred miles into Canada, but it wasn't until just outside of Dawson Creek, on the western (British Columbian) side of the BC / Alberta border, that a fully-blooming field came into view at the same time as a pleasing sky. I love the simplicity of this shot, as well as the contrast between the yellow foreground and the cloudy sky above. outside Dawson Creek, British Columbia, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canadian_grizzly/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Canadian-Grizzly_1to1_24x24.jpg Canadian Grizzly Another roadside photographic opportunity. A grizzly bear eating as much as he possibly could, trying to fatten up for the winter. He was utterly indifferent to the hundred or so people snapping shots from what seemed to me, at times, to be extremely unsafe distances.  Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/canadian_elk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Canadian-Elk_5to4_30x24.jpg Canadian Elk A fairly large elk I spotted along the side of the road when I was driving through the Canadian Rockies near the city of Banff. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/beauvert_lake/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Beauvert-Lake_3to2_45x30.jpg Beauvert Lake Dusk at Beavert Lake, just outside Jasper, Alberta. I discovered this view by accident, when I was searching for a place to have a picnic dinner with my father in the late summer / early fall of 2012.. The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge lies on the far shore. Beauvert Lake, Jasper, Alberta, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bear_or_dog/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Bear-or-Dog_3to2_45x30.jpg Bear or Dog? Doesn't this polar bear look like a dog? near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/autumn_in_the_yukon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Autumn-in-the-Yukon_3to2_72x48.jpg Autumn in the Yukon I'd stopped at a place called "Million Dollar Falls" to shoot exactly what you'd expect - a waterfall. The shots of the falls turned out quite good, but what was even better was this scene, which I only spotted because it lined up perfectly with my exit from the campground. In late August, the aspen trees in Canada's Yukon Territory begin to change colors, and I left the Yukon with hopes that it was a prophecy of beautiful colors to be seen for the rest of my trip home - through the Canadian Rockies, Montana's Glacier National Park, and Wyoming's Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. Tatshenshini-Alsek Wilderness Provincial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/absolute_unit/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_Absolute-Unit_1to1_36x36.jpg Absolute Unit I arrived in Churchill on October 29, 2018, and had a relaxing, do-nothing day before meeting my tour group on the morning of the 30th. From there, we spent almost every moment of daylight driving around near Churchill - the "Polar Bear Capitol of the World" - searching for bears. This was the first one I saw. I love the composition I was able to get here, with the blue sky above and the icy-cold waters of Hudson Bay contrasted beautifully with the gray rocks, white snow, and, of course, the bear walking into the frame. near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_fly_in_disguise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Canada_A-Fly-in-Disguise_5to4_30x24.jpg A Fly in Disguise A cleverly-disguised fly. Tombstone Territorial Park, Yukon Territory, Canada https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/long_tailed_macaques_at_angkor_wat/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Long-tailed-Macaques-at-Angkor-Wat_1to1_24x24.jpg Long-tailed macaques at Angkor Wat A group of long-tailed macaques. I probably saw over a hundred of these guys while checking out Angkor Wat and the surrounding temples. They were utterly unfazed by humans, and used many of the temples as jungle gyms on which to climb and play. Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_bayon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_The-Bayon_2to1_72x36.jpg The Bayon The main temple of Angkor Wat is certainly better known than the Bayon, but I think I preferred taking pictures here. There are less crowds, and its much smaller size makes it easier to explore. I enjoyed it enough that I made it a point to be here for sunrise (not this picture) on my second day at Angkor Wat.  Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ta_prohm_doorway/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Ta-Prohm-Doorway_4to5_24x30.jpg Ta Prohm Doorway Ta Prohm is one of the few temples in the Angkor Wat region that has intentionally been left in the condition in which it was found after centuries of abandonment. Trees and vines now grow all throughout the site, and it feels like something from a movie or video game. The unique state in which it exists, today, has made it one of the most popular temples with visitors. Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/morning_prayers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Morning-Prayers_4to5_30x40.jpg Morning Prayers Angkor Wat is a phenomenal place for photography, and sunrise is a particularly popular time to shoot this world-famous ruin. A few miles away lies another temple called "The Bayon," which, in my opinion, although much smaller than Angkor Wat, itself, is just as, and perhaps even more beautiful. So I elected to go there one morning at sunrise, and to my surprise, here, in this incredibly touristy location, were a dozen or so monks performing their morning rituals. I was the only tourist around, and it was a powerful experience to be present for such an authentic experience. The Bayon, Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/intricate_carvings_at_bantay_srei_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Intricate-Carvings-at-Bantay-Srei_2to3_24x36.jpg Intricate Carvings at Bantay Srei 2 I was only able to spend three days in Siem Reap, and by extension, Angkor Wat and the surrounding ruins. I'd heard about another ruin a couple hours further north that, supposedly, got only a tiny fraction of the crowds that visit the main complex of Angkor Wat, and decided to give it a visit. The colors of the rocks at this temple - Bantay Srei - were vastly different from any I'd seen in and around Angkor Wat, and the intricacy of the carvings, which I can only assume have been cleaned up in recent years, was unlike any I'd seen before. Well worth the hassle to get to this far less visited site. Bantay Srei, Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/intricate_carvings_at_bantay_srei/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Intricate-Carvings-at-Bantay-Srei-2_3to2_36x24.jpg Intricate Carvings at Bantay Srei I was only able to spend three days in Siem Reap, and by extension, Angkor Wat and the surrounding ruins. I'd heard about another ruin a couple hours further north that, supposedly, got only a tiny fraction of the crowds that visit the main complex of Angkor Wat, and decided to give it a visit. The colors of the rocks at this temple - Bantay Srei - were vastly different from any I'd seen in and around Angkor Wat, and the intricacy of the carvings, which I can only assume have been cleaned up in recent years, was unlike any I'd seen before. Well worth the hassle to get to this far less visited site. Bantay Srei, Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/intricate_carvings_at_angkor_wat/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Intricate-Carvings-at-Angkor-Wat_2to3_30x45.jpg Intricate Carvings at Angkor Wat Cambodia's Angkor Wat - and the surrounding temples - take up a huge amount of land, and one could spend a lifetime exploring each of the temples and structures in the region. This carving is one of thousands that has survived the weathering of the ages. Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/four_faces/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Four-Faces_4to5_24x30.jpg Four Faces I wasn't aware that this photo opportunity existed when I was exploring "The Bayon," one of the many ancient temples near Cambodia's world-famous Angkor Wat. I was exploring on my own, and enjoying the site at a leisurely pace, when I overheard a Cambodian tour guide point the location out to his guest, and asked her to count the faces she could see from this one location. If you look carefully, you can see four faces in the stone carvings here. Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/days_first_light_at_the_bayon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Days-First-Light-at-the-Bayon_3to2_45x30.jpg Day's First Light at the Bayon The Bayon - a temple that lies only a mile or two from the much more famous Angkor Wat - was one of my favorite places to visit on the entire "Angkor Wat" site, which encompasses many square miles, and countless long-abandoned structures. I made it a point to be here one morning at sunrise. I am able to count seven stone faces in this photo, but I can only guess how many may have been present when this structure was first completed. The Bayon, Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bantay_srei_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Bantay-Srei-Sunrise_2to3_30x45.jpg Bantay Srei Sunrise Banteay Srei is a much smaller complex than Angkor Wat. Located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast of the main temple complex, the biggest difference to me was the construction material. Built of red sandstone, the entire structure seems to glow at sunrise (and presumably sunset). The detail of the carvings, while impressive at the more popular areas of Angkor Wat, is nearly unbelievable at Banteay Srei. Bantay Srei, Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/angkor_wat/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Angkor-Wat_3to2_36x24.jpg Angkor Wat Angkor Wat as seen from Phnom Bakheng at dusk. The nearly constant haze makes seeing anything in the region difficult from a distance. Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/angkor_wat_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Cambodia_Angkor-Wat-Portrait_2to3_24x36.jpg Angkor Wat Portrait Angkor Wat as seen from Phnom Bakheng at dusk. The nearly constant haze makes seeing anything in the region difficult from a distance. Angkor Wat, Cambodia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wolf_spider_on_salt/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Wolf-Spider-on-Salt_5to4_30x24.jpg Wolf Spider on Salt Perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the wolf spider is the large eyes. I took this photo after finding him out hunting in the middle of the night. The beam of my headlight had passed over him, and the light reflected off his eyes and back to me, allowing me to easily find him in a dark environment. They use their large eyes and impressive eyesight to hunt small insects. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/winter_in_kings_canyon_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Winter-in-Kings-Canyon-National-Park_3to2_72x48.jpg Winter in Kings Canyon National Park The highlight of a visit to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, in California's spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain range, must be the giant sequoias, also known as giant redwoods. These trees grow to an average height of 164 to 279 feet, and an average diameter of 20 to 26 feet. They can live for more than 3,000 years. I was lucky enough to visit these giants in April, 2018, and expected spring conditions. I was thrilled (and cold) when it snowed, though, completely transforming the sights available. Kings Canyon National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/willet_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Willet-Reflection_5to4_24x20.jpg Willet Reflection Shortly after sunrise and shortly before sunset are great times to photograph wildlife. This is because the light is frequently bright enough to illuminate animals while hitting them horizontally, which helps to bring out colors that are sometimes obscured in mid-day lighting conditions. Here we see a willet that I spotted in Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area, outside of Huntington Beach, California. It amazed me how still the water was when I took this photo - at first glance, the reflection is almost clear enough to confuse the viewer in regards to which direction is actually up. Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area, Huntington Beach, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/western_scrub_jay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Western-Scrub-Jay_2to3_24x36.jpg Western Scrub Jay Joshua Tree National Park is home to an impressive number of birds. Here is a western scrub jay perched on the end of a branch of one of the many Dr. Seuss-like Joshua trees in the area. Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/west_of_zabrinskie_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_West-of-Zabrinskie-Point_5to2_105x42.jpg West of Zabrinskie Point I took this photo looking west at the Panamint Range from Death Valley's Zabrinskie Point, minutes after sunrise, one morning in February, 2016. Zabrinskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/waves_of_sand/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Waves-of-Sand_3to2_60x40.jpg Waves of Sand When driving from a show in California to a show in Arizona during the fall of 2019, I had an extra day, and decided to spend it in one of my favorite National Parks - Death Valley. Although miserable in the summer, the temperature is usually pleasant in late October, such as it was when I was there. I only had one morning to shoot, but I got the most of it, shooting primarily in the Mesquite Flat Dunes, shown here. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vernal_falls_rainbow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Vernal-Falls-Rainbow_1to1_60x60.jpg Vernal Falls Rainbow Vernal Falls is another Yosemite icon, but it is one that actually requires a bit of a hike to reach. I was lucky to have the weather I did for this hike, because the sunlight was powerful enough to create the rainbow made by the mist generated by Vernal Falls' 318 foot drop. Yosemite National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/three_brothers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Three-Brothers_2to3_48x72.jpg Three Brothers During the summer of 2018, I went on a long-overdue tour of the Pacific Northwest. My original intention was to shoot Oregon and Washington exclusively, but my route took me through Northern California, and when I saw I was only a couple hours from Redwoods National Park, I spontaneously added it to my itinerary. Forests are difficult to photograph because of the lack of simple shapes and patterns. Everything is complicated and points in all kinds of crazy directions. This photo, with the focus on the three enormous trees standing side-by-side, was my attempt to bring some simplicity to the chaos of the scene. Until you've visited the redwoods, it is impossible to explain their size. It cannot truly be grasped until one has seen these spectacular trees in person. So what are you waiting for? Get out there! Redwoods National Park, northern California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_scale_of_badwater_basin/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_The-Scale-of-Badwater-Basin_3to2_45x30.jpg The Scale of Badwater Basin Death Valley National Park's Badwater Basin lies at an elevation of 282 feet below sea level, making it one of the lowest above-ground points on Earth. Unusual freeze-thaw and evaporation cycles cause the formation of the oddly-shaped salt formations seen in the foreground of this photo. Several other visitors to Death Valley, in the upper right of the photo, give some kind of scale to the landscape. Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tatooine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Tatooine_5to2_150x60.jpg Tatooine When driving from a show in California to a show in Arizona during the fall of 2019, I had an extra day, and decided to spend it in one of my favorite National Parks - Death Valley. Although miserable in the summer, the temperature is usually pleasant in late October, such as it was when I was there. I only had one morning to shoot, but I got the most of it, shooting primarily in the Mesquite Flat Dunes, shown here. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunset_at_joshua_tree_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Sunset-at-Joshua-Tree-National-Park_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunset at Joshua Tree National Park I came to Joshua Tree National Park after spending a few days in Death Valley. The change was welcome. Both Parks are deserts, but there is a lot more life in Joshua Tree. I took this photo looking north, as the sun set over my left shoulder, illuminating both the clouds above and the numerous boulders strewn about with a pink light. Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_panorama_at_zabrinskie_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Sunrise-Panorama-at-Zabrinskie-Point_3to1_108x36.jpg Sunrise Panorama at Zabrinskie Point Zabrinskie Point, in Death Valley National Park, is a tremendously popular location for landscape photographers. I took this photo just before sunrise, while keeping one eye over my shoulder at the full moon, which was minutes from setting on the opposite horizon. Zabrinskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_in_the_alabama_hills/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Sunrise-in-the-Alabama-Hills_2to1_120x60.jpg Sunrise in the Alabama Hills The Alabama Hills, which are part of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, lie just to the east of the southern portion of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Many TV shows and movies have been filmed or had portions filmed here, including The Lone Ranger, Bonanza, Tremors, and Gladiator. I took this photo here, shortly after sunrise. Mt. Whitney - the tallest mountain in the lower 48 States - can be seen in the upper, right hand corner of the photo. Alabama Hills, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_zabrinskie_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Sunrise-at-Zabrinskie-Point_3to2_45x30.jpg Sunrise at Zabrinskie Point This photo was taken just before the sun began to crest the horizon at Zabrinskie Point, in Death Valley National Park. Notice the eastward-facing hillsides in the lower right portion of the photo that have begun to reflect the orange light of the clouds above. Zabrinskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_joshua_tree/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Sunrise-at-Joshua-Tree_5to2_150x60.jpg Sunrise at Joshua Tree Joshua Tree National Park, in southern California, gets its name from the yukka-like Joshua trees that abound in the park. My favorite part of this National Park, though, is the rocks. Rock formations like those in this photo are scattered throughout the park, and are especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset, when the horizontal light brings the colors to life! Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/splotches_of_sunlight/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Splotches-of-Sunlight_5to2_135x54.jpg Splotches of Sunlight During the summer of 2018, I went on a long-overdue tour of the Pacific Northwest. My original intention was to shoot Oregon and Washington exclusively, but my route took me through Northern California, and when I saw I was only a couple hours from Redwoods National Park, I spontaneously added it to my itinerary. Forests are difficult to photograph because of the lack of simple shapes and patterns. Everything is complicated and points in all kinds of crazy directions. But I ended up happy with the photos I was fortunate enough to capture here. Does this photo remind you of anywhere? ...Maybe the forest moon of Endor? Redwoods National Park, northern California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snowy_sunrise_panorama_in_yosemite/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Snowy-Sunrise-Panorama-in-Yosemite_2to1_96x48.jpg Snowy Sunrise Panorama in Yosemite Everyone that goes to Yosemite National Park, in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, is familiar with this scene. Made iconic by Ansel Adams, it even has a name - Tunnel View. (This location is at the mouth of a tunnel that allows one to access areas of the National Park other than the valley.) Many of Yosemite's most famous landmarks are visible from this location, including (from left to right), El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls. While this scene is beautiful at any time of day, seeing it at sunrise after a night in which it had snowed six or so inches was truly special. Yosemite National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snowy_sunrise_in_yosemite/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Snowy-Sunrise-in-Yosemite_3to2_72x48.jpg Snowy Sunrise in Yosemite Everyone that goes to Yosemite National Park, in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, is familiar with this scene. Made iconic by Ansel Adams, it even has a name - Tunnel View. (This location is at the mouth of a tunnel that allows one to access areas of the National Park other than the valley.) Many of Yosemite's most famous landmarks are visible from this location, including (from left to right), El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls. While this scene is beautiful at any time of day, seeing it at sunrise after a night in which it had snowed six or so inches was truly special. Yosemite National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snow_geese_in_flight/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Snow-Geese-in-Flight_3to2_45x30.jpg Snow Geese in Flight Southern California's Salton Sea (which is actually a saltwater lake) is a birder's paradise. When I stopped here at the end of February, 2016, there were a great number of birds, both migratory and non-migratory. When I found this group of snow geese, they were on the ground, but something startled them, and they took to the air for a few minutes. After flying in a circle and determining that there was no threat, they landed exactly where they'd taken off from mere minutes earlier. Near Salton Sea, California, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/short_billed_dowitcher_silhouette/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Short-Billed-Dowitcher-Silhouette_3to2_30x20.jpg Short-Billed Dowitcher Silhouette I sat and watched the sun set at Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area outside of Huntington Beach, California, in February 2016, and was blown away by the abundance of bird life there. As I watched the sun go down, I was certain that I was done shooting for the day, since bright sunlight is virtually a requirement for wildlife photography. But then I was proved wrong, as a short-billed dowitcher wandered into the shallow waters between myself and the setting sun, practically begging for a silhouette shot to be taken. I happily obliged. Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area, Huntington Beach, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sequoias_in_snow_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Sequoias-in-Snow-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Sequoias in Snow Panorama The highlight of a visit to Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, in California's spectacular Sierra Nevada mountain range, must be the giant sequoias, also known as giant redwoods. These trees grow to an average height of 164 to 279 feet, and an average diameter of 20 to 26 feet. They can live for more than 3,000 years. I was lucky enough to visit these giants in April, 2018, and expected spring conditions. I was thrilled (and cold) when it snowed, though, completely transforming the sights available. Kings Canyon National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sea_otter_mama_and_baby/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Sea-Otter-Mama-and-Baby_3to2_30x20.jpg Sea Otter Mama and Baby I'd been told that I might be able to find and photograph some sea otters near the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but before I made it there, I stopped in Morro Bay. There, I was told that I'd almost certainly find a large group of them in the town's small marina. Stopping there, I saw something like 15 sea otters, including this cute pup and his mother. Morro Bay, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/scripps_pier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Scripps-Pier_2to3_60x90.jpg Scripps Pier I'd never heard of Scripps Pier until I met someone who'd seen a Peter Lik photo of this iconic La Jolla location and wanted a photo. I didn't have one at the moment he made the request, but coincidentally, I had a trip planned to San Diego and Catalina Island for the following month. I decided I ought to go there and give it a shot. It turned out to be even more beautiful than I had hoped. Scripps Pier, La Jolla, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/scripps_pier_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Scripps-Pier-2_4to5_48x60.jpg Scripps Pier 2 I'd never heard of Scripps Pier until I met someone who'd seen a Peter Lik photo of this iconic La Jolla location and wanted a photo. I didn't have one at the moment he made the request, but coincidentally, I had a trip planned to San Diego and Catalina Island for the following month. I decided I ought to go there and give it a shot. It turned out to be even more beautiful than I had hoped. Scripps Pier, La Jolla, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/scripps-landscape/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Scripps-Landscape_3to2_72x48.jpg Scripps_Landscape I'd never heard of Scripps Pier until I met someone who'd seen a Peter Lik photo of this iconic La Jolla location and wanted a photo. I didn't have one at the moment he made the request, but coincidentally, I had a trip planned to San Diego and Catalina Island for the following month. I decided I ought to go there and give it a shot. It turned out to be even more beautiful than I had hoped. Scripps Pier, La Jolla, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sandstorm/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Sandstorm_3to2_72x48.jpg Sandstorm This photo looks like some clouds in the desert. But what looks like clouds is actually sand blowing around. The drive I was on when I stopped to take this photo was absolutely miserable. The wind was trying to blow my van off the road for hours and hours, as I made my way through the desert in southeast California. But all that pain eventually paid off when I arrived in the Sierra Nevadas, where I spent the next week or so shooting some of the most spectacular scenery this country has to offer. near Desert Center, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_francisco_2019/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_San-Francisco-2019_3to1_180x60.jpg San Francisco, 2019 San Francisco is one of the more modern skylines in America, and, in my opinion, one of the prettiest. But San Francisco is associated to such a degree with the Golden Gate Bridge, that almost any search for a photo of San Francisco will return images of the bridge, with the city, perhaps, as an afterthought. I wanted to get a photo of downtown San Francisco without its most famous icon, and a bit of research led me to the top of Twin Peaks, where I took this photo. I think it turned out spectacularly! Twin Peaks, San Francisco, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_diego_2021/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_San-Diego-2021_3to1_180x60.jpg San Diego 2021 I made a quick trip to southern California in the summer of 2021 in order to visit a friend on Catalina Island. I'd started shooting cityscapes a few years earlier, but had yet to get a shot of San Diego, and this trip provided the perfect opportunity. San Diego, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/san_diego_2021_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_San-Diego-2021-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg San Diego, 2021 Ultrawide I made a quick trip to southern California in the summer of 2021 in order to visit a friend on Catalina Island. I'd started shooting cityscapes a few years earlier, but had yet to get a shot of San Diego, and this trip provided the perfect opportunity. San Diego, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/repetition/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Repetition_3to2_72x48.jpg Repetition When driving from a show in California to a show in Arizona during the fall of 2019, I had an extra day, and decided to spend it in one of my favorite National Parks - Death Valley. Although miserable in the summer, the temperature is usually pleasant in late October, such as it was when I was there. I only had one morning to shoot, but I got the most of it, shooting first in the Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and then at Zabrinskie Point, where I shot this photo. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/redwoods_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Redwoods-Ultrawide_4to1_240x60.jpg Redwoods Ultrawide During the summer of 2018, I went on a long-overdue tour of the Pacific Northwest. My original intention was to shoot Oregon and Washington exclusively, but my route took me through Northern California, and when I saw I was only a couple hours from Redwoods National Park, I spontaneously added it to my itinerary. Forests are difficult to photograph because of the lack of simple shapes and patterns. Everything is complicated and points in all kinds of crazy directions. But I ended up happy with the photos I was fortunate enough to capture here. Does this photo remind you of anywhere? ...Maybe the forest moon of Endor? Redwoods National Park, northern California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/redwoods_sunstar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Redwoods-Sunstar_2to3_48x72.jpg Redwoods Sunstar During the summer of 2018, I went on a long-overdue tour of the Pacific Northwest. My original intention was to shoot Oregon and Washington exclusively, but my route took me through Northern California, and when I saw I was only a couple hours from Redwoods National Park, I spontaneously added it to my itinerary. Forests are difficult to photograph because of the lack of simple shapes and patterns. Everything is complicated and points in all kinds of crazy directions. In this photo, I tried to minimize the foreground and bring attention to the height of these giants. And while shooting into the sun is usually a no-no in photography, I was able to place the sun mostly behind a branch, which created the sunstar effect seen here. Redwoods National Park, northern California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/redwoods_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Redwoods-National-Park_2to1_96x48.jpg Redwoods National Park During the summer of 2018, I went on a long-overdue tour of the Pacific Northwest. My original intention was to shoot Oregon and Washington exclusively, but my route took me through Northern California, and when I saw I was only a couple hours from Redwoods National Park, I spontaneously added it to my itinerary. Forests are difficult to photograph because of the lack of simple shapes and patterns. Everything is complicated and points in all kinds of crazy directions. But I ended up happy with the photos I was fortunate enough to capture here. Does this photo remind you of anywhere? ...Maybe the forest moon of Endor? Redwoods National Park, northern California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/panamint_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Panamint-Reflection_3to2_45x30.jpg Panamint Reflection There are no trails to this salty pond in the middle of Badwater Basin, in Death Valley National Park, and finding it was quite a challenge, especially since I tried to do so in the dark, because I wanted to be here at sunrise. All told, I walked about 5 miles on the sometimes muddy, always salty ground, but made it here just as the sun began to illuminate the Panamint Mountain Range. The nearly-full moon adds a lot to the scene. Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/panamint_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Panamint-Panorama_4to1_144x36.jpg Panamint Panorama There are no trails to this salty pond in the middle of Badwater Basin, in Death Valley National Park, and finding it was quite a challenge, especially since I tried to do so in the dark, because I wanted to be here at sunrise. All told, I walked about 5 miles on the sometimes muddy, always salty ground, but made it here just as the sun began to illuminate the Panamint Mountain Range. The nearly-full moon completes the panorama. Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mount_whitney_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Mount-Whitney-at-Dusk3t02_45x30.jpg Mount Whitney at Dusk Mount Whitney, at 14,505 feet in elevation, is the tallest mountain in the lower 48 States. I took this photo of Mt. Whitney shortly after sunset, when it's colors were at their most subdued. Mt. Whitney, Inyo National Forest, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moonset_at_zabrinskie_point/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Moonset-at-Zabrinskie-Point_3to2_30x20.jpg Moonset at Zabrinskie Point Zabrinskie Point, in Death Valley National Park, is a tremendously popular location for landscape photographers. I took this photo just after sunrise, with the sun over my shoulder, illuminating the desert peaks of the Panamint Range, which define Death Valley's western border. Within a couple minutes, the full moon had set, and this photographic opportunity was lost for the photographers who were running late. Zabrinskie Point, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/millard_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Millard-Falls_2to3_30x45.jpg Millard Falls Millard Falls, which lies roughly a mile northeast of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in La Cañada Flintridge, is a relatively unknown treasure. An easy hike of less than a mile will take one to these beautiful falls, where peace and solitude are abundant. Angeles National Forest, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mcway_falls_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_McWay-Falls-at-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg McWay Falls at Sunset McWay Falls, which lies directly off Highway One, in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, on the central California coast, is magnificent. Before a 1983 fire and a 1985 landslide, 80-foot tall McWay Falls plunged directly into the Pacific Ocean, but now this only happens at high tide. This scene was actually difficult to shoot, because of the sensory overload brought about by so many beautiful sights in one scene - a waterfall, a beach, a rocky cove, and sunset light. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/los_angeles_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Los-Angeles-at-Dusk_3to1_120x40.jpg Los Angeles at Dusk This panorama of Los Angeles was taken in the early evening from Griffith Park. I took the photo to showcase the vastness of the urban landscape that contributes to the LA River during a project I worked on in 2016 - the LA River Trek. Griffith Park Observatory, Los Angeles, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/joshua_trees_at_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Joshua-Trees-at-Dusk_3to2_30x20.jpg Joshua Trees at Dusk Joshua Tree National Park lies several hours south of Death Valley, and while it, like Death Valley, is a desert, it has a great deal more life. A near-forest of joshua trees fill the foreground of this photo, which I took as the sun set. Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/joshua_tree_canopy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Joshua-Tree-Canopy_2to3_30x45.jpg Joshua Tree Canopy Although most joshua trees are small and frequently lonely-looking, occasionally groups of them will grow together. That was the case here, where I got below a group of them in order to shoot vertically and see how they looked from below. Joshua Tree National Park, California, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hot_creek/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Hot-Creek_2to3_60x90.jpg Hot Creek Hot Creek, which lies in the eastern Sierra Nevada mountain range, begins as Mammoth Creek, and is made primarily of snow melt … so it isn't exactly hot. It eventually goes along to join warmer water from geothermal springs at the Hot Creek State Fish Hatchery. Even here, it isn't exactly 'hot,' seldom reaching temperatures higher than 68 degrees, but that's hot enough to justify the name. The way the stream curves back and forth, leading one's eye to what I believe is Sharktooth Peak is composition heaven. Hot Creek, Inyo National Forest, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/half_dome_ablaze/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Half-Dome-Ablaze_5to4_40x30.jpg Half Dome Ablaze Half Dome is one of Yosemite's most famous icons. I took this photo of Half Dome in the clouds with a telephoto lens as the sun set, seeming to set the mountain's western-facing slope on fire. Yosemite National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/great_egret_monochrome/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Great-Egret-Monochrome_3to2_30x20.jpg Great Egret monochrome I am not usually a black and white shooter. However, because when I took this photo in Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area just outside Huntington Beach, California, the sun had already gone down, there was little vibrant color left to work with. The pose taken by this beautiful great egret was not one that I wanted to waste, though, so I converted it to black and white, and ended up very happy with the result. Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area, Huntington Beach, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/golden_gate_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Golden-Gate-Panorama_2to1_120x60.jpg Golden Gate Panorama The Golden Gate Bridge has been shot to death, but this doesn't make it any less beautiful. I was lucky enough to be in the San Francisco area when there was a full moon, and I found a location from which I was able to capture the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco, and the nearly full moon in a single frame. I couldn't have asked for better lighting than I got on the night I took this photo. Battery Spencer, San Francisco, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/golden_gate_bridge_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Golden-Gate-Bridge-at-Night_4to5_48x60.jpg Golden Gate Bridge at Night I stayed in San Francisco for several days in March, 2016, and made several trips to the Golden Gate Bridge. This shot, taken from the southern end of the bridge was my best night-shot of this iconic American bridge. South of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/golden_gate_bridge_and_marshalls_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Golden-Gate-Bridge-and-Marshalls-Beach_4to5_40x50.jpg Golden Gate Bridge and Marshall's Beach Marshall's Beach, which lies southwest of the Golden Gate Bridge, is a hazardous place to walk around because of the many sharp, slippery rocks that dominate the area. That said, those same rocks make a fantastic foreground for the Golden Gate Bridge. Marshall's Beach, San Francisco, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/general_grant_tree/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_General-Grant-Tree_1to3_60x180.jpg General Grant Tree Another one of those instances of dumb luck making all the difference in the world. I only had one or two days in Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, in California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. I was there in mid-April, and anticipated spring conditions. Although the unexpected snow made it cold, and made camping that much less comfortable, it was a blessing, overall, since my photos certainly wouldn't have turned out as well if there had been blue skies and green grass. The tree in this photo is the General Grant Tree, in King's Canyon National Park, and it is the second largest tree in the world. It has a diameter of just under 30 feet at its base, and it stretches 267 feet into the air. It's pretty big. Kings Canyon National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/first_light_in_yosemite/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_First-Light-in-Yosemite_3to2_90x60.jpg First Light in Yosemite Yosemite National Park is a truly magical place. I was fortunate enough to be here when it snowed, which upped the beauty to eleven. The mountain which is just being kissed by the day's first light in this photo is called the Cathedral, and I love the reflection I was able to get in this photo. Yosemite National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fern_spring/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Fern-Spring_5to4_60x48.jpg Fern Spring Fern Spring, in Yosemite National Park, is on the side of the road, and is a favorite with local photographers. This bubbling spring is so perfect, it is hard to believe it is natural. It really looks designed. The water is unbelievably clear. I took a long-exposure here to give the water the flowing look shown. Yosemite National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/false_klamath_cove_coastline/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_False-Klamath-Cove-Coastline_1to2_60x120.jpg False Klamath Cove Coastline I went on a Pacific Northwest trip during the summer of 2018, in which I intended only on shooting Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. But, as they often do, my plans changed. I ended up missing Idaho, but got a bit of Northern California thrown into the mix. The coastline in Northern California is spectacular, and although I hadn't planned in advance on visiting False Klamath Cove, this photo that I took there, shortly before sunset, ended up being on of my favorites from the entire trip! False Klamath Cove, northern California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ever_upward/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Ever-Upward_3to2_72x48.jpg Ever Upward During the summer of 2018, I went on a long-overdue tour of the Pacific Northwest. My original intention was to shoot Oregon and Washington exclusively, but my route took me through Northern California, and when I saw I was only a couple hours from Redwoods National Park, I spontaneously added it to my itinerary. Forests are difficult to photograph because of the lack of simple shapes and patterns. Everything is complicated and points in all kinds of crazy directions. But I ended up happy with the photos I was fortunate enough to capture here. Until you've visited the redwoods, it is essentially impossible to explain their size. I attempted to make the scale somewhat accessible here by shooting a fairly wide-angle shot, but it cannot truly be grasped until one has seen these spectacular trees in person. Redwoods National Park, northern California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_in_angeles_national_forest/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Dusk-in-Angeles-National-Forest_3to1_120x40.jpg Dusk in Angeles National Forest Angeles National Forest is a unique place. One can drive five minutes into the national forest, and forget that Los Angeles, one of America's largest cities, is only a few miles away. From here, the rugged peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains stretch out for miles in all directions. I missed seeing sunset here by a few minutes, but was pleased by how it looked at dusk. I ended up returning to the same spot two days later to watch the sun set. Angeles National Forest, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_badwater_basin/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Dusk-at-Badwater-Basin_3to2_45x30.jpg Dusk at Badwater Basin Death Valley National Park's Badwater Basin lies at an elevation of 282 feet below sea level, making it one of the lowest above-ground points on Earth. Unusual freeze-thaw and evaporation cycles cause the formation of the oddly-shaped salt formations seen in the foreground of this photo. I took this photo shortly after the sun set, and remained on the otherworldly surface until well after dark, in order to see the area by the light of a full moon. Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/death_valley_superbloom_2016/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Death-Valley-Superbloom-2016_5to2_90x36.jpg Death Valley Superbloom 2016 My being in Death Valley National Park, in Eastern California, at the exact time that one of the best wildflower blooms in many years occurred was a complete accident. Death Valley is usually completely devoid of life, but heavy rains earlier in the year allowed for a short-lived bloom of many types of wildflowers in what is usually one of the driest places on the planet. Death Valley National Park, California, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/death_valley_dunes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Death-Valley-Dunes_3to2_72x48.jpg Death Valley Dunes When driving from a show in California to a show in Arizona during the fall of 2019, I had an extra day, and decided to spend it in one of my favorite National Parks - Death Valley. Although miserable in the summer, the temperature is usually pleasant in late October, such as it was when I was there. I only had one morning to shoot, but I got the most of it, shooting primarily in the Mesquite Flat Dunes, shown here. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/catalina_island_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Catalina-Island-Sunset_3to2_45x30.jpg Catalina Island Sunset Watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean is one of the simple joys of visiting California. I took this photo of Catalina Island, off the coast of Los Angeles, a few minutes after the sun had set in February, 2016. Newport Beach, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/camping_in_the_alabama_hills/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Camping-in-the-Alabama-Hills_3to2_60x40.jpg Camping in the Alabama Hills The Alabama Hills, which are part of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, lie just to the east of the southern portion of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Many TV shows and movies have been filmed or had portions filmed here, including The Lone Ranger, Bonanza, Tremors, and Gladiator. It is also a popular camping spot, as made obvious by all the lights in the foreground of the photo. Alabama Hills, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/burrowing_owl/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Burrowing-Owl_5to4_24x20.jpg Burrowing Owl Southern California's Salton Sea (which is actually a saltwater lake) is a birder's paradise. I saw this and many other burrowing owls lining the agricultural ditches in the area, and they could hardly have been more cooperative in regards to my taking pictures of them. They appeared, at times, to be as interested in me as I was in them. Near Salton Sea, California, USA https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blue_phacelia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Blue-Phacelia_3to2_36x24.jpg Blue Phacelia The fantastic bloom I experienced in Death Valley National Park in February, 2016, allowed for many species of wildflowers to appear in this otherwise dead part of the world for a short time. One species of flower that came to life during this special time was the blue phacelia, shown here. Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bixby_creek_bridge/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Bixby-Creek-Bridge_3to2_45x30.jpg Bixby Creek Bridge The Bixby Creek Bridge marks the unofficial northern point of California's scenic Highway One, which travels along the central coast, weaving its way through surprisingly diverse scenery. Big Sur Coastal Drive, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/big_sur_coastal_drive/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Big-Sur-Coastal-Drive_3to2_45x30.jpg Big Sur Coastal Drive The portion of Highway One that travels along California's central coast is one of America's most famous drives, and for good reason. The scenery in this shot is typical of major portions of the road. Big Sur Coastal Drive, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/big_guy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Big-Guy_2to3_48x72.jpg Big Guy During the summer of 2018, I went on a long-overdue tour of the Pacific Northwest. My original intention was to shoot Oregon and Washington exclusively, but my route took me through Northern California, and when I saw I was only a couple hours from Redwoods National Park, I spontaneously added it to my itinerary. Forests are difficult to photograph because of the lack of simple shapes and patterns. Everything is complicated and points in all kinds of crazy directions. In this shot, I attempted to single out one tree from many, and by including the eye-level base of the tree, as well as the sky, I intended to provide some feeling of scale. But that has proven to be something of an impossible task. Until you've visited the redwoods, it is impossible to explain their size. It cannot truly be grasped until one has seen these spectacular trees in person. So what are you waiting for? Get out there! Redwoods National Park, northern California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/badwater_basin_by_moonlight/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Badwater-Basin-by-Moonlight_3to2_60x40.jpg Badwater Basin by Moonlight Death Valley National Park's Badwater Basin lies at an elevation of 282 feet below sea level, making it one of the lowest above-ground points on Earth. Unusual freeze-thaw and evaporation cycles cause the formation of the hexagonal salt formations seen in the foreground of this photo. I took this photo at night, when the flats were illuminated by a nearly full moon. Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/avalon_2021/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Avalon-2021_5to2_150x60.jpg Avalon, 2021 I visited a good friend of mine in Avalon, the only "city" on Catalina Island, a mostly undeveloped desert island off the coast of California, in the summer of 2021. The island is accessible by a one hour ferry ride from Los Angeles. To me, this photo looks much more like a southern European scene than anything in the US, but I guess looks can be deceiving. It really is a beautiful city. Avalon, Catalina Island, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ancient_bristlecone_pine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Ancient-Bristlecone-Pine_2to3_48x72.jpg Ancient Bristlecone Pine Ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, such as the one shown in this photo, are the longest-living (non-clonal) organisms on the planet. There is a tree in this forest that germinated in 3051 BC. They thrive in high alpine environments, and grow incredibly slowly. There's something magical about walking through a forest of trees that have been growing for literally thousands of years. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ancient_bristlecone_pine_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Ancient-Bristlecone-Pine-at-Night_2to3_40x60.jpg Ancient Bristlecone Pine at Night Ancient Bristlecone Pine trees, such as the one shown in this photo, are the longest-living (non-clonal) organisms on the planet. There is a tree in this forest that germinated in 3051 BC. They thrive in high alpine environments, and grow incredibly slowly. There's something magical about walking through a forest of trees that have been growing for literally thousands of years. I took this photo at night, and lit the tree using bounced light from a headlamp. Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/afternoon_panorama_in_yosemite/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Afternoon-Panorama-in-Yosemite_2to1_96x48.jpg Afternoon Panorama in Yosemite Yosemite's famous "Tunnel View," featuring, from left to right, El Capitan, Half Dome (partially obscured by clouds), and Bridalveil Falls. Yosemite National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/afternoon_in_yosemite/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_California_Afternoon-in-Yosemite_3to2_72x48.jpg Afternoon in Yosemite Yosemite's famous "Tunnel View," featuring, from left to right, El Capitan, Half Dome (partially obscured by clouds), and Bridalveil Falls. Yosemite National Park, California https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/iguazu-sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Brazil_Iguazu-Sunset_5to2_105x42.jpg Iguazu_Sunset I spent a few days on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls specifically because if you stay at the Belmont Hotel, which is inside the national park, you are allowed 24 hour access to the falls. If you aren't staying there, you must be out of the Park by 5pm, which means no sunrises and no sunsets. There are countless spectacular views of the hundred or more individual waterfalls and cascades that are collectively called "Iguazu Falls," but this viewpoint was my favorite on the Brazilian side. I think it is the only viewpoint on either side of the falls that allows one to see a large portion of Iguazu from above. I was lucky enough to have a good sunset on one of my nights here, which made what may be the most beautiful waterfall on Earth even more beautiful. Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_iguazu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Brazil_Dusk-at-Iguazu_3to1_180x60.jpg Dusk at Iguazu I spent a few days on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls specifically because if you stay at the Belmont Hotel, which is inside the national park, you are allowed 24 hour access to the falls. If you aren't staying there, you must be out of the Park by 5pm, which means no sunrises and no sunsets. There are countless spectacular views of the hundred or more individual waterfalls and cascades that are collectively called "Iguazu Falls," but this viewpoint was my favorite on the Brazilian side. I think it is the only viewpoint on either side of the falls that allows one to see a large portion of Iguazu from above. I was lucky enough to have a good sunset on one of my nights here, which made what may be the most beautiful waterfall on Earth even more beautiful. Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/devils_throat_from_above/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Brazil_Devils-Throat-from-Above_3to2_72x48.jpg Devil's Throat from Above Iguazu Falls is on the border between Brazil and Argentina, and I was fortunate enough to spend a few days on each side. Argentina does not allow helicopter flights on their side of the border above Iguazu, but Brazil does. $120 is pretty expensive for a 10 minute flight, but I didn't think I'd ever be back, so I decided to go for it. Seeing the falls from above gives one a completely different sense of scale when compared to walking among the numerous waterfalls that collectively form Iguazu. Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/atop_iguazu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Brazil_Atop-Iguazu_2to1_120x60.jpg Atop Iguazu I spent a few days on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls specifically because if you stay at the Belmont Hotel, which is inside the national park, you are allowed 24 hour access to the falls. If you aren't staying there, you must be out of the Park by 5pm, which means no sunrises and no sunsets. There are countless spectacular views of the hundred or more individual waterfalls and cascades that are collectively called "Iguazu Falls," but this viewpoint was my favorite on the Brazilian side. I think it is the only viewpoint on either side of the falls that allows one to see a large portion of Iguazu from above. Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/uyuni_sunrise_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Uyuni-Sunrise-Panorama_3to1_216x72.jpg Uyuni Sunrise Panorama Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Typical tours in the area are only active during normal daylight hours, but I knew I wanted a chance to get a sunrise (and / or sunset) shot over the seemingly endless, mirror-smooth water, so I got a private guide to take me out when everyone else was still asleep, and some of the shots I got, like this one, are simply unbelievable. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/uyuni_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Uyuni-Reflection_3to2_90x60.jpg Uyuni Reflection Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/uyuni_reflection_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Uyuni-Reflection-Panorama_5to2_90x36.jpg Uyuni Reflection Panorama Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/uyuni_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Uyuni-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Uyuni Portrait Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/two_sets_of_mountains/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Two-Sets-of-Mountains_2to1_144x72.jpg Two Sets of Mountains Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tunupa/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Tunupa_3to2_72x48.jpg Tunupa Southwest Bolivia's dormant Volcàn Tunupa, which reaches an elevation of 17,457 feet, lies at the northern edge of el Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on the planet. Were it not for atmospheric haze, it would probably be visible from the entire Salar, but the best view of it comes from a popular tourist stop in the Salar de Uyuni, Incahuasi, which is a cactus-covered "island" in the middle of a "sea" of salt. I visited Incahuasi twice during my visit to Uyuni, and it's fortunate I did, because on my first visit, Tunupa was barely visible. My return a couple days later saw much better conditions, and I was able to take this haze-free photo of this spectacular dormant volcano. Tunupa Volcano, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tunupa_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Tunupa-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Tunupa Panorama Southwest Bolivia's dormant Volcàn Tunupa, which reaches an elevation of 17,457 feet, lies at the northern edge of el Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on the planet. Were it not for atmospheric haze, it would probably be visible from the entire Salar, but the best view of it comes from a popular tourist stop in the Salar de Uyuni, Incahuasi, which is a cactus-covered "island" in the middle of a "sea" of salt. I visited Incahuasi twice during my visit to Uyuni, and it's fortunate I did, because on my first visit, Tunupa was barely visible. My return a couple days later saw much better conditions, and I was able to take this haze-free photo of this spectacular dormant volcano. Tunupa Volcano, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/touchdown/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Touchdown_3to2_45x30.jpg Touchdown! Flamingos are weird. I've run into them in the African savanna, southern Florida, and Aruba. These types of low-elevation locations are where one typically thinks of flamingos living. But they also live in some places you really would not imagine, like high-elevation lakes in the South American Andes. I photographed these flamingos at Laguna Cañapa, which lies at an elevation of over 13,000 feet above sea level. Laguna Cañapa, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/touchdown_in_3_2_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Touchdown-in-3-2-1_2to1_48x24.jpg Touchdown in 3, 2, 1 Flamingos are weird. I've run into them in the African savanna, southern Florida, and Aruba. These types of low-elevation locations are where one typically thinks of flamingos living. But they also live in some places you really would not imagine, like high-elevation lakes in the South American Andes. I photographed these flamingos at Laguna Cañapa, which lies at an elevation of over 13,000 feet above sea level. Laguna Cañapa, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/this_cant_be_earth/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_This-Cant-Be-Earth_1to2_72x144.jpg This Can't Be Earth Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. Most of the playa is entirely white, but there are places where the salt isn't as thick, and the soil below is visible, like this photo here. This photo looks to me like it must have been taken on another planet. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_end_of_the_world/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_The-End-of-the-World_2to1_80x40.jpg The End of the World? Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Typical tours in the area are only active during normal daylight hours, but I knew I wanted a chance to get a sunrise (and / or sunset) shot over the seemingly endless, mirror-smooth water, so I got a private guide to take me out when everyone else was still asleep, and some of the shots I got, like this one, are simply unbelievable. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunrise_at_uyuni/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Sunrise-at-Uyuni_3to2_72x48.jpg Sunrise at Uyuni Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Typical tours in the area are only active during normal daylight hours, but I knew I wanted a chance to get a sunrise (and / or sunset) shot over the seemingly endless, mirror-smooth water, so I got a private guide to take me out when everyone else was still asleep, and some of the shots I got, like this one, are simply unbelievable. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/salty_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Salty-Panorama_3to1_216x72.jpg Salty Panorama Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perfect_mirror_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Perfect-Mirror-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Perfect Mirror Panorama Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/of_course_theyre_land_cruisers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Of-Course-Theyre-Land-Cruisers_3to2_72x48.jpg Of Course They're Land Cruisers Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. If you were wondering how one gets around the playa, the answer is, in a Land Cruiser. It's always a Land Cruiser. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mildly_inhospitable/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Mildly-Inhospitable_5to2_180x72.jpg Mildly Inhospitable Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/landing_together/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Landing-Together_1to1_30x30.jpg Landing Together Flamingos are weird. I've run into them in the African savanna, southern Florida, and Aruba. These types of low-elevation locations are where one typically thinks of flamingos living. But they also live in some places you really would not imagine, like high-elevation lakes in the South American Andes. I photographed these flamingos at Laguna Cañapa, which lies at an elevation of over 13,000 feet above sea level. Laguna Cañapa, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/la_paz_dusk/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_La-Paz-Dusk_3to1_216x72.jpg La Paz Dusk Bolivia is a landlocked nation in northwest South America, and is made up of extraordinarily high mountains and desert in the West, and portions of the Amazon rainforest in the East. I knew that La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, was at a high elevation before I arrived, but I didn't realize how high it is until after I'd arrived: 12 - 14,000 feet above sea level. I took this photo the day after I arrived in La Paz, and it was a bit of a walk to get to the viewpoint from my hostel. I didn't realize until a couple days later that the reason I wasn't feeling great when I took this photo is that I probably had (minor) altitude sickness. Illimani, the second highest mountain in Bolivia, at a bit over 21,000 feet, is visible in the back. La Paz, Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/la_paz_closeup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_La-Paz-Closeup_3to2_72x48.jpg La Paz Closeup Bolivia is a landlocked nation in northwest South America, and is made up of extraordinarily high mountains and desert in the West, and portions of the Amazon rainforest in the East. I knew that La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, was at a high elevation before I arrived, but I didn't realize how high it is until after I'd arrived: 12 - 14,000 feet above sea level. I took this photo the day after I arrived in La Paz, and it was a bit of a walk to get to the viewpoint from my hostel. I didn't realize until a couple days later that the reason I wasn't feeling great when I took this photo is that I probably had (minor) altitude sickness. La Paz, Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/la_paz_afternoon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_La-Paz-Afternoon_5to2_180x72.jpg La Paz Afternoon Bolivia is a landlocked nation in northwest South America, and is made up of extraordinarily high mountains and desert in the West, and portions of the Amazon rainforest in the East. I knew that La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, was at a high elevation before I arrived, but I didn't realize how high it is until after I'd arrived: 12 - 14,000 feet above sea level. I took this photo the day after I arrived in La Paz, and it was a bit of a walk to get to the viewpoint from my hostel. I didn't realize until a couple days later that the reason I wasn't feeling great when I took this photo is that I probably had (minor) altitude sickness. Illimani, the second highest mountain in Bolivia, at a bit over 21,000 feet, is visible in the back. La Paz, Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/incahuasi_island/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Incahuasi-Island_5to2_180x72.jpg Incahuasi Island Southwest Bolivia's dormant Volcàn Tunupa, which reaches an elevation of 17,457 feet, and can be seen in the upper, left-hand portion of this photo, lies at the northern edge of el Salar de Uyuni, the largest salt flat on the planet. Were it not for atmospheric haze, it would probably be visible from the entire Salar, but the best view of it comes from a popular tourist stop in the Salar de Uyuni, Incahuasi, which is a cactus-covered "island" in the middle of a "sea" of salt. It was from the summit of Incahuasi that I took this photo. It was a strange feeling, being at the top of this "island" with nothing but salt for miles in any direction, and only the most hardy of life forms able to survive. Incahuasi Island, Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/illimani_and_la_paz/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Illimani-and-La-Paz_3to2_72x48.jpg Illimani and La Paz Bolivia is a landlocked nation in northwest South America, and is made up of extraordinarily high mountains and desert in the West, and portions of the Amazon rainforest in the East. I knew that La Paz, the capital of Bolivia, was at a high elevation before I arrived, but I didn't realize how high it is until after I'd arrived: 12 - 14,000 feet above sea level. The second highest mountain in Bolivia, Illimani, which reaches an elevation of over 21,000 feet, is visible from La Paz when the weather is nice. La Paz, Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/full_halo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Full-Halo_3to2_90x60.jpg Full Halo Usually, when someone asks me how I managed to get some type of an effect in one of my photos, I have a good answer for them. Then, of course, there's this photo. How did I get this halo effect? I do not know. This is what it looked like to my naked eye. Taken just after sunrise in Bolivia's beautiful Salar de Uyuni (the largest salt flat on the planet), this is the only time (as of spring, 2024) that I've ever seen a full halo from the sun / moon / anything else. I have no idea if anyone will ever buy this photo, since it isn't as traditionally "beautiful" as much of my other work, but it is certainly one of my most unique shots. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/endless/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Endless_5to2_180x72.jpg Endless Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/el_salar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_El-Salar_3to2_90x60.jpg El Salar Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_uyuni/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Dusk-at-Uyuni_5to2_180x72.jpg Dusk at Uyuni Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Typical tours in the area are only active during normal daylight hours, but I knew I wanted a chance to get a sunrise (and / or sunset) shot over the seemingly endless, mirror-smooth water, so I got a private guide to take me out when everyone else was still asleep, and some of the shots I got, like this one, are simply unbelievable. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/curious_llama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Curious-Llama_5to4_60x48.jpg Curious Llama Not super-high on my list, but somewhere on my list of things I wanted to photograph on my February, 2024 trip to Bolivia, was llamas. Unfortunately, my itinerary didn't really take me anywhere with llamas until one of my last days in the country, when I was on my way back to the village of Uyuni from a trip to the desolate mountains and deserts in the area. This part of Bolivia is extremely dry, so the few places where water naturally collects have long been used as farmland. It was in such a place that I finally found some llamas, and was able to spend an hour or so photographing them. Southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/colorful_reflection/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Colorful-Reflection_2to1_80x40.jpg Colorful Reflection Sitting at roughly 12,000 feet above sea level, the Salar de Uyuni is, at over 3,900 square miles, the world's largest salt flat, or playa. I'd visited the playas of Death Valley National Park, California, before coming to Bolivia, but the difference in scale is mind-boggling. I planned my trip to be in February, since January and February are the wet months in the area, and the only time of year where one has a reasonably good chance of seeing the salt flats with standing water. This was a bucket list item for me to photograph, and the simple beauty of a seemingly endless plain of white salt, with or without standing water, and a blue sky above is truly a unique thing of beauty. Typical tours in the area are only active during normal daylight hours, but I knew I wanted a chance to get a sunrise (and / or sunset) shot over the seemingly endless, mirror-smooth water, so I got a private guide to take me out when everyone else was still asleep, and some of the shots I got, like this one, are simply unbelievable. Salar de Uyuni, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cementerio_de_trenes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Cementerio-de-Trenes_5to2_75x30.jpg Cementerio de Trenes The Cementerio de Trenes (train cemetary) just outside of Uyuni is one of the most popular places to visit when one comes to Uyuni to view the salt flats. On my first day in Uyuni, I hired a private guide to take me out on the salt flats so that I wouldn't feel rushed taking photos. But before going out to the salt flats, we visited the Cementerio de Trenes. It was fairly interesting, and I'm happy I got the photo I did, because starting a day or two later, I went on a group trip that started with a visit to the Cementerio de Trenes, but it was a couple hours later in the day than on my prior visit, and the difference was night and day. It was slammed with people. So in retrospect, I'm quite happy I was able to visit early enough in the day to be able to enjoy it myself. Train Cemetary, Uyuni, Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/calle_jaen/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Calle-Jaen_2to3_48x72.jpg Calle Jaen I booked my first couple of nights lodging in La Paz without doing much research. Somehow, I ended up being in a hostel on Calle Jaen, "the most colonial street in La Paz." Bolivia is fairly safe, but when I was taking this photo, the woman who owned a shop on Calle Jaen told me it was probably a good idea to put my camera gear away. I went ahead and did so, but not until after capturing this image of this iconic La Paz landmark. La Paz, Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/bolivian_wildlife/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Bolivian-Wildlife_3to2_60x40.jpg Bolivian Wildlife Not super-high on my list, but somewhere on my list of things I wanted to photograph on my February, 2024 trip to Bolivia, was llamas. Unfortunately, my itinerary didn't really take me anywhere with llamas until one of my last days in the country, when I was on my way back to the village of Uyuni from a trip to the desolate mountains and deserts in the area. This part of Bolivia is extremely dry, so the few places where water naturally collects have long been used as farmland. It was in such a place that I finally found some llamas, and was able to spend an hour or so photographing them. It was pretty cool to get this photo of the baby llama with some flamingos in it, too! Southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baby_llama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Baby-Llama_3to2_72x48.jpg Baby Llama Not super-high on my list, but somewhere on my list of things I wanted to photograph on my February, 2024 trip to Bolivia, was llamas. Unfortunately, my itinerary didn't really take me anywhere with llamas until one of my last days in the country, when I was on my way back to the village of Uyuni from a trip to the desolate mountains and deserts in the area. This part of Bolivia is extremely dry, so the few places where water naturally collects have long been used as farmland. It was in such a place that I finally found some llamas, and was able to spend an hour or so photographing them. Southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arbol_de_piedra/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Bolivia_Arbol-de-Piedra_3to2_90x60.jpg Árbol de Piedra The Árbol de Piedra, which translates to "Stone Tree," is located in the high altitude altiplano sand dunes of southwest Bolivia. Standing approximately 15 feet tall, the base is remarkably thin. The unusual shape is due to frequent winds blowing sand around, which, over the course of millions of years, has eroded the lower portion of the stone away into its current shape. Árbol de Piedra, southwest Bolivia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/forest_road_in_southwest_australia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Forest-Road-in-Southwest-Australia_1to1_24x24.jpg Forest Road in Southwest Australia One of my favorite things about living in Perth was how close it was to beautiful national parks of all different types - desert, ocean, forest, etc. I took this photo on a small dirt road through Warren National Park, roughly four hours south of the city. It was odd being so close, but feeling so far from civilization. Warren National Park, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wineglass_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Wineglass-Beach_3to2_45x30.jpg Wineglass Beach It is a bit of a walk to get to Freycinet National Park's beautiful Wineglass Bay. One cannot simply park at an adjacent parking lot and walk on over. It is a 7-mile loop to get there and back, and the entire hike is gorgeous. Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/western_australia_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Western-Australia-Sunset_3to2_24x16.jpg Western Australia Sunset Sunset on an empty beach just north of Margaret River, Western Australia. Near Margaret River, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/uluru/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Uluru_5to2_75x30.jpg Uluru Few scenes are as iconic of Australia as Uluru - sometimes called Ayer's Rock. Sacred to the Aboriginal People who still live nearby, Uluru lies near the middle of Australia, and there really isn't much anywhere nearby. It is a bit of a task to get there, especially if one elects to do so by land, as I did during the Fall (Australia's fall, that is) of 2010. I was quite lucky with the colors while I was there. Typically, there is little to no green to be found, because the area is incredibly dry. I was quite lucky when I visited, as it had rained an unusually high amount in the weeks leading up to my arrival, thus the green leaves and grasses scattered around the enormous, orange rock that can be found on countless book covers and posters advertising Australia. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/thorny_devil/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Thorny-Devil_3to2_18x12.jpg Thorny Devil When I took this photo, I didn't immediately realize how lucky I was to be doing so. All the roads through Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, in Australia's Northern Territory, are two-lane, and pullouts are uncommon. So, when I saw this guy crossing the road, I avoided him, and pulled over onto the shoulder in order to wait for him to get onto more natural-looking territory, then snapped off a few dozen photos. While I was stopped, a Park Ranger pulled up behind me and told me that I wasn't allowed to stop on the side of the road. He allowed me to take a few more photos, though, before I got on my way. He informed me before I left that, although he'd been a Ranger at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park for a number of years, he'd never seen a "thorny devil" - the peculiar lizard shown here - until that very day. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/tasmanian_albatross/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Tasmanian-Albatross_5to4_20x16.jpg Tasmanian Albatross I went on a cruise with Tasman Island Cruises near Port Arthur, in southeast Tasmania, in the fall of 2010. Although we saw a number of seals, and more types of birds than I can count, the albatross were my favorite to watch, as they tended to be the most active, as seen in this photo, in which several albatross are seen hunting for fish. Off the coast of Tasman Island, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/south_australia_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_South-Australia-Sunset_3to2_24x16.jpg South Australia Sunset I camped here one night, a few miles from Port Augusta, South Australia. Most of the surrounding vegetation was limited to grasses and bushes, but this tree made a perfect foreground for this sunset shot. Port Augusta, South Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/smooth_stones/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Smooth-Stones_3to2_45x30.jpg Smooth Stones It took me several attempts to get this photo composed as it is seen here. The ghostly looking water in is the result of a wave coming in, and then receding out of frame. It took several tries to get it to occupy the portion of the frame that it does, with the nice diagonal divide. I took this shot in the southeast corner of Tasmania. Near Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sleepy_devil/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Sleepy-Devil_5to4_30x24.jpg Sleepy Devil A yawning Tasmanian Devil. These guys are quite difficult to spot in the wild. Many of the Tasmanians I spoke with while on the island had never seen one outside of captivity. I took this picture at the Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, in Taranna, Tasmania. Tasmanian Devil Conservation Park, Taranna, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sleepy_bay_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Sleepy-Bay-Sunrise_2to1_96x48.jpg Sleepy Bay Sunrise Frecinet National Park, located on a small peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, is one of the most photogenic locations I've ever visited. The yellow and orange rocks that dominate the National Park plunge into blue waters, and at sunrise, the contrast is simply stunning. Sleepy Bay, Frecinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/silver_banksia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Silver-Banksia_1to1_24x24.jpg Silver Banksia This strange-looking flower is a silver banksia. It grows throughout southeastern Australia, and in some cases, the tree on which they grow can reach up to 40 feet in height. Port Arthur, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perth_at_night/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Perth-at-Night_3to1_72x24.jpg Perth at Night I drove a van across the northern half of Australia during the winter (Australia's winter, that is) of 2009 and arrived in Perth, not knowing ahead of time that I'd spend roughly seven months there. I loved Western Australia, and Perth, while honestly nothing special as far as metropolis' go, was in a great location with wonderful things to see and do in pretty much any direction. I took this photo of the city skyline from King's Park, where I occasionally camped in my van overnight. Shhh! Don't tell anyone! Perth, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pelican_feathers/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Pelican-Feathers_2to3_20x30.jpg Pelican Feathers Pelicans have to be one of the most adaptable species on the planet. I live in Colorado, and sometimes see them in high mountain lakes in the area. But I got this shot on Australia's West Coast, at a tourist hot spot called Monkey Mia, which is famous for the dolphins that visit the beach daily. Pelicans, monkeys, and dolphins. Confused? Me too. I'm not much of an abstract photographer, but I like this photo, which is actually a color photo, but could easily pass for black-and-whtie. Monkey Mia, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/nighttime_in_sydney/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Nighttime-in-Sydney_3to1_72x24.jpg Nighttime in Sydney Night time at the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the world's largest steel arched bridge. An Australian icon.  Sydney Opera House https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/morning_fog-at_lake_windermere/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Morning-Fog-at-Lake-Windermere_3to2_30x20.jpg Morning Fog at Lake Windermere I took this photo on the third of seven days I spent on the Overland Track, which travels roughly 40 miles through some of Tasmania's most beautiful natural scenery. It was difficult to drag myself out of my sleeping bag before sunrise each of these days, especially after spending the entirity of each of the prior days walking through mountainous terrain, but photos like this made it all worth it. Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mackenzie_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_MacKenzie-Falls_2to3_24x36.jpg MacKenzie Falls MacKenzie Falls, in Grampians National Park, Victoria. A beautiful National Park easily accessible to Melbourne, it's only a 3-hour drive, and well worth it. Grampians National Park, Victoria, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lucky_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Lucky-Bay_3to2_36x24.jpg Lucky Bay Lucky Bay, in Cape Le Grande National Park, just outside Esperance, Western Australia, is a famous spot specifically because kangaroos frequent this beautiful, white-sand beach, and make for spectacular photographs. Unfortunately, when I visited in February, 2010, there were no kangaroos present, but this didn't diminish the experience in any way. It was a perfect place to relax for an hour or two as the sun set. Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/liffey_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Liffey-Falls_2to1_48x24.jpg Liffey Falls I arrived in Tasmania without much of a plan for how to spend my first few days. My first stop after getting off the extremely expensive ferry that travels between the relatively small island of Tasmania and the mainland was Liffey Falls, shown here. I'd lived in New Zealand for roughly seven months before moving to Australia, about a year and a half before I took this photo, and my first thought when seeing Liffey Falls was, "Wow! This reminds me a lot of New Zealand!" Liffey Falls State Reserve, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lake_windermere_and_barn_bluff_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Lake-Windermere-and-Barn-Bluff-at-Sunrise_3to2_45x30.jpg Lake Windermere and Barn Bluff at Sunrise The Overland Track, a 65 kilometer (40 mile) trail in Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, is an incredible trek that allows hikers to experience the incredible diversity of Tasmania's ecosystem. This is a sunrise shot of Barn Bluff reflected in Lake Windermere, taken on my third day on the trail. Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kata_tjuta_at_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Kata-Tjuta-at-Dawn_3to1_48x16.jpg Kata-Tjuta at Dawn This is probably my favorite photo I took during the year and a half I lived in Australia. Many people have heard of Uluru (or Ayer's Rock, as it is sometimes called), but far fewer have heard of its sister formation, the Kata Tjuta, shown here. Personally, I think Kata Tjuta is even more beautiful than Uluru. I had to get up pretty early in order to be here for sunrise, but the sleep I lost was completely worth it. The amount of green on the trees in this photo is quite unusual - it had rained quite heavily in the weeks leading up to my arrival, which resulted in significantly more plant life than is typical of the region. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/karijini_slot_canyon/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Karijini-Slot-Canyon_2to3_24x36.jpg Karijini Slot Canyon Western Australia's Karijini National Park is a bit difficult to get to, not least because of its remote location, in the far northwest of the country's enormous desert interior. It is something of an oasis, and water can be found running here year-round. Waterfalls and slot canyons abound - this shot was taken several hours into one of the many slot canyon treks available to visitors. Joffre Falls, Karijini National Park https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/inside_kata_tjuta/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Inside-Kata-Tjuta_2to3_20x30.jpg Inside Kata-Tjuta The number of flies that dominated Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park when I visited in March, 2010, made walking around almost unbearable. An experience that cannot be described, and I hope to never go through again. Ugh. But I did force myself to walk around inside the Kata Tjuta, and considered myself to be extremely lucky to be there during a relatively uncommon blooming of flowers, precipitated by weeks of heavier-than-usual rain prior to my arrival. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hungry_crocodile/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Hungry-Crocodile_3to2_24x16.jpg Hungry Crocodile You can see 'jumping crocodiles' in Australia's Northern Territory, a ways east of Darwin. The tour companies entice them to jump out of the river to feast on chunks of steak. You can see such a piece in this guy's mouth.  Darwin, Northern Territory https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/honeymoon_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Honeymoon-Bay_3to1_90x30.jpg Honeymoon Bay Freycinet National Park, located on a small peninsula on the east coast of Tasmania, Australia, is extremely photogenic. Orange rocks, forests, mountains, and the blue and turquoise waters of Great Oyster Bay make for a tremendous panorama of Honeymoon Bay. Honeymoon Bay, Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/hellfire_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Hellfire-Bay_3to1_90x30.jpg Hellfire Bay Another example of Australia's beautiful southern coast. Situated in Western Australia's Cape Le Grand National Park, Hellfire Bay is absolutely gorgeous. The combination of white sand beaches (look closely at the upper left-hand side of the photo) and the orange-hued rocks that plunge into the deep blue waters of the Great Australian Bight makes for a composition that is hard to beat. I took this shot as the sun was getting low on the horizon, over my right shoulder - this accounts for the extra saturation of the rocks. Simply stunning! Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ghostly_waves_at_sleepy_bay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Ghostly-Waves-at-Sleepy-Bay_2to3_24x36.jpg Ghostly Waves at Sleepy Bay Eastern Tasmania's Freycinet National Park has some of the most gorgeous coastal scenery I've ever had the joy of viewing. When I am traveling, it is quite infrequent that I visit a specific place on more than one occasion, but I'd visited this location the evening before, and recognized that with proper lighting, it could be a truly beautiful sunrise location. So I broke with my traditional practice, and returned on the 14th in order to get this shot. Sleepy Bay, Frecinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/footprints_in_the_sand/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Footprints-in-the-Sand_4to5_20x24.jpg Footprints in the Sand I love photographing sand. Perhaps because I don't have to think quite as much about composition when doing so as compared to a typical landscape. It is possible to go out to a beach, or some sand dunes, and just point your camera at a few things, and you'll likely walk away with some good shots. And while I typically keep my photos as realistic as I can, on this particular shot, I took some liberty with contrast. It's a bit more abstract than my typical work, but the patterns and simplicity are rather pleasing to the eye. Coffin Bay National Park, South Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eucalyptus_silhouette/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Eucalyptus-Silhouette_4to5_20x24.jpg Eucalyptus Silhouette It isn't every evening that one sees the clouds turn as ridiculously pink as they did on the evening of April 13, 2010, when I took this photo in Tasmania's spectacular Freycinet National Park. Although the National Park is most famous for its coastal scenery, it also has its share of mountains and forests that are arguably as beautiful. Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/esperance_turbine/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Esperance-Turbine_3to2_24x16.jpg Esperance Turbine The photographic technique used to get the blurring of the turbine blades visible in this photo is called "long exposure." This simply means the camera is "taking the picture" for a relatively long period of time - 0.4 seconds in this case. (A typical photo taken on a smart phone is typically in the range of 0.01 seconds.) I didn't plan on getting this result when I pressed the shutter, but when I realized the possible compositions that would be possible, I took a few dozen versions of this shot, before settling on this one. It's a pretty unique composition. Ten Mile Lagoon Wind Farm, Esperance, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_in_northern_australia/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Dusk-in-Northern-Australia_3to1_48x16.jpg Dusk in Northern Australia Traveling through Australia's enormous outback is a tremendous experience. I spent many nights camped on the side of roads just like this one, and felt like I had the entire country to myself. I shot this picture from the roof of the van I was living in, at the time. The clouds at sunrise and sunset in both the Northern Territory and Western Australia remain some of the most beautiful I've ever seen. Between Darwin and Broome https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_in_freycinet/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Dusk-in-Freycinet_3to2_45x30.jpg Dusk in Freycinet I took this photo on the evening of April 13, 2010, on my way back to the car from a 7-mile hike to Freycinet National Park's beautiful and famous Wineglass Beach. Seeing the clouds light up in this otherworldly pink hue was a perfect way to end an incredible hike and an incredible day in one of the world's most beautiful coastal locations. Freycinet National Park, Tasmania, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dusk_at_william_bay_national_park/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Dusk-at-William-Bay-National-Park_3to2_24x16.jpg Dusk at William Bay National Park Located in the southwest corner of Western Australia, William Bay National Park is a gem. It occupies less than 2,000 hectares, but the orange rocks that plunge directly into the warm, blue waters of the Great Australia Bight are a magnificent sight to behold, especially at dawn or dusk. William Bay National Park, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cape_nelson_lighthouse/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Cape-Nelson-Lighthouse_3to2_24x16.jpg Cape Nelson Lighthouse I stopped at Cape Nelson hoping to see blue whales, which are occasionally visible from this location on Australia's southeast coast. I wasn't lucky enough to spot any of the world's largest animals, but I did get this simple, beautiful shot of Cape Nelson Lighthouse. Cape Nelson State Park, Victoria, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blue_faced_honeyeater/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Blue-Faced-Honeyeater_5to4_20x16.jpg Blue-Faced Honeyeater Having grown up in Colorado, the birds I'm used to seeing on a regular basis are , while pretty, quite boring compared to those in Australia. I never gave any thought to the fact that there are places on this wonderful planet where parrots, cockatoos, and the like aren't exotic, but natural inhabitants of the area. I'd never seen a bird like this guy - a blue-faced honeyeater - before I visited Eungella National Park, in New South Wales. Just one of the hundreds of unusual - to my eyes - and beautiful birds that populate this island country. Eungella National Park, New South Wales, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blue_haven/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Blue-Haven_5to4_30x24.jpg Blue Haven Esperance, Western Australia, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches and coastline I've ever seen. Twilight Beach is the most famous of the white-sand beaches within a few minutes of Esperance, but I preferred Blue Haven. This picture is wonderfully representative of the coastline in the area for miles in any direction. The remoteness of Esperance (it's roughly an 8 hour drive from Perth, the only city of more than 70,000 people in Western Australia) means that visitors can easily find solitude. Visiting a similar coastline in Southern California, or for that matter, the East Coast of Australia, would not be nearly as peaceful of an experience. Esperance, Western Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baby_and_mama_koala/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Australia_Baby-and-Mama-Koala_5to4_20x16.jpg Baby and Mama Koala When in Australia, there are a few things one must see. One of those is a koala. Unfortunately, they are notoriously difficult to find in the wilderness. So within a week or so of arriving in Australia, in October, 2008, I traveled to the Koala Conservation Center, on Phillip Island, near Melbourne, and checked some out, first-hand. They're incredibly cute, as made obvious by this photo. Koala Conservation Center, Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/to_the_cabana/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_To-the-Cabana_3to2_72x48.jpg To the Cabana? Sometime in early 2023, I saw photos of flamingos on a beautiful beach, and thought to myself, "I need to get some photos of this." In September of the same year, I gave myself that chance when I flew to Aruba and visited Renaissance Island, home of a handful of flamingos that live on the beach. The contrast of the pink feathers and turquoise and blue waters is amazing. Renaissance Island, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/smaller_than_he_looks/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Smaller-Than-He-Looks_5to4_60x48.jpg Smaller Than He Looks Sometime in early 2023, I saw photos of flamingos on a beautiful beach, and thought to myself, "I need to get some photos of this." In September of the same year, I gave myself that chance when I flew to Aruba and visited Renaissance Island, home of a handful of flamingos that live on the beach. The contrast of the pink feathers and turquoise and blue waters is amazing. Renaissance Island, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rum_reef/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Rum-Reef_3to2_72x48.jpg Rum Reef My primary purpose when visiting Aruba in September, 2023, was to photograph flamingos on Renaissance Island. For better or worse, no one is able to access Renaissance Island until 8am, and I wanted to be out shooting before this, so I asked some locals for their favorite beaches, and "Baby Beach" on the extreme southeast corner of the island was highly recommended. I arrived before sunrise, and got extremely lucky with the beautiful pink clouds above the spectacular turquoise waters. "Rum Reef" in the background really solidifies Baby Beach as being just about a perfect place to relax for a while. Baby Beach, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pink_flamingo/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Pink-Flamingo_1to1_48x48.jpg Pink Flamingo Sometime in early 2023, I saw photos of flamingos on a beautiful beach, and thought to myself, "I need to get some photos of this." In September of the same year, I gave myself that chance when I flew to Aruba and visited Renaissance Island, home of a handful of flamingos that live on the beach. The contrast of the pink feathers and turquoise and blue waters is amazing. Renaissance Island, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/light_pink/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Light-Pink_5to4_60x48.jpg Light Pink Sometime in early 2023, I saw photos of flamingos on a beautiful beach, and thought to myself, "I need to get some photos of this." In September of the same year, I gave myself that chance when I flew to Aruba and visited Renaissance Island, home of a handful of flamingos that live on the beach. The contrast of the pink feathers and turquoise and blue waters is amazing. Renaissance Island, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/flamingos/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Flamingos_1to1_48x48.jpg Flamingos Sometime in early 2023, I saw photos of flamingos on a beautiful beach, and thought to myself, "I need to get some photos of this." In September of the same year, I gave myself that chance when I flew to Aruba and visited Renaissance Island, home of a handful of flamingos that live on the beach. The contrast of the pink feathers and turquoise and blue waters is amazing. Renaissance Island, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eagle_beach_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Eagle-Beach-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Eagle Beach 2 On my first morning in Aruba, in September, 2023, I didn't set an alarm, and hoped to sleep in, because my flight (plus layovers, etc.) had taken over 24 hours the day before, and I was obviously jet-lagged. I really wanted a good night sleep. Well, I woke up quite a bit before sunrise, and unable to get back to sleep, I went to nearby Eagle Beach, arriving shortly before sunrise. In retrospect, this was a great move. Just after the sun rose, the beach was already filling up with tourists. Sometimes sleep deprivation is good, I guess? Eagle Beach, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/eagle_beach_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Eagle-Beach-1_2to1_72x36.jpg Eagle Beach 1 On my first morning in Aruba, in September, 2023, I didn't set an alarm, and hoped to sleep in, because my flight (plus layovers, etc.) had taken over 24 hours the day before, and I was obviously jet-lagged. I really wanted a good night sleep. Well, I woke up quite a bit before sunrise, and unable to get back to sleep, I went to nearby Eagle Beach, arriving shortly before sunrise. In retrospect, this was a great move. Just after the sun rose, the beach was already filling up with tourists. Sometimes sleep deprivation is good, I guess? Eagle Beach, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dont_pick_at_it/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Dont-Pick-At-It_4to5_48x60.jpg Don't Pick at it Sometime in early 2023, I saw photos of flamingos on a beautiful beach, and thought to myself, "I need to get some photos of this." In September of the same year, I gave myself that chance when I flew to Aruba and visited Renaissance Island, home of a handful of flamingos that live on the beach. The contrast of the pink feathers and turquoise and blue waters is amazing. Renaissance Island, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/baby_beach_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Baby-Beach-Sunrise_3to2_72x48.jpg Baby Beach Sunrise My primary purpose when visiting Aruba in September, 2023, was to photograph flamingos on Renaissance Island. For better or worse, no one is able to access Renaissance Island until 8am, and I wanted to be out shooting before this, so I asked some locals for their favorite beaches, and "Baby Beach" on the extreme southeast corner of the island was highly recommended. I arrived before sunrise, and got extremely lucky with the beautiful pink clouds above the spectacular turquoise waters. "Rum Reef" in the background really solidifies Baby Beach as being just about a perfect place to relax for a while. Baby Beach, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arashi_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_Arashi-Beach_5to2_150x60.jpg Arashi Beach Arashi Beach sits at the extreme northwest corner of the tiny island nation of Aruba. The island has many beautiful beaches, and Arashi is among the less-visited, so I was able to get this shot without a bunch of people in it even though nearby beaches were beginning to fill up with tourists. Arashi Beach, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_walk_on_the_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Aruba_A-Walk-on-the-Beach_4to5_40x50.jpg A Walk on the Beach Sometime in early 2023, I saw photos of flamingos on a beautiful beach, and thought to myself, "I need to get some photos of this." In September of the same year, I gave myself that chance when I flew to Aruba and visited Renaissance Island, home of a handful of flamingos that live on the beach. The contrast of the pink feathers and turquoise and blue waters is amazing. Renaissance Island, Aruba https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cathedral_rock_and_oak_creek/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Cathedral-Rock-and-Oak-Creek_3to2_72x48.jpg Cathedral Rock and Oak Creek I've visited Crescent Moon Picnic Area, in Sedona, Arizona, many times, and while it is always beautiful, it was on this visit, in the spring of 2018, that the conditions finally worked out how I wanted them to. Storm clouds above, direct light hitting Cathedral Rock in the background, water flowing through Oak Creek in the foreground, and freshly-green leaves on the trees along the shore all came together to create this photo. Sedona, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/watson_lake_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Watson-Lake-Portrait_4to5_60x75.jpg Watson Lake Portrait There are so many beautiful places to see in Arizona, it's hard to keep track of them all. Watson Lake, shown here shortly after sunrise, is man-made - a dam at one end allowed the area to be filled with water - but this doesn't do anything to diminish its beauty. The horizontal light from the rising sun really brings out the orange color of the rock formations, while the deep, dark blue in the foreground does a nice job of balancing the photo. Watson Lake, Prescott, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/watson_lake_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Watson-Lake-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Watson Lake Panorama There are so many beautiful places to see in Arizona, it's hard to keep track of them all. Watson Lake, shown here shortly after sunrise, is man-made - a dam at one end allowed the area to be filled with water - but this doesn't do anything to diminish its beauty. The horizontal light from the rising sun really brings out the orange color of the rock formations. Watson Lake, Prescott, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/vermillion_cliffs_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Vermillion-Cliffs-Ultrawide_4to1_192x48.jpg Vermillion Cliffs Ultrawide "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. After finishing my visit to The Wave, I wasn't really in the mood to begin the 8-hour drive back to Scottsdale, where I was participating in an art show, so I decided to camp out close to the nearby Paria Townsite, just north of The Wave, and took this photo while the sun was low on the horizon, lighting this hill up beautifully. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_wave_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_The-Wave-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg The Wave Panorama "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. This view is of the most famous part of the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs area, the Wave, itself. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_second_wave/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_The-Second-Wave_2to1_72x36.jpg The Second Wave "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. This formation can be found by hiking out beyond The Wave, and is called, most creatively, "The Second Wave." I've talked to many photographers who think The Second Wave is more beautiful than The Wave, but haven't been able to make up my own mind. What do you think? Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_second_wave_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_The-Second-Wave-Panorama_5to2_75x30.jpg The Second Wave Panorama "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. This formation can be found by hiking out beyond The Wave, and is called, most creatively, "The Second Wave." I've talked to many photographers who think The Second Wave is more beautiful than The Wave, but haven't been able to make up my own mind. What do you think? Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_north_rim/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_The-North-Rim_5to2_120x48.jpg The North Rim There will be an eternal argument as to whether the North or South rim of Arizona's spectacular Grand Canyon National Park is more beautiful, and I don't know that there is truly an answer to be found. This photo was taken at sunset, on the North Rim. North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/superstition_mountain_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Superstition-Mountain-Sunset_5to2_120x48.jpg Superstition Mountain Sunset The Superstition Mountains, just east of Phoenix, Arizona, are beautiful and utterly unique. This formation is called the "Praying Hands," and I took this photo as the sun was setting behind me, over my right shoulder, which illuminated the fingers of this incredible mountain formation in a spectacular orange light. Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/striking_a_pose_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Striking-a-Pose-at-Sunset_2to3_30x45.jpg Striking a Pose at Sunset A horse I spotted while in Scottsdale, Arizona. I love the back light provided by the setting sun. Scottsdale, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/storm_clouds_above_saguaro/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Storm-Clouds-above-Saguaro_2to3_48x72.jpg Storm Clouds above Saguaro I went out one night just outside of Scottsdale, when it looked like there might be a spectacular sunset. It was underwhelming, but the late-evening light on this saguaro, and the storm clouds above made for a good composition. Scottsdale, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snowy_morning_in_sedona/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Snowy-Morning-in-Sedona_3to2_72x48.jpg Snowy Morning in Sedona I camped just outside of Sedona, Arizona, at the end of February, 2018, and had been told there was a chance it would snow, which might afford me some relatively unique photographic opportunities. When I awoke, I found 3-4 inches of fresh snow, and immediately set off to get some photos of the area. I took this photo shortly before sunrise. It's pretty obvious where main street is. Sedona, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shadows_approaching_the_wave/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Shadows-Approaching-the-Wave_2to1_120x60.jpg Shadows Approaching the Wave "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. This view is of the most famous part of the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs area, the Wave, itself. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/scottsdale_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Scottsdale-Sunset_2to3_40x60.jpg Scottsdale Sunset Phoenix, Arizona, and the surrounding area has some of the most reliably beautiful sunsets of anywhere I've spent a decent amount of time. The combination of dust (this is a desert, after all) and, unfortunately, pollution, is a recipe for bright colors at sunrise and sunset. Scenes like this one aren't at all difficult to find in any direction one takes from Phoenix. Scottsdale, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saguaro_sunstar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Saguaro-Sunstar_2to3_48x72.jpg Saguaro Sunstar I'm not typically a fan of photos with no clouds in the sky, but there's something about the Phoenix area that makes even the most mundane sunsets (and sunrises) quite beautiful. I shot this photo with a portion of the sun poking through the arms of the saguaro cactus, which created a "sun star." Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saguaro_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Saguaro-Sunset_3to2_72x48.jpg Saguaro Sunset One of the millions of saguaro cacti that dot the landscape all around Phoenix, Arizona. An incredibly simple composition, but the beautiful clouds at sunset combine spectacularly with the simple, three-armed saguaro. Scottsdale, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/saguaro_cactus_and_mcdowell_mountains_at_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Saguaro-Cactus-and-McDowell-Mountains-at-Sunrise_3to2_72x48.jpg Saguaro Cactus and McDowell Mountains at Sunrise McDowell Mountain Regional Park, just outside of Fountain Hills, Arizona, is a beautiful park filled with saguaro cacti and spectacular desert / mountain scenery. I took this photo in the park shortly after sunrise in the middle of November, 2016, when the weather is just about perfect. McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/rattlesnake_canyon_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Rattlesnake-Canyon-2_4to5_48x60.jpg Rattlesnake Canyon 2 Arizona's Antelope Canyon has become overwhelmingly popular for photographers in recent years. Fortunately, there are several less popular slot canyons in the same area that offer similar experiences. I took this photo in nearby Rattlesnake Canyon, which boasts several arches that cross the canyon. Rattlesnake Canyon, near Page, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/owl_canyon_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Owl-Canyon-1_3to2_72x48.jpg Owl Canyon 1 Arizona's Antelope Canyon has become overwhelmingly popular for photographers in recent years. Fortunately, there are several less popular slot canyons in the same area that offer similar experiences. I took this photo from the end of Owl Canyon as a jet passed by. Owl Canyon, near Page, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/next_to_the_wave/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Next-to-the-Wave_1to1_48x48.jpg Next to the Wave "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. The "famous" view of the wave is taken by continuing down this canyon, and turning to the right. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountain_sheep_canyon_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Mountain-Sheep-Canyon-2_3to2_72x48.jpg Mountain Sheep Canyon 2 Arizona's Antelope Canyon has become overwhelmingly popular for photographers in recent years. Fortunately, there are several less popular slot canyons in the same area that offer similar experiences. I took this photo in nearby Mountain Sheep Canyon. The colors of the canyon walls become incredibly vibrant when hit by direct sun, and this vibrancy contrasts beautifully with the portions of the wall that lie in the shade. The blue and white of the sky above only adds to an already spectacular color palette. Mountain Sheep Canyon, near Page, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mountain_sheep_canyon_1/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Mountain-Sheep-Canyon-1_1to1_48x48.jpg Mountain Sheep Canyon 1 Arizona's Antelope Canyon has become overwhelmingly popular for photographers in recent years. Fortunately, there are several less popular slot canyons in the same area that offer similar experiences. I took this photo in nearby Mountain Sheep Canyon. The colors of the canyon walls become incredibly vibrant when hit by direct sun, and this vibrancy contrasts beautifully with the portions of the wall that lie in the shade. Mountain Sheep Canyon, near Page, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/moon_over_palms/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Moon-Over-Palms_5to4_30x24.jpg Moon over Palms The night of November 13, 2016, was the biggest "supermoon" visible on Earth for over 60 years. I was busy on the evening of the 14th, but managed to get this shot of a nearly-full moon above some palm trees two nights before, from an art show I was participating in, in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Fountain Hills, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/monument_valley_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Monument-Valley-Sunset_3to1_144x48.jpg Monument Valley Sunset Monument Valley is beautiful at any time of day, but at the "golden hours" of dawn and dusk, it is, for lack of a better word, monumental. This particularly famous view of Monument Valley showcases (from left to right) West Mitten Butte, East Mitten Butte, and Merrick Butte. Monument Valley, Arizona / Utah border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/monument_valley_region_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Monument-Valley-Region-Sunrise_3to1_120x40.jpg Monument Valley Region Sunrise One of the many enormous (1000+ foot) mesas that dominate the landscape of the Monument Valley region, on the Utah / Arizona border. Monument Valley, Arizona / Utah border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/monument_valley_from_the_east/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Monument-Valley-from-the-East_3to1_144x48.jpg Monument Valley from the East Shortly after sunrise in the Monument Valley region of Southern Utah / Northern Arizona. Monument Valley, Arizona / Utah border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/inside_the_wave/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Inside-the-Wave_3to2_90x60.jpg Inside the Wave "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. This view is of the most famous part of the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs area, the Wave, itself. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/horseshoe_bend_sunstar/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Horseshoe-Bend-Sunstar_2to1_108x54.jpg Horseshoe Bend Sunstar I won a backcountry permit to visit "The Wave" in Arizona's Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness in late January, 2019. It is a location I'd been wanting to visit for years. I came up from the south, and decided I ought to hit Horseshoe Bend along the way. I timed my trip to allow me to shoot here at sunset, and the clouds turned out to be more cooperative than on my previous visit a few years earlier. If one is set up properly, the chance to get the "sunstar" effect shown in this photo lasts for probably less than a minute, as the sun dips below the horizon. Fortunately, I was set up properly, and got this awesome panorama out of it! Near Page, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/horseshoe_bend_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Horseshoe-Bend-at-Sunset_3to2_90x60.jpg Horseshoe Bend at Sunset I won a backcountry permit to visit "The Wave" in Arizona's Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs Wilderness in late January, 2019. It is a location I'd been wanting to visit for years. I came up from the south, and decided I ought to hit Horseshoe Bend along the way. I timed my trip to allow me to shoot here at sunset, and the clouds turned out to be more cooperative than on my previous visit a few years earlier. Horseshoe Bend, and the Colorado River are simply beautiful, especially if one is lucky enough to see them with conditions such as these! Near Page, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/full_moon_over_pinnacle_peak/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Full-Moonover-Pinnacle-Peak_3to2_45x30.jpg Full Moon over Pinnacle Peak I spent three months in Scottsdale, Arizona, in early 2018. That means I had three chances to get some photos of the full moon. This is a shot that I planned in advance, and am really happy with how well it turned out. The mountain in the foreground of this photo is Pinnacle Peak. Pinnacle Peak, Scottsdale, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/full_moon_in_scottsdale/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Full-Moon-in-Scottsdale_3to2_36x24.jpg Full Moon in Scottsdale I spent three months in Scottsdale, Arizona, in early 2018. That means I had three chances to get some photos of the full moon. This is a shot that I planned in advance, and am really happy with how well it turned out. The mountain in the foreground of this photo is Pinnacle Peak. Pinnacle Peak, Scottsdale, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/desert_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Desert-Sunset_2to3_48x72.jpg Desert Sunset Spectacular sunsets are almost the norm during the winter in and around the Phoenix area. I didn't set aside time for photography on the evening I took this photo, but I often have my camera with me, and on the evening I took this photo, I just happened to see the beginnings of what I thought might be another great sunset, so I went and found a nice composition with a single, tall saguaro, in the hopes that the clouds would light up. And as luck would have it, they did just that! Scottsdale, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/contrails_at_sunset/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Contrails-at-Sunset_3to2_60x40.jpg Contrails at Sunset Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport served almost 44 million passengers in 2017, making it the thirty-fourth busiest airport in the world. Combine the large number of jets flying into and out of the region with the conditions that make Phoenix's sunsets so reliably beautiful, and scenes like this come together. The composition here is simple, but chaotic. There's no foreground, it's just interesting shapes, lines, and outrageously bright colors. Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chiricahua_sunset_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Chiricahua-Sunset-Panorama_5to2_120x48.jpg Chiricahua Sunset Panorama Chiricahua National Monument is out-of-the-way, and being designated a National Monument, rather than a National Park, it doesn't get too many visitors. But it is utterly unique, with countless stone columns, called hoodoos, dotting the high desert landscape. I have only visited the Monument once, and was lucky enough to be treated to an incredibly vibrant sunset. Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chiricahua_sunrise_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Chiricahua-Sunrise-Panorama_4to1_192x48.jpg Chiricahua Sunrise Panorama Chiricahua National Monument is out-of-the-way, and being designated a National Monument, rather than a National Park, it doesn't get too many visitors. But it is utterly unique, with countless stone columns, called hoodoos, dotting the high desert landscape. I have only visited the Monument once, and this is the view I was treated to shortly after sunrise. Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cathedral_rock/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Cathedral-Rock_3to2_72x48.jpg Cathedral Rock Sedona, Arizona, is about two hours north and worlds apart from Phoenix. The colossal buttes and mountains remind me quite a bit of Zion National Park, which lies several more hours to the northwest. The rock formation in this photo is one of the most famous in the area - Cathedral Rock. Crescent Moon Picnic Area, Sedona, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/capitol_butte_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Capitol-Butte-Panorama_4to1_216x54.jpg Capitol Butte Panorama Capitol Butte (the largest mountain in this photo) and Coffee Pot Rock (on the far right side of this photo) are two of the largest buttes in the Sedona, Arizona area. The town of Sedona actually lies right at the base of these mountains, and if you look closely at the bottom of this photo, you'll see a couple buildings that mark the beginning of town, which I intentionally cut out in order to highlight the natural beauty of these spectacular mountains. Sedona, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cactus_wren/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Cactus-Wren_4to5_30x40.jpg Cactus Wren A cactus wren. These guys are easy to find in the desert around Phoenix, Arizona. Scottsdale, Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blue_sky_above_the_wave/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_Blue-Sky-above-the-Wave_5to4_60x48.jpg Blue Sky above The Wave "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. This view is of the most famous part of the Paria Canyon-Vermillion Cliffs area, the Wave, itself. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_surreal_path/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_A-Surreal-Path_3to2_72x48.jpg A Surreal Path "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. I took this photo a couple minutes from The Wave, and may actually like this one better than any photos I captured of The Wave. I could not have asked for better lighting. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/a_surreal_path_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Arizona_A-Surreal-Path-Portrait_4to5_48x60.jpg A Surreal Path Portrait "The Wave," in northern Arizona, was made famous by a Windows XP wallpaper many years ago. It subsequently became famous enough that, in order to keep the wilderness wild, the Bureau of Land Management decided to allow access to only twenty people per day, decided by a lottery. I'd wanted to visit "The Wave" for several years before I finally won a ticket to visit in late January, 2019. The entire region is spectacular, filled with otherworldly geologic formations and beautiful rocks in shades of pink, orange, red, and yellow. I took this photo a couple minutes from The Wave, and may actually like this one better than any photos I captured of The Wave. I could not have asked for better lighting. Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness, northern Arizona https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/worst_road_best_clouds/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Worst-Road-Best-Clouds_3to2_72x48.jpg Worst Road, Best Clouds I spent almost a month in Patagonia in late 2019 and early 2020, and most of that time was spent in Chile, as opposed to Argentina. The roads were, for the most part, great. But there were portions that … uh … weren't. I'm fairly certain that by the time I make it back, this unpaved section of road in Argentina will be perfect blacktop, which will have positive and negative consequences on tourism in the area. At the moment I took this picture, right at sunset, I was mentally done with unpaved roads. I'd been driving on one for the better part of a couple days, and felt like my teeth were ready to shake loose. Looking back on it, now, it's easy to laugh and smile, but at the time … oof. Putting all that aside, these were some of the prettiest clouds I'd ever seen. Southern Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/water_glacier_trees_mountains_clouds/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Water-Glacier-Trees-Mountains-Clouds_2to1_72x36.jpg Water, Glacier, Trees, Mountains, Clouds Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier is simply stunning. Although you can't tell from this photo, the glacier comes down for miles from a mountain chain, and ends in a glacial lake. I went on a cruise in this lake, and brought a few cameras with different focal length lenses with me, because I wasn't sure whether wide-angle photos emphasizing the vastness of the glacier would work better, or closeups detailing the intricacies of the cubic miles of ice would prove to be better subject matter. In the end, they both worked in their own ways. This photo is something of a middle ground. Some detail is visible in the glacier wall, and a bit of context is provided by the far away mountain in the background, but it is impossible to really sense the scale of the whole glacier. Trust me, it's big. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upstream_of_cascada_escondida/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Upstream-of-Cascada-Escondida_2to3_60x90.jpg Upstream of Cascada Escondida I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and I was fortunate enough to get some incredible shots of the mountain at sunrise. The trek back to town took something like 4 or 5 hours, and I knew there was supposed to be a nice view of a river and waterfall with Fitz Roy in the background somewhere a bit off the trail on the way back. I walked back slowly, keeping my eyes and ears open for signs of the fabled view, and eventually found it. This shot has a little bit of everything! On the trail to Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/toco_toucan/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Toco-Toucan_5to4_40x30.jpg Toco Toucan I visited Iguazu Falls to photograph - obviously - the falls. But there was more to Iguazu than just the falls. It is a pretty good area for photographing birds, and I was lucky enough to see this toco toucan on a wildlife walk. He didn't stick around long, but it was long enough to get this shot! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/soaring_above/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Soaring-Above_3to2_72x48.jpg Soaring Above Argentina's amazing Perito Moreno glacier can be viewed in several different ways. Some visitors trek on the glacier itself. Although I've wandered around on a few different glaciers in other countries, due to time constraints, I was unable to do so during my 2020 visit here. Other visitors go on a cruise in the lake below. I was fortunate enough to do this, and some of my other photos of Perito Moreno were taken on one such cruise. Finally, there's a series of trails and boardwalks beyond the end of the glacier that provide views of it from different elevations and angles. I took this photo from a boardwalk, and my intention was to show the glacial wall as it plunged several hundred feet into the icy waters below, disappearing off into the distance. I took several versions of this shot with different amounts of glacier, water below, and background. It was mostly dumb-luck that allowed me to capture this perfectly framed image at the same time as an Andean condor - the largest bird in the world by combined measurement of weight and wingspan - flew by. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/plush_crested_jay/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Plush-Crested-Jay_5to4_60x48.jpg Plush Crested Jay This is a plush crested jay, and they were everywhere on both the Brazilian and Argentinian side of Iguazu Falls. Quite beautiful, and utterly unafraid of people. They were kind of the seagulls or pigeons of Iguazu. Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perito_pano/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Perito-Pano_5to2_150x60.jpg Perito Pano Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier is simply stunning. Although you can't tell from this photo, the glacier comes down for miles from a mountain chain, and ends in a glacial lake. I went on a cruise in this lake, and brought a few cameras with different focal length lenses with me, because I wasn't sure whether wide-angle photos emphasizing the vastness of the glacier would work better, or closeups detailing the intricacies of the cubic miles of ice would prove to be better subject matter. In the end, they both worked in their own ways. This shot was taken head-on, but it is hard to get a sense of scale. The glacial wall here is roughly two hundred feet tall. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perito_moreno/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Perito-Moreno_5to2_150x60.jpg Perito Moreno I've seen, and in some cases, walked on glaciers in Canada, Alaska, Iceland, Nepal, New Zealand, Chile, Montana, and possibly other places. But none had quite the impact on me as Perito Moreno. It's possible to walk on the glacier, but I opted for a boat ride that took me right up to the ice walls that plummet hundreds of feet into the freezing water, below. It's hard to grasp the scale of this glacier, but one point of reference you can use is the boat visible in the lower right hand corner of the photo. That's a big boat, and it would be easy to completely overlook it without knowing it's there. An absolutely stunning location. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/perfect_light_at_fitz_roy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Perfect-Light-at-Fitz-Roy_5to2_75x30.jpg Perfect Light at Fitz Roy I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/on_the_way_to_laguna_torre/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_On-the-way-to-Laguna-Torre_3to2_72x48.jpg On the way to Laguna Torre I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain I'd driven to the village of El Chalten to photograph) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and I got exactly the photos of Fitz Roy I wanted. I had one more day in which the clouds weren't supposed to be too bad, so I used this day to trek to Laguna Torre, the second most famous hike and view in the area. The hike went through all kinds of different environments, including forests like this one. Maybe I'll come back yet again when the leaves are changing colors... On the trail to Laguna Torre, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/no_sense_of_scale/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_No-Sense-of-Scale_2to3_48x72.jpg No Sense of Scale Argentina's amazing Perito Moreno glacier can be viewed in several different ways. Some visitors trek on the glacier itself. Although I've wandered around on a few different glaciers in other countries, due to time constraints, I was unable to do so during my 2020 visit here. Other visitors go on a cruise in the lake below. I was fortunate enough to do this, and some of my other photos of Perito Moreno were taken on one such cruise. Finally, there's a series of trails and boardwalks beyond the end of the glacier that provide views of it from different elevations and angles. I took this photo from a boardwalk with a telephoto lens, which allowed me to bring the focus onto the details in the ice wall where it plunged into the icy waters of Argentino Lake, below. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/laguna_torre/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Laguna-Torre_3to2_90x60.jpg Laguna Torre I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain I'd driven to the village of El Chalten to photograph) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and I got exactly the photos of Fitz Roy I wanted. I had one more day in which the clouds weren't supposed to be too bad, so I used this day to trek to Laguna Torre, the second most famous hike and view in the area. The clouds did obscure some of the mountains, but the view was still good. The thing I remember most, though, about taking these photos was the wind. I am not exaggerating when I say that the wind at this lake was so strong that it was impossible to walk. I had to crawl around in order to avoid being blown off my feet. Laguna Torre, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/laguna_torre_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Laguna-Torre-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Laguna Torre Panorama I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain I'd driven to the village of El Chalten to photograph) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and I got exactly the photos of Fitz Roy I wanted. I had one more day in which the clouds weren't supposed to be too bad, so I used this day to trek to Laguna Torre, the second most famous hike and view in the area. The clouds did obscure some of the mountains, but the view was still good. The thing I remember most, though, about taking these photos was the wind. I am not exaggerating when I say that the wind at this lake was so strong that it was impossible to walk. I had to crawl around in order to avoid being blown off my feet. Laguna Torre, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/just_relaxing/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Just-Relaxing_4to5_48x60.jpg Just Relaxing I went to Iguazu Falls, obviously, to photograph the Falls. I actually had six days available (three in Brazil and three in Argentina), which was more than enough time to photograph the falls on multiple occasions from different locations and with different lighting. I brought my telephoto lens, not expecting to use it for any wildlife photography, but to my happy surprise, there was quite a bit of wildlife, and these guys - coatis - were everywhere and unafraid of humans, so they were a joy to photograph! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/just_a_piece_of_iguazu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Just-A-Piece-Of-Iguazu_2to1_120x60.jpg Just a Piece of Iguazu Aftrer spending three days on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, I crossed the border and had a few more days to enjoy what may be the most beautiful waterfall on Earth from the Argentinian side. There are countless spectacular views of the hundred or more individual waterfalls and cascades that are collectively called "Iguazu Falls," but this viewpoint was my favorite on the Argentinian side. Taking the photo was a bit difficult, because I had to take it from a fairly narrow suspended trail that shook every time someone walked by, shaking my camera and tripod and ruining the photos. So I had to twiddle my thumbs and wait until there was a 30-second (or more) window to take photos without other visitors making it impossible to shoot. My patience worked out, though, and I got exactly what I'd hoped for! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/iguazu_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Iguazu-Portrait_2to3_60x90.jpg Iguazu Portrait Iguazu Falls, on the Brazil / Argentina border, may be the prettiest waterfall on Earth. Hundreds of individual waterfalls collectively make up Iguazu Falls, and there are a million ways to photograph it, but it tends to work better as a landscape or panorama. Nonetheless, I kept my eyes open for a way to compose some portion of the falls as a portrait, and these two palm trees served perfectly to make it happen! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/half_of_that_mountain_is_missing/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Half-of-that-Mountain-is-Missing_2to3_60x90.jpg Half of that Mountain is Missing I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain I'd driven to the village of El Chalten to photograph) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and I got exactly the photos of Fitz Roy I wanted. I had one more day in which the clouds weren't supposed to be too bad, so I used this day to trek to Laguna Torre, the second most famous hike and view in the area. The clouds did obscure some of the mountains, but the view was still good. The thing I remember most, though, about taking these photos was the wind. I am not exaggerating when I say that the wind at this lake was so strong that it was impossible to walk. I had to crawl around in order to avoid being blown off my feet. Laguna Torre, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fitz_roy_ultrawide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Fitz-Roy-Ultrawide_3to1_180x60.jpg Fitz Roy Ultrawide I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fitz_roy_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Fitz-Roy-Sunrise_3to2_90x60.jpg Fitz Roy Sunrise I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fitz_roy_sunrise_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Fitz-Roy-Sunrise-Wide_2to1_120x60.jpg Fitz Roy Sunrise Wide I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fitz_roy_sunrise_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Fitz-Roy-Sunrise-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Fitz Roy Sunrise Panorama I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fitz_roy_dawn/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Fitz-Roy-Dawn_2to1_120x60.jpg Fitz Roy Dawn I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fitz_roy_closeup/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Fitz-Roy-Closeup_3to2_90x60.jpg Fitz Roy Closeup I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fitz_roy_and_laguna_de_los_tres-2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Fitz-Roy-and-Laguna-de-los-Tres_3to2_90x60.jpg Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fitz_roy_and_laguna_de_los_tres/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Fitz-Roy-and-Laguna-de-los-Tres-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Fitz Roy and Laguna de los Tres I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/first_light_at_fitz_roy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_First-Light-at-Fitz-Roy_3to2_90x60.jpg First Light at Fitz Roy I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/first_light_at_fitz_roy_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_First-Light-at-Fitz-Roy-Panorama_2to1_80x40.jpg First Light At Fitz Roy Panorama I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and after starting the trek from the cute village of El Chalten at 1AM, I arrived at Laguna de los Tres (still completely frozen in late October) shortly before sunrise. I think Fitz Roy may be the most beautiful mountain on Earth. Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/feeling_lazy/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Feeling-Lazy_2to3_48x72.jpg Feeling Lazy I went to Iguazu Falls, obviously, to photograph the Falls. I actually had six days available (three in Brazil and three in Argentina), which was more than enough time to photograph the falls on multiple occasions from different locations and with different lighting. I brought my telephoto lens, not expecting to use it for any wildlife photography, but to my happy surprise, there was quite a bit of wildlife, and these guys - coatis - were everywhere and unafraid of humans, so they were a joy to photograph! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/endless_icefield/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Endless-Icefield_3to2_72x48.jpg Endless Icefield Argentina's amazing Perito Moreno glacier can be viewed in several different ways. Some visitors trek on the glacier itself. Although I've wandered around on a few different glaciers in other countries, due to time constraints, I was unable to do so during my 2020 visit here. Other visitors go on a cruise in the lake below. I was fortunate enough to do this, and some of my other photos of Perito Moreno were taken on one such cruise. Finally, there's a series of trails and boardwalks beyond the end of the glacier that provide views of it from different elevations and angles. I took this photo from a boardwalk with a telephoto lens, which allowed me to bring the focus onto the top of the glacier, instead of the whole scene, which otherwise would have included the lake below, the mountains beyond, and the sky above. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cutest_fox_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Cutest-Fox-Portrait_4to5_24x30.jpg Cutest Fox Portrait My early 2020 trip to Patagonia was intended to be a photographic journey through some of the most beautiful and monumental scenery on the planet. And there's no doubt that it ticked those boxes. But I brought my gigantic wildlife lens with me as well, and hoped that I might see some animals here or there along the way. I ended up pleasantly surprised with the amount and variety of wildlife images I was able to capture on this trip, and perhaps my favorite wildlife encounter was with this young red fox I saw while on the road to Argentina's spectacular Perito Moreno glacier. He wasn't at all shy, and when I laid down on the (lightly-traveled) road to the glacier in order to shoot at eye-level, he seemed almost as interested in me as I was in him, thus allowing me to get this image of him seemingly staring directly into my eyes. I could have sat and watched him for days! Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cutest_fox_ever/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Cutest-Fox-Ever_5to4_40x30.jpg Cutest Fox Ever My early 2020 trip to Patagonia was intended to be a photographic journey through some of the most beautiful and monumental scenery on the planet. And there's no doubt that it ticked those boxes. But I brought my gigantic wildlife lens with me as well, and hoped that I might see some animals here or there along the way. I ended up pleasantly surprised with the amount and variety of wildlife images I was able to capture on this trip, and perhaps my favorite wildlife encounter was with this young red fox I saw while on the road to Argentina's spectacular Perito Moreno glacier. He wasn't at all shy, and when I laid down on the (lightly-traveled) road to the glacier in order to shoot at eye-level, he seemed almost as interested in me as I was in him, thus allowing me to get this image of him seemingly staring directly into my eyes. I could have sat and watched him for days! Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cute_coati/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Cute-Coati_4to5_48x60.jpg Cute Coati I went to Iguazu Falls, obviously, to photograph the Falls. I actually had six days available (three in Brazil and three in Argentina), which was more than enough time to photograph the falls on multiple occasions from different locations and with different lighting. I brought my telephoto lens, not expecting to use it for any wildlife photography, but to my happy surprise, there was quite a bit of wildlife, and these guys - coatis - were everywhere and unafraid of humans, so they were a joy to photograph! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chestnut_eared_aracari/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Chestnut-Eared-Aracari_4to5_48x60.jpg Chestnut-Eared Aracari I visited Iguazu Falls to photograph - obviously - the falls. But there was more to Iguazu than just the falls. It is a pretty good area for photographing birds, and I was lucky enough to see this chestnut-eared aracari, which is smaller than the bird one thinks of when envisioning a toucan. Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cascada_escondida/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Cascada-Escondida_2to3_60x90.jpg Cascada Escondida I spent roughly a month in Patagonia in January, 2020, and had an amazing time. Unfortunately, Fitz Roy (the mountain shown here) was completely socked in with clouds when I was in the area, and I didn't have time to wait it out, so I carried on, a bit sad, but knowing that it would give me an excuse to return, which is exactly what I did in October, 2024. My luck with the weather was definitely better this time, and I was fortunate enough to get some incredible shots of the mountain at sunrise. The trek back to town took something like 4 or 5 hours, and I knew there was supposed to be a nice view of a river and waterfall with Fitz Roy in the background somewhere a bit off the trail on the way back. I walked back slowly, keeping my eyes and ears open for signs of the fabled view, and eventually found it. This shot has a little bit of everything! On the trail to Laguna de los Tres, El Chalten, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blue_ice_black_veins/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Blue-Ice-Black-Veins_3to2_72x48.jpg Blue Ice, Black Veins Argentina's amazing Perito Moreno glacier can be viewed in several different ways. Some visitors trek on the glacier itself. Although I've wandered around on a few different glaciers in other countries, due to time constraints, I was unable to do so during my 2020 visit here. Other visitors go on a cruise in the lake below. I was fortunate enough to do this, and some of my other photos of Perito Moreno were taken on one such cruise. Finally, there's a series of trails and boardwalks beyond the end of the glacier that provide views of it from different elevations and angles. I took this photo from a boardwalk with a telephoto lens, which allowed me to bring the focus onto the details in the ice wall where it plunged into the icy waters of Argentino Lake, below. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/argentinian_iguazu/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Argentinian-Iguazu_3to2_90x60.jpg Argentinian Iguazu After spending three days on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, I crossed the border and had a few more days to enjoy what may be the most beautiful waterfall on Earth from the Argentinian side. There are countless spectacular views of the hundred or more individual waterfalls and cascades that are collectively called "Iguazu Falls," but this viewpoint was my favorite on the Argentinian side. Taking the photo was a bit difficult, because I had to take it from a fairly narrow suspended trail that shook every time someone walked by, shaking my camera and tripod and ruining the photos. So I had to twiddle my thumbs and wait until there was a 30-second (or more) window to take photos without other visitors making it impossible to shoot. My patience worked out, though, and I got exactly what I'd hoped for! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/argentinian_iguazu_wide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Argentinian-Iguazu-Wide_2to1_120x60.jpg Argentinian Iguazu Wide After spending three days on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, I crossed the border and had a few more days to enjoy what may be the most beautiful waterfall on Earth from the Argentinian side. There are countless spectacular views of the hundred or more individual waterfalls and cascades that are collectively called "Iguazu Falls," but this viewpoint was my favorite on the Argentinian side. Taking the photo was a bit difficult, because I had to take it from a fairly narrow suspended trail that shook every time someone walked by, shaking my camera and tripod and ruining the photos. So I had to twiddle my thumbs and wait until there was a 30-second (or more) window to take photos without other visitors making it impossible to shoot. My patience worked out, though, and I got exactly what I'd hoped for! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/argentinian_iguazu_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Argentinian-Iguazu-Panorama_5to2_150x60.jpg Argentinian Iguazu Panorama After spending three days on the Brazilian side of Iguazu Falls, I crossed the border and had a few more days to enjoy what may be the most beautiful waterfall on Earth from the Argentinian side. There are countless spectacular views of the hundred or more individual waterfalls and cascades that are collectively called "Iguazu Falls," but this viewpoint was my favorite on the Argentinian side. Taking the photo was a bit difficult, because I had to take it from a fairly narrow suspended trail that shook every time someone walked by, shaking my camera and tripod and ruining the photos. So I had to twiddle my thumbs and wait until there was a 30-second (or more) window to take photos without other visitors making it impossible to shoot. My patience worked out, though, and I got exactly what I'd hoped for! Iguazu Falls, Brazil / Argentina border https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/abstract_ice/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Argentina_Abstract-Ice_5to4_60x48.jpg Abstract Ice Argentina's Perito Moreno glacier is simply stunning. Although you can't tell from this photo, the glacier comes down for miles from a mountain chain, and ends in a glacial lake. I went on a cruise in this lake, and brought a few cameras with different focal length lenses with me, because I wasn't sure whether wide-angle photos emphasizing the vastness of the glacier would work better, or closeups detailing the intricacies of the cubic miles of ice would prove to be better subject matter. In the end, they both worked in their own ways, but the relatively close-up detail of the glacial wall shown here provides a different type of context than a view of the glacier, as a whole, when viewed from miles away. Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/upside_down_face/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Upside-Down-Face_3to2_60x40.jpg Upside Down Face I saw a whole lot of penguins on my 2023 Antarctica trip. The only other animal I saw a ton of was seals - Antarctic fur seals, specifically. They were all over the Antarctic Peninsula, and probably even more common on South Georgia Island, where I took this photo. That's some flexible neck! Grytviken, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_south_orkneys/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_The-South-Orkneys_2to1_60x30.jpg The South Orkneys Any cruise to Antarctica is subject to weather. Ships do not have ironclad itineraries. They have intended destinations, but the captain keeps a watchful eye on the weather, and adjustments are made all the time. After visiting South Georgia Island in early 2023, we were meant to head west and visit the Falkland Islands, but the weather there was meant to be terrible, so we had to figure something else out. We settled on visiting the South Orkney Islands, which is kind of cool because of how incredibly remote they are. If I remember correctly, our captain told us we were the first tourists (there are a couple research stations there) to visit the islands in a decade or more. South Orkney Islands, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_petrel/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_The-Petrel_3to2_72x48.jpg The Petrel The Petrel was a whaling ship built in Oslo in 1928, and operated in the waters around Antarctica for three decades. She now is beached in Grytviken, South Georgia. Apparently, there was a proposal to salvage and restore the ship in 1983, but based on this photo, I'd say it never happened. Grytviken, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/the_king_of_stromness/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_The-King-Of-Stromness_2to1_60x30.jpg The King of Stromness Stromness is an abandoned whaling station on South Georgia Island. It was here that, in 1916, Ernest Shackleton finally found something resembling civilization while doing all he could to rescue his crew that had been left on Elephant Island a few weeks prior. Today, the station (like all but one other on South Georgia Island) is completely abandoned, except for the many king penguins that call the area home. Stromness, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/sunshine_glacier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Sunshine-Glacier_2to1_120x60.jpg Sunshine Glacier After visiting Antarctica in early 2023, I don't know that I'll ever return. Not because I wouldn't like to, but because there are so many other places out there that I haven't seen for a first time. This was the final photo I took on this trip, and I think it does a good job of capturing the feel of the Antarctic Peninsula. Cloudy, gray, enormous glaciers, some icebergs, and nearly black rock. All it needs is a few penguins! South Orkney Islands, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/south_georgia_pipit/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_South-Georgia-Pipit_5to4_50x40.jpg South Georgia Pipit A South Georgia pipit. After a day of photographing penguins, seals, then more penguins, then more seals, and then more penguins, it was nice to be visited by something else. Godthul, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/so_many_kings/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_So-Many-Kings_3to2_72x48.jpg So Many Kings I encountered colonies of king penguins on the Antarctic peninsula on my 2023 Antarctica trip, but nothing like the colony I came across in Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island. I was lucky enough to be able to walk around among the tens (hundreds?) of thousands of king penguins here, and they basically paid me no heed. Talk about a bucket list experience! Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snow_hill_iceberg_portrait/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Snow-Hill-Iceberg_2to1_80x40.jpg Snow Hill Iceberg Portrait Snow Hill Island, in Antarctica's Wedell Sea, is a great place to see a whole bunch of bird life, and icebergs! Near Snow Hill Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/snow_hill_iceberg/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Snow-Hill-Iceberg-Portrait_2to3_48x72.jpg Snow Hill Iceberg Snow Hill Island, in Antarctica's Wedell Sea, is a great place to see a whole bunch of bird life, and icebergs! Near Snow Hill Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/shake_it_off/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Shake-it-off_3to2_60x40.jpg Shake it off! When one thinks of the wildlife of Antarctica, the first thing most people come up with is penguins. But there are also a ton of different types of seals in the area, like this Antarctic fur seal. Paulet Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seeing_triple/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Seeing-Triple_5to4_60x48.jpg Seeing Triple A handful of king penguins out for a stroll in Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island. Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/seal_kisses/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Seal-Kisses_3to2_60x40.jpg Seal Kisses I saw a whole lot of penguins on my 2023 Antarctica trip. The only other animal I saw a ton of was seals - Antarctic fur seals, specifically. They were all over the Antarctic Peninsula, and probably even more common on South Georgia Island, where I took this photo. Animals kissing is always too cute for me not to photograph and share. Grytviken, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ready_for_a_swim/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Ready-for-a-Swim_3to2_72x48.jpg Ready for a Swim? A couple of king penguins on South Georgia Island, dipping their toes into the frigid waters as they prepare to go out on a fishing trip. Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/pose_like_a_king/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Pose-Like-A-King_3to2_72x48.jpg Pose Like A King There were literally tens to hundreds of thousands of king penguins at Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island, when I visited in early 2023. While certainly not 'tame,' these penguins basically ignored my presence while there, and myself and my shipmates were able to walk among them. We maintained a respectful distance, but sometimes the penguins would approach you. With a good telephoto lens, I was able to get some closeup penguin shots that I'm still amazed by. Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/penguin_love/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Penguin-Love_3to2_72x48.jpg Penguin Love One of my favorite types of wildlife photos to capture is those of animals behaving in something resembling human fashion. When this juvenile gentoo penguin and his mother (I presume) gave each other a 'kiss,' I knew I'd managed to cross one more item off my Antarctica wish list. Cockburn Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/one_king_to_rule_them_all/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_One-King-To-Rule-Them-All_2to3_48x72.jpg One King to Rule Them All The king penguins at Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island, were incredibly accommodating models. I took thousands of photos of these beautiful animals doing all kinds of stuff. I thought this guy looked a little condescending with his head held so high, but what a great pose. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/ocean_endeavour_at_godthul/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Ocean-Endeavour-at-Godthul_5to2_150x60.jpg Ocean Endeavour at Godthul Godthul (Norwegian for "Good Hollow") is a bay on the east side of South Georgia Island. The bay was used as a whaling station between 1908 and 1929, and was one of a handful of places on South Georgia Island that folks on my 2023 Antarctica trip were permitted to step foot on land, hanging out with seals, king penguins, and other wildlife. As opposed to the black rocks of Antarctica, South Georgia looks positively hospitable. Godthul, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/not_a_great_sign/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Not-A-Great-Sign_3to2_72x48.jpg Not A Great Sign Elephant Island lies roughly 150 miles north-northeast of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and like much in the area, is hauntingly beautiful. I'm sure the survivors of Ernest Shackleton's disastrous 1916 Endurance expedition, 20-something of whom were forced to spend several months marooned here, would hesitate to call it anything approaching beautiful. Do you see any weird shapes in this photo? Because I see what, in my opinion, is shaped like a human skull in the snow on the mountain. Elephant Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/macaroni_penguin/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Macaroni-Penguin_3to2_60x40.jpg Macaroni Penguin After more than a week exploring the Antarctic peninsula and South Georgia Island, I'd seen heaps of adelie, chinstrap, gentoo, and king penguins, but no macaronis. Honestly, I think it is just kind of luck of the draw what animals one is able to see on an Antarctica trip. My cruise ship was full of penguin fanatics, and they were all clamoring to see any macaroni penguins. Well, while on a zodiac cruise in Cooper Bay, South Georgia Island, I finally came across one. His blood-red eye looks almost fake, but I assure you, it's real! Cooper Bay, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/look_closely_at_the_beach/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Look-Closely-at-the-Beach_2to3_48x72.jpg Look Closely at the Beach Vernal Falls is another Yosemite icon, but it is one that actually requires a bit of a hike to reach. I was lucky to have the weather I did for this hike, because the sunlight was powerful enough to create the rainbow made by the mist generated by Vernal Falls' 318 foot drop. https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/leucistic_seal/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Lleucistic-Seal_3to2_72x48.jpg Leucistic Seal I saw a ton of seals on my 2023 Antarctica trip, but this one was certainly special and memorable, as he is leucistic. It's a condition similar to albinism, but his eyes and lips are normally colored, which gives the leucisism away. Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/lets_take_a_dip/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Lets-Take-A-Dip_3to2_60x40.jpg Let's Take A Dip! When I took this photo, it felt like my first "real" Antarctica moment. I'd seen icebergs and a few random penguins from the cruise ship I was on, but I was fairly close to this large group of adelie penguins on a zodiac cruise, and it felt like authentic Antarctica. This was early-on in my trip, and experiences like this were repeated many times in the next few weeks. Paulet Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/learning_to_waddle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Learning-to-Waddle_5to4_60x48.jpg Learning to Waddle A juvenile gentoo penguin, halfway through losing his juvenile coat of fluffy feathers. Cockburn Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/last_one_in_is_a_rotten_egg/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Last-One-In-Is-A-Rotten-Egg_2to1_72x36.jpg Last One In Is A Rotten Egg! When I took this photo, it felt like my first "real" Antarctica moment. I'd seen icebergs and a few random penguins from the cruise ship I was on, but I was fairly close to this large group of adelie penguins on a zodiac cruise, and it felt like authentic Antarctica. This was early-on in my trip, and experiences like this were repeated many times in the next few weeks. Paulet Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/king_penguin/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_King-Penguin_5to4_60x48.jpg King Penguin The king penguins at Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island, were incredibly accommodating models. I took thousands of photos of these beautiful animals doing all kinds of stuff … but mostly just walking around. Fortuna Bay, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/king_close_up/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_King-Close-Up_1to1_48x48.jpg King Close Up There were literally tens to hundreds of thousands of king penguins at Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island, when I visited in early 2023. While certainly not 'tame,' these penguins basically ignored my presence while there, and myself and my shipmates were able to walk among them. We maintained a respectful distance, but sometimes the penguins would approach you. With a good telephoto lens, I was able to get some closeup penguin shots that I'm still amazed by. Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gentoos_incoming/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Gentoos-Incoming_3to2_72x48.jpg Gentoos Incoming A few gentoo penguins out for a midday stroll on Cockburn Island, Antarctica. Cockburn Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/gentoo_jog/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Gentoo-Jog_3to2_72x48.jpg Gentoo Jog Penguins are awkward on land. They don't walk so much as they waddle. I captured this image of a couple of gentoo penguins returning from a fishing trip, running out of the sea in a hilarious manner. Cockburn Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/follow_my_lead/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Follow-My-Lead_5to4_60x48.jpg Follow My Lead A pair of adelie penguins out for a midday stroll on Cockburn Island, Antarctica. Cockburn Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/elephant_island/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Elephant-Island_2to1_120x60.jpg Elephant Island Elephant Island lies roughly 150 miles north-northeast of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and like much in the area, is hauntingly beautiful. I'm sure the survivors of Ernest Shackleton's disastrous 1916 Endurance expedition, 20-something of whom were forced to spend several months marooned here, would hesitate to call it anything approaching beautiful. Do you see any weird shapes in this photo? Because I see what, in my opinion, is shaped like a human skull in the snow on the mountain. Elephant Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/elephant_island_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Elephant-Island-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Elephant Island Panorama Elephant Island lies roughly 150 miles north-northeast of the tip of the Antarctic Peninsula, and like much in the area, is hauntingly beautiful. I'm sure the survivors of Ernest Shackleton's disastrous 1916 Endurance expedition, 20-something of whom were forced to spend several months marooned here, would hesitate to call it anything approaching beautiful. I can think of several places I'd rather be marooned for 3-4 months. Elephant Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dumb_luck/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Dumb-Luck_2to1_60x30.jpg Dumb Luck Sometimes all you need to get a good photograph is a bit of dumb luck. I was taking pictures of icebergs from a zodiac in the South Orkney Islands in early 2023, when I got this photo of a chinstrap penguin breaching directly in front of the iceberg in question. I didn't even realize what I had gotten until a bit later, when I was going through and deleting photos. I probably deleted 99% of the photos I took that day … but not this one. South Orkney Islands, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/dont_look_down/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Dont-Look-Down_2to3_40x60.jpg Don't Look Down I watched this cute little chinstrap penguin leap out of the arctic waters off shore of the South Orkney Islands, and snapped probably a hundred photos of him climbing his way up to the top, where he joined his friends. It was a precarious journey, and he lost his footing on more than one occasion, but eventually he made it. Hooray! https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cute_eyes/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Cute-Eyes_3to2_45x30.jpg Cute Eyes In many species, it is easy to tell males from females - think birds, for instance, where the males are frequently brightly colored, and the females are much more subdued. Elephant seals are like this. The females look like this - pretty cute with adorable eyes. The males? Not so much. Godthul, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cormorants_on_an_iceberg/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Cormorants-on-an-Iceberg_2to1_80x40.jpg Cormorants on an Iceberg I took this photo on one of my first zodiac trips in Antarctica, in January, 2023. Everyone onboard the zodiac saw this iceberg with tons of black specks on it, and assumed they were penguins. Only upon getting closer were we able to see that these were actually cormorants! Paulet Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/cooper_bay_panorama/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Cooper-Bay-Panorama_3to1_180x60.jpg Cooper Bay Panorama My 2023 Antarctica trip was actually an Antarctica and South Georgia Island trip. South Georgia proved a wonderful surprise, as it was where I saw beaches with tens to hundreds of thousands of king penguins, but the landscape was also a refreshing change from that of Antarctica. I was there in the middle of the summer, and there was green everywhere. I'm sure it would have been just a bit less inviting in winter, but I don't think one can even go there in the winter. I think this is my most traditionally beautiful landscape photo I got on the trip. Cooper Bay, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/chinstrap_island/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Chinstrap-Island_3to2_72x48.jpg Chinstrap Island A small group of chinstrap penguins chilling (ha!) on top of an iceberg in the vicinity of the South Orkney Islands. South Orkney Islands, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/as_remote_as_it_gets/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_As-Remote-As-It-Gets_5to2_150x60.jpg As Remote as it Gets Talk about an intimidating landscape. Not a place you'd want to be marooned. This was taken on the South Orkney Islands, which lie almost 400 miles northeast of the end of the Antarctic Peninsula. If you look out in the frigid waters, you'll see the Ocean Endeavour, the ship I spent roughly three weeks on in early 2023, exploring the Antarctic Peninsula, South Georgia Island, and the South Orkney Islands. South Orkney Islands, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/and_theres_lots_more_below/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_And-Theres-Lots-More-Below_3to2_72x48.jpg And There's Lots More Below I saw a lot of icebergs of varying size on my 2023 trip to Antarctica, and took hundreds of photos of them. This one is one of my favorites. en route to South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/all_the_kings/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_All-The-Kings_3to2_72x48.jpg All the Kings I encountered colonies of king penguins on the Antarctic peninsula on my 2023 Antarctica trip, but nothing like the colony I came across in Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island. I was lucky enough to be able to walk around among the tens (hundreds?) of thousands of king penguins here, and they basically paid me no heed. Talk about a bucket list experience! Gold Harbor, South Georgia Island https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/airborne_adelie/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Airborne-Adelie_3to2_60x40.jpg Airborne Adelie One of the photos I desperately wanted to capture during my 2023 trip to Antarctica was a penguin (or penguins) breaching. I knew it would be incredibly difficult, but with patience - and thousands of missed shots - I managed to get exactly what I was looking for! Cockburn Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/adelies_breaching/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Antarctica_Adelies-Breaching_3to2_45x30.jpg Adelies Breaching One of the photos I desperately wanted to capture during my 2023 trip to Antarctica was a penguin (or penguins) breaching. I knew it would be incredibly difficult, but with patience - and thousands of missed shots - I managed to get exactly what I was looking for! Paulet Island, Antarctica https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fish_creek/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Fish-Creek_3to2_72x48.jpg Fish Creek I visited Fish Creek, near Hyder, Alaska, with the hope of getting a few, final bear photos before I continued back south, towards my home in Colorado, near the end of my Summer 2016 trip to Alaska. Unfortunately, I didn't see any bears here, but the nearly fluorescent blue waters of Fish Creek - made so blue by the virtue of being glacial melt - made this scene worth a shot. Fish Creek, Tongass National Forest, near Hyder, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mount_krause_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Mount-Krause-Sunrise_3to2_72x48.jpg Mount Krause Sunrise Haines, Alaska, is, at times, a difficult place to take photographs. Any direction one looks results in beauty. So it can be difficult to plan shots. I'd shot Mt. Krause - the mountain in this photo - one evening, but wasn't entirely happy with the results. I figured it might work for a sunrise photo, though, and returned early the next morning in order to try again. I'd say the few hours of sleep I lost to get this photo were well worth it! Haines, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/mount_villard_rainbow/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Mount-Villard-Rainbow_3to2_60x40.jpg Mount Villard Rainbow I'd left my campsite in Haines, Alaska one evening in order to go up the road to take sunset photos. After only a minute or two on the road, I glanced in my rear view mirror and was forced to do a double-take. Had I really just seen a rainbow as incredibly vibrant as I thought? I got out of the car and was thrilled to find that the answer to that question was a resounding "YES!" The nearly horizontal light from the setting sun really adds some punch to this photo. Haines, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/get_off_me_bro/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Get-Off-Me-Bro_3to2_36x24.jpg Get Off Me, Bro! I spent a couple days in Haines, Alaska, and developed a bit of a routine that involved at least one visit per day to Haines State Forest, where a mother bear and her two (nearly full-grown) cubs would show up fairly reliably to snag salmon caught on the weir. They'd then either scamper off into the forest, or, if one was lucky, make their way down the river, playing all the way. This is a shot I got of the two cubs play fighting. Haines State Forest, Haines, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/adolescent_bald_eagle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Adolescent-Bald-Eagle_1to1_24x24.jpg Adolescent Bald Eagle The American Bald Eagle Foundation in Haines, Alaska, is set up to educate people about an American icon - the bald eagle. It was here that I took this spectacular photo of an adolescent bald eagle's head. Notice the white head isn't entirely white. This is because the eagle is young. They are born entirely brown, and their heads and tail feathers only turn white at five or six years of age. American Bald Eagle Foundation, Haines, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/waiting_for_low_tide/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Waiting-for-Low-Tide_4to5_20x24.jpg Waiting for Low Tide There are a lot of bald eagles in Alaska, and in many cases, these majestic birds are fairly used to being around people, so you can get fairly close to them without frightening them off. I was camping in Haines, Alaska, near the bay, when this guy flew in and perched him (or her) self on an old support column, and began scanning the shore for dinner. I was able to enjoy watching him for probably about 15 minutes before he decided to move along. Haines, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/falls_creek_falls/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Falls-Creek-Falls_3to2_72x48.jpg Falls Creek Falls Falls Creek Falls. Is that really the name? Yup. This little cascade is incredibly easy to get to - it lies just off the Seward Highway between Anchorage and Seward, Alaska. Falls Creek Falls, Seward Highway south of Anchorage, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/arent_i_pretty/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Arent-I-Pretty_4to5_30x40.jpg Aren't I pretty? I saw a fair number of moose while traveling in Western Canada and Alaska during the summer of 2016, but typically from afar. The young moose in this photo, however, was wandering through the edges of Kenai, Alaska, where I'd stopped to photograph an old Russian Orthodox Church. Although I didn't want to press my luck and get dangerously close to such an enormous animal, she seemed uninterested in my presence, and got close enough to me to capture this closeup. Kenai, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/full_moon_over_the_kenai_mountains/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Full-Moon-over-the-Kenai-Mountains_3to2_45x30.jpg Full Moon over the Kenai Mountains Homer is a strange little town on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula. I had been in Alaska for roughly a month when I made it to Homer, and of that time, there had only been one day in which it didn't rain at all. So when the weather turned beautiful on the afternoon of August 20, 2016, I didn't think there was much of a chance it would stay that way for long. I've never been happier to be wrong. I intended to shoot the sunset from an overlook above town this evening, but ended up getting there too late. Oops. Fortunately, I had a backup plan. I knew there would be a full moon rising shortly after sunset, but wasn't sure of the direction in which it would come up. When I checked my phone and saw that it was going to rise above the Kenai Mountains to the southeast, I knew I was going to be in for a good show. This is one of my favorite photos from my entire summer on the road. Homer, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/fishing_boats_in_homer/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Fishing-Boats-in-Homer_3to2_72x48.jpg Fishing Boats in Homer Homer, Alaska, is a nice little town. With a population of roughly 5,000, this photo makes it seem like there are as many boats as residents. But this all makes sense, given that Homer is known as the "Halibut Fishing Capital of the World." Homer, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/regal_grizzly/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Regal-Grizzly_2to3_30x45.jpg Regal Grizzly The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, outside Whittier, Alaska, is a great place to see wildlife that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to see in the wild. The grizzly bears that live at the Center were a real treat to watch as they played together on the largest habitat for non-wild bears in the world. After splasing around in one of the on-site ponds, this bear relaxed and struck a few beautiful poses for me before going back to his primary task - having fun. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/regal_grizzly_2/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Regal-Grizzly-2_2to3_30x45.jpg Regal Grizzly 2 The Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, outside Whittier, Alaska, is a great place to see wildlife that might otherwise be difficult or impossible to see in the wild. The grizzly bears that live at the Center were a real treat to watch as they played together on the largest habitat for non-wild bears in the world. After splasing around in one of the on-site ponds, this bear relaxed and struck a few beautiful poses for me before going back to his primary task - having fun. Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/blackstone_glacier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Blackstone-Glacier_2to1_120x60.jpg Blackstone Glacier I went on two wildlife and glacier viewing cruises while in Alaska. The weather was atrocious on my first cruise, but quite nice on the second one, which made up for the lost opportunities of the first. Departing from the town of Whittier - one of the strangest towns on the planet - the cruise I went on in the middle of August, 2016, traveled down Blackstone Bay in order to see two tidal glaciers, including this beauty: Blackstone Glacier. Like most glaciers on the planet, it is rapidly receding, so I was happy to be able to see it in the condition I did. Blackstone Glacier, Whittier, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/exit_glacier/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Exit-Glacier_5to4_60x48.jpg Exit Glacier Exit Glacier, which lies in Alaska's Kenai Fjords National Park, and extends from the massive Harding Icefield, is one of Alaska's premier attractions. It is possible to visit the National Park, and walk all around, and in some places, directly on top of this beautiful glacier. Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/grizzly_cubs_in_denali/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Grizzly-Cubs-in-Denali_3to2_36x24.jpg Grizzly Cubs in Denali I knew Denali National Park would be one of my favorite places in Alaska before I visited it during the summer of 2016, but I thought it would be a highlight more for the scenery than the wildlife. Fortunately, both the scenery and wildlife were spectacular. No private vehicles are allowed on the one road that goes 90 miles into the Park - instead, visitors must go in on one of the shuttles that are operated by the Parks Service. I got extremely lucky on an early morning bus ride coming back towards civilization from Wonder Lake Campground, and was treated to a mother grizzly and her two cubs walking alongside the road. They were unfamiliar to the Parks employees, who hadn't seen this particular family of bears yet this year. Watching them wander around, play, and eat was one of my favorite experiences in Alaska. Denali National Park, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/alaska_range_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Alaska-Range-Sunrise_5to2_150x60.jpg Alaska Range Sunrise Denali isn't the only beautiful mountain in Denali National Park, Alaska. The entire Alaska Range, of which Denali is the highlight, is quite beautiful, especially at the golden hours of sunrise and sunset. I took this photo from my camp spot at Wonder Lake just after sunrise. I love the way the clouds below blend into the forest in the foreground. Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/denali_sunrise/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Denali-Sunrise_2to1_120x60.jpg Denali Sunrise Only about 30% of visitors to Denali National Park are usually able to see its namesake - Denali, formerly known as Mt. McKinley - the highest mountain in the United States (and North America), at 20,310 feet. I count myself very lucky that, after having to deal with bus difficulties caused by a massive landslide during my visit, I made it to Wonder Lake Campground and awoke on the morning of August 9, 2016, with a stunningly clear view of this majestic peak. A few hours later, when the Park's first buses began to make it to the part of the park from which one can view the mountain, clouds had already poured in and obscured the view. Sometimes, all the planning in the world doesn't quite compare with a bit of good luck! Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/summertime_showshoe_hares/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Summertime-Snowshoe-Hares_5to4_30x24.jpg Summertime Showshoe Hares Denali National Park was one of the highlights of my summer, 2016 trip to Alaska. While there, I camped at Wonder Lake with the intent of shooting Denali - the highest mountain in North America - at sunrise and / or sunset. On the night that I took this particular photo, "The Mountain" was hiding in the clouds, as it does more often than not. Fortunately, the trip was a blast regardless, and as I was walking around in the evening, I saw a ton of snowshoe hares, like the two shown here. They change color with the season, so within a few months, these guys will be pure white. Wonder Lake Campground, Denali National Park, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/screeching_eagle/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Screeching-Eagle_2to3_24x36.jpg Screeching Eagle The early part of my summer, 2016 trip to Alaska was somewhat disappointing from the perspective of a wildlife photographer. In the month leading up to my taking this bald eagle shot, I'd seen zero moose, one bear, one caribou, and legions of little critters - gophers, chipmunks, etc. So when a full-grown bald eagle landed in a tree that I happened to be driving by at the exact right instant, I didn't waste a second in getting my camera gear out and snapping a few shots. I got several photos that I think are worth posting here, but this one struck me as at least a bit unique, since he was screeching as I took the photo. Valdez, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/worthington_glacier_cave/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Worthington-Glacier-Cave_3to2_72x48.jpg Worthington Glacier Cave There are almost 100,000 glaciers in Alaska, and most of them aren't named. Most are inaccessible, but some - like the Worthington Glacier, located on the Richardson Highway, which runs from Glennallen to Valdez - are on the side of the road, and easily reached on foot. I walked up to this glacier during my summer, 2016 visit to the largest state in America, and carefully made my way to its terminus (the end of the glacier). From there, I was able to look into the ice cave that had formed here, although I didn't dare go any further. Perhaps another time. But for now, I'll settle for this beautiful shot of one of these rapidly retreating natural wonders. Worthington Glacier State Recreation Site, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/kennicott_mining_town/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Kennicott-Mining-Town_3to2_72x48.jpg Kennicott Mining Town Kennicott is an abandoned mining camp northeast of Valdez, Alaska. Surprisingly, the entire camp lies within the boundaries of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest National Park in the United States. Originally constructed in the early 1900's as a copper mine, the entire camp, now declared a National Historic Landmark, Kennicott today functions as a tourist spot in an absolutely stunning location. The village is surrounded by beautiful mountains, and enormous glaciers occupy major portions of the valley below it. Kennicott, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/liberty_falls_rapids/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Liberty-Falls-Rapids_3to2_72x48.jpg Liberty Falls Rapids Alaska is filled with relatively unheard-of natural gems, like Liberty Falls, where I took this photo, just northwest of Chitina, just outside of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park. The falls themselves aren't shown in this photo, but the rapids below the falls were, in my opinion, even more beautiful than the waterfall itself. near Chitina, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/photo/wrangell_mountains/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/images/large/2560-web_Alaska_Wrangell-Mountains_5to2_150x60.jpg Wrangell Mountains Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the second largest National Park in the country, occupying over 20,000 square miles. The Park is accessed by one of two dirt roads, which allow access to lakes, camp sites, streams, and day-hikes. I took this photo from the northern road into the park, looking south towards the Wrangell Mountains. The Wrangell Mountains, although quite close to the Gulf of Alaska, are some of the highest in North America. This photo is also available in three-to-one format. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Alaska https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/news/ https://www.glennlewisphotography.com/contact/