Fall in the Columbia River Gorge

We’ve had a fantastic fall, full of warm days and cool evenings that bring out fall colors in our foliage.  I went up to Trout Lake to photograph Mt. Adams reflected in the lake; but actually think the above shot, Trout Lake Creek is my best for that day.

Into Gifford Pinchot National Forest on Mt. Adams, I think I missed the best show of fall by a week but still caught some color.

My take on this classic shot.  I think I’ll go back for sunrise and sunset tries over the next few seasons and see what I can come up with.

Heading back down the mountain, I stopped at Conboy National Wildlife Refuge but saw no wildlife.  The leaves were mostly past prime there also.

I did see mushrooms.  All kinds and colors!

Until now I’ve never seen a mushroom as red as this one!

Not taken on the same day, but a good ending for this post, I caught this magnificent golden autumn sunset over the Columbia River Gorge.  I’ve probably said it too many times but I am so lucky to live here!!

You can see many of my photographs published as all occasion greeting cards in my Zibbet shop.

Do you feel a change in the air?

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Inspiration from a Photo Conference

This weekend I attended a photo conference that inspired and fueled my passion for photography.

It began Friday with a hike to Wahclella Falls near Bonneville Dam.  Most of the other photographers were landscape enthusiasts.

I love great landscapes, but am more captivated with nature.  In the creek leading to Wahclella Falls, fish were swimming upstream.

Spiders were building webs and capturing prey……

…and at the end of our hike I found a Dipper perched on a rock!

To our delight, the group leader added a second stop at Starvation Creek Falls .

Saturday I attended five lectures on various technical or inspirational topics, then Sunday enjoyed another field trip.  Mt. Hood at sunrise!  Unfortunately clouds hampered our view, but I can go back another time if I can drag myself out of bed that early again.

Eventually the clouds broke up and we had a semi-clear view of the mountain before it was time to leave.

As we left, I grabbed this last shot of the top of Mt. Hood.  I love living amidst the majesty of the Columbia River gorge.

Most inspiring to me was Friday evening keynote speaker, Paul Bannick.  Taking his lecture to heart and paying even more attention to habitat than before, I was able to capture this Red-breasted sapsucker near my studio following the conference.   I could go on and on about how fabulous Paul is, but I am rushing out for another hike to find more birds!  Go like his Facebook Page and buy his book, but I warn you – prepare to be awed!

In case you didn’t know it, many of my images are available as all-occasion greeting cards in my Zibbet shop.  Some have also been printed on canvas wraps and glossy aluminum.