Back from the Canadian Rockies

Grizzly print on vehicle window.

I'm back from the Canadian Rockies with many stories and experiences to share!  I visited Berg Lake, Mumm Basin and Snowbird Pass in Robson Provincial Park, Tonquin Valley and Macarrib Pass in Jasper National Park, Floe Lake, Numa Pass and Numa Peak in Kootenay National Park, and Lake O'Hara and Opabin Plateau in Yoho National Park.

I logged over 100 miles of hiking, and just over 19,000' elevation gain during my visit.  I met lots of great people, including Mike from Beacon Hill in Seattle, Mike Vincent of Canmore - a professional guide for Chateau Lake Louise, Don & Wendy from Virginia, Scott Forsyth - a professional photographer from Calgary, and more.

I had hoped to see a lot of wildlife (on my terms, of course), but this didn't really happen.  A grizzly bear had recently been spotted near Berg Lake before my visit, but there were no further sightings.  A sow grizzly and her two cubs had been hanging around Macarrib Pass, but I only saw old scat both times I hiked through this area.  A lone caribou was spotted at Amethyst Lake during my visit, but I missed it.  Wolves were present throughout the Tonquin Valley, but I did not actually see them.

Oh, but I do have some wildlife stories to share!

I'll start with my overnight stay at the Portal Creek trailhead in preparation for my hike into the Tonquin Valley.  As I pulled into the parking lot in early evening I saw two porcupines wandering about.  Later that night I could hear them (and likely rodents) beneath my vehicle.  At ~ 1:30 am I was awakened with a loud thud against my vehicle.  I sat straight up, startled.  Was someone trying to break into my vehicle?  The noise was much too loud to have been caused by the porcupines.  I listened further, expecting to hear someone test my door handles.  Nothing.  No cars had pulled into the parking lot.  I eventually used my key remote to turn all lights on my vehicle on - interior and exterior.  Nothing further was heard.

I couldn't fall back asleep right away because I had to pee.  So I got out of my vehicle and walked only a couple of steps to do so.  I returned to to my vehicle and, eventually, was able to go back to sleep - though the mystery of the sound continued to baffle me.

I rolled over at 7:30 in the morning and looked out the window to see how light it was outside.  It was then that the source of the thud was answered.  Just above my head on the rear side window was a distinct paw print from a grizzly bear, with other smudged prints and scratches below!

Soon a couple of guys showed up, including one from Fire and Rescue.  Neither had seen or heard of such a thing.  Both encouraged me to report the incident to Bear Management.  The gentlemen from Fire and Rescue then asked my permission to report the incident himself, since he had a buddy working for Bear Management.

I began getting my pack ready for my trek.  As I walked around to the other side of my vehicle, I noticed a huge wet spot in the parking lot.  It became clear that the bear had been on this side of my vehicle relieving itself at the same time I was doing so on the other side!

I returned from my trip to find a note on my windshield, asking me to stop by the Information Centre in Jasper to discuss my bear encounter, and did so.

Wolf print near tent at Amethyst Lake in Tonquin Valley.

While camped at Amethyst Lake in the Tonquin Valley, I spent time both nights photographing the stars.  On my second night, I awoke at 1:30 am and ventured a short distance from the tent.  As I photographed, I occasionally could hear something in the trees behind me.  Every now and then I would shine my headlamp over in that direction, but never saw anything. 

At 3:15 I finally packed it in and returned to my tent.  I no sooner got settled into my sleeping bag when I heard something outside my tent.  It broke branches on the back side of my tent, then circled the tent.  It returned to the back side and pawed or bumped my tent.

I sat up, cleared my voice rather loudly, and turned my headlamp on to illuminate my tent.  I soon heard twigs breaking in the distance as whatever animal had been visiting me retreated off into the night.  The next morning I awoke to wolf prints around my tent!

Also while photographing stars my second night, a large bird dove down upon me, pulling up only several feet above my head.  Its wing span was huge and I realized instantly that it must have been an owl.  Its angle suggested it was actually interested in my camera and tripod, which I was obviously standing close to.  Needless to say, it startled me!  I never heard it.  I only saw it out of the corner of my eye as it was only feet above my head.  Those poor rodents at Amethyst don't stand a chance with such a stealth predator in the air!

So, those are my wildlife stories.  The griz experience was pretty scary at the time, mostly due to the mystery.  The wolf experience was scary due to the fact that I assumed it was a cat.  It wasn't until the next day while sharing the story that it was pointed out to me that cats walk with their claws retracted, leaving only pad marks.  The tracks around my tent had distinct claw marks, making them canine.  I assumed they were cat mostly due to their size - they were huge.  I had no idea wolves had such large feet.  Knowing I had a curious wolf follow me back to camp was more comforting to me than to think I had a cat stalking me in the night!

I hope to begin editing images from my trip soon.  Stay tuned!

Early Light on Prusik Peak

This image has been a pretty popular one for me. It has won a few photo contests, has been displayed in the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle, has appeared in the pages of the Washington Trails Association magazine, and has served as a cover for a national magazine.

It has also been a very popular print, especially at my latest show. So, I have just added it to my note card series! I haven't made these available for online purchase yet, but plan to do so soon. My note cards have been a very popular item at my shows and I am excited to make them available to all!

Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show - Final Day!

The final day of the Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show was quite busy for us! Thanks to all those who came out! We saw many familiar faces and met lots of new and interesting people.

Several of the prints shown in this image were sold, including my favorite one - Prusik Peak. Note cards were also a big hit - especially the box sets. I'll have lots of work to do before my next show!

I would like to extend a special 'Thank You' to the Jennifer and Shirley, who ran the event and were incredible! This was easily the most organized and publicized event I have been a part of. Kudos to them! We definitely plan to be back next year.

Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show - Day 1!

We had an excellent time at the Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show today, and enjoyed seeing many friends and family throughout the day! This one will definitely remain on our list for future appearances!

It was fun to meet many aquaintences too, from many places of internet interaction (including this blog). It was particularly fun to see Don Duncan, whom I met on a recent hiking/climbing trip, and learn that we have several friends in common. Small world!

Tomorrow is the final day of this show, and is expected to be busy! No matter, we still have time to meet you. Come on down!

Renton Community Center
1715 SE Maple Valley Highway

It's right off I-405!

Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show

The Renton Holiday Bazaar and Gift Show is now in its 15th year, and I am excited to be a part of it for the first time. It's held at the Renton Community Center on Maple Valley Highway, just off I-405.

The event takes place November 19th & 20th (Fri - Sat), and admission is free! Hours are 11:00 to 6:00 Friday, and 9:00 to 5:00 on Saturday.

Please come by and say hello! I will have on display for purchase my matted prints ready for framing, rolled poster prints, both individual and boxed set note cards (perfect for the holidays!), postcards, the 2011 Mountains of Washington Calendar, and signed copies of my book Mount Rainier.

The address is:

Renton Community Center
1715 SE Maple Valley Highway

For more information, go here.

Hope to see you there!

Updated! New for the holidays - Poster Prints!

I'm excited to share my newest product with you - poster prints! These 12x18 standard sized prints were created by my good friends at ADG Printing in Lynnwood just in time for the holidays and my upcoming shows! They represent 6 of my most popular images from my home state of Washington, and some personal favorites as well.

About the Images:

The image of Mount Olympus above was taken during a September backpack to High Divide in Olympic National Park. I have climbed Mount Olympus several times, and it's always held a special place in my heart. This image was made possible by unseasonably late-blooming lupine.

2010 wasn't the strongest year for wildflowers, but I was still fortunate enough to enjoy a couple of evenings in Spray Park at peak showing. This is one of my favorite hikes in Mount Rainier, and always impresses me no matter the season. I was also fortunate to witness a bear grazing in the upper meadows, as well as a couple of mountain goat. The challenging part of evening photography is descending down to the to the parking lot in the dark - there is no camping at Spray Park.

Reflection Lakes might be the single most popular location for photography in Mount Rainier National Park. On this morning, I arrived at Paradise Meadows before sunrise, only to find the clouds as thick as pea soup. On a whim, I drove down to Reflection Lakes to take my chances. There were no views of the mountain, or anything else for that matter, for the longest time. Then all of a sudden, the clouds and fog parted to reveal our Pacific Northwest crown jewel, just moments before this image was taken.

Possibly the supreme flower gardens in Mount Rainier National Park are those at Paradise Meadows and Mazama Ridge. The displays can be breathtaking, and attract photographers from around the world. I have bumped into many well-known photographers here, and always enjoy the camaraderie. On this particular morning, I enjoyed shooting and exchanging beta with John Shaw, and later met Jamie and Judy Wild near Edith Creek.


Mount Shuksan reflected in Picture Lake in the North Cascades is one of the most iconic images from my state of Washington. It is located near the end of Highway 542, otherwise known as the Mt. Baker Highway. On any given fall weekend, photographers can outnumber just about anything else in the area. Best enjoy this scene on a weekday should you choose to visit. There are also many hiking opportunities in the area, including incredibly scenic Ptarmigan Ridge from road end at Artist Point. Better plan on spending the entire day here!

Finally, there is Mount St. Helens - a mountain that still impresses all these years after its violent period. This view is from near the Johnstone Ridge Visitors' Center. I left home in the afternoon under clear, sunny skies, but knowing that a system was forecast to move in sometime in the evening. As I drove south on I-5, a marine layer was busy pushing inland and I wondered if it would prevent me from shooting evening light on the mountain. By the time I arrived at the visitors' center, clouds mostly filled the sky. Though initially discouraged, I walked around and noticed an interesting light filtering through the clouds. I found this composition and set up shop. The skies grew dark and the mountain disappeared shortly after I captured this image. I guess this image is special to me mostly because it reaffirmed the importance of patience and persistence - two important ingredients in nature photography.

These poster prints will be in stock this coming week and available from my web site soon, along with my book Mount Rainier and the 2011 Mountains of Washington wall calendar. Check back very soon!

Update: These prints can now be viewed on my web site! They can be purchased for $12.95 ea., though the order form currently doesn't submit - hey, I'm working on it! Feel free to e-mail me if interested. If living in the Puget Sound area, I have an appearance coming up in a couple of weeks, which I will be announcing shortly - and you can buy them in person!

The Fun of Preparing Prints

This last weekend I worked on a couple of prints for some clients, and found myself reconnecting with the images on my screen. I hadn't viewed them in a while, and I found myself reminiscing a bit.

This may surprise you, but I don't spend a lot of time "admiring" my images. Frankly, after hours of editing I need a break from them. I don't know if it is this way with other photographers; I can't remember ever asking. But it is certainly the case with me.

When I prepare prints I spend a lot of time evaluating the smallest details for correctness, which means viewing the image at 100% and viewing sections of it at time (think 16x24 image in real size on your monitor). In this case, the memory process kicked in as I remembered why I did certain things while composing the image - sizing up the scene, the placement of filters, working with the light, etc. The love affair started all over again. Not the love for the image, but rather the thought process that takes place behind the camera, which is where the fun is for photographers (it sure isn't sitting in front of the computer!)

These images, though both of Mt. Rainier, were taken at much different times. The first one is from near The Skyline Trail in August during the peak of flower season. Mt. Rainier offers some of the best flower shows our state has to offer, and can be an incredible experience to witness. You also stand to find yourself in good company. I ran into John Shaw and Jamie and Judy Wild on this day.

The second image was taken in the fall (October) from Bench Lake. I beat it up the dark trail with headlamp in hopes of catching alpenglow at sunrise, reflected in the lake. As often happens, Mother Nature had different plans and partially obscured the mountain with clouds. It was my first visit to this lake, and I was fascinated by it. As I watched the scene before me warm with the rising sun, the colors on the slopes drew light while the clouds thinned around the mountain, revealing a cloud cap. This view lasted a mere 10-15 minutes before the mountain disappeared again in deteriorating weather. I drove back home in the rain.

It was fun reliving these memories.

Art Show

Spring is here and it is time for my last art show until fall. Hey, hiking/climbing season is almost here!

This Saturday, April 25th, I will have a display at Meridian Elementary School in Kent, Washington for their Spring Arts & Crafts Show.

My daughter is a Kindegarten student there, so it is my way of supporting the school, getting to know more of the community, and of course, making some of my publishings and prints available for purchase.

Items I will have available will include my book Mount Rainier, my 2009 wall calendars Wild West and Reflections (both half price), my new line of note cards, and matted prints in various sizes.

The show runs from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm this Saturday. If you find yourself in the area, come on by and say hello - I would love to meet you!

Here is a Google Map.