gratitude Archives - Loree Johnson Photography

The Magic of Nature

by Loree | May 10, 2018 | Gratitude, Ocean, Oregon, Rivers, Wildlife

Not long ago, I was sitting outside at sunset, watching the swallows fluttering and swooping around catching bugs in flight. Every so often, two swallows would zero in on the same bug, causing a near collision in mid-air. This would result in some unhappy squawking and scolding, after which the birds would carry on as if nothing had happened. As I watched this amazing and entertaining show, it occurred to me that birds are magic. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that nature is magic. If you pay attention, you will often see what I mean. Even with all the scientific knowledge humans have acquired, there is still so much we don’t completely understand. Yet, understanding is not needed to fully appreciate the wonder of it all.

Barn Swallow Calling

After the extraordinary experience of seeing Pacific Gray Whales close up in the wild and beautiful Smith River, I decided to revisit some of the magic that touched me this year as winter slowly made way for spring. With so much magic all around, only a small fraction of it gets captured with my camera. My hope is that the images you see here and in my galleries convey some of that magic.

A Match Made in Heaven

Sometimes it’s a movement you catch out of the corner of your eye, and when you turn to look, you can’t believe what you’re seeing. And then, just as fast as it caught your attention, it’s gone.

Otter at Full Speed

Sometimes, it’s something you have admired and wished to see for yourself. For example, the bird on the cover of my Sibley’s Guide, which turned up one rainy day in a campground on the Oregon Coast.

Varied Thrush

Sometimes, it’s the thing you’ve seen many times, but it comes and goes quickly and you never know exactly when to expect it. I’m very grateful to have noticed the fiddleheads before they transformed into ordinary fern leaves.

Fiddlehead

Other times, it’s a bird you have been hearing for days, but never managed to catch a glimpse of. Then, all of a sudden, there it is.

Spotted Towhee

And then, once in a great while, nature gives you an unforgettable experience. Such as the incredible beauty of this once-in-a-lifetime sunset at–where else–Sunset Bay, Oregon.

Mystical Sunset

We all experience the magic of nature, if we’re open to it and paying attention. I bet you see a bit of magic in nature every day. I’d love to hear about your magical nature moments, both big and small, in the comments. And I hope you have a magical day!

Winter on the North Coast

by Loree | Feb 25, 2018 | Gratitude, Ocean, Photography, Rivers, The Vagabond Lifestyle, Wildlife

The north coast of California is a place of wonder and beauty. Most people know there are redwood forests and breathtaking ocean vistas here. What many might not realize is that Del Norte and Humboldt counties are treasure troves of wildlife viewing. Elk, sea lions, river otters, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and white-tailed kites are but a few of the wildlife species commonly seen here.

Eyes on the Prize

After spending last winter in the desert, this winter I was drawn back to the Pacific coast of northern California. The deserts of New Mexico, Arizona and southern California have their charm, for sure, but the Pacific Northwest calls to me like no other region I’ve visited.

Papa Otter

Although it’s been wet and chilly sometimes, most days there is nowhere I’d rather be. And all the rain has helped me track down the leaks in my RV!

Sea Lion with Catch

According to many of the animals I’ve observed over the last few months, the fishing here is really good! From seals and sea lions catching steelhead to otters catching flounder and shorebirds catching tiny baitfish, the food chain is truly on display.

Heron with Fish

If you travel to the north coast of California to enjoy the beautiful sights, make sure you take time to notice the creatures that make these incredible places their home.

Spiky Elk

As humans, we sometimes get caught up in the beauty and grandeur of a landscape, while forgetting that it’s also a habitat for other living things. And, at other times, we notice nature’s diverse assortment of beings and forget the habitat required to support them. My time in these places has reminded me that we are all connected to each other and the earth.

Mist in the Redwoods

Eagle Flying at You

America’s Public Lands – Takhlakh Lake

by Loree | Feb 23, 2017 | Lakes, Mountains, Public Lands, Waterfalls

The journey to Takhlakh Lake began unexpectedly, about a month earlier, standing on a dike above the Columbia River in Kennewick, Washington. There to photograph the rise of the full moon over the Cable Bridge, I met another photographer who was there to capture the same. Both of us had plotted out the moon’s trajectory in relation to the bridge and had arrived plenty early in order to prepare and readjust, if necessary. Waiting for the moon to rise is a common theme for me, since the exact time it breaks over the horizon is dependent upon the elevation of said horizon. This uncertainty leads me to arrive and set up generally at least an hour before the moon.

Moonrise Over the Cable Bridge

With our tripods in place and cameras pointing in the direction of the bridge, we started to chat while we waited. The usual question “Where are you from?” started us off. This is always a tricky one for me because there is no cut and dried answer. Born in Wyoming, having lived most of my adult life in Northern California, neither of those is an honest response to the underlying premise of the question, which is “Where will you return to when you leave here?” And so began the conversation. Me explaining that I have no permanent home and had intentions to travel west to the Columbia Gorge after leaving eastern Washington. As a resident of the Tri-Cities area, my new friend was a frequent traveler to the gorge. He was happy to share suggestions for things to see and photo opportunities. That’s how I found out about Takhlakh Lake.

Full Moon Over the Cable Bridge

Once I got to the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, I knew I wanted to find Takhlakh Lake and try for a photo with a reflection of Mount Adams. Google Maps told me it was approximately 60 miles to my northeast, situated within the huge Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Located in Southwest Washington State, the Gifford Pinchot National Forest encompasses 1,368,300 acres of forests, mountains, river valleys, waterfalls, and lakes. Pacific Northwest weather being what it is, I waited for a day without rain. The wait lasted two weeks. Finally, a break in the rain came, but the sky was still overcast. I decided to set out anyway, and just settle for lake photographs if Mt. Adams was not visible.

Fairyland Fantasy

Sixty miles sounds like a relatively short drive, but when it’s comprised mainly of forest service roads, some paved, some not, it takes a while. Despite the gloomy weather, the drive was beautiful. A few miles from the lake, I spotted a sign that read “Big Spring Creek Falls.” Well, I’ve never been one to pass a waterfall without stopping, so a short detour was in order. The falls were spread out over three tiers, and the forest was much too thick to get a shot of the entirety of all three in one frame. The weather that was threatening my lake reflection shot was, however, perfect for waterfall images.

Big Spring Creek Falls – Middle Tier

After a longer than expected side trip to the waterfall and several more miles of gravel road, plus a brief snow flurry, I finally arrived at Takhlakh Lake. It was every bit as beautiful and secluded as my friend in Kennewick had described it. From the parking lot, there was access to a lakeside trail that followed the shore. I set out to find a location from which to shoot some images of this pristine alpine lake. When I found a fallen tree with its top pointing in the direction of the far shore, that was it. I set up the tripod and started to decide which settings I would use, when I noticed it was getting lighter. I looked up, and couldn’t believe what I saw. Mt. Adams was appearing before my eyes as the clouds began to lift! And thanks to the stormy weather, there was a pure white blanket of fresh snow on the mountain!

Takhlakh Lake with Mount Adams

Days when everything comes together perfectly are rare, and this was one of those rare, unforgettable days, more than a month in the making. America’s public lands are truly our greatest national treasure. Thank you for visiting them with me in this series of articles. And I hope you will join me in supporting those who are dedicated to keeping them public for generations to come. See you on the next adventure!

Mount Adams Doubled

When everything comes together.

by Loree | Apr 27, 2016 | Art, Gratitude, Photography

Recently, I embarked on a major project to quality control my photographic portfolio. I’m only about halfway through at this point, but something has struck me in the process of looking back on the work I’ve done over the past seven years. There are good days, and then there are phenomenal days. It made me wonder what makes the difference between having just a good day, and having one of those days that exceeds all expectations and results in what I consider to be some of my best work.

As I was leaving this waterfall, I met a local man who told me that only a few weeks earlier, there was little water falling here. Only the large chute on the left was flowing. And then the rains came.

There is usually planning and determination involved, often this means driving many miles to a location, sometimes several times. It can also mean precise mapping of sunrise/sunset or moonrise/moonset in relation to landmarks or subject matter.

Sedona Moon; sedona az; arizona; red rock country; cathedral rock; full moon; sunset; evening; light; spires; pillars; desert southwest; unforgettable; vortex; spiritual; nature; natural; orange; red; sky; formation; rocks; and; the; over; with; under; above; against; in the; on the; at the; Loree Johnson

Watching the full moon rise between the spires of Sedona, Arizona’s Cathedral Rock is a truly unforgettable experience.

Also critical is the natural element. Conditions must be just right, whether that means weather, or light, or any of nature’s other unpredictable occurrences.

As the remains of an autumn snowstorm slowly clear, majestic Mount Adams, wearing a fresh blanket of snow, is unveiled by the retreating clouds. The gorgeous, mirror-like reflection in Takhlakh Lake, would seem unreal if not for the mist rising from the far shore.

Sometimes, it means waiting (and waiting and waiting) for just the right moment.

This osprey has just emerged from a successful dive into the lake. Time to take dinner back to the nest.

But even when the planning, the conditions, the moment and the subject are all just right, there’s still something more that’s needed to make it one of those over-the-top shooting days. I was thinking about this for a while, and couldn’t really put my finger on it. Then, in a conversation with my daughter, it came out. Not only do all the external elements have to be there, but there is an internal ingredient as well.

Sunrise over Crater Lake, Oregon. The view from the Watchman Overlook includes an unrivaled perspective of Wizard Island. The normally bluer than blue lake takes on an orange glow as the sun spreads it first rays over the heavens.

When everything comes together, including that all-encompassing, creative juices flowing, incredible inspiration–that’s when the magic happens. I’d like to say that this happens all the time, but that would be a lie. In truth, there have only been a handful of those days in the past six or seven years.

Alpenglow on the peak of Mount Shasta with a storm brewing.

I savor the days when the magic happens. Yet, I know it won’t happen if I’m not out there, constantly honing my skills, working at my craft, exploring the limits of my abilities. When you purchase one of my photographs, you get so much more than just a photo. You get a part of my adventure, a hand crafted bit of my life, a piece of my soul. Thanks for visiting, and here’s to the incredible, rare, phenomenal days when it all comes together.

Best of 2015

by Loree | Dec 26, 2015 | Art, Best of, Blog, Deserts, Gratitude, Lakes, Mountains, National Parks, Photography, The Vagabond Lifestyle, Wildlife

Another year gone by and time for the obligatory “Top Ten” post. Since 2015 was the first full year I spent on the road, it’s a pretty amazing variety. From Arizona to Washington and many places in between. It was tougher to narrow it down to ten this year, probably because of all the wonderful memories associated with each photo. But I’ve attempted to be as objective as possible, judging the final product more than the process, although the two are inexplicably connected from my perspective. So, without further ado, I give you my top ten photographs of 2015.

10.) Angelic

Great egret (Ardea alba) in breeding plumage in flight against a clear blue sky.

This image was photographed at Gray Lodge Wildlife Area in central California. I was ever so fortunate to find a rookery where great egrets, great blue herons, and double-crested cormorants were preparing their nests in the midst of breeding season. This photo made the list on account of its unique perspective of one of my favorite birds, as well as the beautiful green lore and elegant tail feathers known as aigrettes, which are characteristic of breeding plumage.

9.) Peeking Peak

In the midst of an autumn storm, the peaks of the Grand Tetons make brief appearances for only moments before disappearing again into the clouds. This is one of those moments.

I chose this image for its otherworldly quality and the juxtaposition of the jagged peak against the softness of the clouds. Since I had only three days in Grand Teton National Park, and I arrived in the midst of a storm with heavy clouds blanketing the rugged peaks, I was fortunate enough to be in a position to capture this image when an opening in the clouds appeared for just a few brief minutes.

8.) Mount Garfield

mount garfiled; mt. garfield; colorado; grand junction co; palisade co; mesa county co; mesa; geology; peak; interesting; western slope; interstate 70; blue sky; clouds; morning; light; elevation; and; the; over; with; under; above; against; in the; on the; at the; Loree Johnson

Mt. Garfield is a 6765 ft. (2062 m) peak in the Little Book Cliff mountains just to the north of interstate 70 between Grand Junction and Palisade, Colorado. This mountain is more like a mesa and is very geologically interesting.

I can’t tell you how many times over the last year I’ve been driving my motor home, with car in tow, and seen something I wanted to photograph. This inevitably happens on a narrow road, with no shoulder and no place to pull over my awkwardly large rig. On the day I was leaving the western slope of Colorado to travel north into Wyoming, I saw Mount Garfield bathed in the beautiful morning light with wispy clouds hovering above. Once again, I longed for a place to stop and get out with my camera when all of a sudden, a large pullout appeared. This image was chosen for its serendipity and in honor of all those other missed shots where personal safety took precedence over photography.

7.) Pheasant in Flight

pheasant in flight; ring-necked pheasant; Phasianus colchicus; male; in flight; fly; flying; bird; wild; wildlife; upland game bird; and; the; over; with; under; above; against; in the; on the; at the; Loree Johnson

Male Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) in flight.

This image made the list as the realization of a long-standing goal. For years I have been fascinated with the ring-necked pheasants and have attempted many hundreds of times to get a photograph of one in flight, but they were just too quick. Then one morning, while driving around lost on an abandoned road in the McNary National Wildlife Refuge of eastern Washington, I surprised a group of these birds roosting in a tree. I also surprised myself with the composure and reflexes to finally capture an image of one of these elusive birds on the wing. And a beautifully colored male, too.

6.) Magical Sedona

Magical Sedona; Cathedral Rock Double Rainbow; sedona az; arizona; sedona; red rock country; desert southwest; mystical; magical; spiritual; heavenly; beauty; nature; natural; sublime; clouds; weather; rain; foreground; reflection; water; pool; and; the; over; with; under; above; against; in the; on the; at the; Loree Johnson

Double rainbow over Cathedral Rock in Sedona, Arizona. Recent rains have left pools of water, creating an opportunity to capture a reflection of the famous, mystical rock in the foreground.

Sedona was an unexpected destination in my travels this year as I had originally planned to go to Bryce Canyon in May after spending time at Zion National Park. The weather turned unexpectedly cold and snowy in southern Utah and I changed plans to go farther south. My first evening in Sedona was spent at Red Rock Crossing, which is purportedly the most photographed spot in Arizona. I was thrilled to find a puddle that was big enough to capture a reflection of the famed Cathedral Rock, but when a double rainbow appeared, I was utterly astonished.

5.) Dawn at Tipsoo Lake

Dawn at Tipsoo Lake; First Light on Mount Rainier; Mt. Rainier; Lake Tipsoo; sunrise; dawn; reflection; water; Mount Rainier National Park; Washington; Pierce County wa; scene; scenic; travel; and; the; over; with; under; above; against; in the; on the; at the; Loree Johnson

Tipsoo Lake reflects Mount Rainier at Dawn. Mt. Rainier National Park, Washington.

Sunrise is possibly my favorite time of day to capture landscape photographs and this image is one of my favorite dawns. Mount Rainier is one of the most beautiful peaks in the Cascade Range and the perfectly still water gave my eyes and camera double the pleasure of it in the morning’s first light. I also captured a horizontal version of this scene, but I chose the vertical because it incorporates a closer view of the mountain in all its glacial glory.

4.) Sedona Moon

Watching the full moon rise between the spires of Sedona, Arizona’s Cathedral Rock is a truly unforgettable experience.

It’s ironic that two of my top ten photos this year are from Sedona since it wasn’t one of my favorite places. Cathedral Rock is, however, a truly beautiful and majestic sight, and more than worthy of two top-ten spots. The orientation of the rocks are such that when you are facing the them, the sun sets behind you. There are just a few moments each afternoon when the light of the setting sun reflects and causes the red rocks to “glow.” This image is the result of quite a bit of meticulous planning and a little bit of luck. Mapping out and finding a place where the full moon would rise over the rock at sunset was the planned part. The moon rising just between the spire and the monolith was the luck part.

3.) Bald Eagle Swoosh

Bald eagle swoosh; Haliaeetus leucocephalus; american; perch; taking flight; atop; tree; sacramento NWR; national wildlife refuge; california; glenn county ca; blue sky; wings; wingspan; bird of prey; raptor; wild; wildlife; in flight; flying; majestic; and; the; over; with; under; above; against; in the; on the; at the; Loree Johnson

American bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) taking flight from its perch atop the tree.

I’ve already blogged about this image in my “Stories Behind the Images” series, but it made the top ten because it is probably the sharpest, clearest eagle in flight photo I’ve ever captured. And because they are just awesome birds.

2. Storm View

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Dramatic view from the Cedaredge Overlook on Colorado’s Grand Mesa on a stormy summer afternoon.

Another of my favorite things to photograph is dramatic weather. While scouting out places to photograph fireworks on 4th of July, five thousand feet above the valley floor on Colorado’s Grand Mesa, this thunderstorm developed. The fireworks shots were a bust, but the location scouting and dramatic weather gave me one of my best images of the year, which even made World View on The Weather Underground.

1.) Eagle Mesa Storm Clouds

Eagle Mesa Storm Clouds; glowing; monument valley; arizona; utah; desert southwest; red rock country; navajo nation; az weather; ut weather; rock formations; sagebrush; sand; light; sunset; dusk; evening; and; the; over; with; under; above; against; in the; on the; at the; Loree Johnson

Storm clouds glowing just before sunset behind Eagle Mesa in Monument Valley.

I have to admit that coming up with the top ten this year was much more difficult than last year. Even more difficult was deciding which image would be number one. After much deliberation, I choose this view of Eagle Mesa in Monument Valley. It gets the top spot because of the glow and shape of the clouds, and also because it is a view of Monument Valley that is less common and less photographed than the traditional “mittens.”

This year has been a wonder of experiences and places for me. I’ve learned a lot about photography, RV’ing, and life. Opening my eyes and heart to the wonders of the world has truly made me feel young again. I look forward to 2016 and another year of discovery, growth, and education. Happiest of New Years to all of you!