mountain Archives - Loree Johnson Photography

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

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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!

Grateful for the gifts

by Loree | Nov 2, 2014 | Birds, Blog, Gratitude, Lakes, Mountains, Photography, Rivers, The Vagabond Lifestyle, Waterfalls, Wildlife

It occurs to me that each time I go out, in search of the perfect photograph, I receive something precious, although it’s not always the perfect photograph. While my intentions and ideas can be pretty specific, the things I am presented with are much more general.

This realization can change my attitude from disappointment to joy. It can be tricky, to notice the obvious. Especially if you have blinders on. I find it especially disconcerting after I’ve just had some amazing photographic good fortune. Such as the day I went to Takhlakh Lake under a cover of low clouds, with little hope of seeing the famous reflection of Mount Adams–and then it miraculously appeared.

Heavenly Reflection

It was easy to be grateful that day. I got what I wanted and what I set out for. And, even a bit extra.

Big Spring Creek Falls – Middle

But there are days when I set out with something in mind, and it just doesn’t happen. Like the Mt. Hood Scenic Byway. I envisioned multiple, beautiful vistas of Mt. Hood and autumn colors, and who knows what else. Instead, the clouds rolled in, the weather got cold, and the mountain disappeared. Yet, I saw and experienced a part of Oregon I had not seen before. And it was beautiful and wonderful.

Or, the trip to shoot some lesser known waterfalls on the Washington side of the gorge. Rain and rough gravel roads and “No Trespassing” signs, as well as my own mistakes ensured that I would not come home with any spectacular photographs. Yet, I experienced something unforgettable and wondrous when the spawning salmon at the bottom of one waterfall swam within inches of me–over and over. It was as if they were getting to know me, in the last days of their life, and I felt their spirit and determination. They had reached this pool, at the bottom of a 33 foot waterfall, by swimming hundreds of miles from the Pacific Ocean and this was as far as they could go. I arrived at the same place by driving my car a few miles and walking several hundred feet. It almost felt as if I had cheated. Yet here I was, and here they were.

So there are times when the experience is perfect for photographing and I capture it and share it.

Unforgettable Day at Takhlakh Lake

And there are times when the photography takes a back seat and the experience is not captured to share. It’s only mine to savor in my memory. And I know now that this is how it must be and I’ve decided to be okay with that.

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Blue Heron over the River

Although, I still reserve the right to squawk about missing the shot!

Wildlife Photography is like gambling

by Loree | Oct 17, 2014 | Birds, Hikes, Photography, Wildlife

Once in a while, you hit a jackpot, and that’s what keeps you hooked. I had one of those jackpot days at the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge recently. It all started when I pulled into the parking lot and got out of my car.

Good Omen

Before I even reached the beginning of the trail, this red tailed hawk showed up as if to welcome me. It flew directly over my head and I barely had time to aim my camera. As I began to make my way down the mile-long trail, I spotted a Northern Harrier hunting in the marsh. I watched it for a while, hoping it would fly within range of my lens, but since it didn’t, I continued down the trail. I reached a bridge that went across a creek in a wooded glen. I noticed a disturbance in the water and stopped to see what might emerge.

Muskrat

It was a first for me to see a wild muskrat and it conjured up memories of that old Captain and Tennille song. After making my way slowly through the wooded area, on alert for more creatures, I came to a bridge over the end of a shallow lake. Out in the lake was a great blue heron. I kept my eye on it while I crossed to the other side of the bridge where the light was better. I saw it holding something in it’s beak and shaking it. It took a little while before I realized it had a snake!

Snake Falls Prey to Blue Heron

I stayed there watching the spectacle until the bird finally flew away with its prize. At this point I thought, well, this has been a good day. I didn’t hope or expect to see anything as exciting. So, at the next viewpoint with a bench, I sat down to have a drink of water and take in the beautiful view of the peak of Mount Hood rising up over the walls of the Columbia River Gorge. Just as I was about to attempt a landscape photograph with no tripod and a telephoto lens, I noticed a large bird soaring in the distance. When I looked through the lens, I couldn’t believe I was watching a bald eagle flying right in front of my view of the mountain.

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Bald Eagle and Mount Hood

It was just about then that I knew this day was one of those “jackpots” of wildlife photography. And I hadn’t even reached the end of the trail yet. So on I walked. When I reached the end of the trail, I saw something that finally made me realize why it’s called the Gibbons Creek Art Trail. There are works of art all along the trail. I had been so captivated by the wildlife, I barely noticed the art.

Gibbons Creek Art Trail

And now it was time to walk back on the same trail I had just traversed. Thinking I must have seen it all by now, I walked a bit more quickly. But, I slowed down on the way through the wooded glen. As I looked carefully through the tall grass, I spotted something that looked like an interesting piece of wood on the other side of the creek. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be an American Bittern staying very still in hopes of not being seen.

American Bittern Spotlighted

I know first hand how difficult it is to find and photograph these birds because they lived in a tree in my back yard in Yreka for years and I never got one good photograph of them. By now, I was like an addict looking for my next fix. I hadn’t had such a good wildlife day since winter at the Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge.

Then, just a bit farther up the trail, I saw this.

Seeing Double

A beautiful doe. But wait, what’s that behind her? A young buck hiding in the tall grass. I saw much more that day, including Northern Flickers, Stellers Jays, and American Kestrels. If you want to see them all, click on the Galleries tab at the top of the page and look through the What’s New gallery. So now that I’ve had a good dose of wildlife photography, I’m ready for more landscapes. And being in the Columbia River Gorge, beautiful landscapes abound. But don’t worry, like a compulsive gambler, I will come back to wildlife eventually–because I’m hooked.

Always learning…

by Loree | Mar 26, 2014 | Birds, Gratitude, Mountains, Oregon, Siskiyou County, Waterfalls, Wildlife

I posted a few months ago about how photography has taught me to see in ways I never did before. Lately I’ve been pondering all the other things I’ve learned as a result of photography. I’m not talking about f-stops, exposure, ISO and such, although I have learned and continue to learn more and more about all those things. What amazes me sometimes are the things I learn almost by accident because of my photography. For example, I learned how to tell the difference between a golden eagle and an immature bald eagle because they look similar and I wanted to know which bird I had photographed.

Golden Eagle Perched

In this image, you can clearly see the golden feathers on the back of the head and neck which are characteristic of golden eagles, no matter their age. In the image below, no such golden feathers are present, meaning it is a bald eagle which hasn’t matured enough to be “bald” yet.

Eagle in the Sun

I’ve learned the weather conditions which cause lenticular clouds to form because I want to be prepared to go out with my camera when these beautiful and photogenic clouds materialize around the local cloud generator–Mount Shasta.

Cloud Dance

I’ve learned the phases of the moon and the patterns of rise and set times for both the moon and the sun because then I can plan a photo shoot to either capture the moon

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A full moon rises near Mount Shasta in northern California

or capture the stars in the dark night sky when there is no moon.

Milky Way

I’ve learned the terminology for different types of waterfalls. Not only so that I can describe them accurately, but also so that I know what to expect when making a trip to a waterfall I’ve not been to before. This is a plunge waterfall.

Autumn at Watson Falls

This is a fan waterfall.

Wahkeena Falls

And this is a block waterfall.

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Sunset at Middle Falls

There are other types, too, as well as “combination” waterfalls that have characteristics of more than one type.

These are just a few of the many things I’ve learned because of my photography. As I continue to challenge myself and photograph new things in new ways, I’m excited about all the things I’m likely to learn along the way. My sincere hope is that for as long as I live, I will never stop learning.