This Blog Post includes fifty of my favorite images that together tell my story of CY 2024 (R1 12.29.24)

2024 for me was a year for renewing connections with nature and the community. In the process of doing this I found fresh visions for my photography and the support friends and followers. It is a mantra echoed throughout the photography community that good photography comes from following one’s own drummer rather than chasing popularity. I think this is true, but good photography also comes from close connections with the community and tapping into consciousness of the public who views our photographs. It is not either or, and to consider our audience when creating photographs is not the same thing as chasing popularity. Can you imagine creators of a successful cinema movie making no consideration of the audience who is ultimately going to view the movie? Of course not. The same thing applies to nature and landscape photography and for that matter any art form. We connect with our viewers through symbols, metaphors, themes and emotions that are also present in the consciousness and zeitgeist of our viewers. In this way we create a shared vision, the highest level of accomplishment for any nature and landscape photographer. Examples of these common themes would include finding solace in nature, coming home to nature, reflecting in nature and many others found in my images.

This year I formed some new friendships and solidified some longstanding ones providing me some company on my forays into nature. Some of the best conversations I have ever participated in have been right on the trail usually hiking with just one or two hiking friends. Its also great to experience with others the beauty of Mother Nature’s creation and this deepens and nurtures friendships. I also mentored a 16 year old student this year, transferring knowledge to the next generation of landscape photographers. Here are some snapshots of my friends and hiking and backpacking buddies.

My favorite hiking partner of all is my daughter Caroline. She visits me on her breaks for the University of California San Diego (UCSD). Here are a few images and precious moments from various breaks both here in Washington and in San Diego.

My year slipped into sadness in early October with the passing of my Mom, Agnes Buske who died from complications due to Alzheimer’s. My Mom grew up in a farm village in German where she developed a love for nature and the land. I learned from my Mom this same love for nature along with the value of tolerance. Loosing a parent is never easy, and now both of mine have passed which reminds me of my own mortality and need to live more in the moment as time here on earth is limited. Here is a poem my Mom wrote before she slipped into Alzheimer’s that she instructed us to read only once she passed.

This year I found beauty in both familiar and new places. Images 1 through 6 are from backpacking trips including my first ventures into Royal Basin in Olympic National Park, and to Panorama Point in Garibaldi Provincial Park, British Columbia. I also made a beautiful return to Indian Henry’s Hunting Ground at Mt. Rainier National Park. Images 7 through 18 are from road trips that also involved daily hiking. These trips included Rialto Beach in Olympic National Park, the Columbia Gorge Wildflowers, the Palouse, the Oregon Coast and the Three Sisters, and the North Cascades and Tumwater Canyon. Images 19 though 22 are from new day hiking photography destinations including the Lower Quilcene River in spring, Mt. Pilchuck in Autumn and Granite Lakes in Winter. Images 23 -28 are fresh perspectives from my favorite close in destination that I return to often, the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River. I also frequently return to local gardens and images 29-33 provide fresh perspectives of some of the familiar gardens I visit. Images 24-35 are from beauty in the forest across the street from my home. The remaining images are finding fresh visions of beauty on hikes I return to again and again.

1. Spirea Royal

Mid July this year turned out to be an absolutely gorgeous time for wildflowers at Royal Lake and Basin in Olympic National Park. Everywhere we went, from the subalpine to alpine and tundra, most flowers seemed to be in peak bloom. I was in awe and amazement at all of the beauty. These wild flowers were beyond my wildest dreams!

But the good comes with the not so good as my friend and photographer colleague Lalit found out when first arriving at Royal Lake. I had already been there a few minutes and heard some mad yells and thrashing movements in the bushes. I turned around and thought Lalit was going through the beginning stages of an epileptic seizure. His backpack was completely unpacked with everything strewn over the meadow grass. I asked him what he was doing and he said looking for the bug spray which he apparently forgot. One bug went up his nose and that was the trigger for the near seizure. Luckily I had readily available a large bottle of 14 Hour Picaridin Insect Repellent and handed to him. Lalit found some quick relief. In a more calm and his more typical yogic state of mind that is more the foundation of his beautiful nature images, he started reassembling his backpack!

2. Cascading Heather

I loved how this heather cascaded down the meadow rock and echoed the shape of the stream, both leading my eyes out to Royal Basin and the distant peaks. This is definitely a place I want to go back for a return trip!

3. Garibaldi Mystical Morning

In the early morning I peeped out of my tent and saw nothing but blue skies and was tempted to just sleep in, preserving my energy for the climb to Panorama Peak. But I decided to pull myself out of my bag and I am glad I did. The clouds and mist quickly rolled in creating a constantly changing mystical show. This is a scene from that show.

I encountered a very different Garibaldi Lake this year than last. Last year the water level was way down making it easy to walk around the lake to campsites. This was a high water year with the Rangers sending most people on the high route to get around the lake adding considerable elevation to the hike. I asked them if I could take the low route and they said if you do not mind getting a little wet to go ahead. It was more of a balancing act stepping across partially submerged stones, something I am comfortable with. The high water, though, also changed the appearance of the Islands in the lake, in many ways for the better. My estimate is that the lake water was at least 10 feet higher this year.

4. Trifecta

After descending part way from Panorama Ridge, I began looking for some beautiful pin cushion like purple flowers I saw on the way up. I overshot where they were located by quite a bit, and started going back up the mountain to find them. Several people asked me what I was doing going back up again, but once I told them I was looking for the elusive flowers they seemed to understand even though a few shook their heads. I eventually found them and made this the spot for both photography and dinner. To my surprise I left my stove at base camp so prepared a cold Mountain House dinner. Not the best but it was dinner, LOL!

There were three bunches of purple flowers complementing three lakes underneath Black Tusk, hence the name Trifecta. There is also a trail going up Black Tusk for different views, a goal for my next trip to this area.

5. Walking by a Small Pond

Although I originally intended to stay on top of Panorama Ridge until sunset, I decided that would not be the smartest thing to do as a solo hiker. Hiking back to camp I passed this small pond catching the last rays of light. It was a simple scene of trees and sunset light also reflected in the pond, but it filled me with a sense of joy and happiness

6. Nature is Our Home

I have returned to these sacred grounds of Indian Henry’s now for three years in a row at about the same time. The cabin to me symbolizes what in our hearts and soul we all long for, a return to nature and our authentic selves. Our lives in a modern and industrialized world and an ever expanding digital age, often move us away from our roots. But Nature is in our DNA, just waiting for us to reconnect and return to who we truly are, Nature in Us, We in Nature, no separation. We long to return to our home. 

7. Quinault Rainforest Waterfall Magic

With the recent heavy rains of early Spring, this waterfall is flowing good, as this tributary stream makes its way down through the Rainforest to Quinault Lake and River.

8. Stepping Stones to Radiant Tide and Time

Step out onto the stones into the changing tide, and mark the time with each breath filling your soul with radiant beams of heavenly light. This is a scene from Rialto Beach, part of Olympic National Park.

9. Columbia Gorge Mountain Meadow Bouquet

As much as I like a beautifully arranged bouquet from a good florist, there is nothing like the beauty and organic feel of a naturally arranged mountain meadow bouquet. The subtleties of color and texture, the grace of form sculpted by pervasive winds, the placement of the flowers, and even ever-present imperfections—all coalesce to reveal nature’s beauty at its best underneath the light of the setting sun.

10. Palouse Bird in Flight

The dark shadows on the wheat fields, cast by evening clouds, reminded me of a large stealthy and jet like bird flying somewhere overhead.

11. Kamiak Butte Happy Trail

Although Steptoe Butte with its awesome views of wheat fields is a main attraction for many visiting the Palouse, there actually is another nearby Butte, Kamiak Butte. Unlike Steptoe, there is no road going to the top, and one must hike the Pine Ridge trail. There are similar views from the ridge as Steptoe Butte, but what I find even more interesting on this trip is walking through the forest, where I found the large colony of Arnica flowers. Like Balsam Root, these are also in the sunflower family, but they are much smaller than Balsam Root and grow in denser and tighter colonies often forming a carpet. Kamiak Butte provides us with a glimpse of what this area was like before most of it became cultivated for farm crops. It is a wildflower paradise that I visit every year between visits to the Palouse farmland, to exercise my legs with a hike and also enjoy its natural beauty. The park closes at 7PM so sunset photography is not possible with a daytrip, but still worth a visit.

12. Cannon Beach Trinity

This was perhaps the most memorable sunset I have experienced at Cannon Beach. It was cloudy and rainy most of the day, but these conditions also helped clear the air and when the sun finally broke through there was magic. I usually avoid Cannon Beach due to the crowds, but I am a little more tolerant of people asserting their right to also enjoy the beauty of Mother Nature these days. I zapped several people out of this picture but kept a few toward the center in. They are admiring nature’s beauty also, and were part of the overall atmosphere and mood of this place on the occasion of this gorgeous sunset.

13. Groovin with the Beach Combers

Lines and grooves form in the sand at sunset with the ebb and flow of the tide. A couple of Seagulls comb for their supper between the rolling of waves.

14. Glimpses of Light

This is from a Mid-October mini road trip heading up to the North Cascades and out through Pateros, Tumwater Canyon and Stevens Pass. I hiked up to Cutthroat Pass from Cutthroat Lake staying until sunset. On the way up there were only a few people on the trail, a major contrast to what must of been a zoo at Heather Maple Pass where I passed a procession of cars about a mile long, LOL! I did not cut any throats up here, but I sure did cut a lot of digital images. I loved the color contrast in this scene and layers of beauty. It was primarily cloudy on this day, but for this shot a opening in the clouds provided some glimmers of light.

15. The Light and the Balance

In this scene I loved the balance of the island of tall larches rimed by red huckleberries juxtaposed against a background of distant peaks with one being dominant. The evening light coming in through an opening in the clouds lit up the scene beautifully with the gray clouds acting as kind of a studio soft box to soften any harsh contrast. A few boulders in the foreground to me brought a sense completion to a simple array of elements fitting the essence of the Cutthroat Pass area.

16. Roadside Attraction

While getting gas on a foggy morning in Arlington I noticed this beautiful lone tree and grabbed my camera while the gas was pumping. Always keep your eyes open for picture opportunities, even in unlikely places.

17. Smooth Sumac

While driving from Twisp to Tumwater I passed through the sleepy town of Peteros along the Columba River. The last time I was here was years ago when we camped at my Brother’s then property close to town. I never noticed then these beautiful smooth sumac bushes that are apparently native to Eastern Washington. I used a telephoto perspective to create this pattern shot of the autumn sumacs now dressed in red dotting the grasslands just outside of Peteros.

18. Sun Setting through an Aspen Grove

On my Mid-October two-day road trip I also visited the Tumwater Canyon close to Leavenworth, pulling over at a few lesser known spots where there were no cars, also looking for lesser known views. This Aspen Grove caught my eye as the sun was setting, and I quickly abandoned my initial idea for a composition in favor of this beautiful moment in time. Good photography is mainly about showing people our world, both the iconic and the lesser known, in ways they have not seen before.

19. Ribbons of Red Huckleberry Bushes

In late September, I took a wonderful exploratory sunset hike with friend Sun to Pilchuck, arriving at the top about a half hour before sunset. Having left from Bellevue about 2:45 PM this was the best we could do with the traffic and of course mandatory stops to take pictures! Neither of us are go straight to the top without stopping kind of hikers LOL! I do not fully comprehend why I have never been here before, but I definitely having been missing out on a mesmerizingly beautiful place that warrants many future visits! The Fall Color toward the top was especially beautiful, which we stumbled upon through taking a wrong boulder path. Wrong turns can sometimes deliver the best results! Its called Pilchuck, but a better name might have been Boulder Mountain, as this mountain is pretty much made of boulders including those that are synonymous with the trail!

20. Mossy Rhododendron of the Olympic Forest

In June, I did some exploration in some new to me areas around Belfair on the Olympic Peninsula. The wild Rhododendrons in the foothills of this region were at this time close to full bloom. After visiting the Redwood and Oregon Rhododendrons, I have come to the conclusion that there are actually more and wider spread wild Rhododendrons here in Washington than either of those two states. The biggest difference is that many of the Rhododendron regions in Washington are in areas of second growth timber, but the trees are getting bigger with each passing year! The fog is less frequent in the Washington areas also. Nevertheless, I found this particular Rhododendron very beautiful in the dappled sunlight filtering through the forest, also casting light on the flowers and moss.

21. Lone Bunchberry Among the Oak Ferns

In June I explored for my first time the Lower Quilcene River on the Olympic Peninsula close to the Hood Canal. This is not a area for finding grand landscapes (sans Mt. Walker), but there is a lot of hidden and uncommon beauty for those who are willing to to take the time to slow down and explore. Rhododendrons can be found here and there along the river, but on this day this was my most interesting discovery, a Lone Bunchberry Among the Oak Ferns.

Need to say something

22. Granite Lakes Welcoming Winter

In early December, I took a wonderful hike to Granite Lakes welcoming the arrival of Winter. It was still Early Winter with beautiful reflections at the outlet of the lake. I enjoyed the peaceful calm feeling of this Winter setting. The lake itself was already frozen over. It was cold at the lake but with all this beauty I did not notice it until about an hour later when I found it difficult to operate the camera any longer and hiked out.

23. Calm Before the Cyclone

Heavy winds were in the forecast for this area later on this today, some describing it as an approaching “bomb cyclone”. But standing at this spot this morning at the Middle Fork looking out to Mt. Garfield, all seemed quiet and peaceful with only the freshly fallen snow signaling Winter’s approach.

24. Finding Riverside Peace

This is a glimpse, a snippet, of the beauty I found hiking up the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River on a Mid-November day. On this day I just used one lens, my Sony 70-350 telephoto mounted to my ultralight Sony APS A6700 camera, this results in a lens that is about a 105-525mm Full Frame Equivalent. Using just one lens is an excellent way to tap into inspiration to see the world differently, focusing more on small area scenes. This also plays well with the Middle Fork trail where grand landscapes are far and few between, as most of the time we are looking at smaller sections of the forest and river.

25. Middle Fork Mystical Morning

Here is an impression, and a flash of perception while heading up and down the Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River in Mid-October. The day started out with beautiful fog gradually rising. The allowed the sun to come in and light up some of the autumn hues.

26. Comfortably Lost in the Middle Fork Forest

The Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie River is beautiful area not far from Seattle that includes a wild river surrounded by rain forest and steep partially forested peaks with craggy outcrops and granite cliffs. Moss, fog, mist, and mystical moods are abundant in this area especially in Winter.

27. Forest Pond Mossy Stones

While hiking through the Middle Fork forest I came upon this small pond surround by lush mossy stones. To me, although not grandiose in its beauty, it was such beautiful sight to behold on a mid Winter day.

28. Middle Fork Touch of Autumn

Yesterday after her work, hiking buddy Kim and I headed down the Middle Fork passing touches of Fall Color, glimpses of bare trees signaling Winter’s approach and plenty of mushrooms. We ended up back at the confluence of the Taylor and Middle Fork of the Snoqualmie Rivers (and the car) close to sunset where this shot was taken. Garfield Mountain, the largest in the area, rises above the confluence at this point and had some beautiful mood and atmosphere mixed with the golden light of the setting sun.

29. Cherry Blossom Lane

It was a peaceful morning at the UW quad today, that is until—-
Some dude started walking in zig zags with sporting his new undersized T-Rex outfit (do people really want to see this LOL!), and the garden crew pulled in with multiple trucks and vehicles to do lawn maintenance (I forgive them!), and also the fairy princess started waiving her magic wand and sprinkling fairy dust! Oh well at least I got a few shots in and returned the next day to a much quieter place.

30. Harvest Time

These Skagit Valley Tulip Fields are not just here for our enjoyment, they are functional farms. Here tulips are cut and collected in flats eventually to make their way into markets where people can purchase to bring some beauty into their homes.

31. Rainy Day Walk in the Garden

On a rainy day in early November I took this image of this iconic foot bridge at Seattle’s Japanese Garden. Since it was raining there were few people at this normally crowed garden. This makes it easier to appreciate the often silent beauty except for the pitter patter of the rain drops, falling water, and a few birds chirping.

32. Heart Bridge to Autumn at Kubota Garden

Kubota’s heart bridge crosses the Necklace of Ponds passing through splashes of beautiful autumn hues and textures.

33. Blue and Gold

I went out to check out some of my favorite Japanese Maples on this morning. I was not sure they would hold out much longer with the overnight winds and rain, but this one seemed to be at the sweet spot between lace leaves on the tree and on the ground. Life is so sweet and beautiful underneath a Japanese Maple in the Morning!

34. Mushroom Promenade

A procession of Sulphur Tuft mushrooms lines an old fallen log in the forest on a cool Autumn Day. Thanks cousin Sylvia for pointing out these mushrooms on our walk in the forest close to my home.

35. Sunburst in a Foggy Forest

Often I get asked by people how they can improve their photography. One of the things I tell them is to find a place close to their home and go there often finding beauty in a place often thought of as ordinary and mundane. One can learn more in this way than going to places where the shot is in your face and has already been defined as good by those who came before you. Yesterday I practiced what I preach, and headed out my front door on a foggy day to find some beauty in the woods close to my home. The forest was very humid with water droplets dripping from the trees as the sun gradually penetrated the fog-perfect conditions!

36. Wildblumen-Bergwiese
(German for Wildflower Mountain Meadow)

During an exploratory trip to the area surrounding the German theme town of Leavenworth, I stumbled across this beautiful Lupine Meadow and decided to just stay here until sunset. It was a great place to lie down for awhile (not on the flowers!) and watch the clouds go by. One does not need to travel far and wide for Wildflowers, they are right here in our beautiful state of Washington!

37. Daisies Meet Foxglove

Its date night for the Daisies and Foxglove up at Tiger Mountain! In June, I left home at about 6PM and headed to the West Tiger 3 Cable Line Trail. I made my way up a little slower than usual, heeding the advice of medical experts not to overexert in the heat wave and also stay hydrated. The hot temps moved the pink Fox Glove into a hyper bloom cycle as I was feeling the heat and beauty at sunset between West Tiger 2 and 3.

38. Mt. Si Haystack Rock Revisited

Here is what I think for many of you will be a fresh perspective on Mt. Si’s Haystack Rock. It sure took on a different look for me, as I was lying down on the ground with my camera lens only a few inches away from a carpet of phlox flowers that were making a toehold on the jagged rocks, and looking up toward the iconic Haystack.

39. Summer Paintbrush Meets Autumn Gentian

I love seasons in transition, including the feeling of passing from Summer to Autumn. In this meadow the Summer Indian Paintbrush flowers are still at peak, but the Lupine have already gone to seed, to be replaced by Autumn blooming blue Gentian flowers. Gentian reminds me a little of blue flame candles. Seasons in transition remind me of the Japanese Zen aesthetic concept of Wabi Sabi: nothing lasts, nothing is perfect, and nothing is finished. But it is in the experience of Wabi Sabi that one finds beauty.

This image was taken on a middle of August evening at Spray Park. A misty Hessong Rock is in the background. Although Rainier was never visible it did not matter to me. All I needed were these beautiful flowers and light.

40. Kiss the Sun

On an early September evening, hiking buddy Hua and I were about to leave what at first appeared to be a non-eventful sunset at Mt. Fremont. Then we noticed the Sun gradually reappearing between layers of clouds. The color was very localized in this small area captured using a 300mm telephoto perspective. It appeared to me as though the reds clouds were lips kissing the bright Sun slowly falling from the sky.

41. Grazing with New Coats

In September we did a wonderful clockwise loop of the Panorama Point hike passing Goats, Bears and Marmots and plenty of beautiful Fall color. These two goats were in the meadow above us, and I was able to feature them grazing with new coats of beautiful fir using a long telephoto perspective cropped in. The goats shed their summer coats to be replaced by thicker and warmer winter coats.

42. Visions from the Other Side

On a Mid-September evening Mt. Rainier and Eunice Lake were barely visible from Tolmie Peak, but hiking buddy Hua and I found some spell binding mystical beauty on the other side of the peak. A system of fast moving clouds and fog merged with the lingering smoke ultimately pushing the smoke out of the way. The sun pierced through the sky with golden light also illuminating the huckleberries well on their way to peak Fall color. This was a reaffirmation of what I practice almost every time I go hiking: embrace the moment and what Mother Nature offers. There is always some beauty to be found!

43. Autumn is in the Air

This was my parting shot at sunset heading down the Granite Mountain Trail. Although it was not Autumn yet, the colors were well on their way to the Golden Season. Personally, I love colors in transition even more than peak Fall color. There is something about moving from one season to another that is very alluring.

44. Autumn Cotton Wood Reflections

On this day I found some unexpected beauty upon returning from my hike to Rattlesnake Ledge. I did not go in search of pictures, but I found some uncommon beauty. I am always prepared to take images, even when I have no expectations of finding them! Its important to develop a mindset that is always open to possibilities.

45. Understory of Vine Maples

There is Big Si, and there is Little Si, and in some ways I actually like Big Si’s little sister better! There is certainly more variety to the trail, passing through a fern grotto and tall cliffs that are a favorite of climbers using pitons, and some beautiful view point rock outcrops on top where we could wave hi to Big Si. Hiking buddy Sun and I left Bellevue about 2:45 PM and we arrived at the top at 5PM, leaving plenty of time to enjoy the golden hour, partake of our hiker’s feast including Smoked Salmon Bagels, and a few fire balls. On the way up we saw some wonderful understory color of golden vine maples under the tall evergreen trees. There is beauty everywhere waiting for us to step out and discover.

46. An Unexpected Visitor

I never thought of myself as a Deer Whisperer but now I am beginning to think I am. This deer was posing perfectly on this day on Tiger Mountain, and seemed very comfortable with my presence for a long period of time

47. Kayaking Into Sunrise

Every time I go down to close to my home Lake Desire for Sunrise, I see this guy launching his Kayak. He has it on wheels so he can just roll it from his nearby house to the boat launch. This morning I captured him heading out into a glorious sunrise. The Kayak appears custom built and has both a paddle and petals and he was using the latter today to propel the Kayak forward.

48. Mountains, Clouds and Mist

On this December day I did some long telephoto work up on Rattlesnake Ledges. Working in this way I can bring to life distant peaks and portray them in ways that are not obvious to our naked eyes. Telephotos isolate and compress layers in the scene which opens up new composition avenues for creative expression. The lens I used on my ultralight Sony A6700 is the Sony 70-350 which is equivalent to a 105-525 Full Frame lens. The lens and camera together only weigh about two pounds, making it a great choice for hiking and backpacking.

49. Delicate

A licorice fern frond growing on a tree limb reaches up into the cool forest for small streams of airy light filtering through the forest canopy. This is like the Tree of Life except a fern, with its spores ready to spread bountiful life and nature’s love throughout the forest.