Hood Hood ....

Another one of the Pacific Northwest volcanic mountains located just 45 miles east of Portland, OR. Not only it provides amazing views but also a fantastic Ski place too.

This is on last Memorial day weekend when it was sunny not much snow left but still plenty of hardcore skiers and show boarders were trying their luck on the remainder of the non-existent winter. You can take a ski lift up just to walk around and admire the beauty of this mountain up-close.

If you look back, away from the mountain you can see a thick cloud cover till the horizon that changes the reality of few thousand feet to the dreamy feeling of "On Top of the World" for you.

At Lake Trillium where normally you can see a nice reflection of the mountain in the waters, it was playing Peek-a-Boo with the help of fast moving clouds for the whole day. It still ended up giving some stunning views of it.

This is how beautiful it was at Lake Trillium though Mt hood was under the hoodie. This lake is absolutely pristine and well maintained as only human powered floating devices are allowed in the waters.

Last but not least is the small hike to the Mirror Lake. This is a very nice and family friendly hike. On top the Mirror Lake provides picture perfect views of Mt Hood. For me the clouds were still rolling in and one of the visitors let the dog in the waters to challenge our Photography skills.

 

You can rent a VRBO in Government Camp, OR and everything is within 20 minutes from there. Though we went at end of May, it surely must be providing great views and activities all year round.

Equipment: 

Camera: Canon 7D

Lens: Canon 100-400mm, Canon 10-22mm, Canon 18-55mm

Breathtaking Blues - The Himalayan Blue Poppies

There are so many kinds of pretty blues in the nature...

Some relaxing like Hawaiian Sea ...

Some reassuring like Clear Blue Skies ...

Some are deep like that of Crater Lake ...

Some are refreshingly serene like that of a Glacier ...

This one is breathtaking!

So delicately translucent and beautiful beyond words ...

It takes your breath away for those few illusive moments and takes one to a joyful state of mind!



Equipment:
Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: Canon 100-400mm

Moving Reflections

This is "Hooded Merganser" female smoothly sailing across the waters in search of the meal during dinner time. She looks amazing with the hooded look and almost spotless reflection.

This is a very colorful male "Malard". his head reflects different colors depending on how and in which angle the sunlight is reflecting. Very commonly found duck everywhere. Bright sunlight is always magical.

This is a "Shoveler" female basking in the evening sun digging through the mud and looking for food. She was startled by the dog sounds and started moving away. I hate when people take their dogs to the places where it is marked in the BOLD that no dogs allowed.

Another colorful duck -  male "Teal". He exhibits amazing colors and has a bright colored teal feather under the wing hence the name Teal. They look amazing especially when moving towards the sunlight.






Equipment:
Camera: Canon EOS Kiss Digital X, Canon 7D
Lens: Sigma 170-500mm, Sigma 150-500mm, Kenko 1.4x Teleconverter

Skyline Glamour !

Kerry Park

One of my favorite places to click the Seattle Downtown. No matter how many times you go there, which time of the year or the day or the night you go there, what weather, ....... it will never disappoint you. Each time you will get to see amazing colors and views of the downtown. 

Kerry Park at Night

As I said in one of my earlier posts about Kerry Park that it is surrounded by some of the most beautiful houses, almost 100+ years old historic neighborhood. Me and my wife love to take a stroll around, on any given day. You also have nice views of the Puget Sound, Ferries going in and out, Sea planes, Cargo ships, Alki beach, ....... it's beautiful.

Seattle Skyline from Alki Beach.

Now if you simply go across the waters to the Alki Beach on a cold winter night sometimes the water is so calm that you can see the entire glow reflected back in the water making it an amazing display.

Equipment:
Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: Canon 18-55mm

Up Close and Personal

Getting back to my own fascination of Bald Eagles ....... this is the closest I have ever gotten to the Bald Eagle through the lens and I believe there is no more room to get any closer. Looking at it so close and in so many details you can certainly admire the true beauty of this majestic hunter. When they fly above the water you can see that all the smaller ducks run for cover. Looking at its beak it seems a little older yet in full command. This was sheer luck to get so up close and personal look at the Bald Eagle. My love for my camera gear grew a lot more after this photo. If you stare at the photo for a few seconds while looking at its eye, you will realize the terror it causes among the smaller birds, ducks or for that matter any pray.

How do you like it?

Equipment:

Camera: Canon 7D

Lens: Sigma 170-500mm

"The Devilish"

GBH - Great Blue Heron - The Devilish!

Need I say more? Again being at the right place at the right time pays off all the time. This is a bit older specimen and standing their still on one leg with perfect balance and with a cunning look. And there was a smooth breeze from behind just enough to grow couple of horns turning him into a Devilish!

This is one of my most favorite captures of GBH so far.

Picture Lake - Artist Point

I visit this place each year in multiple seasons. This is Mt Shuksan located in Mt Baker - Snowqualmie National Forest. Though Mt Baker is better known and visible from a distance, this mountain is no less when it comes to the beautiful views. There are Mt Baker Lodge Lakes just before the Artist Point. This is taken at the "Picture Lake". To reach here take I-5 North in WA state and take exit # 255 towards SR-542 East in Whatcom county. This is located at the end of SR-542.

With and without clouds it kinda gives a different perspective and beauty to the picture. I love them both. During the fall you can see amazing colors all around. In winter time all this area including all lakes is frozen and covered in the snow. Make sure you check before you visit as there is a limited time window during which the drive to the Artist Point is open in a year.




Equipment:
Camera: Canon 7D
Lens: Canon 18-55mm