Whoa, it seems like yesterday that I wished a Happy New Year… wait. It was yesterday. Ugh, never mind. So many things happened in 2010, the year flew by like monarch butterflies over the state of California and I thoroughly enjoyed the time spent in the field, photographing in the jaw-dropping and awe-inspiring locations in the western US, namely Yosemite National Park, Arches and Canyonlands NP in Utah, the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon and a few lesser known places on the way, but see for yourself.

Without further blah blah, here are my favorite 5 images of the last year.

1. “Granite Reflections” – Yosemite National Park, California

Cathedral Peak majestically towers over Upper Cathedral Lake high in the Sierra and a lesser visited area in the Yosemite National Park, California. Read the story behind the ascent here or by clicking the image above.

2. “Defiance Falls” – Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

The official name of this little known jewel in the Columbia River Gorge is Lancaster Falls, named after Samuel C. Lancaster, an engineer responsible for the construction of much of the original Columbia River Gorge Highway. (Which is an awesome drive by the way!)

3. “Captain’s Point” – Cape Kiwanda, Oregon

A beautiful soft and warm evening light kisses the sandstone formations of Cape Kiwanda on the Oregon coast near Pacific City while the raging surf shapes the ever-changing cliffs.

4. “Rising Dawn” – Convict Lake, California

Stormy rain clouds are pushing over the ridge of Mt. Laurel at Convict Lake, California; lit by the rising sun over the Eastern Sierra Nevada.

5. “Firestorm” – Natural Bridges State Park, California

A rare colorful sunset during the late summer season in California. Usually the beaches in Northern California are covered in a thick marine layer which blankets the coast like an impenetrable coat, suffocating all chances of possible color. With a little luck and a lot of patience, the spectacular sunset eventually happened, accompanied by lit up rain showers.


Last but not least, I want to thank you all for the support throughout the year. I resolve to post more in 2011, spend even more time in the field, explore new places, offer a better experience when browsing and shopping for images on my website (reads: a major upgrade is in the works) and buy more of the Cialis and Rolex watches I am offered every day. Thanks Spammers. I love you too.

That said, enjoy “Laced in Frost”. My last image of the past year taken on December 30th; complete with hoarfrost covered branches, steam rising from the river and a little pink magic; brings 2010 to a worthy end. Here’s to a great Twenty-Eleven y’all!

David

With Christmas just around the corner and the holiday machinery running full force, it was about time the mountains finally saw some snow and I admit, I too was pretty happy when I saw the forecast for the past weekend. A sudden temperature drop to 10 degrees prevented a thick cover though, that I was hoping for, but a nice white dusting veiled the mountains.

Sunday morning I made my way out to a spot I haven’t been before but knew it was going to be a great experience when I saw the trail head to an 8 mile loop up the valley through a vast forest in Germany’s Ore Mountains. Let’s say this, the first two miles are great, the rest was rather strenuous and required a little dedication.

Here’s the creek running down along the trail for the first mile or so after uniting from several really small water sources. Click on the picture for a larger view!

Canon Rebel XSi with Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 12mm, 0.8sec, f/18.

While the snow was nice to look at in person, having the appearance of powdered sugar, it was difficult to photograph since the trees do not provide any kind of natural filter this time of the year due to the lack of foliage and the low amount of snow made the scenes look cluttered but this didn’t stop me from shooting. It is December and only the second time I had snow under my feet! Nothing was going to stop me!

Another composition with countless broken tree trunks from the past winters lining up with the diagonal layers of rocks and the rushing water.

Canon Rebel XSi with Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11mm, 0.8sec, f/20.

While I probably will not do the complete hike again, I am pretty confident to return when the creek has seen a good amount of snow and then definitely in the spring when the greens of the beeches and ferns will be glowing.

“The Remnants of the Past” were omnipresent during the whole time. Old or cut-down tree trunks adorn the trail up the mountain and the one depicted made the best foreground against a small meadow where snow and ice covered the spruces in the background, all lit up by early morning light.

Canon Rebel XSi with Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 @ 11mm, 0.8sec, f/20.

It’s that time of the year again where the big hunt for Christmas presents falls into place and to the surprise of many I still have to hunt some good things down. So, see you later folks with part two of the past weekend.

Happy Holiday Season and cheers on a successful hunt!
David