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Star Explosion

McWay falls drop 80 feet to the beach year-round, flowing from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in central coastal California. It's one of the only two falls in California that directly empties in the Pacific Ocean, Alamere Falls being the other one. I've wanted to get this shot for a while after seeing it a magazine. Driving back to Seattle after dropping my son in college in San Luis Obispo provided the ideal opportunity. I got to the park right for the golden hour and enjoyed a fiery sunset. There were a few photographers, but all disappeared with the fading light, and soon I was alone. Only the occasional car, the darkness, the stars, and the rumble of the ocean surrounded me. I stayed for a few hours taking in the serenity of the moment and enjoying photography. Then I locked myself out of the car, but that's another story. McWay Falls is a unique and magnificent setting. It's easy to overlook if you zip a little fast along this stretch of highway 1 along the Pacific coast. It's happened to me. The Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park hides in bend, and the falls are not visible from the road. The state park entrance is also easy to miss. The best daytime giveaway is the vehicles parked nearby. If you ever find yourself in this part of the world, add this stop to your list. I've added the GPS coordinates in the picture details. A few things need to come together to capture a picture like this one: The timing and location of the Milky Way, moonless night, and cloudless sky, and of course, a little luck. This photo is a blended exposure; the beach and falls in the foreground are a 5-minute exposure while the sky and Milky Way were exposed for 30 seconds. The two images were blended in Photoshop. I was lucky to have the falls to myself late at night — it was a magic moment that I will remember, Highway 1. Central California. September 2019. Sony ILCE-7RM3 Rokinin 14 f/2.8 ED USM @ 14mm 332.0 sec @ 400 ISO

Resilience

How do you thrive in a beautiful place yet battled with epic storms that topple those around you? How you do stay so green when so few of your nursing roots are anchored? The Tree of Life (Tree Root Cave) endures and grows in the face of erosion; its mystery integral to the magic of the Olympic National Park coastal treasures. A symbol of resilience. If you go, please respect the tree. Sony ILCE-7RM4 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM @ 26 mm ¹⁄₆₀ sec at ƒ / 13 100 ISO 9/17/22 4:38:12 PM © savoyeimages.com

Beacon

Dusk falls on the Cape Flattery Light. It stands strong, though in needs of repairs. Built in 1854 from a design by Ammi B Young, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 2008 after the installation of a solar powered solar beacon. It sits up top of Tatoosh island and is the Northwesternmost lighthouse on the contiguous United States. The light, and island bear a special meaning to mariners. Rounding them portside, is “taking the left turn”, the expression used by sailors who head south down the coast in search of warmer waters. I have rounded the island with my friend Chris on this first leg of his five-year circumnavigation on Spill the Wine; it is a special moment. Tatoosh island is owned by the Makah tribe and home to nesting seabirds, and marine mammals, and is not accessible to the public. This shot was taken from the Cape Flattery view point in the Olympic National Park on a beautiful late summer night. Sony ILCE-7RM4 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS @ 137 mm 0.7 sec at ƒ / 9.5 320 ISO 9/18/22 7:54:45 PM © savoyeimages.com

Tides

it is the last light at Cattle Point at the southern tip of San Juan Island, Washington. One turn left into Haro strait, and then straight through Juan de Fuca and it's about 50 miles to the mouth of the Pacific Ocean. The Cattle Point lighthouse marks the entrance to Cattle pass and the southern tip of the island. The pass separates Lopez and San Juan Islands in the archipelago of the same name. It is notorious of its current when millions of gallons ebb and flow with the movement of the Salish sea. Lopez island is visible in the background. Looks can be deceiving, the pass can a rough passage when the tide and winds are opposed - I've experienced a few times as a sailor. This image is a 10 second exposure. Not long enough to see the clouds motion, but enough to capture the lines of currents moving through the pass. See if you can spot them. San Juan Island, WA San Juan Island Archipelago January 2021 (C) savoyeimages.com

Contrast

The sun sets above the Olympics on the Peninsula of the same name. I shot this picture after a long drive, and ferry ride from Seattle, reaching San Juan Island with only an hour of daylight left. I hurriedly headed to the southern tip of San Juan Island in search of inspiration at the Cattle pass lighthouse. Just like that. looking South, the Olympics rose above the fog, kissed by the fading warm light creating a stunning contrast with sea below. I used a long lens to create the compression of the mountains against the Strait of Juan de Fuca waters. The lateral marker "3" sways with the waves and marks the entrance of Cattle Pass. A narrow passage between Lopez and San Juan Islands. The fog is common on the strait, and this bank shrouded shores in mystery. The evening air was crisp and cold. San Juan Island, WA San Juan Island Archipelago January 2021 (C) savoyeimages.com

Wrinkles

I stopped at Painted Hills on my drive back from California to Seattle. I didn’t know what to expect, and the detour was worth every mile. The monument is tucked in central Oregon, away from everything. The monument consists of three geographically separate units: Sheep Rock, Painted Hills. (This image), and Clarno. The Painted Hills are listed as one of the Seven Wonders of Oregon and are named after the colorful layers corresponding to various geological eras, formed when the area was an ancient river floodplain. I took a bit of time to explore the monument. It’s not that big, but it’s different everywhere you look. The geology is a feast to the eyes. The Carroll rim trail is 1.6 miles long and provides breathtaking views. I hiked late in the afternoon and waited for the light to fade—the few people who had ventured up left. The coyotes howled in the distance; their calls echoed through the hills as darkness fell. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Wheeler County Oregon September 2019 f8 @ 1/20 200 ISO Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 38 mm ¹⁄₂₀ sec at ƒ / 8.0 @ 200 ISO 9/21/19 7:01:48 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Fire Sky

Ruby beach hardly ever disappoints. It is one special place along route 101 In the Olympic National park in Washington state. A fiery sky breaks above the Pacific on Ruby Beach. Sea stacks and Abbey Island make a dramatic foreground. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 24 mm 15.0 sec at ƒ / 18 @ 100 ISO 8/27/19 8:27:57 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Crusted

Okanagan National Forest in late November. The first snow storm of the season blankets the tall firs that dwell on each side of Washington Pass. It's all quiet as the sounds are muffled by the heavy snow. Soon Highway 20 will close and the forest will return to complete wilderness for a few months. November 2019 Washington, Pass- Washington USA Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS 146 mm ⅛ sec at ƒ / 16 @ 160 ISO 11/29/19 3:30:19 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Bright

Moonrise over Yosemite. The moon rose at around 9:00pm and slid behind and above Cathedral Rocks to light the valley below. The weather had been stormy all day, but the night was an ensemble of fog, sounds and lights. This shot is a blended exposure. Foreground is 1/3 second exposure, the moon and sky 1/90 second. Yosemite National Park — Shot from Gates of the Valley. September 2019 Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS at 400 mm ⅓ sec at ƒ / 5.6 @ 1600 ISO 9/16/19 9:46:06 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Eden

McWay falls drop 80 feet to the beach year around, flowing from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in central coastal California. It’s one of the only two falls in California that directly empties in the Pacific Ocean, Alamere Falls being the other ones. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 32 mm 30.0 sec at ƒ / 22 @ 250 ISO 9/18/19 6:53:11 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Beach stroll

Redwoods National Park. This big elk bull strolled down the beach by the Pacific Ocean before heading back in the woods moments later. It was a calm, impressive animal, quite confident making its way Redwoods National Park, California. Sony ILCE-7RM2 EF70-200/2.8L IS USM at 200 mm ¹⁄₂₅₀₀ sec at ƒ / 9.0 @ 1000 ISO 11/24/17 1:13:31 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Flow

Walking through Fern Canyon, I found bright colored rocks on the river bed. Sony ILCE-7RM2 EF70-200/2.8L IS USM at 200 mm 1.3 sec at ƒ / 18 @ 100 ISO 11/24/17 12:19:15 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Falls to the ocean

McWay falls drop 80 feet to the beach year around, flowing from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park in central coastal California. It’s one of the only two falls in California that directly empties in the Pacific Ocean, Alamere Falls being the other one. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS at 152 mm 10.0 sec at ƒ / 16 @ 100 ISO 9/18/19 7:19:45 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Happy Camper

California Elephant seals press together at Seal beach. This one guy seems pretty cozy and happy. It can be hit and miss, but the beach was very busy that day. There can be up to 17.000 seals at one time on the stretch of sand. The peak time of the year are January, April and October. The sounds, and smells are unmistakable. Often overlooked in favor of the larger mammals, pelicans and other birds also star on those shores. Seal beach is located in San Simeon on Highway 101. San Simeon, California April 2018 Sony ILCE-7RM3 EF70-200/2.8L IS USM at 195 mm ¹⁄₁₂₅ sec at ƒ / 8.0 @ 1250 ISO 4/11/18 6:35:53 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Blue

It's a late winter afternoon on Lake Wenatchee and Emerald Island in the Washington Cascades. The fading light casts a blue hue on a serene scene, A massive storm hit the mountains only a few days blanketing the lakeshore with feet of fresh snow. Kids played on the beach earlier that day and created small iceberg-like sculptures that land themselves to a nice foreground. Multicolored stones line the bottom of the lake. They are visible in the clear icy water. No polarizer filter necessary. This wonderland is only 2 hours west of Seattle on Highway 2, and a favorite place. Lake Wenatchee State Park Washington Cascades January 2020 30 second exposure to capture some motion in the sky.. Focus stacked for foreground and background sharpness. Sony ILCE-7RM4 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM 24 mm8.0 sec at ƒ / 16 @ 100 ISO 1/20/20 4:55:36 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Rochers

Sony ILCE-7RM2 EF24-70/2.8L USM at 32 mm 25.0 sec at ƒ / 10 @ 50 ISO 11/25/17 5:11:39 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Ruffling

Summer winds on the eastern cascades foothills shake the trees along Highway 20 near Winthrop, WA. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM 43 mm 0.4 sec at ƒ / 20 @ 50 ISO 8/17/19 6:25:35 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Mirrors

The long exposure brings out reflecting patterns of the sky and water. Water and light at Ruby Beach. Olympic National Park Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS at 125 mm 8.0 sec at ƒ / 18 @ 80 ISO 8/27/19 8:23:22 PM ©savoyeimages.com

You Have My Heart

Walking in the canyon near and on a frozen Maligne river, I stumbled on a heart of ice. Maligne river, Jasper National Park, AB, Canada. December 2018 Sony A7rii FE 24-70 2.8 70mm f/9.5 1/125 1600 ISO

Signs of Winter

Looking North standing on the edge at Washington Pass. Washington Pass, Okanogan National Forest. The long exposure captures the motion of the clouds. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS 189 mm 30.0 sec at ƒ / 13 @ 200 ISO 11/23/19 4:27:23 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Frozen

High volume flow at Cline Falls in Redmond, Oregon, close to Bend. At 20 feet, the falls are the highest on the Deschutes river. The segmented cascade carved numerous channels in the basalt rocks and run through a rimrock canyon lined by junipers and ponderosa pines typical of the high desert. The surroundings offer spectacular vistas all around Bend. Temperatures dip sharply in the winter. It was about 12 degrees when I took this shot. The flow regulated by irrigation was big at the time. Redmond, Oregon December 2020

Huelo Rain

The daily afternoon rain on the north shore of Mauii adds to the natural beauty of the Pacific Ocean at sunset, painting a unique picture each day. The falling rain creates a misty veil over the ocean, making the sunset appear more vibrant and magical. The colors of the sky and ocean blend, forming a canvas of orange, pink, and purple hues. The raindrops tapping against the water's surface create a calming rhythm that complements the serene atmosphere. Witnessing this scene can be a humbling experience, reminding us of the magnificence of nature. The rain on the north shore of Mauii is not just a visual spectacle but also a significant part of the local ecosystem. The rain nourishes the plants and crops that grow on the island, providing sustenance for both humans and animals. The cool and moist environment allows a variety of flora and fauna to thrive, creating a diverse and vibrant ecosystem. A pretty sight that plays a crucial role in sustaining life on the island.

Smoke

Wildfires rage in the American West at the end of summer, often caused by natural causes as this Packwood fire in October 2022. Those aren’t clouds, but smoke from the burning timber. This shot taken from Highway 12 does little justice to the inferno unfolding before our eyes. It's 5pm and feels like dusk, the air is heavy with smoke making it hard to breathe without protection. As dramatic as they are, fires can have a positive impact on the forest by removing older, sick trees, clearing the brush, allowing for a new generation to spurt. Conversely, they can be deadly and devastating when they run out of control. Wildfires have grown in scale and intensity in recent years, it’s now common to be under smoke advisory in Seattle in the late summer, early fall months. Here's a site to track fires: https://fire.airnow.gov/ Sony ILCE-7RM4 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS @ 200 mm ¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ / 11 1000 ISO 10/15/22 5:48:58 PM © savoyeimages.com

Fall is coming

The first weekend of fall sets near the shores of Lake Quinault in the Olympic National Park. It's 10 am, but it feels like 5 pm on the bank of the Quinault river. It's damp, rainy, windy, and cold. The clouds in the background descend to the valley in a proper down pour as the southerlies drive up the coast a few miles west — a typical fall/winter low pressure system. The weather changes quickly in the Pacific Northwest; we were sipping wine by the lakeside, wearing shorts the day before. What a difference a day makes. The birch and cottonwoods are almost ready to turn, but it'll take another week or two before they transform into gold – another opportunity for a drive to Olympic Peninsula. Maybe spot a Roosevelt elk? Handheld shot. September 26, 2021 Lake Quinault area. Olympic National Park, WA (C) savoyeimages.com

Storm at the lighthouse

Winter storms are fierce on the wild Oregon coast. They are a must experience for any ocean or nature lover. This particular system had been hitting the coast with 30 to 40 knot winds for a few days. The Pacific force was in full display at Heceta Head on the Central Oregon coast. The surf was 8-15 ft at 12 secs intervals of raging thunder. It's hard to see the surf scale and violence. The camera flattens the waves. Try to compare them to the height of the lighthouse tower, and then think of yourself standing by the same lighthouse; some rollers are bigger than the buildings you see. The Heceta Head lighthouse is standing strong above the fray. It's also a state park. As a sailor, lighthouses carry a special meaning. I took this shot handheld in the fading light and timed it to catch the beam from the lighthouse. It was a fight to keep raindrops from hitting the lens. This was the best of dozens of frames. It all turned out to be a lucky shot that captures the storm as i experienced it, minus the sounds and rain. Heceta Head, Oregon December 2020 (C) savoyeimages.com

Fog

My son and I had just driven down from Glacier Point and had a few more hours in the park before leaving for San Luis Obispo later that night. As we came down Wanona road, we took one last stop at Tunnel View and were greeted with this scene. The visibility was nil earlier in the day. We were in the park for a long half day this time, but Yosemite gave us plenty. Night has fallen over Yosemite.. The moon is rising casting a soft glow on El Capitan. The fog, birthed in the Merced is hanging a little longer on the treetops of the valley. Yosemite, CA September 2019 Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 61 mm 20.0 sec at ƒ / 8.0 @ 1600 ISO 9/16/19 10:17:07 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Moonlit

It's midnight at Gates of the Valley in Yosemite National Park. All is quiet and peaceful. The fog that blanketed the valley earlier in the evening is lifting. The moon illuminates the Merced. All is well. Yosemite National Park. September 2019 Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 24 mm 240.0 sec at ƒ / 8.0 @ 500 ISO 9/17/19 12:07:09 AM ©savoyeimages.com

After the Storm

My son and I drove up to Glacier Point in torrential rain, hoping for a view at the top. A little perseverance paid off, and we were rewarded with painted skies as the storm moved away and unveiled Half Dome over Tenaya Canyon. The view at 7,214 feet is breathtaking. The point sits 3,200 above the valley. On the cliff, you feel as though you are standing at the edge of the world. The one minute exposure captured the fast moving clouds as they passed over the mountains. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 24 mm 60.0 sec at ƒ / 11 @ 100 ISO 9/16/19 7:20:21 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Saratoga

A peaceful Saratoga passage in January. The passage is a protected body of water tucked between Whidbey and Camano Islands near Seattle, WA. Langley, WA January 2018 Sony ILCE-7RM2 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM 70 mm¹⁄₁₆₀ sec at ƒ / 8.0 @ 100 ISO 1/13/18 1:17:56 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Sunset near San Simeon

Surreal Sunset on the California coast April 2018 Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 24 mm 219.0 sec at ƒ / 9.5 @ 100 ISO 4/11/18 7:37:58 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Single

Ocean and fog blend at sunset under a pink sky. Central California coast Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 45 mm 20.0 sec at ƒ / 13 @ 100 ISO 4/11/18 8:02:59 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Puget Sound Twilight

Looking across Puget Sound from the Seattle Magnolia neighborhood to Bainbridge Island from Seattle. It's April, in the distance, the snow still covers the ridges of the Olympic mountains. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM 47 mm30.0 sec at ƒ / 8.0 @ 200 ISO 4/17/19 8:25:05 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Haze

My son and I drove down from Seattle to the Redwoods National Park in an uninterrupted downpour. It was dark and wet when we reached the redwoods. The atmosphere was eerie: silent, dark, musky and yet beautiful and powerful. I've applied an Orton glow effect to soften the scene, I feel that this image conveys the moment precisely as I remember it. Redwoods National Park November 2018 Sony ILCE-7RM2 EF24-70/2.8L USM at 55 mm 8.0 sec at ƒ / 11 @ 80 ISO 11/23/17 12:28:03 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Twilight at Stilleto Peak

Perched on the Washington Pass outlook as night falls. Silence is total and only interrupted by the occasional car on the highway. This a stacked picture to capture an uninterrupted stream of head and tail lights. A car or truck drove by every 5 minutes or so. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 12-24mm F4 G 17 mm 30.0 sec at ƒ / 6.7 @ 320 ISO 8/17/19 9:09:54 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Through the Arch

Catching the last rays at Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 40 mm ¼ sec at ƒ / 20 @ 64 ISO 8/27/19 8:06:17 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Breakers

Big rollers slam the coast of Northern California. I wish this image could carry the thundering sounds. Redwood National and State Parks April 2018 Sony ILCE-7RM2 EF70-200/2.8L IS USM at 200 mm ¹⁄₁₂₅₀ sec at ƒ / 7.1 @ 640 ISO 11/25/17 11:05:46 AM ©savoyeimages.com

Trails and Rocks

Crater Lake is one of the darkest places in the United States. making it a perfect spot for night photography. It does get cold at night. Star trail 10 minute exposure. Crater Lake National Park September 2019 Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS at 194 mm 636.0 sec at ƒ / 5.6 @ 1600 ISO 9/20/19 10:19:18 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Willow Island, WA San Juan Islands

Nested between Blakely and Lopez Islands, Willow Island is a well known landmark for local sailors. Shot handheld from the Washington State ferry while riding to the San Juan Islands archipelago. Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS 209 mm¹⁄₅₀₀ sec at ƒ / 5.6 @ 160 ISO 9/14/19 1:03:46 PM ©savoyeimages.com

NIght sky

Crater Lake National Park Sony ILCE-7RM3 Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 ED USM at 14mm 30.0 sec @ 3200 ISO 9/20/19 8:23:09 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Kissing the Edge

The last rays of sun kiss the rugged slopes of Siver Star mountains in the North Cascades of Washington, Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM OSS 400 mm ¹⁄₁₅ sec at ƒ / 16 @ 160 ISO 11/29/19 5:08:29 PM ©savoyeimages.com

Changing weather

Fog banks are rolling in the distance making the sunset. The fog was incredibly dense that day North of San Simeon. The temperature dropped 15 degrees. California central coast April 2008 Sony ILCE-7RM3 FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM at 30 mm 1.5 sec at ƒ / 16 @ 64 ISO 4/11/18 7:10:59 PM ©savoyeimages.com