Hiking the Appalachian Trail

Along the mountain ridges in the Shenandoah National Park this summer, I met some intrepid thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail. They began their journey in Georgia and were going to arrive in Maine in the fall, a distance of over 2,000 miles. I saw this chance meeting as an opportunity to learn what they have…

Reptile Photo Shoot

On a recent photo assignment a client wanted an action shot of a reptile catching an insect.  The concept was to illustrate the speed and accuracy of an animal that dates back to the age of dinosaurs.  Talk about great design. This lizard, with it’s beautiful arrow-shaped head and spiny points, and scales along the…

Winter Mountain Climbing – don’t look down

Mountain climbing, especially in winter is an exciting and challenging sport. Evaluating the amount of loose snow and ice on a rock face, and anticipating the ever-changing weather conditions while sucking high altitude air, can influence the next spot you decide to plant your ice axe. Looking up, a climber’s technical knowledge, fitness level, hydration…

Fishing the Brooks River, in Katmai National Park, Alaska

Of all the bedtime stories I’ve read to my kids where cute little bears play the main roles, nothing prepared me for the up-close and personal views of the Alaskan brown bear. Katmai National Park is located at the head of the Alaska Peninsula approximately 290 air miles southwest of Anchorage, encompassing over 4 million…