Flying over Astoria's John Day River

The John Day river is a quite coastal river merging with the mighty Columbia river just a few miles before it empties in to the Pacific Ocean. Spruce bogs and house boats line its banks, gulls wheel overhead, and fisherman ply its briny tide-infused waters.



I found the marsh forest downstream of the boat launch where I flew to be particularly interesting, as it was practically impossible to view from the ground, and completely impenetrable to exploration otherwise. The huge old spruce trees seem to rise out of a lake of tangled brush and deciduous trees - what a mysterious and wonderful place!

Save the enchantment lakes! Comment period ends soon.

It is distressing to learn that sometimes not even wilderness designation can protect our beloved wild places from the destructive exploitation of humans. When it was designated, the Alpine Lakes wilderness included compromises allowing for the continued inappropriate use of spectacular alpine lakes as reservoirs that have allowed wasteful water use practices to continue. The dams would be entirely unnecessary if changes were made downstream to curtail water waste. Now they want even more water for towns and irrigation downstream, and have hatched a plan that would devastate wilderness treasures.

Peshastin Pinnacles

Peshastin Pinnacles rise majestically over the verdant videyards of the Wenatchee Valley. Erosion is slowly revealing these massive sandstone formations from the grassy foothills of the snow capped Cascade Mountains. Though popular mostly with climbers, the pinnacles are also a great spot for hiking and bird watching, as many avian species flit and wheel around the twisted spires.

 

Eyes on Mt. St. Helens - Episode #1: May

This is the first episode of a 6 part monthly series of videos that I'll be filming and publishing over the course of the summer. Utilizing timelapse and aerial photography I will document the changing seasons and dramatic weather of the blast zone from spring through the start of winter.

The Worlds Largest Sitka Spruce

Deep in the Olympic Rainforest, on the shores of silvery Lake Quinault, stands a massive, ancient tree. The World's Largest Sitka Spruce is one of a number of record setting trees in one of the most vibrant valleys on the planet. It is more than a thousand years old, 17.7 feet thick, and stands nearly 200 feet tall. It is truly awe inspiring to stand in its presence.

Vivid Spring Flowers in the Forest

The spring flower show of the forest is typically a subtle affair - lots of new green foliage and a flower here and there. However, in one little forest of alder and mossy pines I found a display of nature that was more vivid than any spring previous. Bleeding heart, oxalis, Vetch, an endless carpet of Oxalis covering everything, the green clover leaves sending up their own little white blossoms streaked with delicate colors. The air was heady with the scents of new growth, fresh flowers - the smell of a billion living things springing from the cool earth to reach up for the dappled sun.

Keep Mt. Hood Wild! Prevent development at Cooper Spur/Government Camp. Stop the Land Swap.

Today I learned of a long planned land swap on the slopes of Mt. Hood, and I was horrified by just about every aspect of the situation. The land swap is a raw deal for the public, and development of either location would be a blight on a beautiful region treasured by millions of Americans. Please join me in voicing strong opposition to the land swap and to further development of Mt. Hood.