this is a Maple tree photographed at night and illuminated only by an industrial-strength helium-cadmium laser (441-nanometer blue). extra care was taken to perform this unusual lighting technique in a secluded country setting due the laser beam having an effective distance of 35-miles. I'd like to note that no plants or animals (or photography assistants) were harmed in the making of this photo; although, we might have sterilized a few mosquitoes.

sunset above the clouds near the hawaiian islands

Yucca tree (Yucca brevifolia) in Mojave desert.

an assortment of brightly-coloured algae reflect in the steam rolling off a large hot spring.

Wind blowing across the desert is dropping in ultra-fine sand like a constant dry rain. It is gently piling up everywhere on us and our equipment, but when the sun reaches its highest point, the light illuminates the raining sand and produces these shafts of light.

driving around Mt. Rainier on a clear summer day

the lovely Andrea West orchid (Hawaii rainforest)

the American side of Niagara Falls