from time to time, i see a shot that just shouts "tropical" and i capture the moment just for that reason.

sunset over the many islands in northwestern Washington

sunset above the clouds near the hawaiian islands

this was captured at the International Rose Test Gardens in Oregon where they have thousands of well cared for roses.

This is a Great Horned Owl at about 3½ weeks of age. Quite a darling little puff-ball of feathers sitting there wondering what the guy with the camera is up to. The mom isn't due back for a couple hours so I have a chance to capture this cute creature for everyone to enjoy.

Below ground caverns in Arizona wilderness, carved out by centuries of flash flood waters from rain many miles away.

southern Maui along the road to Hana

when large brown bears come out out their winter slumber, they're hungry and are looking for the easiest food available. bears favor easy food that does not require a chase, battle, or conflict, and salmon meets those requirements quite well (also good news for me behind the camera). it is common to see these bears standing in a stream waiting for their meal to attempt to swim by. this one perched himself atop a small falls where the salmon have to jump to beat the down-rushing current.