First sunlight on the peaks, Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake, early morning, September 24, 2015.
My fall in Colorado series.
Colorado, September 24
Maroon Lake and the Maroon Bells in the Moonlight
The Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake by moonlight with the Milky Way.
I had never been to Maroon Lake and the Maroon Bells, so I planned a trip. Ten years this evening, Bob (my brother-in-law and long time photo buddy) stood on the lake-shore. I saw them for the first time. I was entranced. I see why this is considered to be one of the two most popular and spectacular scenic locations in Colorado.
Today is the First Day of Autumn!
Portraits of the Day: Dinka
Dinka
Camera Test
September 17, 2015. Ten years ago today.
I had just acquired a brand new Canon 7D Mark II and I was testing its focus tracking ability on moving subjects. Our dog Sunny was my test subject. It is 10 years later and the Canon 7DII is still my preferred wildlife, sports, and action camera.
Lamoni vs Murray Middle School Football Game
Lamoni vs Murray. Allister Courtney (#2), 50+ yard pass run. September 15, 2025.
Two Photographers and Eleven Outdoor/Travel Writers Pick the Best National Parks for Fall
Long’s Peak and Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park
Fall is a fabulous time of year to visit the national parks. Crowds are usually smaller than in the summer, temperatures are cooler, and some of our national parks have glorious fall colors. With so many to choose from, where should you go? Which national parks will provide the best photographic opportunities in the fall?
The Best National Parks for Fall Photography
Hallett Peak and Flattop Mountain, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
What are the best national parks to photograph in the fall? Here are my choices, grouped by state and province from west to east. This list includes the favorites I have been to, plus the ones I most want to see based on the recommendations of the photographers I trust, like Tim Fitzharris and QT Luong. More about them later.
Alaska, September 1
Autumn on the Taiga. Denali National Park, Alaska. September 1, 2000.
The colors were outrageous on the taiga. This is a great time of year to go to Denali National Park.
Alaska, August 30
Caribou on the Taiga, Denali National Park, Alaska. August 30, 2000.
A bus load of photographers was on a photo excursion in Denali National Park with George Lepp. He spotted this caribou, told the bus driver to drive down the road a few hundred yards and stop. Then we got out and waited, a lined up in a row. George told us to wait, be quiet, and move as little as possible. If we did what he said, he predicted the caribou would eventually walk right by us. It did. We all got great shots. Then he explained how he knew where the caribou was likely to walk. This image is part of my fall color series.
Alaska, August 29
Bearberry and the Alaska Range, Denali National Park, Alaska. Tuesday, Aug 29, 2000.
On the fall in Denali National Park, Bearberry turns fire red.
Alaska, August 28
Caribou, Alaska Range in the background, Denali National Park, Alaska. Aug 28, 2000.
Autumn comes early in Denali National Park. We were in a bus on the park road when I pointed my camera out the window and grabbed this picture.
Colorado Fall Color Photography and Travel Guide – 2025
Headed for Colorado this fall (or any other time of year)? Welcome to my complete Colorado fall color photography and travel guide with 136 photos, 18 maps, and over 100 pages of information (if you print it all out). I cover some of the best known fall color locations in Colorado, and most of these locations look great any other time of year. Spend anywhere from two days to two weeks exploring the beautiful Colorado Rockies at a gorgeous time of year.
Fall Color Photography Guide to Marshall Pass and O’Haver Lake, Colorado
Marshall Pass is a beautiful fall color drive in southern Colorado, and still pretty much a secret. It does not turn up on most lists of the most beautiful fall color drives in Colorado. It is a beautiful drive with a lot of fall color photo opportunities.
A Guide to One of My Favorite Colorado Photo Spots
Bear Lake, Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds.
This is one of my favorite photo spots in Rocky Mountain National Park. Longs Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds are in the background, Bear Lake in the mid-ground, and aspen leaves and boulders in the foreground. Here’s how to get to that spot.
How to See and Photograph the Perseid Meteor Shower Tonight
Perseid Meteor photographed from Rose Hill Cemetery west of Lamoni, Iowa. 4:55 am CDT, August 13, 2018. Cropped from the original image.
Tonight, August 11-12, you can still see the Perseid Meteor Shower. But you can also look for the next few nights. This article will tell you what you need to know to see and photograph the most popular meteor shower of the year.
Get a Quality DSLR and Two Lenses for Less Than $350
Canon Rebel T7 camera body and two lenses, July 31, 2025.
Yes, you can get a quality, name brand DSLR with two lenses for under $350 at Canon USA. I found this particular kit July 31, 2025 at the Canon USA web site.
Testing Photo Labs, Part 3
Test Prints. iPhone photo. Click for a larger version.
One of my two favorite photo labs was bought out and no longer exists, so I am searching for another favorite photo lab. I sent the same 10 digital files to three of the highest rated photo labs in the country and had them make 8×12 or 8×10 prints. My third batch of prints arrived and I am like a kid in a candy store!
Night Flight: 9 Years Ago This Evening
St. Joseph (lower left) and Kansas City Missouri from the air.
Constellations (Sagittarius and Scorpius), Meteor (left center), and Saturn (above the scorpion’s back).
Photos: One Year Ago Today On a Photo Adventure In Michigan
Norwalk Lutheran Church, Manistee Michigan.
It’s Not the Camera That Matters, It’s You!
This brief article was inspired by two blurbs I came across online. One was about which Japanese companies sell the most digital cameras, and the other was about which cameras “real photographers use”. Far be it from me to define “real photographers”.
Happy Birthday, Acadia!
Acadia National Park is 109 nears old today. The photos in this article were taken by me in Acadia National Park, October 2017.
Photo Gear for a Parade
Parade Gear
This is the photo gear I used at yesterday’s 4th of July parade. This is pretty much my standard event photography kit. On the left is a Canon 5D Mark III with a Canon 24-105mm lens. On the right is a Canon 7D Mark II with a Canon 70-300mm DO IS lens. On the rare occasion that I need a longer lens, I take a 100-400mm lens instead of the 70-300mm lens.
Happy Independence Day!
161 Years Ago Today: Abe Lincoln and Our First “Public Lands”
Last Light on El Capitan. My first trip to Yosemite Valley, December 30, 1990.
What a great idea! It started with Abe Lincoln, 161 years ago today. He was the first President to create “public lands” and it started with Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove.
Sarah: A Last Minute Baby-Bump Shoot
I received a text message on a Saturday night from a very pregnant young woman. Sarah told me she might deliver early and she wanted to know if I could shoot Sunday morning at 7:45 am. It was her only chance to shoot that week. Of course I said yes.
Metaphid Jumping Spider
Metaphid Jumping Spider
When a rare photo opportunity comes your way, jump on it (pun intended). You have no idea if or when it will happen again.
Get a Quality DSLR and Two Lenses for $500
Canon Rebel T7 camera body and two lenses.
Yes, you can get a quality, name brand DSLR with two lenses for under $500 at Canon USA. I found this particular kit today (June 19, 2025) at the Canon USA web site.
Google Maps Tracking
Google maps tracking for July 19, 2024.
If you have the Google Maps app on your phone, you can turn on or off the ability of the app to track your travels. Some people like this and some don’t. You can turn tracking on and off any time you want. The map does not drop bread crumbs that track your exact routes. It draws straight lines between stops. Each round symbol on the map shows one of my stops for the day. Most of these are photo stops but some are for food, gas, or other necessities. By using two fingers on the map on your phone’s screen, you can zoom in or out on the map.
Trip Logs
Trip Log, September 28-29, 2024.
Before there was Mapquest or Google Maps, there was me! (Tongue-in-cheek font.)