Bryce Canyon
Winter provides some wonderful photo opportunities in our national parks. So if you haven’t gone into hibernation for the winter, here are the best national parks to go photograph this winter, grouped by state from the west to the east. There are a few bonus locations thrown in too. At the end I give you my “best of the best” list.
Bryce Canyon After An Overnight Snowstorm
Cold and snow can cause a lot of damage to your camera gear. Something as simple as taking pictures outside and then bringing your camera inside your house or car can cause hidden damage that won’t show up until days or weeks later. The simple steps in this article could save you hundreds of dollars in repair bills.
Photographers with red headlamps. Field Trip, Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
A red headlamp is an essential tool for night photography. Before you rush out and buy one, make sure it has the most essential feature (other than the red LED). Some inexpensive headlamps have this feature and some very expensive ones don’t, so cost is not the issue.
Elephant Rock, Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada. Friday, Nov 20, 1998.
There is only one photo in my “favorite photos” folder for November 20, but it is one of my all time favorite images.
The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, Washington D.C. November 4, 2014.
Today is a day for Washington D.C. Memorials plus one wildlife image.
Our National Parks
Fall is winding down in many parts of the country. Maybe things are looking a bit drab where you live and you are longing for something more interesting. What are the best nature photography destinations in November?
El Capitan Reflection, Merced River, Yosemite National Park, California. October 25, 2015.
With so many photos to choose from it was hard to pick a favorite photo for today’s date.
The “House of the Lord”, Kirtland, Ohio. October 24, 2004.
When I lived in Ohio I would be in kirtland in the fall almost ever year. The fall colors were especially vibrant the year I took this photo. This is my favorite image for October 24.
Cemetery, Shaftsbury, Vermont. October 23, 2017.
After my trip to Acadia National Park, which was featured in the last few posts, I headed home by way of Vermont. What a beautiful state!
Jesup Path, Acadia National Park. October 22, 2017. Click for a larger version.
If you have been following along for the last few posts, you know what is coming: More photos from Acadia National Park. October 22, a year ago today, was my last morning in the park.
Evening, Jordan Pond, Acadia National Park, Maine. October 21, 2017
If you have been reading the last few posts, it will not surprise you to know that most of my favorite photos for this date were taken in Acadia National Park. It is one of our very best national parks for fall photography and it is still looking great this time of year.
Stars over Otter Cliff, Acadia National Park, Maine. October 20, 2018. Click for a larger version.
My “favorite photos” folder covers 30 plus years of photography, but all but two of my favorite photos for October 20 were taken the same day in Acadia National Park.
Otter Cliff, Acadia National Park, Maine. October 19, 2017.
It was my first full day at Acadia National Park and I was in photography heaven. My research into the best season to photograph each of the national parks made one thing clear, Acadia was one of the best places to be in the fall, and this was my first trip to check the place out.
Point Iroquois Lighthouse from Lake Superior Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. October 13, 2008.
My favorite photo for October 13 started with a note from a photo editor asking if I had a nice fall image of Pt. Iroquois Lighthouse. I said I didn’t but I was heading up north and I would try to get one.
Balloon Flower Closeup, iPhone with Olloclip closeup lens, Columbus, Ohio. October 12, 2015.
In my October 9 post in this series I mentioned taking iPhone photos in my garden as a result of an interview for a photography article for the Akron Beacon Journal. I was back at it in my garden on October 12.
Upper Tahquamenon Falls, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. October 8, 1998.
It was a gorgeous day in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and I was at Michigan’s iconic waterfalls. It doesn’t get much better than this. This is my favorite photo for the day and one of my all time favorite photos.
Sunset, Vermilion Lakes, Banff National Park, Canada. October 7, 2012.
This is the story behind one of my favorite images. It was a dreary cloudy, day in Banff with rain and drizzle off and on all day long. Most of the afternoon I was hanging out in the fireplace room at a bed and breakfast and visiting with the other guests, all Canadian.
Michelle and Aaron, Kalamazoo, Michigan, October 5, 1996.
The choice for today’s favorite was really difficult. I have several favorite photos taken in Michigan, Colorado, and Banff National Park, and a couple of them are among my all time favorite photos. And there was also a special wedding. I ultimately chose two most favorite images for this date. This is one of them.
Double Arch at Night, Arches National Park, Utah. October 3, 2014.
It was hard to pick my favorite photo for October 3, with so many to choose from. I finally decided on this photo of Double Arch at night. It was a splendid evening and photographers were everywhere taking long exposures of the night sky and the arches.
O’Haver Lake, Mt. Ouray, Colorado. October 2, 2014.
My favorite photo for this date was taken on a photo safari with Bob, my brother-in-law and photo buddy. We worked our way across southern Colorado to Utah and had a great time.
Dawn at Sprague Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado. October 1, 2014.
It was an amazing morning at Sprague Lake. A long row of photographers was lined up on the lake shore, looking east. The light just kept getting better and better and shutters were clicking like crazy.
Aspen and Porphyry Peak. September 30, 1986.
My favorite photos for September 30 are especially significant to me and represent a turning point in my life.
Aspen grove, Marshall Pass, Colorado. September 28, 2010.
My favorite photo for September 28 is not only my favorite photo for today’s date but also one of my all time favorite images.
Bob Walker at Bear Lake, Rocky Mountain National Park, September 26, 2016.
We are getting into the time of year that I have a lot more favorite photos for each date. I am usually chasing wildlife and fall color toward the end of September, usually in Colorado.
Maroon Bells and Maroon Lake in the moonlight. September 23, 2015.
It was an amazing night at Maroon Lake and the moon was lighting the Maroon Bells. This is one of most favorite image for this date.
Sangre de Cristo Mountains. September 20, 1996.
My favorite photo for September 19 was taken from the Wet Mountain Valley in Colorado, looking west at the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) Mountains. It was taken on the same trip as the September 17 photo. After shooting in Rocky Mountain National Park, I headed south to this area.
Alpenglow. Sprague Lake, Hallett Peak, Flattop Mountain. September 17, 1996.
It was an amazing morning at Rocky Mountain National Park. Sprague Lake is one of my favorite sunrise location with a nice view of the mountains.
Ohio Health Prism Awards. September 14, 2011.
Ohio Health is a big medical conglomerate in central Ohio with 10 hospitals and lots of medical clinics. I was documenting their Prism Awards ceremony, Ohio Health’s equivalent of the Academy Awards. Several individuals or health care teams are nominated in advance each of a number of categories. Like the Academy Awards, the winner in each category is announced at the ceremony.
Wat Buddharatanaram, Buddhist Temple, Keller Texas. September 8, 2015.
I checked my “favorite photos” folder for photos taken on September 8. I found only one photo, but it is a keeper.
Five 75mm Howitzers. Concert, 1812 Overture. West Point, New York. August 31, 1991.
My favorite image for August 31 comes from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York.