Rocky Brook, Olympic Peninsula, Washington This is a favorite, very easy hike of mine in the eastern Olympic peninsula. It leads along this brook to an attractive waterfall. In early October, the vine maples and the moss on the rocks added these spots of color. I enjoy creating photographic compositions with the water flowing around the many boulders in the brook.
Hot Creek Gorge, California Melting snow high in the eastern Sierra feeds Mammoth Creek. When the creek flows into the Long Valley Caldera, it enters this gorge and is called Hot Creek. Hot springs in this area flow into the creek not far from its confluence with the Owens River. The springs themselves are no longer safe for bathing, but a trail down into the gorge leads past the springs and fumaroles and along this beautiful stretch of the river. The creek water is clear and beautifully colored by the long water plants that wave in the current.
Sunset, Eastern Sierra from the Owens Valley, California We had planned to stay in Yosemite this October day in 2013, but the park was closed due to the government shutdown. So we headed over the Tioga Road to the eastern Sierra, and happened upon this sunset scene right along highway 395 just south of Lee Vining. I love the desert vegetation here and all along the Owens Valley, and was glad it showed up in this backlit scene.
