While walking the Balconies Cave Loop with a view looking to the south across spurs coming off the main ridge with the High Peaks. This is in Pinnacles National Park. What drew me into the setting was the way the spurs came off the main ridge and created a layered look with one following the other.

While walking the Condor Gulch Trail with a view looking east to a nearby ridge and then more distant ridges and peaks. This is in Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to take advantage of the higher ground. I was located on and capture a view, looking down and across this portion of the national park. The valley below is not far from the starting point of another hiking trail that I would later join with the High Peaks Trail.

While hiking the Juniper Canyon Loop with a view looking to the west-northwest at eroded volcanic formations. This is looking to Resurrection Wall and The Fingers and is in Pinnacles National Park.

A setting looking to the southwest while taking in views across eroded volcanic formations present in the High Peaks in this part of Pinnacles National Park. I captured this image while I was hiking the Juniper Canyon Loop.

On our last night aboard the yacht, we motored from Santa Cruz to San Cristóbal—our final stop before flying back to Guayaquil. But before docking, we reached Kicker Rock just in time for sunrise.

Kicker Rock, also known as León Dormido (or "Sleeping Lion"), is one of the Galápagos' most iconic landmarks. These towering volcanic formations rise steeply out of the ocean and are a magnet for marine life. The channel between the two rock walls is a hotspot for snorkelers and divers hoping to spot sharks, rays, and sea turtles. Above water, it's just as striking, especially when lit by the soft light of dawn.

A setting looking to the south while taking in views up a hillside to volcanic leftovers and rock formations present while walking the Balconies Cave Loop. The summit along the ridgeline above is the High Peaks area in the national park and would be taking a few trails up to that area over the next few days.

While walking the Balconies Cave Loop with a view looking to the east to the eroded rock formations and volcanic leftovers present in this part of Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to pull back on the focal length to include as much of the ridge with the rock formations as I could in the lower portion of the image. The blue skies and that wisp of clouds would be that color contrast to complement the earth-tones in the lower portion of the image.

While walking the High Peaks Trail with a view looking southwest and down to more pinnacle formations present in this part of Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to zoom in with the focal length to this one formation that included The Fingers and Resurrection wall. I wanted to have some of the nearby landscape to add to the setting of the image captured. I did have to watch the exposure, given the brightness from the late morning sun as there were still shadows cast in some portions of the area to my front. The rest was later making adjustments with control points in DxO PhotoLab 6 to bring out the contrast, saturation and brightness I wanted for the final image.

While walking around the Bear Gulch Day Use Area and taking in view of nearby hillsides and trees. My thought on composing this image was to walk around and attempt to capture layers with the nearby trees and then with the more distant pinnacles on the hillsides. The blue skies would then be that color contrast to complement the image with earth-tones present in the lower portion.

As I was getting my hiking gear ready for a several mile walk, I noticed these colorful birds flying about. They seemed to hang out this one tree in particular. This is a view looking to the southwest at a group of three on this one tree limb. This was located in the Bear Gulch Day Use parking area.

While walking the Prewett Point Trail with a view looking to the northeast in Pinnacles National Park. My thinking in composing this image was to zoom in with the focal length to that portion where the Balconies and ridgeline coming off the High Peaks came together with the canyon in between. I decided to take advantage of the high ground I was on and angle my Nikon SLR camera slightly downward, so it would create more of a sweeping view leading up to that volcanic formation. Off in the distance would be more hillsides and mountains, and as part of a layered look I was attempting to capture.

I later worked with control points in DxO PhotoLab 6 and then made some adjustments to bring out the contrast, saturation and brightness I wanted for the final image.

A setting looking to the southeast while taking in views across eroded volcanic formations present in this part of Pinnacles National Park. I captured this image as I was heading out to hike the Jawbone Trail.

While hiking the Juniper Canyon Loop with a view looking to the northeast at eroded volcanic formations. This is looking to the High Peaks and is in Pinnacles National Park.

While hiking the Jawbone Trail with a view looking to the northeast at eroded volcanic formations. This is looking to the Balconies and Machete Ridge and is in Pinnacles National Park.

A setting looking to the west-southwest while taking in views of eroded pinnacle formations present along the High Peaks Trail in Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to take advantage of some of the nearby rock formations and create a framed view of a look beyond to the more distant formation of Resurrection Wall and The Fingers. In someways, it also had a layered look with nearby formations, and then more distant ones with even more distant ridges and mountains.

Volcanic Remnants

Moved hundreds of miles by geological forces

But I will tell another story

Of an early hours walk amongst them

It started one morning

And ended later that afternoon

I heard and saw birds going about their day

Wisp of clouds gliding across skies of blue

Pinnacles reaching upward

With California hillsides as a distant backdrop

Cool morning air and a delight of smells

A conversation with some fellow hikers

One can't have a better day!

Another work of short poetry or prose to complement the image captured one morning in Pinnacles National Park while walking the High Peaks Trail. The view is looking to the west as I hiked along the trail with those famous name sake formations all around. And composing this image, I took advantage of the way the hillside slope to my front and aloud for a backdrop of hillsides, and even some very distant mountains, not far from the Pacific coastline. So it had a distinct, layered look, I felt.

The other thing I had to keep in mind was a proper exposure, given the large dynamic range present. I was on the western side of the park, and the sun was shining on the other side. The rest was later making adjustments with control points in DxO PhotoLab 6 to bring out the contrast, saturation and brightness I wanted for the final image.

(1 in a multiple picture album)

The drive across the center of Arizona on Hwy 160 is one of mixed emotions. You see the beauty of the desert accented by red sandstone formations and volcanic plugs. You also see the extreme poverty of the Navajos who were live here.

For many years they had neither electricity or water, but things are improving for them now. One of the high spots of their reservation is Cameron Trading Post, our choice for lodging when we are on their land.

While hiking the Jawbone Trail with a view looking to the east at eroded volcanic formations. This is looking to the High Peaks and is in Pinnacles National Park.

While walking the Prewett Point Trail with a view looking to the northeast to rock formations and volcanic leftovers in Pinnacles National Park. With this image, I decided to zoom in with the focal length to that portion where the ridge coming off the High Peaks met with the Balconies and created that canyon in between. Off in the distance would be other hillsides and mountains, with a little bit of blue skies above to complement the setting.

While walking the Juniper Canyon Loop with a view looking west-northwest to other pinnacle formations in this part of Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to take advantage of the higher ground that I was located on and then angle my Nikon SLR camera slightly downward, creating more of a sweeping view across this national park landscape. There would be a little bit of a layered look, I felt, with the nearby volcanic formations, leading off to more distant ridges.

While walking the High Peaks Trail with a view looking to the south-southwest in Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to take advantage of the hiking trail to my front as a leading line into the image. I felt the hillside and the way it's sloped with the trees also added to that look ahead. The rest of my thought with this image was lining up the slope and trees with the more distant mountains, as well as metering the image to not below any highlights with the large dynamic range as this portion was on the western side of the national park, and the sun was shining mainly on the eastern part.

I chose to work with Aurora HDR Pro to better bring that complete setting in the image. I later exported a TIFF image to DxO PhotoLab 5 where I did some final adjustments with contrast, saturation and brightness for the final image.

A setting looking to the northeast while taking in views to rock formations and volcanic leftovers in Pinnacles National Park. The rest of my thought on composing this image was to zoom in with the focal length and have that one big formation fill up much of the image center and use some nearby sage brush and small trees to fill up the foreground.

While walking the Rim Trail with a view looking to the northeast. This is in Pinnacles National Park. What I wanted to capture with this image was the setting of the ridge coming across to my front and using that to create a layered look, from near to far. Nearby in the foreground would be the along the cliff-wall before going down into the draw or canyon to the nearby ridge and then more distant ridges.

While walking the Condor Gulch Trail in Pinnacles National Park with a view looking uphill and to the west across a hillside of trees leading up to the namesake pinnacle formations. I liked how the blue skies and clouds were that color contrast to complement the earth-tones in the lower portion of the image.

A setting looking to the east while taking in views across ridges and peaks in Pinnacles National Park. This while while walking the High Peaks Trail. I decided to use some nearby pinnacle formations to help frame the setting and the look beyond.

A setting looking to the east while taking in views across rolling hillside leading up to eroded formations and volcanic leftovers on the High Peaks in this part of Pinnacles National Park. In composing this image, I zoomed in with the focal length, so that much of that landscape would fill the image with a little bit of blue skies above to contrast the earth-tones in the lower portion of the image.

A well-placed cloud ignites at sunset in the saddle between volcanic walls that make up Smith Rock State Park in Terrebonne, Oregon. Smith Rock is a mecca for technical climbers from all over the world.

While walking the Juniper Canyon Loop with a view looking west-northwest to other pinnacle formations in this part of Pinnacles National Park. What I wanted to capture with this image was the formation with Resurrection Wall and The Fingers. My thought was to keep that more or less in the image center and pull back on the focal length to include some of the nearby landscape to add to this national park setting. There was almost, you could say, a layered look with some nearby foreground with the trees in the canyon below and then more distant ridges.

While walking the Condor Gulch Trail in Pinnacles National Park with a view looking uphill and to the southwest across a hillside of trees leading up to the namesake pinnacle formations. I would be walking amongst those high peaks later that morning.

There's More to Life Than What You Feel

Even sweating for a moment

Or getting rid of those tired thoughts

You have to throw on the gear for today

Head out, with or without a plan

And do what you love.

Another work of short poetry or prose to complement the image captured one morning in Pinnacles National Park at a roadside pullout while driving to a nearby parking area for a morning hike. My thought on composing this image was to take advantage of the setting I saw with the ridge and pinnacle volcanic formation in the image center. Or at least the way I lined it up for that capture. I also wanted to include the sun that was still low in the morning skies. I decided to use the nearby tree to my front to help minimize some of the brightness of the light, while also closing down on the aperture to bring out more of a starburst look.

I did some initial post-processing work making adjustments to contrast, brightness and saturation with DxO PhotoLab 6. I then exported a TIFF image to Photoshop and used a healing brush to clone out some of the light artifacts from the sunlight across my lens. I later did some more post-processing work in Nik Color Efex Pro 5 where I added a Polarization, Foliage and Pro Contrast filter for that last effect on the image captured.

A setting looking to the southwest while taking in views across the eroded volcanic formations and cliff wall along this portion of Moses Spring Trail. What drew me into the setting was the way the two cliff walls seemingly came together at the juncture, more or less image center. I would be walking along the trail that followed to the image right and passed through a few overhangs and caves.

While hiking the Juniper Canyon Loop with a view looking to the west-northwest at eroded volcanic formations. This is looking to Resurrection Wall and The Fingers and is in Pinnacles National Park.

A setting looking to the southwest while taking in views across eroded volcanic formations along the hillside I was hiking. This was while walking the High Peaks Trail in Pinnacles National Park.

A fiery glow set across the forest and mountains

I thought I had other things important at the time

But was reminded to drop what I was doing

And watch the spectacle of sunlight

No envy

But a celebration for things wild

Another work of short poetry or prose to complement the image captured one late afternoon in Pinnacles National Park. The view is at an overlook along the Prewett Point Trail looking to the east-northeast while the light from the setting sun adds a warm glow to the volcanic hillside and eroded leftovers present in the image. That was my thought on timing and composing this image with the sunset light. The rest was lining up the volcanic remains to be more or less in the image center and use one of the nearby ridges to add a layered look and break up the setting leading up to that main hillside. I later worked with control points in DxO PhotoLab 6 and then made some adjustments to bring out the contrast, saturation and brightness I wanted for the final image.

A setting looking to the southwest while taking in views at Bear Gulch Reservoir with its still waters that had reflections from nearby hillsides. In composing this image, I walked around until I could find a point that included some nearby foreground to help create more of a layered look from nearby to the waters with its reflections and then more distant hillsides.

A setting looking to the west while taking in views across eroded volcanic formations along the hillside I was hiking. This was while walking the High Peaks Trail in Pinnacles National Park. The formation in the image center is of Resurrection Wall and The Fingers.

A setting looking to the south while taking in views across ridges and peaks in Pinnacles National Park. This was while walking the High Peaks Trail.

While walking the Juniper Canyon Loop with a view looking southwest to other pinnacle formations in this part of Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to take advantage of the layer look that, I felt, was present in the nearby ridge with the volcanic formations, and then more distant ridge, and finally mountains and peaks somewhat hidden in the clouds off in the distance.

A setting looking to the southeast while taking in views across eroded volcanic formations present in the High Peaks in this part of Pinnacles National Park. I captured this image while I was hiking the Juniper Canyon Loop.

While walking the Balconies Cave Loop with a view looking to the southeast to rock formations and volcanic leftovers in Pinnacles National Park. This was from just beyond the Chaparral Trailhead Parking and the setting is of the High Peaks where I’d be hiking up to from the eastern side of the national park.

While hiking the Jawbone Trail with a view looking to the east at eroded volcanic formations. This is looking to the High Peaks with Resurrection Wall and The Fingers and is in Pinnacles National Park.

While walking the Balconies Cave Loop with a view looking to the east to rock formations and volcanic leftovers in Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to zoom in with the focal length and have much of the lower and middle portion of the image be filled with those formations as they led up to the ridge of the High Peaks.

A view looking to the southeast and Bear Gulch parking area where I’d started my hike earlier that mooning. My thought on composing this image was to angle my Nikon SLR, camera slightly downward and create a sweeping view from the hillside. I was on looking down and then across the spurs and ridges to my front. I liked the layered look with that the ridges created, as I looked from near to far.

While walking the Jawbone Trail with a view looking northeast to other pinnacle formations in this part of Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing the same image was to take advantage of a clearing that I was hiking along that happened to have a view looking to the Balconies and Machete Ridge with its volcanic formations. The blue skies and clouds would be that color contrast to complement the earth-tones in the lower portion of the image. I later worked with control points in DxO PhotoLab 6 and then made some adjustments to bring out the contrast, saturation and brightness I wanted for the final image.

While on the Moses Spring Trail with a view looking across hillsides with eroded pinnacle formations to the southeast. This is in Pinnacles National Park. My thought on composing this image was to take advantage of the layers present on the rocks and boulders to my front. By angling my Nikon SLR, camera slightly downward and taking advantage of some high ground I was on, I felt I was able to create a more sweeping view and add to the layers with the foreground, nearby hillside, and then more distant pinnacle formations and trees, along with a backdrop of blue skies.