explore Archives - Page 3 of 4 - Loree Johnson Photography

The stuff of dreams

by Loree | Sep 26, 2014 | National Parks, Oregon, Significant Dates, The Vagabond Lifestyle, Uncategorized, Wildlife

My first week on the road has been dreamy and a bit surreal. I intended to write a “bon voyage” post when I set off, but leaving day was rather stressful and very emotional. I didn’t expect the tidal wave of emotions that I experienced. I also didn’t expect it to take ALL DAY to load up and depart, especially since preparations had been ongoing for more than a month. The first two days of this new life were spent in Lava Beds National Monument. This is one of the reasons it was a bit surreal. I have gone on many day trips to the area over the years. The Lower Klamath and Tulelake Wildlife Refuges in the area are a couple of my favorite places for wildlife photography. Only this time, it wasn’t just a day trip. Very weird to think I wouldn’t be heading back home at the end of the day.

After spending the first day organizing my new space, absorbing the monumental change, and getting my emotional balance back, I was ready to get out there with my camera.

Perched

Elegant Egret

The plan was to move on to central Oregon and explore new territory, go some places I had never been. But, after passing a mileage sign on the highway that said “Crater Lake – 38 miles,” well, a spontaneous detour happened. As is the case with most National Parks I have camped in, Crater Lake has few amenities. Two days of camping without any hookups, wi-fi, or cell phone service also happened to coincide with the autumnal equinox and my 52nd birthday. Instead of a cake, I had Oregon-made dark chocolate covered toffee from the gift shop. Yum! It was a birthday unlike any I’ve ever spent, and it was the best!

First Light on the Pinnacles

Cloudcap Sunset

It was hard to leave Crater Lake because it seemed every time I went out to photograph, mother nature obliged with an amazing light show.

Crater Lake Glory

But, after being off the grid for the better part of three days, it was time to get back to civilization, or at least electricity. And this time, it truly is new territory.

So here I sit, in central Oregon, surrounded by mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, waterfalls, and volcanoes, wondering what amazing sights await and where to go next. So far, it’s been even better than I had hoped. And now I wonder why it took me so long to go ahead and live the dream.

The revisit list

by Loree | Sep 7, 2014 | Blog, Mountains, National Parks, Oregon, Rivers, Siskiyou County, The Vagabond Lifestyle, Waterfalls

With such a short time left before becoming a perpetual wanderer, my mind is already drifting off into the great beyond. I’m very anxious to get started on my journey, but there are still some things that need arranging before I can take flight. More on that later. Of course I have a long list of places I have never been that I would like to visit in my travels. I’m also accumulating quite a list of places I have already been that I would like to go back to. One such place I was recently reminded of is the Pinnacles at Crater Lake.

The Pinnacles

I’ve been to Crater Lake numerous times, but only once to the Pinnacles. It was very windy that day and the light was kind of harsh. It would be nice to have more time to spend exploring and photographing these unique, otherworldly formations.

Another place on the revisit list is Zion National Park. Having spent four days there in 2011, I’ve longed to go back ever since.

Zion National Park; Utah; storm; clouds; rock; rocks; cliff; red; orange; trees; weather; sandstone; desert; southwest; canyon; fog; mist; sky; beauty; nature; natural; scene; scenic; beautiful; Loree Johnson

The Storm Clears

Of course, California’s giant redwoods call to me to come visit them. Not only are these trees amazing to behold and humbling to spend time among, but they are also a great opportunity to hone my skills. To say that giant redwoods are a challenge to photograph would be an understatement.

redwoods; redwood; forest; tree; trees; ancient; giants; canopy; huge; massive; tall; big; peace; peaceful; nature; natural; scene; scenic; red; green; ferns; trail; Jedediah Smith State Park; fog; foggy; morning; california; coastal; Loree Johnson

Giants in the Fog

Also in 2011, I visited the Columbia Gorge in Oregon. I had planned the trip for a week in October, hoping to be there for autumn foliage. As it turns out, I was a week or two early. Although the waterfalls of the gorge are breathtaking any time of year, I hope this time to also catch the fall colors.

Multnomah; falls; Multnomah Falls; Oregon; waterfall; bridge; spectacular; large; trees; cliffs; water; Columbia Gorge; river; waterfalls; benson; footbridge; green; moist; wet; scene; scenic; or; splash; spray; mist; nature; natural; moss; mossy; Loree Johnson

Multnomah Falls and Benson Footbridge

Elowah Falls

There is no guarantee when, or even if, I will be back to any of these places. And, I’ve learned that sometimes when you revisit a place, you often find that things have changed since you were last there. The forest fires raging in northern California right now, for example, will alter the view in many places. So, as I say “so long” to Siskiyou County rather than “goodbye,” I know that when I return to visit, some things will have changed.

Wild and Scenic Scott River

But, thinking about these places, and others I hope to enjoy, as well as the inevitable and unexpected surprises that often happen on the way, is helping me make it through these last few days of managing details before I can actually set sail. Next post will be “Bon Voyage!”

The natural order of things

by Loree | May 5, 2014 | Art, Gratitude, Lakes, Siskiyou County, Wildlife

I’ve been thinking lately about how we humans have distanced ourselves so much from the natural world, sometimes we forget we are a part of it. Not only is this disconnect bad for nature, I truly believe it’s not good for people either. I notice this sometimes when I post a photograph involving predator and prey. It’s fascinating to me when I see a bird of prey killing and/or eating another animal. I can’t help photographing it. I was even joking with someone the other day about the Canada goslings which have hatched recently in large numbers, calling them “eagle snacks.” It’s true that the bald eagle, which has not been seen around this lake for a couple of months, has recently been spotted again.

Swim Class

The person I was talking to was repulsed by my joke. I meant no harm, and I certainly don’t wish death on any of these cute little fuzzballs, but it is the natural balance that they won’t all make it to adulthood. There is only room in the world for a certain number of geese and nature tends to oversupply in order to assure a reasonable survival rate. I notice that many people find photographs of predators with prey repulsive. I think they are beautiful.

The Catch

There are drops of blood from the fish among the water splashes in this photo. I could probably edit them out and sanitize it more, but that would remove some of the beauty in my opinion. The more disconnected we become from the natural cycles, the less we embrace and accept them. To be repulsed by nature is to deny you are a part of it. For at least twenty years, my natural habitat was a cubicle. It wasn’t a healthy environment for me, and I can’t help but wonder how many others out there are feeling trapped inside while longing to be outside. Since I’ve started going out into nature nearly every day with my camera, I’m much happier and less stressed.

Sunset at Trout Lake

Don’t get me wrong–I love hot showers and I would hate to have to spear my dinner–but I think there is a balance needed between living in the civilized world and living in the natural world. Our ancestors had fears of cougars and hungry coyotes. We have fears of not making the mortgage payment and losing our possessions. Each person has a balance of their own to reach. I’m still working on finding mine, but I know nature photography has helped. I hope my photographs also might help others in some small way who are striving for their balance. Bringing a little nature into your day, no matter where you are, or what you happen to be doing, might move you closer to your balance.

Unfurling Fern

Often, when I am out in nature, especially near the ocean or the giant redwoods, I feel very small. But, small in a good way. As if I’m but one tiny, intricate bit of a vast, amazing, integrated totality that’s always changing and evolving. My balance involves knowing that life is all too short and that whatever amazes me today may not be there tomorrow.

Web of Sunlight

redwoods; redwood; forest; tree; trees; ancient; canopy; huge; massive; tall; big; sunlight; sunset; peace; peaceful; nature; natural; scene; scenic; red; green; ferns; trail; Jedediah Smith State Park; stout grove; california; coastal; Loree Johnson

Sunset at the Grove

So, here’s to the joy of feeling small, and finding a balance.

You say goodbye, and I say hello…

by Loree | Dec 31, 2013 | Blog, Gratitude, Ocean

Another year has come and gone, the calendar is on the last day of the last page, 2013 is down to it’s final hours. It’s been a pretty good year, but I’m not sad to say goodbye. Hello 2014! I have a good feeling about you and am looking forward to making your acquaintance. It’s been a year of trial and error, of reconnecting with old friends, and of finding my feet in the new world of following my bliss. I’ve learned a lot this year, about photography and life, and look forward to using that knowledge in the coming year. Looking back, it feels like 2013 was a year of preparation for 2014 and beyond. Now, the real adventure begins!

Golden Gate Bridge; Berkeley Marina; Berkeley Pier; sunset; bay area; California; CA; Pacific Ocean; San Francisco Bay; blue; orange; Christmas Eve; holiday; holidays; dusk; evening; twighlight; water; lights; reflect; reflections; reflection; cloud; clouds; scene; scenic; Loree Johnson

Golden Gate Sunset from Berkeley Marina

Traveling to Santa Cruz for Christmas seems like such a fitting way to cap off this year and prepare for next year. Getting lost in the forest on a one-lane road for an hour was just a lesson in patience, and a reminder to listen to my instincts. Even GPS’s make mistakes! And even though my plan was to shoot the skyline of San Francisco from the Berkeley Marina, the silhouette of the Golden Gate Bridge is the shot I ended up with. Another lesson. Don’t get so caught up in your plans that you miss the real opportunities.

four mile beach; santa cruz; california; ca; long exposure; surf; wave; waves; tide; tidal; rock; rocks; water; sun; sunset; cloud; clouds; sand; sea; seascape; sand; ocean; pacific; bay area; scene; scenic; nature; natural; evening; afternoon; dusk; twilight; reflect; reflection; ocean; beach; Loree Johnson

Four Mile Beach Sunset

As the sun sets on this year, and the dawn of the new year begins, I can’t help feeling grateful for all the beauty in this world, and the opportunity to take it in. And although I continue to make plans for the coming year, I also remain flexible and attentive to whatever comes my way. I’m very much looking forward to whatever surprises the coming year has in store.

Santa Cruz; harbor; Christmas; lights; decorated; decorations; decorate; holiday; water; reflect; reflections; noel; december; twinkle; sparkle; holidays; happy; merry; new year; sea; ocean; boat; boats; sailboat; sailboats; mast; masts; slip; california; ca; scene; scenic; festive; dark; night; Loree Johnson

Christmas at Santa Cruz Harbor

Just as Christmas in Santa Cruz was non-traditional and unexpected, if you really think about it, so is much of life. And those are the things we remember. So, here’s to a year of unexpected and amazing experiences.

On the Road

Maybe I will see you out on the road in 2014…

Revisiting the North Umpqua

by Loree | May 21, 2013 | Hikes, Locations, Rivers, Waterfalls

When I retired back in November, the first photo shoot I planned was Toketee Falls. I had seen images of this waterfall and wanted to photograph it myself. At the time, I had no idea what a magical area I was heading for.

Toketee Falls

That day, I left my house at 4:00am and didn’t return until after 8:00pm. There was so much to see and I ran out of time before I could see everything I wanted. I vowed to return to the area.

This time, I did some research and found that the canyon boasts over twenty waterfalls, including the highest waterfall in southern Oregon, Watson Falls.

waterfall, highest, Oregon, OR, cliff, mist, plunge

Watson Falls

So this time, I planned more than a day trip. Even though it rained on and off for most of the three days there, it was beautiful. The Umpqua River Canyon in the spring is like an enchanted forest. With everything lush, wet, and green, I couldn’t have asked for better photographic conditions. I managed to make my way to five of the numerous waterfalls, as well as a couple of trips to Umpqua Hot Springs to soak my weary muscles.

Susan Creek, waterfall, pools, green, enchanted forest

Pools at Susan Creek Falls

And, you guessed it, I still want to go back again! I have a feeling this magical place will be on my list of regular destinations for at least the near future. Many more adventures await!