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Rekindling a sense of adventure

by Loree | Dec 10, 2013 | Blog, Gratitude, Hikes, Lakes, Mountains, National Parks, Oregon, Photography, Siskiyou County, Waterfalls

Continuing with the subject of gratitude, this week’s post is about rediscovering a sense of adventure. There was a time when I was adventurous by nature. I think most of us are when we are young and unafraid of our own mortality. Then, as we get older, security becomes important and fear of losing it takes over, and slowly, the sense of adventure is lost. I know this isn’t true for everyone, but it has been for me.

While I’ll likely never be as brave (or reckless) as I was in my twenties (and that’s probably a good thing!), lately I’ve found myself taking risks that I never would have taken just a few short years ago. For example, on a trip through Arizona, I found myself staking out a spot very close to the edge of a 1000 ft. cliff in order to get a shot. This may not sound like a big adventure to some, but for me and my fear of heights, it was something of an accomplishment!

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Horseshoe Bend Sunset

I was there for over an hour, and my knees were wobbly the whole time! The wind was blowing fiercely, and there were times when I thought it might blow me right over the edge. Which reminds me, I’m also grateful for my tripod, since I could never get a steady shot in a situation like this without it!

Then there was the time I set out with a friend on a five-mile hike to a place we had never been, armed with nothing but some vague directions printed off the internet. After following the directions as best we could, we came to a very steep drop-off. He went and looked over the edge, then came back to where I was resting. I said “that’s the trail, isn’t it?” He nodded and grimaced. We talked it over and decided we had come this far and were not going back without seeing the waterfall we came for. So we climbed (more like slid on our butts, actually) about 60 feet straight down, knowing that we would either have to figure out a way to get back up, or find another route back to the trail.

I don’t consider this to be one of my best waterfall images, but it has a special place in my heart because of the adrenaline induced adventure I went on to get there.

Burstarse Falls

Not only that, but I got an appreciation for why they named this waterfall “Burstarse Falls.”

Climbing a ten foot snowbank was never on my list of things I wanted to do, until I found myself at Crater Lake in February. As it turns out, I will gladly scale a wall of snow left behind by the plows, if there is something worth photographing on the other side.

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Wizard Magic

Admittedly, these are small adventures in comparison to the risks taken by those who thrive on thrill-seeking. But, for me, they are big departures from my comfort zone, and a revival of the wonderful feeling that it’s great to be alive. Or, as I heard recently in a talk given by filmmaker Kevin Smith, I’ve stopped asking myself “why?” and started asking myself “why not?”

Why not go someplace I’ve never been before? Why not get up before sunrise to shoot the dawn? Why not give up a steady, well-paying, but tedious job in order to fulfill my passion? Why not, indeed. And that has been, and continues to be, the biggest adventure of my life. So here’s to adventure, and passion, and uncertainty, and satisfaction, and the dawn. Why not?

Fire Lake

Patience and Persistence

by Loree | Dec 5, 2013 | Deserts, Gratitude, Locations, Mountains, Photography, Siskiyou County, Waterfalls, Wildlife

Continuing with the theme of things I’m grateful for, these two attributes were not apparent in my personality before I became a photographer. At least not to the extent they are now. I do have to say, however, that patience and persistence are not always looked upon as positive, especially by the unfortunate souls who happen to be with me when I am stalking a shot. There are times when photography is best practiced as a solo activity. Non-photographers usually have a hard time finding the joy in waiting for just the right moment, or going back to the same locations dozens of times in hopes that the light will finally be right. For example, the three friends who were with me when I captured this image all went back to the car, while the mosquitoes dined on my arms and legs. I mean really, am I going to let a few itchy welts stop me?

Mount Shasta Remembers

Then of course, there’s Burney Falls. A lovely waterfall, which is a two-hour drive, one way, from where I live. Knowing that cloudy days are usually the best time to photograph waterfalls, I have headed down there several times when the sky was overcast, only to find that it was sunny and clear when I got there. Most people just don’t get my disappointment at clear skies and sunshine! But, after many discouragingly sunny trips, the clearing clouds and intermittent sun finally combined to give me something unique.

Sunshine and Mist

Likewise, I visited this spot on the shoreline of Lake Siskiyou dozens of times in the hopes of capturing the moonrise over the mountain reflected in the lake. On this particular afternoon, I saw that a storm was brewing and realized there was little hope of seeing the moon. But, I decided to go anyway, on the off chance that the clouds might clear and give me a glimpse of the full moon. Alas, it wasn’t in the cards that the moon would show. Instead, I was treated to one of the most spectacular sunsets I can remember. Again, persistence paid off, but not in the way I expected.

Beautiful Turbulence

Photographing wildlife also takes patience and persistence. Wild animals rarely cooperate with the photographer, posing the way you’d like them to. Eagles are particularly stubborn and tend to just sit there and stare at you, even when you are willing them to fly with all the telepathic energy you can muster. And when they do decide it’s time to take off, they usually fly in the wrong direction. I have an ongoing joke about all the photos I have of “eagle butt,” taken as the eagle flies away from the camera. Only once in a great while do they fly towards you, and you better be ready!

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Bald Eagle leaving the nest

Sure there are times when luck plays a part. But, mostly it comes down to either waiting patiently, or trying again–and again. So, for nearly all the places I’ve photographed, I can’t wait to go back again and get a better shot, even if I was lucky the first time. And, if you go out on a photo shoot with me, you probably want to bring along something to read.

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The Storm Clears

Going with the flow

by Loree | Aug 18, 2013 | Oregon, Rivers, Siskiyou County, Waterfalls

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been attracted to flowing water. My sister and I would go exploring out in the woods when we were children and, inevitably, we would end up near a stream. Camping trips were always better when the campsite was near a river. I remember I could hop rocks until I found a perch on one surrounded by the flowing water and just sit there for hours, lost in my thoughts. I suppose that explains why, as a grownup, I still find myself drawn to rivers, streams, and especially waterfalls. There is something about the sound of the rushing water, the feel of the mist, the fresh smell, that soothes my soul.

Sunshine and Mist

I find myself planning trips just to see waterfalls I have never seen.

Gold in the River

And I go back to the ones I’m familiar with again and again. Sometimes, the conditions aren’t great for photographs and I just sit there and enjoy. Other times, I get an unexpected surprise.

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Sunlight on Mossbrae

So when you view my images of waterfalls, now you know that they are more than just a beautiful subject to me. They are good medicine and a manifestation of some of my best childhood memories. Sometimes, it’s as if the water is speaking to me. And though I can’t quite make out what it’s saying, it seems to enjoy that someone is listening.

North Falls in the Distance

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.

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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.

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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!

Little Falls

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In Front of Fall Creek Falls

An adventure into the Castle Crags Wilderness

by Loree | Apr 30, 2013 | Hikes, Photography, Siskiyou County, Waterfalls

About a year ago, my friend Dustin Naef read about a waterfall in the Castle Crags area named BurstArse Falls. Supposedly, the name refers to what you have to do to get there. Well, a few days ago, we set out to find this waterfall and found the name to be true. The first part of the hike was not too bad, although a little steep. After the initial climb, the route follows the Pacific Crest Trail for a couple of miles, which is a very nice walk along the side of a hill passing by a couple of natural springs along the way. Our map indicated that we should cross the creek, continue for a few hundred yards to a sharp switchback, and at the point of the switchback, veer off the main trail toward the waterfall. It sounded simple enough. Except when we got to the switchback, there was nothing but steep cliffs in the direction of the water. We looked over the edge and realized that this was the route to our destination. Yikes! But, having already walked two and a half miles to get to this point, we decided to give it a go. We made it down the forty feet or so of steep crumbling rock and found paradise.

Burstarse Falls

As it turns out, we had reached the upper falls. A little way downstream, we reached the lower falls.

Lower Burstarse Falls

The experience is definitely one I will not soon forget. This lovely, secluded spot was just the right place to be on an unseasonably hot April afternoon. We decided that instead of attempting to go back up the steep cliff, we would attempt to follow the creek downstream to the place where the trail crosses it. While it was less harrowing than the cliff, the footing was unsure and precarious in many places. But, the creek and the forest were beautiful and we were the only people there that day. There were many little spots that just beckoned us to stop and take in the peacefulness of it all.

Forest Fantasy

And so, the adventure continues. Every day I am grateful that I gave up my regular job in order to pursue my dreams. And even on days when my footing is unsure and the ground beneath my feet is a little unstable, I welcome the experience and relish the opportunity to share it with you.