Favorite Photos, February. Click for a larger version.
Here are my favorite photos for the month of February. The story behind this “favorite photos by date” project is here.
Favorite Photos – February
Category Archives: Photo Locations
Favorite Photo, February 28
I spent a few days photographing Colorado and ended up at the Great Sand Dunes. During the day the sand is light in color, much like a light colored sandy beach. Late in the day the light hits at such a severe angle that the dunes turn almost brown.
Favorite Photo, February 26
It was a beautiful evening in Rocky Mountain National Park. Sirius, Orion, Taurus, and the Pleiades star cluster were shining brightly in the night sky. The sun set at 5:50 pm and I clicked the shutter at 6:43 pm. The beautiful blue sky was due to the long, 30 second exposure.
Favorite Photo, February 25
Upper Tahquamenon Falls in deservedly one of the most popular tourist locations in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Another photographer and I mostly had the place to ourselves with only a few other people around. I am surprised more people don’t go in the winter.
Favorite Photo, February 24
There weren’t a lot of wildlife to be seen on this particular day in February. After the fall rut ends, most of the elk retreat into the forest. But I was lucky enough to find this group of young bulls on the edge of the forest in Horsehoe Park.
A Snowy Owl Photo Expedition
Snowy Owl
What is a Snowy Owl expedition really like? This article is your chance to find out. Join me for a two day photo safari! I give you tips and photo suggestions along the way, and you get to see how I prepare, plan, and adapt on a photo trip. I tell you what went right and what went wrong so this is also about what to do when things don’t go according to plan.
How to Find and Photograph Snowy Owls
Snowy Owl Sightings, January 2016
Winter is your opportunity to photograph Snowy Owls. When it is cold enough and there is enough snow cover, snowy owls move down into the northern U.S. The colder it is the farther south they move. If conditions are right, don’t delay. If the winter turns warmer the snowy owls will head back north.
“How To†Series: Snowy Owl Photography
Snowy Owl looking for prey.
If there are cold enough temperatures and plenty of snow cover on the ground, the northern United States has a winter invasion of Snowy Owls. These are magnificent creatures and well worth your photographic time and attention. This series is filled with tips on how to find and photograph snowy owls.
Favorite Photo, January 25
White Sands National Monument is one of my favorite places on the planet. I highly recommend it as a top priority photo destination. In January you pretty much have the whole place to yourself.
One Photographer and Nine Outdoor/Travel Writers Pick the Best Winter National Parks
Last Light on Long’s Peak and the Keyboard of the Winds, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
Thinking about a photography trip to one or more U.S. national parks this winter? You can benefit from the work I have done. Some national parks look better in the winter than others. You will want to make them a priority. After you read this article I recommend you also read the companion article: The Best National Parks to Photograph in Winter.
Originally posted January 17, 2017. Updated and re-posted January 10, 2019.
The Best National Parks to Photograph in Winter
Bryce Canyon
Winter provides some wonderful photo opportunities in our national parks. But some national parks look much better in the winter than others. 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.
Posted January 17, 2017. Updated and re-posted January 10, 2019.
Metering Daytime Winter Scenes
Mount Hunter from a Bush Plane. Denali National Park. Alaska.
Metering for scenes with a lot of snow can be tricky since the bright snow fools the camera meter. I see a lot of winter photos with gray snow, which means the camera meter did exactly what it was designed to do. The solution is quite simple provided you know what to do.
“How To†Series: Winter Photography
Last Light on El Capitan, Yosemite National Park
In addition to all of the usual photographic challenges, winter provides some extra complications, especially in terms of metering. So I began this series of articles on winter photography. Check out the links below. The articles will help you meet the unique challenges of winter photography. So get out there, have fun, and create some great winter images!
Favorite Photo, January 9
Western Scrub-Jay, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife, Fremont California. January 9, 2014.
I was at the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Fremont California. It is one of my favorite photo locations in the Bay Area. Continue reading
Favorite Photo, January 8
Organ Mountains, New Mexico. January 8, 1990.
Ansel Adams is right. There is something wonderful about New Mexico. There is an abundance of great subjects to shoot and the light can be magical.
Favorite Photo, December 30
Last Light on El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, California. December 30, 1990.
In my “favorite photos” folder the photos for today’s date are a mix of landscape and family pictures. I have two first choices for today’s favorite photo. The first was taken in Yosemite National Park.
Favorite Photo, December 28
Bird Reflections, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Fremont California. Dec 28, 1990.
We were in Fremont California visiting family over the holidays. As I sometimes do when we are there, I head out early in the morning to go to the local wildlife refuge. This image is my favorite that morning, my favorite for this date, and one of my all time favorite wildlife images.
Favorite Photo, December 22
Grand Canyon at Dawn, Arizona. December 2, 1985.
Landscapes photos are rare for me in December since we aren’t usually traveling unless we are going to see family for the holidays. But in 1985 we were driving across country on I-40 to spend Christmas with family in California. The Grand Canyon isn’t far from I-40.
Favorite Photo, December 9
Cougar, Wildlife Prairie Park, Illinois, December 9, 1995.
My favorite photo for today’s date happens to be one of my all time favorite images. The intensity in the face makes this photo. It was a bitter cold morning with a windchill of -40 degrees. I was in my heaviest winter clothes and I still got chilly in the brisk wind..
The Best National Parks to Photograph in Winter
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.
How To Protect Your Camera Gear in the Cold and Snow
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.
Buying a Headlamp for Night Photography: The Essential Feature
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.
Favorite Photo, November 20
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.
Favorite Photo, November 4
The Vietnam Women’s Memorial, Washington D.C. November 4, 2014.
Today is a day for Washington D.C. Memorials plus one wildlife image.
November Photography Trip, Where Should You Go?
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?
Favorite Photo, October 25
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.
Favorite Photo, October 24
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.
Favorite Photo, October 23
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!
Favorite Photo, October 22
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.
Favorite Photo, October 21
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.