My Best From 2009

Lower Oneonta Falls

Columbia River Gorge

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 3rd PLACE)

~3-way tie~

My Best from 2009

Throughout the 2009 year my camera(s) recorded a total of 9,311 photo's.

This BLOG entry is dedicated to my favorite works. I chose these 40 photo's based on artist emotion, eventful memory, difficult capture, and the "awe" factor.

My 2009 Best are in no particular order.
(Congratulations to Jennie, Trishia, and Karin, for winning the voting contest.)
Enjoy!

 

Chitwood Covered Bridge

The romance of the two American icons struggling to survive in today's fast pace world...the covered bridge and the rail.

 

Headwaters of the Blue River

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE 1st PLACE)

~3-way tie~

It makes you wonder, just how did the river get its name?  From high atop the Old-Cascade Range, the rugged hills appear to be various shades of blue.

Cape Blanco Lighthouse

I never tire of exploring around Cape Blanco.  The lighthouse is one of my favorites.  It is a rare day indeed to have such great weather while I was there.  Winds are a constant average of 40 mph in the summer and 100 mph in the winter.  This day was calm and beautiful.

 

Bed of Rock

One of the best trail systems in Oregon is the Eagle Creek Trail.  I believe if Eagle Creek were in any other location beside a part of the Columbia Gorge, it would be its own National Park.  The trail follows the creek and passes several beautiful waterfalls.

 

Daisy Farm

Highway 38

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 4th PLACE)

~5-way tie~

What a treat it was to round the corner of the busy highway and discover this field of nothing but daisies.  A painting if you will...perfect.  Nature at its best.

 Hayden Covered Bridge

What made visiting all of Oregon's covered bridges in 2009 so much fun was being able to spend quality time with my mother while on the mission.

Clear Lake Afternoon Glow

McKenzie Highway - Cascades

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 1st PLACE)

~3-way tie~

A very mysterious and magical place.  I had never seen water so clear and colorful and cold.

 

Indian Pipe - Ghost Flower

An old expression says that "where there's a will, there's a way."  In the natural world, however, it often seems to be the other way around.  "where there's a way, nature invents the will."  This fascinating plant is a great case in point.

Hanging Rock

From the pages of an Acadia National Park brochure, Hanging Rock seems to be far from the Maine state park boundaries.  Perched high a top the Rogue River basin in southern Oregon, Handing Rock defies the law of gravity, but owe what a thrill of a view.

 

Crabtree Reflection

The only things missing in this scene are the boys from the movie, Stand By Me, flying through the air on a rope swing out across the still waters of Crabtree creek and disrupting the tranquil seen with a belly flop of a splash.

 

Wallula Gap Sisters

Columbia River - Washington

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 4th PLACE)

~5-way tie~

800 feet above the mighty Columbia River on the west flanks of the Wallula Gap, desert colors explode in a brilliant array of beauty.

Field of Squash

South Umpqua River

There is nothing more exciting than to go into a pumpkin field and literally choose your own pumpkin.  We left the field with six pumpkins.  Oh yes, and a bag with twenty-four ears of corn for only five dollars.

Little Bridge over Big Creek

Central Oregon Coast

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 4th PLACE)

~5-way tie~

It has taken me years to be in this location at the right time, to capture a good shot.  This day was perfect weather, and I was happy.

McKenzie Fall

McKenzie Pass - Cascades

Vermont may be famous for its fall leaves, but nothing compares to an Oregon fall over the McKenzie Pass.  Explosions of fall colors around every hairpin turn, the black lava beds, uncountable amount of conifers, snow capped peaks, and temperate ferns...priceless.

 

Latourell Falls

Columbia River Gorge

An incredibly beautiful falls in any season.  Latourell Falls is one of the most elegant falls in Oregon.  The contrast between the delicate water and dramatic basalt is captivating.

Poplar Lone Pine

Boardman Oregon

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 2nd PLACE)

~2-way tie~

Standing guard on the edge of an enormous Poplar tree farm, this lone pine adds a color rarely seen in these parts...green.

Lowell Reflection

Lowell Covered Bridge

The Lowell Covered Bridge is the only Oregon covered bridge that crosses a lake.  This unique title makes for a great reflective shot over Dexter Lake.

The Lone Lupine

Phillippi Canyon - Columbia River Gorge East

Sprawled across the barren volcanic landscape, the Lupine grows.  Amongst the vast of purple, a white one grows.

Walnut Grove

Roseburg Rolling Hills

While venturing the back roads in search of covered bridges with my mother, we came across this brilliant yellow glowing walnut tree.  Not all great photo require a lot of planning.  I didn't even need to get out of the car for this shot.

 

River Dance

McKenzie River

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 1st PLACE)

~3-way tie~

The upper waters of the McKenzie can really put on a dramatic water show.  This whirl pool captivated my attention for over an hour.

 

 A brush with Fire

Indian Paintbrush - Columbia River Gorge

The wildflower season in Oregon is very spectacular.  A kaleidoscope feeling of euphoria everywhere you look.  The Tom McCall Nature Preserve has an incredible array of wildflowers easy to explore. 

 

Cycle of Life

North and Middle Sister - McKenzie Pass

Oregon's Volcanic Legacy can best be witnessed across the McKenzie Pass.  The contrast between the miles of black basalt and the scattered bleached white trees expresses a struggle within a harsh environment only worthy to those that have the strong will to survive.

 Temperate Forest

McKenzie River Trail

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 4th PLACE)

~5-way tie~

There is nothing more grand than a Cascade temperate rain forest.  The dense, mossy, conifer forest is full of life.

Poplar Row

Boardman, Oregon

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 3rd PLACE)

~3-way tie~

A ghostly glow radiated off the poplar trees, due to a light fog filtering out the direct sun light.

  "She Who Watches"

Horsethief Lake State Park - Washington

Columbia River Gorge

The famous Native American rock art known as "She Who Watches" is a combination of two styles, a petroglyph (carved into the rock) and pictograph (art drawn or painted onto rock).  The Native American name of She Who Watches is Tsagaglalal. 

 

Punchbowl Falls

Eagle Creek - Columbia River Gorge

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 4th PLACE)

~5-way tie~

Arguably, Punchbowl Falls is the most photographed waterfall in Oregon.  Eagle Creek is one of the best Cascade stream systems.  

Mount Washington

Oregon Cascades

From the shore of Big Lake, high atop the Cascade crest, Mount Washington dominates the skyline.

South Falls

Silver Creek State Park - Cascade Foothills

South Falls is a force to be reckoned with.  An incredible site.  Not often can you stand behind a waterfall...yet in Silver Creek State Park, you can do just that, with five of the eleven falls.

 

Yaquina Bay Lighthouse

Newport, Oregon

The sun was shining, there was no wind to speak of, there were very few people around...I took advantage of perfect timing and captured the Yaquina Bay Lighthouse the way I hope to have.

Shore Acres Wave

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 2nd PLACE)

~2-way tie~

On the 6th of November, one of the largest wave shows I had ever seen was pounding the cliffs at Shore Acres State Park.  Waves reaching a height of 300 feet were common that day.  It was an awe inspiring show.

 

Roosevelt Ranking

Deans Creek Viewing Area

You are pretty much guaranteed seeing the Roosevelt Elk lounging about in the fields in and around Deans Creek near Reedsport.  While my mother and I were on one of our covered bridge adventures, we were treated to a display for dominance among the ranking.

Umpqua River Lighthouse

(PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 3rd PLACE)

~3-way tie~

One of the best lighthouse lenses can be found at the Umpqua River Lighthouse near Winchester Bay.  I was able to get a private into the lighthouse and stand inside the rotating lens.  What a beautiful experience.

Willamette Valley Farm

Oregon has its share of farming, and the Willamette Valley is no exception.  This shot was taken from my car while driving 65mph down Interstate 5.

Neapolitan Farming

Walla Walla, Washington

Rolling hills, as far as the eye can see, decorated in colorful farming patterns.  The smell of the delicious Walla Walla Sweet Onions were in the air.

McKenzie Gem

The McKenzie River has been a favorite destination of mine for years.  Every time I go, I see something, experience something, and capture something new.  The McKenzie River is by far one of Oregon's greatest treasures.

Starfish Heaven

Though this photo depicts a peaceful orange starfish resting on a bed of charcoal black mussels, it is far from peaceful.  One of the starfish favorite delicacies is the mussel.  You can be sure the mussels are very nervous and clamped up tight.

 

 Water Fowl

This beautiful sea bird was enjoying a meal on the surf and snatching up the little brine shrimp within each incoming wave.

 Whale of a Tale

Whalehead State Park - Cape Ferello

A good sunset is easy to find along the Oregon Coast.  Here, Whalehead Rock is silhouetted as the sun sets ending another beautiful day.

Wolf Rock 

My 2009 photo adventures were all inspired by a single rock.  Wolf Rock, near the headwaters of the Blue River.  The rock is classified as "Oregon's Largest Monolith."  At the time I never heard of the rock, so I ventured to go see it.  And yes, it is a very big rock.  Discovery something so large in such a remote location, I wondered what else haven't I seen in Oregon?  From that, the challenge was on.