What My Lens Sees

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Redwoods National Park

After much planning aimed at hitting the rhododendron peak bloom, we headed out to Redwoods National Park in Northern California over the Memorial Day long weekend. Quick flight to SFO, and then a small propeller plane ride up to the Arcata airport in beautiful Humboldt County, CA. Always amazes me how easy it is to get places from Denver...in only 6 hours, we left the high, dry climate of Denver and found ourselves in a virtual rainforest full of trees, green, and ocean coastline. We spent the next 3 days camping at Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. It was great to camp, relax, and learn about a new park (we'd previously only camped at Jed Smith State Park)...we went down to Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon twice, and really enjoyed hanging out on a long, desserted beach with a few cold beers. On the last morning, the weather cooperated with some rain/fog so I decided to wake up early (5am) and head North towards Del Norte State Park which is higher up and often sits in the clouds. That's where most of the below photos were taken...for some reason, the rhodies are very late to bloom this year, so I was only able to find a handful of flowers...but still, I couldn't have asked for a better trip and as always, the Redwoods never disappoint. Only 3% of all old growth Redwoods still exist...and of that 3%, only 50% is protected...I saw Redwoods logged and hauled down the highway as I was taking pictures along the highway...not sure why we need to continue taking from this unique and amazing place...
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  • Lush green ferns along the sidewalls of Fern Canyon. This is a fun little hike up Home Creek. This site was used for filming parts of Jurassic Park II: The Lost World.

    Lush green ferns along the sidewalls of Fern Canyon. This is a fun little hike up Home Creek. This site was used for filming parts of Jurassic Park II: The Lost World.

  • Roosevelt Elk along Gold Bluffs Beach...these guys are everywhere along the beach and near the campground.

    Roosevelt Elk along Gold Bluffs Beach...these guys are everywhere along the beach and near the campground.

  • The Smith River just North of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park...notice that rope hanging off the bridge...that's gotta be a fun swing on a hot Summer day. The free-flowing nature of the river—without a single dam along its entire length—makes it especially prized among conservationists and is considered one of the crown jewels of the National Wild and Scenic River program. It is the only river in all of California that does is free flowing (no dams!!!!)

    The Smith River just North of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park...notice that rope hanging off the bridge...that's gotta be a fun swing on a hot Summer day. The free-flowing nature of the river—without a single dam along its entire length—makes it especially prized among conservationists and is considered one of the crown jewels of the National Wild and Scenic River program. It is the only river in all of California that does is free flowing (no dams!!!!)

  • Mysterious groves

    Mysterious groves

  • Redwoods highways long exposure...a lot of people stared at me as they drove by...why is this crazy guy standing out in the rain at 530am on a Monday morning?

    Redwoods highways long exposure...a lot of people stared at me as they drove by...why is this crazy guy standing out in the rain at 530am on a Monday morning?

  • This photo captures the mood better than all the rest...dream-like and fuzzy all created by the fog that rolled in that morning. The photo is somewhat out of focus because the fog collects on the lens and makes it incredibly difficult to shoot...I was drying off the lens every 30 seconds or so, but simply couldn't keep up... from a technical standpoint, this is not a good shot...but it does capture the mood from that morning especially well.

    This photo captures the mood better than all the rest...dream-like and fuzzy all created by the fog that rolled in that morning. The photo is somewhat out of focus because the fog collects on the lens and makes it incredibly difficult to shoot...I was drying off the lens every 30 seconds or so, but simply couldn't keep up... from a technical standpoint, this is not a good shot...but it does capture the mood from that morning especially well.

  • Nature's version of the Twin Towers.

    Nature's version of the Twin Towers.

  • Redwoods and Rhododendrons on a foggy morning in Del Norte State Park. Probably my favorite photo from the trip and can only imagine the abundance of flowers within the next week or two. Was so happy to get some foggy conditions on my last morning of the trip.

    Redwoods and Rhododendrons on a foggy morning in Del Norte State Park. Probably my favorite photo from the trip and can only imagine the abundance of flowers within the next week or two. Was so happy to get some foggy conditions on my last morning of the trip.

  • Close up of Redwood and Rhodies.

    Close up of Redwood and Rhodies.

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    Roosevelt Elk along Gold Bluffs Beach...these guys are everywhere along the beach and near the campground.
    The Smith River just North of Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park...notice that rope hanging off the bridge...that's gotta be a fun swing on a hot Summer day. The free-flowing nature of the river—without a single dam along its entire length—makes it especially prized among conservationists and is considered one of the crown jewels of the National Wild and Scenic River program. It is the only river in all of California that does is free flowing (no dams!!!!)
    Mysterious groves