A panorama of Mount Jefferson.

Last September, I hiked the Timberline Trail around Mount Hood. With 75 degree days and minimal wild fires, the conditions couldn't have been better.
 

Composed of two photos, this photo is the first of a couple fantastic panoramas I was able to create from the trip.

I believe we are less than a mile from the lodge at this point.

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Timberline Trail Photo Essay

Mount Jefferson panorama from the Timberline Trail on Mount Hood.

I few weeks ago hiked the Timberline trail. I'll blog about the ones I think are the best but I'll also be the uploading the photos (and captions describing my trip) to my Google+ album over the next few weeks. Please check them out!

My wife enjoys the view of Mt. Hood from the Larch Mountain Hike. While you can drive to the lookout were about 5 miles into a 6.5 mile loop hike. It was a beautiful morning and we didn't see a single person on the trail - which is rare for a hike so close to Portland. I have a few more photos from the hike but this is definitely my favorite.

The hemlock forest we hike through for about 1/2 of the hike - beautiful and eerie at the same time. The trees were sloughing their bark and there was hardly any underbrush. The contrast with the vibrant summer morning light made for some great photographic inspiration.

Hunting Ninjas

Got'cha. Photogs never want to be in the photo. They only want to take them. Here's the best of both worlds. Oh, and the beautiful light created by a spring sunset in Portland isn't too bad either.

Thunder Cloud Plumb Tree

This tree is my new favorite because it's called Thunder Cloud. For me to bump something from four stars to five it has to have a cool name. I use this measurement for everything from beer to plants. So this tree gets the five stars because of it's beauty and name. Just say the name aloud with a little emphasis. See what I mean?

According to Portland Nursery Thunder Cloud is a purple plumb very common in Portland.

Thunder Cloud. My new favorite because it has a kick ass name.

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First Night of Summer

The boots were probably taken off and left here after the last sidewalk was poured. Why else would flowers be growing in them?

Last night felt like the first night of summer here in Portland. The sun shined bright all day, creating a beautiful evening affect. The dog and I needed to unwind after a log day, so I grabbed my camera and went wandering around my neighborhood.

Sunset paints this American Elm, feeding the leaflets growing into their summer form.

I live in the Hollywood neighborhood. With sidewalks dated 1909 and 1910 it seems to be one of the older neighborhoods in Portland. Combined with the Alameda Ridge and Grant Park neighborhood an evening walk often includes winding cobblestone streets, gigantic maple and elm trees and a steep stair climb from the lower neighborhood up to Alameda Ridge.

My mighty companion enjoys the setting sun.

Of course, I have to have one black and white. 

The natives seem to have left some sort of homage to the gods.

There are wonderful nooks and features all over my neighborhood. I think I'll do a little project on my neighborhood this summer.

Vintage Fishing Village Photos

I've been experimenting with some different processing effects in Adobe Lightroom lately. My wife and I took a trip to the coast a few weeks back and stopped in Newport, Oregon for breakfast. Here's a couple shots from the boardwalk along the bay that I feel are very beautiful in a vintage style.

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