washington

The Change of Seasons

As the Pacific Northwest settles into its annual dance with autumn, my internal clock begins to slow, preparing for the quieter rhythm of winter. It's a season that invites me to catch up with the march of time, reconnect with family and friends, rekindle old relationships, and savor life's simplest moments, like watching the gentle rain while sipping a warm cup of coffee

This scene from Mount Rainier was a reminder that the shift to winter was coming. During a single day on the mountain, I witnessed the transition from fall to winter, an ode to the passage of time.

Mount Rainier National Park
WA USA

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Colors in my backyard

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One of the great ironies of landscape photography is how easy it is to overlook what's closest to home.

I've traveled thousands of miles to photograph autumn colors across the Continent, from New England's maples to Colorado's aspens and Washington's alpine larches. Yet in more than a decade, I'd never taken the time to explore the fall colors just beyond my doorstep.

This weekend was a reminder of what I'd been missing. What began as a gray, chilly morning unfolded into a stunning display of color. Hillsides glowed gold, evergreens stood in contrast to brilliant aspens, and every bend in the road revealed another palette of yellow, green, orange and red. From sweeping vistas to intimate details, the entire forest seemed determined to put on a show.


Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest

WA USA

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From Fall to Winter

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In the Cascades, autumn doesn't arrive on a set date—it descends from the peaks.

Long before lower valleys turn, September coats the high alpine brush in striking scarlets and ambers. Golden larches shine for a brief, glorious moment, and then—almost overnight—the first snow of the season dusts the upper slopes.

There is something profoundly special about this transitional period where late fall meets early winter around Mount Rainier and the North Cascades.

Washington, USA

The Cascading Larches

Often times, the larch march in early October in the Pacific Northwest has felt like a maddening rush to capture the best of the colors. And everyone seems to have the same idea, leading to overcrowding on trails and trailheads (one trailhead had cars parked for an entire mile along the road on both sides).

So this trip focused on a more remote location in the North Cascades National Park. While it was not the crowning glory of larch colors, the region still presented many unique larch perspectives for photography which I really enjoyed. And I could count the number of souls I met on the trail on 2 hands!

North Cascades National Park
WA USA

Glimpses of Summer

And just like that, summer has come to an end in the Pacific Northwest. With temperatures already plunging to the low 40s (~10C), and a series of weather patterns bringing much needed moisture to the mountains, the 'nice' weather window in the higher reaches of the Cascades will be over in a couple of weeks. While not the best year in terms of wildfire and precipitation, every day and every month in the mountains is a treasure-trove of next sights, sounds and experiences.

Here is one from a summer backpack this year to a region I had last visited more than 15 years ago. It was refreshing to experience this beautiful region when I am in a different place in life. And while this was many weeks ago, I still remember the trip like it was yesterday.

Olympic National Forest
WA USA

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Fall in the High Divide

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Fall has certainly arrived early in the North Cascades this year. The high alpine bushes, typically blueberry and other small shrubs are teh first to turn, signaling the end of summer. The spots where I previously used to see the transition of color in mid-September are now changing their shade much earlier. was it due to the cooler than average summer, or the lower than average precipitation - I am not sure.

However, the colors did make for a very photogenic hike through the higher sub-alpine terrain of the North Cascades. A little bit of disturbance in the atmosphere also added a bit of drama and depth to the scene. The easy access to so many dreamy vistas is why I keep coming back month after month to the same location.

Mt Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA

Twisted Lines

AI or real?

At first glance, these photos might seem like the machinations of a image model under the watchful eyes of a prompt writer. 

But these seemingly psychadelic colors and patterns are not the outcome of a 'high' artist or an AI model under duress. They are just plain old reflections of bright neon lights of Seattle's famous waterfront ferris wheel twisted by the undulations of the water.

While normally the water surface is ruffled due to the wind, on this particular night, the ripples were just the right intensity to create these surreal reflections.

Seattle
WA USA

A Sky Set in Motion

10,000 snow geese erupted into flight, their honking a wild symphony echoing across the Skagit Valley. The air pulsed with movement, the scent of damp earth and feathers grounding the spectacle. It was chaotic, yes—but utterly mesmerizing.

These Arctic travelers spend their summers nesting in Siberia before journeying thousands of miles to overwinter in the fertile fields of coastal Washington and British Columbia. Some continue south to California, while others linger here—unwelcome guests to farmers, but pure magic to photographers.

I hadn’t expected such a massive flock this early in the season. But witnessing their synchronized dance—rising, settling, rising again—was a gift I’ll never forget.

Bonus: Trumpeter swans competing for attention from the snow geese gathering in the valley.

Skagit County
WA USA

The last of Fall

In the blink of an eye, autumn’s brilliance has faded into the mist of early winter. The Pacific Northwest, once draped in vibrant foliage and crisp air, now braces under atmospheric rivers and dwindling daylight.

As nature slows, so do we—retreating indoors to rest, reflect, and recalibrate. This seasonal shift invites a deeper pause: to acknowledge the personal transformations we've weathered, and the seismic shifts felt across our communities and country.

In these uncertain times, I’m leaning into the beauty that remains. The fiery hues of fall, like those captured here in the North Cascades, remind me that even fleeting moments can offer lasting comfort.

Here’s to finding light in memory, and strength in stillness.

Mt Baker Wilderness
WA USA

Silver Linings

Expectations: A crisp autumn weekend hiking through the Cascade Mountains, chasing golden larches and postcard-perfect vistas.

Reality: A fierce and unannounced winter storm barreled through the region, plunging temperatures into the low 20s and unleashing winds strong enough to flatten tents. The landscape was blanketed in a fresh inch of snow—beautiful, but brutal.

None of the forecasts hinted at the severity we encountered in the high country. The mild conditions at the trailhead gave no warning of what lay ahead. As we climbed, thick banks of clouds rolled in swiftly, unloading icy rain and snow across the peaks. We knew then: the night would be unforgiving.

By morning, the storm had passed. In its wake, it left behind a breathtaking scene—crisp air, golden larches dusted in snow, and light that danced across the ridges. A photographer’s dream, even if our fingers were numb.

North Cascades National Park
Washington, USA