A frog enjoys the shallows of Snow Lake at Mount Rainier National Park, Washington.
I was inspired to do a rare Monday post by the Weekly Photo Challenge on WordPress. Also, this week’s topic, focus, gives me a good excuse to post some of the close-up shots I captured during my recent trip to Rainier and Olympic National Parks in Washington state. I had a great time up there photographing both the landscapes and small details of a beautiful corner of the country.
The mountain in the lake: Reflection Lakes at Mount Rainier National Park.
This challenge is deceptively simple. Focus gives even experienced photographers fits on occasion. I often take only a camera and lens on photo walks, no tripod. My goal is to sharpen my creativity. With no tripod and a lens choice of one, you need to improvise to get decent images.
Pasqueflower is a hairy beast!
For instance at Mount Rainier’s Paradise Park, which is the park’s most popular area, I didn’t want to be burdened. I wanted to simply stroll through the wildflower meadows with only my camera and macro lens. Doing macro with no tripod is definitely a challenge, and this time was no different. But when I saw other photographers with heavy backpacks full of camera gear, tripods in tow, I felt very happy with my choice.
Tracking this interesting beetle was a challenge hand-held with macro lens.
In the Olympics I hiked up to a popular waterfall, Sol Duc Falls. While shooting this triple cascade, I noticed the wild huckleberries, along with some other kinds. For some reason I was the only one who was partaking of these scrumptious trail-side treats. I didn’t understand that, but I made sure to photograph the berries before plucking and popping them into my mouth.
A fresh huckleberry in Olympic National Park just before it became a snack.
Rain overnight and cloudy skies means perfect conditions for macro photography.
I hope you enjoy the pictures. Please note they are copyrighted and not available for free download, sorry. Go ahead and click on the photos to be taken to my main gallery page, where purchase options are listed. Please contact me if you have any questions. Thanks for your interest.
Lupine in the morning dew, Mt. Rainier National Park.
The rainforest in Olympic National Park, Washington receives what it thrives on: water!
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Beautiful pictures, as usual. 🙂
Great series with wonderful DoF, thanks for sharing.
Outstanding shots!
janet
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Great shots, love the reflection of the mountain 🙂
Stunning images! I love the lupine shot!
Lovely photos for this challenge. My favourite shot is definitely the first one of the beautiful frog
Thanks very much!
Amazing shots!!!
Stunning work.
Yet another most inspiring post with wonderful captures. I’m sooo happy to read your thoughts about using your creativity and go on photo walks witj only one camera and one lense. No tripod.
You take a burden off my shoulders!
🙂
Thank you Dina. I’m glad to take the (literal) burden off you!
Not as much as me! 🙂
Ok these are pretty amazing.
Nice to see the berries doing double duty
Yep they definitely were. And I had them all to myself!
Challenge met, and bested. Beautiful shots.
Thanks a bunch John, so glad you liked them.