Relaxing Water Scenes

As I hiked along through the forest, I passed this creek surrounded by green grasses. A very simple scene, it evokes feelings of peace and calm.

When I see spots like this on my hikes, I often have one of two reactions. Standing water like this can be a haven for mosquitoes, in which case I usually get a quick look, then hurry on by. Other times, like this one, they can be free of bugs, and I usually stop to linger. I found this one to be particularly photogenic, with the still water & the tall peaks in the background.

While on a trail in the eastern Sierra, I passed this waterfall a short distance away. The flow of the water over the rocks was mesmerizing, and I stopped to observe the flow and listen to the soothing sound. To get this shot I zoomed in on the fall to get a more intimate image. Each I see it it takes me back to that moment.

While on a hike around this lake in Tuolumne County, California in the early evening, I saw the sun poking through the clouds creating a spot of gold on the trees on the far shore. The lake surface was glassy smooth, and there was hardly a sound. It was peaceful and relaxing, a nice finish to my hike.

Along the John Muir Trail in Kings Canyon National Park, this lake is in a stunning setting. Surrounded by rocky peaks, high above Evolution Valley, it's considered by many to be one of the most scenic parts of the trail.

This is a shot looking across the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. The snow-covered trees on the far bank created a nice backdrop. The slowly flowing water conveys a sense of serenity.

The Seward Highway along Turnagain Arm provides a steady stream of scenic vistas. This one shows the rocky coastline and the snow & clouds on the mountains across the bay.

From a small road above the town of Whittier, one can see the beautiful Passage Canal, bordered by snowy peaks.

This spot near a campground by Kenai Lake along the Seward Highway was cold and wet when I visited in mid October. Yet it was still beautiful, with the still water, the rain falling, and the cloud-shrouded mountains on the other side of the lake.

A long road off the highway led to this peaceful spot along the Kasilof River. The still water, with the rays of sunlight shining through the clouds, created a stunning effect.

Girdwood is in a beautiful location overlooking the waterways of Turnagain Arm. Not far away there are mountain peaks towering over the landscape.

This (as far as I know) unnamed pond along the Seward Highway created a very beautiful and photogenic scene. Not shown here, there was a railroad track between the pond and the road, over which I could see the pond with mountains on each side.

This shot was made in the Spring, when the water was roaring over Bridal Veil Falls in Yosemite Valley. I shot it from across the valley, with a close-up to capture the water thundering to the base of the cliff, causing spray to drift up through the trees.

This scene is of the Three Brothers towering over the Merced River in Yosemite Valley.

This is another image of a golden sunset at Mono Lake, California. A wildfire some distance away created an orange glow in the clouds and haze which reflected in the water.

I got up early while backpacking high up in the John Muir Wilderness. The grass was covered with frost, and the lake was still. It was very quiet and calm as you can imagine. The morning light on the moutains created a nice reflection in the lake.

Another "intimate landscape", conveying a feeling of calm and simplicity, this was captured in the John Muir Wilderness in the Sierra in California.

This is another scene of simplicity, captured in the John Muir Wilderness, California. The still water with the tall grasses at the far end & reflecting in the water, created a beautiful effect.

Shot at one of the high elevation lakes in the John Muir Wilderness, this image captures the morning light shining on the distant mountain peaks.

This simple scene captures a small body of water on Point Reyes, California. The reeds reflect in the water creating an interesting visual scene.

On a foggy morning, I was at this small point and marsh on Point Reyes in California. The combination of the water, the yellow grass, and the drifting fog, created a beautiful and serene sight.

This is a view of the tip of Point Reyes with the famous lighthouse just out of view on the far end. I was with a group on a workshop, and we had arrived before sunrise, watching the light progress over the landscape and ocean.

Along the route to Chitina, one passes this overlook with a spectacular view of the Copper River. It is a beautiful landscape.

This is one of those scenes that could be anywhere. I shot this intimate landscape to capture the beauty of the still pond, the rock on the far side, and the moss and wild trees.

This small lake was by a campground where I stayed for a couple nights on this trip to south-central Alaska. In the morning, the water was still, and the clouds made a slight view of the distant peaks possible. Talk about a photogenic scene!!

Near Valdez, just off the Richardson Highway, I found this spot by the Lowe River. Wow, it was beautiful, with the river slowly flowing, the misty fog hovering over it, and the massive mountain peaks shrouded in clouds in the distance.

The combination of these kayakers and the still water, with the trees along the river, and the backdrop of the steep treed slope, formed an idyllic scene.

Made from high above the lake, but shot to appear like a close-up, this shot captures the stillness of Mono Lake near Lee Vining, California.