Safe Passage

“Twenty minutes ago, I was wholly immersed in photographing a lakeside mountain scene (that photo soon). I had spent the last three hours hiking, scouting, and experimenting with different compositions. A playground of solitude, beauty, and discovery. And the light was phenomenal.

But that light faded quickly, along with the photo opportunities. When the sun dropped below the horizon, the temperature seemed like it dropped twenty degrees. I snapped off a couple last images and then packed up.

As the high of the shoot wore off, I remembered — I was alone in Grizzly country.

Alone, but so alive.

I hurriedly began the descent back to camp. The wind shattered the silence as it whipped over steep slopes and rustled through the trees. The shadows played tricks on my eyes, switching my other senses to full alert. I tried to stay calm.

I had already packed my camera up. But when I turned a switchback and saw the scene pictured above, I knew I had to stop.

And I'm glad I did. Pictured here, the day's last light channels over rocky saddles, highlighting prominent peaks and aiding my safe passage.”