Deep in the network of logging roads on Vancouver Island is a small grove of giant ancient trees in a protected area called Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park. Accessing this park is not for the faint of heart. Several hours of extremely rough active forestry roads are the only way in. Once in the park you are rewarded with some of the islands oldest and largest trees. This image is just a typical view along the main trail through the park.
Tucked away a half hour drive inland on the Oregon coast, this little creek boasts eleven waterfalls in a short two-mile trail as it cascades through a lush moss covered temperate rainforest. I have had the opportunity to hike the trail twice now with my daughter. Without a doubt this has become my favourite place in the world. There is so much exceptional scenery packed into a condensed space, its beauty is unrivaled by comparison to anywhere I have ever been in my life.
With a thunderstorm fast approaching during my visit to Smith Rock State Park, I scrambled around to capture the constantly changing light before needing to head for cover. As each thunderous crash of lightning progressed to what seemed to feel a little close for comfort, I rushed for shelter back at the truck. As I scrambled my way with an armload of camera gear on one side, and my daughter in the other, I witnessed the sky start to explode with vibrant colours as the setting sun dropped below the clouds in the distance. With only a couple minutes to capture this, I quickly re-composed my shot and frantically snapped away before I had no choice but to get out. Within seconds of loading the in truck, Torrential rain came down, followed by a blast of hail. Either the stars were aligned, or the weather gods liked me that day. Either way, I'll take it.
