Islenski Hesturinn

The eye of the horse, the rugged Icelandic horse of the wind-swept hills in the Northwestern Region of Iceland. This photo was featured in the Los Angeles Times Readers Travel Photo of the Year. There were several horses to the side of a remote road. They looked magnificent, their wild manes flowing in the feisty wind. I hung out with this horse at first, just simply standing and admiring it and making eye contact. Eventually, the horse came over, and I petted its nose for several minutes. After that, I began taking photos of the horse close up. It maintained eye contact with me while I was doing this, and its mane would sometimes obscure its eye. Here, though, the mane parted beautifully, and I have this photo of the horse gazing right at us. Several people who are knowledgeable about horses have commented that this horse has a "kind eye".

Bowling Ball Beach

Long exposure photo, early morning, Mendocino Coast, California.

Svartifoss

Svartifoss is probably my favorite waterfall in Iceland so far. And on an island where it seems like there are more waterfalls than people, that's really saying something. Svartifoss (Black Falls) is a waterfall in Skaftafell in Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, and is one of the most popular sights in the park. It is a breathtaking waterfall, 12 meters high, with black columnar basalt formations which beautifully frame the waterfall and give it its name, Black Fall.

The Mystery of the Secret Cave

The long exposure of ten seconds creates the misty, mystical look due to the water's movements. California coast.

I Am Puffin, Hear Me Roar

This is a puffin in the Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs in Iceland. And now, I will entertain you with some fun facts: - Puffins only have their Technicolor bill part of the time, during mating season. - They are nicknamed "sea parrots", or sometimes "clowns of the sea". - Puffins are amazing swimmers, and can dive 60m underwater. So, like, that'd be almost 200 feet under the surface. - The Látrabjarg Bird Cliffs are the westernmost part of Europe. - Puffins can be found on menus of some restaurants around Reykjavik. - I think this is the first time I ever seriously tried to photograph wild birds. - I did not use any Photoshop Cartoon Function to make this fine bird look like Toucan Sam.

In The Glow Of The Long Setting Sun

Beautiful fields of lupine in the glow of the midnight sun, Iceland.

Brush Creek Falls

This is Brush Creek Falls in West Virginia, a fantastic state - unless you don't like kind people, good food, fantastic hiking, forests, mountains, rivers, streams, and waterfalls. Lots of waterfalls. And lots of unspoiled nature. Y'see, the state is not densely populated, and in fact, has only one area code, yes it does. And some of the greatest river rafting is here. And some gorgeous waterfalls. This is a long exposure photograph taken in June 2015.

Land Of The Black Church

An ant's eye view of the Black Church near Raudisandur, or Red Sand Beach. The church is a typical Lutheran style for this region. The black church is one of three black churches in Iceland. They are black because the exterior wood is painted with pitch, just like the hull of a boat to protect it from the harsh Icelandic elements.

Kirkjufell And Waterfall

This is the Kirkjufellfoss and Kirkjufell Mountain nearby, located on Snaefellsjokull Peninsula, in Iceland during its perpetual sunset, the midnight sun.

The Secret Coast

The untamed California coastline, filled with sea caves, sea stacks, and rugged rock formations. This is an eight second long exposure during sunrise. The photo was featured in the Los Angeles Times.

Stars of the Silver Screen

A large arch in the Alabama Hills, framing the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas. The second night of my mini-trip to beautiful Owens Valley had some clouds, but undaunted, I photographed this arch anyway. After all, the sky had this gauzy atmosphere, soft and beautiful, so I embraced it.