Photos by Quaeréndus

Nature Revisited

2012-02-11T20:16:00.000-08:00

The following two pictures were generated by Photomatix HDR 2.0 with default settings (five bracketed frames for each picture.) I do see what the hype is all about. Judge for yourself.

Same Shot as "Nature's Canvas" after HDR

HDR of Snow Moon

Nature's Canvas

2012-02-08T00:20:00.000-08:00

Early Morning Sky above Mount Hood about 15 min before Sunrise

Snow Moon

2012-02-07T18:35:00.000-08:00

According to the Farmer's Almanac, the Native Americans named the February full moon the Snow Moon because February usually has the heaviest snow falls. In other parts of the world they call it the Moon of Ice (Celts) or the Budding Moon (Chinese) in anticipation of spring.

Snow Moon setting on Portland

Snow Moon rising above Portland Convention Center

Lantern Viewing at Lan Su Garden

2012-02-05T23:17:00.000-08:00

Each year towards the end of the two week long Chinese New Year Celebration, the Lan Su Chinese Garden in Portland opens its doors in the evening for a lantern viewing. More than 200 floating lanterns and over 100 hanging lanterns light up the Garden.

Floating Lanterns in the Pond.

Closeup of Floating Lanterns.

Hanging Lanterns illuminate the Garden.

Dancers Performing dance of Red Lantern.

Dragon Dance Procession ends the Celebration.

Self Portrait

2012-02-04T17:36:00.000-08:00

Self Portrait with a 986 in Winter Sunset Light

Bored Predators

2012-01-28T20:31:00.000-08:00

The big cats and bears enjoy a nice winter day at the Oregon Zoo in Portland's Washington Park.

Napping Polar Bear

Sleeping Tiger

Relaxed Cougar


Strolling Leopard	You looking at ME?

Welcoming Black Water Dragon

2012-01-23T14:15:00.000-08:00

Gung Hay Fat Choy 共喜发财 Gong Xi Fa Cai

A Hike in the Snow

2012-01-17T13:14:00.000-08:00

First snow of the year

4" of snow covering up hedges

Trail to Winter Wonderland

Tree branches bend from weight of snow to form "tunnels"

A boy and his dad enjoying the slopes

Fire in the Sky

2012-01-12T23:11:00.000-08:00

Winter Sunset reflecting off car.

And the real deal.

Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T09:38:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays

2011-12-20T18:43:00.000-08:00

Waning Moon by Tree

Fun with Bubbles

2011-12-13T09:10:00.000-08:00

My 9:10 on 11-12-13 (YMD) Post

Lunar Eclipse

2011-12-10T12:53:00.001-08:00

Stood in 29F temperature with wind gusts up to 50mph (wind chill factor 10F) for 2 hours just to get a few pictures of the last lunar eclipse until 2014. From Crown Point on the Columbia Gorge.

Lunar Eclipse (Sequence clockwise form upper left)

Moon Rise over Columbia Gorge

2011-12-09T20:32:00.001-08:00

On an afternoon when wind gusts were reaching 77 mph at Crown Point above the Columbia Gorge, one should be grateful to capture the moon rise through the haze.

Moon rising above Vista House at Crown Point

A Walk in "Grimm" Park

2011-12-06T21:22:00.001-08:00

Foggy Day in Forest Park by Upper MacCleay Trail where part of the TV
Series Grimm was filmed.

Portland Skyline

2011-12-06T21:16:00.001-08:00

Portland Skyline and Mount Hood from Pittock Mansion

Downtown Portland and Mount Hood from Vista Bridge

A not so common sight: Mt Rainier, Mt St. Helens and Mt Adams
from Council Crest

Waiting for Sunset

2011-12-01T21:13:00.001-08:00

Braving the cold to watch a winter sunset

The Reward

Ghostly Dawn

2011-11-12T02:00:00.000-08:00

Who's there?

Vista House at Crown Point

2011-11-11T11:11:00.000-08:00

Crown Point on the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway just east of Corbett, OR is an excellent location to view sunsets and moon rises.

Vista House on Crown Point viewed from
Portland's Women Forum

Sunset illuminating Vista House

Morning Dew

2011-11-06T02:00:00.000-08:00

November Sunset

2011-11-02T20:59:00.001-07:00

Mt Hood at Sunset from the top of Portland's Council Crest

Happy Halloween

2011-10-29T09:29:00.000-07:00

Foggy Sunrise

2011-10-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

Mount Hood in Fall Sunrise through Morning Fog

"Halloween" Sunrise

2011-10-26T13:47:00.001-07:00

Fall Sunrise at Portland Council Crest (straight from camera!)

Leaves in Morning Light

Rainbow in an odd place

2011-09-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

While taking dawn pictures of the Portland Skyline from the Pittock Mansion, this shot came along with a rainbow on top of Mount Hood under a cloudless sky ;-)

Notice the rainbow (effect) on top of Mount Hood

Looking for the Moon, Settled for the Sun

2011-09-11T20:46:00.000-07:00

Haze obscured the moon rising over Mount Hood, but as serendipity would have it, it was a gorgeous sunset.

Late Summer Sunset as viewed from Portland's Council Crest

Panther Creek Falls

2011-08-18T16:20:00.007-07:00

Panther Creek Falls (130 ft) in Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a combination of falls from Panther Creek and springs which feed the tallest drops. Furthermore Panther Creek splits into two with the majority of the water swirling around a 270 degree turn before gushing down while a small section flows straight and forms a straight waterfall away from the main drop.
Panther Creek Falls is located about 20 miles north of Cascade Locks on Panther Creek Road, which is just off the Old State Road off Wind River Road north of Carson, Wa. A big gravel parking area welcomes you. The trailhead to the observation deck is across the street on the south end of the parking area. The base of the falls can be reached by scaling a small cliff and down a steep trail but the rewards are worth it.

View of Parking Area looking towards trail head

Trail head

Viewing Platform with Falls in background

Trail to bottom of Falls

Small Cliff

View of Panther Creek Fall from the
Viewing Platform

Panther Creek right before the Falls

View of Panther Creek Falls from the Base

The drops on the left are from springs,
whereas the heavy fall on the right is from
Panther Creek.

Full view of the Falls with the straight drop from Panther Creek
on the very right.

Further Columbia Gorge Falls

2011-08-17T14:14:00.004-07:00

Latourell Falls Trailhead is located about 3 miles west of Bridal Veil Falls on the Historic Columbia Gorge Highway. The Lower Falls (224 ft) are a stones throw from the parking lot, the Upper Falls (120 ft) about a mile hike up. But the fall is well worth the initial fairly steep climb.

Lower Latourell Falls

Upper Latourell Falls

Dry Creek Falls (75 ft) lies a couple hundred yards off the Pacific Crest Trail about 2 miles from the PCT South trailhead in Cascade Locks. Look for the PCT sign, head up the trail and turn south right before you reach the bridge crossing Dry Creek.

Trail head

Along PCT Trail

Bridge over Dry Creek

Dry Creek Fall

At Starvation Creek State Park off Exit 55 on Highway 84 (east only) you can view four waterfalls with only a 2 mile roundtrip hike. Starvation Creek Falls (186 ft total, 100 ft longest drop) is right by the trailhead and if you head west along the trail which starts out hugging the freeway, you find Cabin Creek (220 ft/130 ft), Hole-in-the-Wall (96 ft/63ft), and Lancaster Falls (303 ft/231 ft) in rapid succession.

Starvation Creek Falls

Starvation Creek

Cabin Creek Falls

Hole in the Wall Falls

Lancaster Falls

Portland Bridges III

2011-08-12T12:25:00.000-07:00

Vista Street Bridge

Broadway Bridge

More Columbia Gorge Falls: Fairy, Horsetail, Elowah, and Wahclella Falls

2011-08-12T11:14:00.008-07:00

Fairy Falls (20 ft) is about 1.5 mile up the Wahkeena Trail just west of Multnomah Falls. Along the way you hike along some beautiful sections of the Wahkeena Creek.

Wahkeena Creek

Fairy Falls

Another View of Fairy Falls

Horsetail Falls (214 ft) lies about 3 miles east of Wahkeena Falls right along the historic Columbia River Highway. No hiking required for this view.

Horsetail Falls

Another 9 miles east, an easy 1 mile hike from the John B Yeon trailhead lies the 213 ft Elowah Falls and McCord Creek.

McCord Creek

Elowah Falls

Continuing east about 2 miles, right off the Bonneville Dam exit is the trailhead to Wahclella Falls (total height 127 ft, tallest drop 79 ft). An easy one mile hike leads to a majestic waterfall.

Wahclella Falls

Columbia Gorge Falls: Bridal Veil Falls and Multnomah Falls

2011-08-04T10:48:00.003-07:00

Bridal Veil Falls is located about thirty minutes east of downtown Portland off Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway. A short downhill hike leads to the beautiful 120 ft fall.

Bridal Veil Falls

Multnomah Falls, a 611 ft tall water fall, is the tallest and most popular water fall along the Columbia Gorge. A mile long hike to the top of the falls is rewarded with beautival views of streams and mini falls.

Stream leading to Multnomah Falls

"Little Multnomah Falls" above the main fall

The Multnomah Falls

Seattle at Night from Kerry Park

2011-07-18T20:33:00.000-07:00

Clouds hid the full moon and Mount Rainier :-(

Banff

2011-07-12T17:30:00.002-07:00

An eastern view from Sulfur Mountain with the Fairmont Banff Springs Resort in the foreground. Behind it is Tunnel Mountain bordered by the Bow River. In the upper left is Lake Minnewanka flanked by Mount Aylmer and Mount Girouard.

Glaciers

2011-07-12T17:02:00.003-07:00

The Icefield Parkway spanning Jasper and Banff National Park offers breathtaking views, in particular awesome views of glaciers. Two of the easy accessible glaciers are the Athabasca Glacier which is part of the huge Columbia Icefield and the Angel Glacier by Edith Cavell Mountain. At the first you can take a tour and actually walk on the glacier, at the second, you can hike around the glacier and moraine at your heart's content.

Athabasca Glacier with Triple Continental Divide Snow Dome on the right

Dome Glacier, part of the Columbia Icefield

Athabasca Glacier in 2000 compared to today

On the Athabasca Glacier

Moraine and glacial "lake" below Angel Glacier

Another view

The hanging Angel Glacier

Waterfalls and Streams

2011-07-12T16:10:00.002-07:00

Where there are lakes there are streams and waterfalls.

Maligne Canyon by Jasper

Maligne Canyon

Falls by the 3rd Bridge in Maligne Canyon

Athabasca Falls (Jasper)

Sunwapta Falls (Jasper)

Tangle Falls (Jasper)

Middle Fall of Tangle Falls

Stream off Tangle Falls

Bridal Veil Falls (Jasper)

Mistaya Canyon in Banff National Park

Stream off Johnson Lake in Banff

Avalanche Canyon in Glacier National Park

Avalanche Canyon

Lakes, Lakes, and More Lakes

2011-07-12T15:06:00.004-07:00

Banff and Jasper National Parks in the Canadian Rockies and Glacier National Park are home to countless picturesque lakes. Here are just a few of readily accessible ones.

Early Morning at Patricia Lake just north of Jasper

Mount Edith Cavell as seen across Pyramid Lake

north of Jasper

Looking South on Maligne Lake south of Jasper

Spirit Island on Maligne Lake

Maligne Lake in early morning

Peyto Lake in Banff National Park

Lake Louise in Banff National Park

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

Lake Minnewanka near Banff

Lake Johnson by Banff

Lake McDonald in Glacier National Park at sunrise

Lake McDonald at dusk

Avalanche Lake in Glacier National Park

Night Glow at Tigard Balloon Festival

2011-06-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

Preparing for Night Glow

How to get an Hot Air Balloon in the Air

2011-06-25T18:51:00.000-07:00

Setting up the gondola and laying out the balloon.

Using a large fan to inflate balloon.

Adjusting the lines inside the balloon.

Balloon taking shape.

Firing the burner to heat up air in balloon.

Final heating of air before liftoff.

Liftoff

Firing the heater to keep the balloon afloat.

Balloon Festival

2011-06-25T13:33:00.002-07:00

For 25 years Tigard has been holding the Festival of Balloons every summer. Not quite the size of the Albuquerque event, but just as spectacular. (Click on picture for larger size).

Fun with fisheye lens

Dragon Boat Race at Portland's Rose Festival

2011-06-13T12:11:00.001-07:00

Lan Su Chinese Garden

2011-06-13T12:04:00.001-07:00

Amidst bustling downtown Portland, Lan Su Garden offers a place of tranquility and peace.

"Hall of Brocade Clouds" viewed from the

entrance courtyard

"Hall of Brocade Clouds" viewed from
the pond.

Doorway to the Fish Pavilion

"Flowers Bathing in Spring Rain"

The "Moon Locking Pavilion" and the Teahouse

The Scholar's Study

Rock Mountain and Waterfall

"Painted Boat in Misty Rain" Pavilion

Lion guarding Fish Pavilion

The Terrace and "Moon Locking Pavilion"

Portland Bridges II

2011-06-09T20:58:00.005-07:00

Steel Bridge lifted for Portland
Rose Festival Fleet Days

USS Lake Champlain just squeezing through the Steel Bridge.

Burnside Bridge

Morrison Bridge

Hawthorne Bridge

St John's Bridge from NW Bridge Ave.

St John's Bridge

Railroad Bridge

Wahkeena Falls

2011-06-04T21:48:00.002-07:00

Wahkeena Falls, located just west of
Multnomah Falls

Another View

Stream below Wahkeena Falls

Oneonta Gorge

2011-06-04T21:43:00.001-07:00

Two and one half miles east of the world famous Multnomah Falls on the Historic Columbia River Highway, lies the amazing Oneonta Gorge, which is like a short version of the (now closed) Sacred Falls Park hike on Oahu. Prepare to get wet, but it's probably the most fulfilling half mile hiking/wading/swimming you'll experience along Columbia Gorge.

The Log Jam

Beautiful moss.

The reward at the end of the gorge: the 100 ft Lower Oneonta Falls

My Alma Mater

2011-05-27T10:35:00.002-07:00

The classic Berkeley Campus picture of Sather Gate and the Campanile.

View of Evans Hall, home of the Math Department, one of my majors.

View of Campanile and Le Conte and Birge Halls, home of my
other major, Physics.

South Hall, basked in the evening sun. The oldest building on campus,
and the only building of the original Berkeley Campus, and home of the
first Physics laboratory in the United States.

Another view of The Campanile, or Sather Tower.

The Faculty Club viewed from across the Faculty Glade.

Views of Yosemite Valley

2011-05-22T16:34:00.001-07:00

Merced River and Bridalvail Fall from Hwy 120.

Classic Yosemite Valley View from Tunnel View.

"Closeup" of El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalvail Fall

Mount Hood over Portland's Airport

2011-05-04T22:45:00.000-07:00

My favorite Berkeley Hangouts

2011-04-30T17:55:00.010-07:00

The Old

Top Dog - The best dogs in the West!

Top Dog was my go-to fast food late at night when the stomach starts growling.

A "Cal", "Kiel", or "Hot" was my usual order, and glad to see that they are still on the menu!

Fenton's

A visit to Fenton's (ok, they are in Oakland) was a tremendous treat then and now. The only difference is that before it was because of the cost and now it's because of the calories that a "Black and White" or a "Black and Tan" sundae brought with it.

The Cheese Board

I don't remembered The Cheese Board to have a restaurant in the old days, which nowadays draws a huge line every day during lunch for their pizza. Personally I like Zach(ery)'s deep dish, but the Cheese Board's baguettes and other baked goods, and their wide variety of cheese are to die for.

The New

Chocolatier Blue

If you are a chocolate lover, this is the place to go. Next to another one of my favorite places "Bette's Diner", Chocolatier Blue is an artisan chocolate place where each piece of chocolate not only has the "perfect balance of flavors to compliment the chocolate" but is also a work of art.

Philz

Philz, a coffee shop started in San Francisco, is the latest generation of coffee shops, brewing each cup of coffee on order. From the light roast "Sooo Good" to the dark roast "Tantalizing Turkish", each cup is celebration of coffee. And if you what to splurge, order a cup of Jamaican Blue Mountain roast.

Mount Shasta

2011-04-30T15:16:00.000-07:00

Mount Shasta and Siskiyou Lake in the late evening

A Perfect Marin County Spring Escape

2011-04-30T13:50:00.001-07:00

Sunrise over East Bay from Pan Toll Road

San Francisco Skyline from East Ridgeline Boulevard

View of San Francisco from East Peek of Mount Tamalpais

Bay Bridge and San Francisco from Mount Tamalpais

Mount Tamalpais from Shoreline Highway

Spring bloom and Stinson Beach from West Ridgeline Boulevard

Rolling Hills of Mount Tamalpais State Park

Stinson Beach

Gorgeous day for driving along Shoreline Highway (in a convertible!)

Golden Gate Bridge at Sunset

2011-04-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

Fog shrouding the Golden Gate as viewed from Hawk Hill

Moon over Golden Gate from Conzelman Road/
McCullough Road Roundabout

South Tower

Riverwalk Cherry Blossom

2011-04-08T07:15:00.002-07:00

February Snow

2011-02-16T09:49:00.001-08:00

First LIght 2011

2011-01-01T10:29:00.007-08:00

First dawn of the year from Portland's Pittock Mansion.

Two days later with clear skies.

Last Sunrise of 2010

2010-12-31T19:24:00.002-08:00

Portland Bridges

2010-12-11T11:14:00.000-08:00

Mount St Helens over Fremont Bridge

Fall Colors

2010-11-08T11:43:00.001-08:00

View of sunrise next Mount Hood

Riverwalk basked in fall colors

Nature traffic light

First (New) Snow of the Season

2010-11-03T21:44:00.004-07:00

First snow of the season on Mount Hood as viewed from Trillium Lake.

View of Mount Jefferson from Timberline Lodge.

Saddle Mountain Trail

2010-09-23T09:13:00.013-07:00

Located just 12 miles inland of Seaside, Oregon, Saddle Mountain is a beautiful 2.5 mile hike up about 1650 ft with a sizable dip right before the second summit. There are plenty of rest areas along the way. The trail is steep at times and sometimes doubles as a creek bed, but metal chain links assist in good footing.

The last climb up to the summit

Views from the summit

You can almost see Astoria in the distance

Northern panoramic view

Another Sunny Day at Mount Hood

2010-09-15T12:43:00.018-07:00

Took advantage of another sunny day in the Mount Hood area to climb up 1600ft on the 3.2mile Tom Dick and Harry Mountain trail. About halfway up is Mirror Lake. From there the trail climbs steadily to the one and only switchback and after a fairly level section, there is a final climb to the summit.

View of Mount Hood to the north of Tom Dick and Harry with Mirror Lake in foreground

The mountain top itself

A Day at Washington Park

2010-09-13T20:57:00.027-07:00

A precious sunny day in the waning days of summer lends itself to a visit to Portland Japanese Garden, Portland, OR.

Views of The Flat Garden and The Pavilion

The Stone Pagoda Lantern

Architectural Marvel

The Sand and Stone Garden

View of Mount Hood from the east of the Pavilion

Finish the day off by watching the sunset illuminate Mount Hood from the Pittock Mansion.

Mount Hood Viewed from Mirror Lake

2010-09-11T20:27:00.004-07:00

A little more than an hour outside Portland on the way to the majestic Mount Hood you find a popular hiking trail right after mile marker 51. After a short leisurely stroll you reach the small but picturesque Mirror Lake.

If you have a little more time, continue up the (yes) Tom Dick and Harry Mountain Trail. But that's for another day.

Moon Rising Over Portland

2010-08-25T11:13:00.002-07:00

View of full moon rising over Portland from the Vista Bridge.

Mount St. Helens

2010-08-25T10:45:00.003-07:00

Mount St. Helens August 2010.

Mount St. Helens five years ago.

Graduation

2010-06-10T22:37:00.010-07:00

This June saw a small all-girls episcopalian school celebrate arguably the most graceful and beautiful graduation ceremony on the islands for its seniors. Experiencing this event alone validates the choices made 12 years ago.

From Yaquina Bay to Cape Kiwanda

2010-05-09T21:59:00.005-07:00

For a serene day drive along the picturesque Oregon Coast starting from the beautiful Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport.

For an unusual sight, drive under the bridge to view its southern anchorage.

End the day by experiencing a beautiful Northwest sunset at Cape Kiwanda.

Cathedral Alley

2010-05-04T19:22:00.004-07:00

A stonesthrow from downtown Portland you'll find arguably the most beautiful steel suspension bridge in the area. Here's a view from Cathedral Park, the location of the east anchorage.

Dillingham Airfield from Kealia Trail

2010-04-12T23:14:00.002-07:00

Kahana Bay from Pu'u Piei Trail

2010-01-21T21:45:00.002-08:00

View of Kahana Bay and Huilua fishpond from the lower section of the Pu'u Piei Trail on the Windward Side of Oahu.

Three Summits on the Ko'olau Range

2010-01-16T13:25:00.012-08:00

Kaluanui Ridge
A fast, easy hike from the top of Mariners Ridge. View of Waimanalo from the summit.

Wiliwilinui Ridge
A fairly easy hike from the top of Wai'alae Iki; except for the last climb where gloves will be useful when using the ropes. View of Olomana and the Windward Oahu from the end of Wiliwilinui trail.

Mau'umea (Lanipo) Trail
A more challenging trail starting from the top of Maunalani Heights. Be aware that there are about 20 ascents and descents along its path. View of Windward Oahu from Puu Kainawa'au Nui.

As a bonus, the trail provides a great view of Ka'au crater:

Perfect 1000 Calories for a Blue Day

2009-11-25T14:25:00.006-08:00

If you ever find yourself in Portland and feel blue, look up Blueplate and order their delicious Grilled Cheese Sandwich (w/ bacon, of course), which comes with a homemade tomato soup to die for. Top it off with one of their old fashioned milkshakes or floats and watch your blues fade away.

Coffee Break

2009-10-13T19:55:00.001-07:00

Thunderbirds in Action

2009-09-21T10:11:00.001-07:00

Diamond Head from Tantalus

2009-08-30T01:15:00.003-07:00

Click picture for larger image.

Who am I?

2008-12-19T23:24:00.005-08:00

Street Art

2008-11-11T15:19:00.005-08:00

Expressions

2008-10-30T23:49:00.021-07:00

Moon Rise over Makapu`u

2008-08-16T01:40:00.006-07:00

Oahu's West End - Kaena Point

2008-07-27T19:03:00.011-07:00

Rockslide on Route to Kaena Point

The Bird Sactuary at Kaena Point

Puu Pueo

Kaena Point Light Station

View of the Waianae Trail
View from the End of Kaena Point
View of the Mokuleia Trail
The West End of Oahu

Waianae Coast

The End of the Hike
Sunset from Yokohama Beach

Moon Rise over Diamond Head

2008-07-17T11:47:00.006-07:00

Three Hikes in East Honolulu

2008-07-12T20:36:00.022-07:00

Makapu`u Lighthouse

Lighthouse from Lookout

Manana (Rabbit) Island

Sea Life Park

Lighthouse Close-Up

Kaluanui (Mariner's) Ridge Trail

Nice Cool Path
Destination in Sight! Waimanalo Watch your Step!

Koko Crater and Haunama Bay
Koolau Crest

Koko Crater / Kohelepelepe

View from the Bottom of the Railroad Tracks
The Notorius BridgeA Runner on the Upper Section

Looking Down from the Top of the Track

Looking North towards Kalama Valley

Looking West towards Hawaii Kai

Looking South towards Haunama Bay

Now this could have pulled me up!

Day at the Tracks

2008-05-03T13:25:00.009-07:00

St Patrick's Day Celebration

2008-05-01T19:46:00.004-07:00

Rainy St Patrick's Day!