Bitterroot and Bergamot

Upcoming photos will explore the marvelous shades of blue in the waters, skies and unexpected places.

This was taken at the falls of the Petrohue River, which comes boiling out of the mountains in Chile's Parque National Vincente Perez Rozales. It thunders through structures of black volcanic rock. Seeing the power of this river, and knowing that we would soon be whitewater rafting on the same water a few miles downriver, provided a certain cachet to this scene! The rafting was exhilarating. As we would round a corner of the river, the glorious Osorno Volcano would appear against the sky in views that made me understand why people over the ages have worshipped mountains.

Here, we were riding along the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi on the east side of the Andes in Argentina. I loved the purity of the deep blues, broken only by the single boat riding at anchor in the foreground. This was a gentle grade, preparing for the steep climb up the east slope of the Andes and over the pass into Chile. And no, I wasn't one of the few who made it all the way up to the top without a ride in the van! It was an extremely rigorous trip and my hat is off to those who rode up over the top and down the other side.

For more Chile pix, go to the February, 2006 archive in the left column of the blog.

The upcoming photos are a study of different moods of the Osorno Volcano in Patagonia, Chile.

Patagonia perspectives: volcano studies

Patagonia perspectives: volcano studies

Patagonia perspectives: volcano studies

On a clear day, the stark white of Osorno against blue stuns the eye. This was taken in Parque National Vincente Perez Rozales in Patagonia - Osorno Volcano at the right. To the left is a lodge that has been built on the shores of Lago Todos los Santos. This beautiful national park in the heart of Chile's lake district reminded me of what our own Glacier Park might have been like 75 years ago, before the massive invasion that has taken place there for the past 50 years.

Patagonia perspectives: volcano studies

Osorno Volcano dominates the landscape in this part of Patagonia. This was taken from the town of Frutillar, on the banks of Lake Llanquihué.

Patagonia perspectives: volcano studies

Hello! I am back from a welcoming and spectacular land. This photo of Osorno Volcano was taken on the road between Termas de Puyhue and Puerto Octay in Patagonia, Chile. The perfection of this volcanic shape, so unlike the randomly rugged mountains of my youth, was an endless fascination to me; we cycled around part of its base so I was able to see many different angles of this one glorious creation.

Dear faithful blog readers,

The blog will be taking a small vacation along with its owner for the next couple of weeks. Being a lover of mountains, I have a wish to explore the world's bumpy and craggy topography when I have the privilege of an opportunity to do so. I am grateful to have the chance to ride through the Andes Mountains [yes, on a bike] from Argentina to Chile. I leave this week and am looking forward very much to the trip. So hang in there; I will have a new set of bumps and crags from another hemisphere to share with you upon my return.

Bitterroot

Chasing the light series

Not much light left here...but notice how the snow still reflects enough residual light to show the barest outline of the dog in the foreground. Love this time of day/night! Taken in western Montana.

Chasing the light series

Every now and again we need a respite from the chilly views of winter. Thinking of clear lakes, I decided to take another look at the play of light on water. Often I like to show a cropped detail of a shot I'm posting, just to zoom in a bit and to remind myself that even a single scene has endless facets and perspectives. This time, the detail was so delightful that I've placed it as the main photo for today. Some day I hope to be able to put into words the magic of sunbeams on water. Just watching them dance in endless patterns on the rocks below the water's surface brings peace to the soul.

Chasing the light series.

Taken in southwestern Wisconsin.

Chasing the light series. Taken in southwestern Wisconsin.