2023 – The Year in Pictures

2023 – The Year in Pictures. Here is a selection of favorite images released in the past year. These are not necessarily my best or most popular, but each represents a special moment in time in which the beauty of this amazing world revealed itself before my lens.

Please share and enjoy!  I’d love to know your thoughts and if any images resonated with you or conjured up good memories. You can click on any image for a large high quality view, to learn more about it or purchase a fine art print.

I look forward to seeing your favorite images, and most of all I wish everyone a healthy and Happy New Year!

-Russ

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Punch Bowl Falls, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon USA
Punch Bowl Falls, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Granite boulders at Jumbo Rocks, Joshua Tree National Park, California USA
Granite boulders at Jumbo Rocks, Joshua Tree National Park, California

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Icebergs on glacial meltwater under Mount Edith Cavell, Jasper National Park, Alberta Canada
Icebergs on glacial meltwater, Jasper National Park, Canada

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Clearing winter storm over Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California USA
Clearing winter storm over Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Wildflowers at Tom McCall Preserve, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon USA
Wildflowers at sunrise, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Backpacker on the Bishop Pass Trail, John Muir Wilderness, Sierra Nevada Mountains, California USA
Backpacker on the Bishop Pass Trail, John Muir Wilderness, California

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Giant Sequoia in the Congress Grove in winter, Giant Forest, Sequoia National Park, California USA
Giant Sequoia in the Congress Grove, Sequoia National Park, California

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Kalalau Beach on the Na Pali Coast (aerial), Napali Coast Wilderness State Park, Kauai, Hawaii USA
Kalalau Beach, Napali Coast Wilderness State Park, Kauai, Hawaii

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Wildflowers in the Temblor Range, Carrizo Plain National Monument, California USA
Wildflowers in the Temblor Range, Carrizo Plain National Monument, California

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Milky Way over Sierra Nevada Mountains, John Muir Wilderness, California USA
Milky Way over Sierra Nevada Mountains, John Muir Wilderness, California
2023 - The Year in Pictures. Forest abstract, Yosemite National Park, California USA
Forest abstract, Yosemite National Park, California

2023 - The Year in Pictures. Fairy Falls, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon USA
Fairy Falls, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Oregon USA

 

 

 

©Russ Bishop/All Rights Reserved


Crater Lake National Park

Crater Lake and Wizard Island in winter, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Crater Lake and Wizard Island in winter, Crater Lake National Park, Oregon

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in the United States (the second deepest in North America) at nearly 2,000 feet and is the only national park in Oregon. It’s a caldera lake that was formed when the ancient volcano Mount Mazama collapsed over 7,000 years ago allowing rain and melting snow to accumulate in its cavity. Well known for its incredible crystal clear waters and deep blue hue, it is also one of the purest bodies of water in North America with a record clarity of 142 ft. The local Native American Klamath tribe has long considered it a spiritual place and it’s easy to see why.

Wintertime adds a new dimension to the landscape here when the predominant blues are contrast with a blanket of white. The average snowfall is over 500 inches a year although the lake rarely freezes (the last time was in 1949) allowing for a very unique photographic experience.

©Russ Bishop/All Rights Reserved

Silver Falls State Park

South Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
South Falls, Silver Falls State Park, Oregon

Oregon is well-known for its lovely waterfalls and lush green surroundings so typical of the Pacific Northwest. The Columbia River Gorge includes some of the finest and most recognizable cascades in the world making this an idyllic spot for hiking and photography.

But its proximity to the city of Portland and the interstate highway make this a popular destination that’s certainly no secret. On my last visit a new bride was having her wedding pictures taken under Multnomah Falls complete with stylist and catering! So if getting off the beaten path is more to your liking, then check out some of the other parts of the state that offer great opportunities to experience the beauty and solitude of falling waters in a pristine setting without the crowds.

Silver Falls State Park east of Salem is one such gem that includes several beautiful falls in a remote valley. It is the largest state park in Oregon with over 9,000 acres, and its 24 miles of trails allow plenty of opportunity for quiet contemplation, exploring, and photography. South Falls shown here is the centerpiece of the park – the trail carved into the cliff behind providing a unique view of its 177 foot plunge.

Other destinations such as Proxy Falls in Willamette National Forest and the Rogue River Scenic Byway in southern Oregon are well-worth the diversion off the major highways. As with many locations in the west, a sense of adventure and a willingness to leave the pavement will allow you to experience much more of the wilder side of Oregon.

 

©Russ Bishop/All Rights Reserved