Virgin Creek Falls, Alaska

It was mid June and I finally made it to this small but tranquil waterfall in Girdwood, Alaska. This small valley is covered with thick green rain forest which reminds me of the scenery of the Pacific Northwest that stretches north to Southeast Alaska. With a short walk, the picturesque Virgin Creek Falls appeared in the woods.

The water level was higher than normal due to the heavy rains. The waterfalls were larger and more powerful as a result.

The creek was surrounded with green vegetation and moss covered rocks. It is like a little fairy tale world! I've always been attracted to the waterfalls with its lush green landscapes for my photographic subjects.

Lupine Field - Turnagain Arm, Alaska

 

Spring comes quick in Alaska soon after the snow melts. Grass on the ground and new greens on the trees grow very fast under the long daylight… Then wildflowers start to bloom. Wildflowers take turns blooming during the short summer season. One of the first to bloom are lupines. The violet flowers cover the coastal hills and fields along Turnagain Arm, a part of Cook Inlet, for a few weeks. This is one of my favorite times of the summer.

It was in early June, I was searching for a perfect field for a sunset shot. The past winter was mild, and the spring had come early this year. It looked a bit of early for a full bloom…

I picked one of the lupine patches at the shoreline of Turnagain Arm, and waited for sunset behind the ocean. The weather was beautiful, no wind, not even a breeze. The flowers stayed still for long exposure shots.

The sun slowly started setting behind the mountains over the ocean.

It was a low tide, the sand patterns glimmered in golden orange lights.

 

Another day at Bird Ridge, overlooking Turnagain Arm. Lupines beautifully bloomed in the south side of the steep mountains.

Lupines are normally violet, but sometimes they come in odd colors!