Rabbit Lake, Chugach Mountains, Alaska

A Happy New Year from Spirit of Nature Images!!
May year 2016 bring all the new adventures and happiness in your life.

I will continuously capture and share the beautiful nature images in this new year!

Rabbit Lake is one of the many beautiful landscapes in the Chugach Mountains near Anchorage, Alaska. Only a short drive from Anchorage, true wild nature expands in all directions. I've been exploring and photographing within the Chugach Mountains extensively for the past couple of years. I am always impressed with the breathtaking beauty of the scenery at every lake, every mountain, and every meadow I visit in the area...

In mid-May, I hiked up a long uphill trail to Rabbit Lake. The trailhead at the lower elevation was full of spring greens, but when I hiked up deep into the Chugach Mountains, it was still winter! The whole area, surrounded by rugged peaks, was still white, and the lakes were still frozen! The snowy scene was beautiful under blue sky, and I enjoy capturing the winter landscape.

Later in summer, in mid-July, I came back to capture the summer landscape of Rabbit Lake. It was a completely different world! The lake was full of emerald green water, and green grasses and wildflowers were celebrating the short summer! This is why I never get tired of exploring the Chugach Mountains.

The summer was too short... The cold and darkness has descended upon Alaska.

Taking a break from a long dark winter in Alaska, I had another photo project and adventure in Kauai Island of Hawaii in December.  I will post some new images from the "Garden Island" on my next posting.  Please check back in 2 weeks.

Tour du Mont Blanc #4 Elena, Italy - Champex, Switzerland (European Alps)

Another beautiful day in the Alps starting with a gorgeous sunrise at Italian Val Ferret. It had been already a week since I began the 110+ mile Tour du Mont Blanc trail on the French side of Mont Blanc for a photo project. It was constant rain from the beginning with a surprising snowfall on the mountain pass. Finally, the sun came out after I entered the Italian side of the mountains. A spectacular view of the Italian side of Mont Blanc and Grandes Jorasses the day before, then Switzerland is ahead.

Leaving the mountain refuge early in the morning, I climbed up the Grand Col Ferret (Ferret Pass) where the Italian - Swiss border lies. My 30+ pounds camera gear pack is heavy for this kind of terrain... The scenery was well worth it! As I climbed up higher, the receding Prè de Bar Glacier looked much larger than it was from the valley below.
 

Entering Switzerland, I climbed down into Swiss Val Ferret with its bright green pastureland and more cattle.

 

A small church overlooks a glacier over the mountains in the village of Ferret.

Arriving at the charming Swiss village of La Fouly with chalet-styled buildings decorated with flowers.

Sunrise painted on I'A Neuve Glacier in golden red, viewed from La Fouly. Another beautiful day in Swiss Val Ferret.

Wildflowers in the meadow of Swiss Val Ferret.

Passing through the village of Praz de Fort. Old buildings and narrow alleys... felt like going back to centuries ago...

Arriving at Campex, Switzerland, a small resort town in the Alps. The alpine lake, Lac Champex, is located in the center of town, surrounded by wooded mountains. It is a resort town but quiet and peaceful. The lake was amazing with deep blue-green colors under the afternoon sun.

Sunset at Lac Champex. The last sun glows on the distant mountains with reflections on the lake... 

This story continues on the next blog update. Please check back.