With the stay at home order finally lifted and approaching 6 months of no solitary travel, I was eager to hit the road at the first possibility that presented itself. Not being one to ever take a straight route to anywhere, I choose to add a short loop into Montana then took a short cut through the mountains to Lolo Pass which allowed me to make my way down the wild and scenic Lochsa River corridor. I’d never driven the Lochsa route in the spring, and the cottonwoods dispersed along the riverbank were just budding out with light green foliage. I then drove south up the South Fork of the Clearwater River and ended my day on the Camas Prairie at Grangeville.
Idaho, North Central, Grangeville. Soft evening light on a faded red barn underneath an almost full moon in May.
IDaho, North Central, Riggins. Pre-sunrise over the Main Salmon east of Riggins in spring.
IDaho, Southwestern, Owyhee County, Grand View. Hicks Springs in the Owhee Desert on a spring dawn.
Idaho, west, Adams County, Council. The Middle Fork of the Weiser River flowing through the Payette National Forest in spring.
Idaho, North Central, Grangeville. Soft evening light on Canola fields underneath an almost full moon in May.
Idaho, Northern, Kootenai County, Kingston, Enaville. Cottonwood trees budding out along the Coeur d’Alene River in spring.
Idaho, South Central, Custer County, Challis. Sunrise in the Salmon River Mountains in spring.
Idaho, Adams County, Council. Spring wildflowers along the Middle Fork Weiser River Road.
Idaho, North Fork, Aspen Trees in spring on Lost Trail Pass.
Idaho, North Central, Riggins. Morning sun along the Little Salmon River in spring.
Idaho, East Central, Salmon, North Fork. An old log cabin seen across the Salmon River at Colston access.
With rain in the forecast for the following morning I headed south on hwy 95 to the dryer climate along the Salmon River. At Riggins I turned east and followed the Big Salmon River Rd. I watched sun rise over an old bridge then continued into the canyon for a visit to Allison Creek, surrounded by an oasis of green. Another venture off the highway on the Middle Fork Weiser River Rd. took me along the scenic creek with patches of wildflowers in bloom along the banks. This shooting experience in the pouring rain was invigorating. I spent the evening shooting assignment work for a client near Boise and retired early to the hotel. Sleep eluded me as it often does when I’m excited and this was the day of my big desert adventure. I left the hotel at 2am and three hours later was deep in the Owyhee Desert doing some map reading under the full moon. About 10 more miles of rough two-track road through the sage and lupine and I could make out the tops of the aspen grove in the predawn light. My oasis destination did not disappoint. Safely back in town I did another quick assignment, then made my way to Challis for the night. I watched sunrise from a ridge top in the Salmon River Mountains, another amazing experience of solitude and grandeur.
Idaho Scenic Images will conduct 2 destination photography workshops this year. The first one is a late spring tour that starts in the town of Fairfield and ends in the town of Bellevue. We’ll shoot on the Centennial Marsh and hope for a sea of blue camas lilies, visit the Little City of Rocks, and photograph a variety of old barns and buildings that dot the prairie. Next we’ll move on to the Wood River Valley for scenic vistas, winding rivers, more wildflowers and mountain views.
It was with the snow rapidly melting here at home and a forecast of rain and temperatures into the 40’s that I left on my annual winter trip in search of fresh snow.
Sunrise Fence
I traveled the snow-less Clearwater River corridor up the Wild and Scenic Lochsa finding snow in the upper reaches of the
Bitterroot Mountains at Lolo Pass.
Lochsa River Mists
From there I traveled south on Hwy 93 through Challis and followed the Salmon River all the way into Stanley, just in time to catch sunset over the Sawtooth Range.
Sawtooth Winter MorningTucked Away
In the morning I witnessed an amazing display of mists dancing around the peaks as the sun came up. Balancing myself and tripod on a 5 foot snowbank surrounded by such beauty, it was easy to ignore the frigid temps for the brief light show.
Magical MomentsWhitewashed
From Stanley I looped through Garden Valley and rejoined Hwy 95 at New Meadows. I found some abandoned barns and buildings on the country roads of the Camas Prairie around Grangeville.
Abandoned on the Camas PrairieFaded Glory
At Lewiston I completed my circle of Idaho and the rains which I had avoided on my entire loop since leaving home, once again commenced. It was a quick but successful trip!
Landscape photography~ No other activity brings my heart such joy as experiencing sunrise surrounded by the fragrance of mountain wildflowers, watching a lake steam in the first light of an autumn morning, discovering new locations both near and far and listening to the babbling of a mountain stream, or watching the last of the sunset colors fade into night…
Canada, Alberta, Banff National Park. Herbert Lake at dawn in autumn in the Canadian Rockies.Idaho, North, Kootenai County, Coeur d’Alene. Sunrise over the countryside south of Coeur d’Alene in Spring.Badlands at dawn, South DakotaCalifornia, west central, Dawn on the Carrizo Plains National Monument in spring.Idaho, south central, Custer County, Mackay. The Lost River Range as viewed at dawn in summer from the White Knob Mountains.Idaho, Southwestern, Boise, May, Prairie. Sunrise in the the Danskin Mountains in spring with the South Fork of the Boise River and spring sunflowers.Sunrise through Mesa Arch in UtahSalmon-Challis National Forest in springIdaho, North, Kootenai County, Coeur d’Alene, Fernan. A late summer dawn on Fernan Lake.California, Central, Santa Cruz, Felton. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Falls Creek Unit.California, west central, Dawn on the Carrizo Plains National Monument in spring.Alberta, Canada in autumnIdaho, central, Custer County, Challis. The Lost River Range bathed in morning light with a setting moon in late spring.Idaho, North, Kootenai County, Hayden. A late summer sunset over Hayden Lake.Mojave Desert, CaliforniaIdaho, south central, Rogerson. Lupine bloom on the desert in spring in the rain and wind.Idaho, North, Kootenai County, Coeur d’Alene. A mid autumn clearing storm reveals a colorful sunset over lake Coeur d’Alene.Idaho, South Central, Mountain Home, Bruneau. Sunrise in winter at Bruneau Dunes State Park.Idaho, Eastern, Ashton, Tetonia. And old barn below the Teton Range in evening light of autumn.Idaho, east central, Custer County, Challis, Pahsimeroi Valley. An early autumn dawn over the Lemhi Range and farmlands in the Pahsimeroi Valley.
2019 was a year filled with all of these things and more and for that I am thankful.
It is with a significant sadness in my heart that I will embark upon the medical challenges presented to me going forward into 2020, but also with hope that I may continue pursuing these things that fulfill me.
Palouse Falls, WATeton Valley, IDUpper North Falls, ORStayton, ORDel Norte Redwoods, CALittle Redfish Lake, IDSt. Joe Mountains, IDSt. Joe Mountains, IDRedfish Lake, IDIdaho PalouseSamuels, IDBig Wood River, IDSwan Valley, IDSwan Valley, IDSalmon, IDCoeur d’Alene, IDTekoa, WAFairfield, ID
Imagine Idaho…a land of geological wonders…towering peaks, sagebrush deserts, evergreen forests, pristine rivers, lava flows, deep canyons, rolling farmlands, idyllic waterfalls and beautiful lakes….just a few of the iconic images professional photographer Linda Lantzy and award-winning semi-professional Shari Hart have photographed across the Gem State.
Through their thousands of combined hours of exploring and photographing the state of Idaho, Linda and Shari are sharing their knowledge of how to find Idaho’s most photographic scenes in their new guidebook, “Discovering Idaho-Off the Beaten Path.”
If you know where to look, many of these wonderful photographic opportunities can be found just by getting off the interstate. Some locations, however, are far less obvious. As seasoned back-roads artistic photographers, their experiences have led them to hundreds of photographic gems waiting to be discovered.
Among these are old barns, abandoned antique vehicles, and pioneer cabins, along with many other unforgettable locations.
From Route 1 – Bonners Ferry and the Selkirk and Purcell Mountains
“Discovering Idaho-Off the Beaten Path” will provide detailed directions to places you may never have imagined. Complete with maps and visual references, photographic tips and top-notch photography, this outstanding guide is the perfect traveling companion for photographers, sightseers and other like-minded Idaho lovers.
From Route 11 – The Lochsa, Selway and Bitterroot Mountains
To get this beautiful guide going, they are seeking up-front funding to offset a portion of the printing costs. Please visit our GoFundMe campaign and make a donation in exchange for a great reward.
The sun was still a ways above the horizon when I arrived on top of Sundance Mountain. A welcome relief!
The last time I attempted to shoot this location, I arrived too late in the day, and I had to stop part way up the mountain to shoot sunset as it disappeared over the distant ridge. I never made it to the top that day.
Now I’m standing in the heart of the Selkirk Range, in awe of the amazing views of Priest Lake far below. The eerie remains of charred, dead trees from the Sundance fire of 1967 are all around, and the persevering wildflowers are still in bloom on this mountaintop even in late September.
Just in Time
There’s a dark, threatening storm approaching from the south and I know I must get to work. After a few minutes of searching I find the spot I am looking for. Fallen logs create an interesting foreground for this breathtaking view. As the sun’s rays are split by the edge of a cloud, I create this image with my camera. Thunder booms and the rain commences as I retreat to the safety of my vehicle.
Online Silent Auction!
This is just a little story about the creation of “Sundance Sun”—one of 12 photographs, selected for their beauty and location in Idaho’s public lands, that are being offered in an online silent auction to benefit the Idaho Conservation League. ICL will receive 25% of the proceeds.
As ICL’s artist this year, I’ve spent considerable time traveling the state and turning Idaho’s Gems—Our Public Lands into artwork. The 12 Gems are presented as 8”x8” metal pieces. Each is titled on back and signed by the artist, and comes with a black scrolled easel.
Bidding for each piece starts at $35.00 and the online auction closes on Nov. 15.
To see the pieces and place a bid visit the auction page Here
Idaho, East Central, Lemhi County, Salmon-Challis National Forest Northfork. Golden Light reflects off rock into a calm stretch of the Salmon River.
In less than 36 hours and somewhere a few more miles downstream from where I took this shot, I’ll be floating the mighty Salmon, “River of No Return.” Contained completely within Idaho, this 425-mile-long river begins as a small trickle in the Sawtooth Mountains, winding its way north through steep canyons and fertile farmlands before diving west across the rugged, roadless interior of the state.
There is no going back after launching your raft into this 81-mile stretch of isolated water. Even in Mid-July, after a banner snow year, the flow is still running a mighty 15,600 cfs. There will be rapids…lots of rapids.
I came upon this spectacular rafting adventure as a perk for being named the 2017 Artist in Residence for the Idaho Conservation League. Residency sponsors and river guides ARTA River Trips offered this unique opportunity. My job on this trip is to take photos, or more specifically…to make art. I’m used to doing that all the time, but not from a raft or a riverside camp with myriad other people milling about. I hope I can find the solitude I seek in this wilderness journey.
Preparations started months ago, and I’ve slowly been accumulating gear into what became a very large pile on my kitchen table: everything from a Pelican case for my camera gear to the proper polyester blends of clothing for life on the river. Hotel rooms were booked for the front and back of the trip, as was a flight from McCall to Salmon on a small, 10-seat, single-prop plane. The flight alone seems like a good reason to rethink this entire undertaking.
It’s the last night in my own bed for the next nine days. I lay awake into the wee hours of the morning, listening to the occasional vehicle travel past my window. My mind swirls with thoughts of what lies ahead.
Trying to leave town today by 2 p.m. My main responsibilities this morning are loading the car, dropping my dog “River” at the kennel and making a third, final decision on which lenses to bring, which proved not as easy as it seems.
I don’t get on the road until 4 p.m. After the six-hour drive to McCall, I spend another sleepless night, this time in a hot hotel room. Morning comes not a moment too soon. At 7 a.m. I am the first of Gem Air’s customers to check in for a flight. Their offices are under construction and they use a bathroom scale to weigh baggage.
Then we’re off. As we climb above the valley, I make a mental note of several roads I need to drive on my next time in the area. Soon we bank to the east and are immediately greeted with gorgeous views of jagged peaks, deep crevasses and myriad small alpine lakes. I see the Middle Fork of the Salmon winding its way north and the Bighorn Crags. A small amount of turbulence shakes the plane on the descent into the Salmon Valley, but our pilot lands the plane with precision and skill.
After a quick shuttle ride to the hotel I spend the day catching up on sleep and like a complete amateur, organizing and re-organizing my pack. Suddenly it hits me….I’m excited!
We are greeted by four young ladies at the pre-trip meeting whose petite size makes me wonder how they can handle a boat on a river.
I sleep surprisingly well and wake at 5 a.m. to take my last shower for 6 days. As the pink pre-dawn colors the sky above the Bitterroot Range, I make note of the time I will need to be ready to shoot each morning while in the canyons. One final organizational packing, this time in the supplied dry bags. We board the bus promptly at 8 a.m.
It’s a quiet two-hour ride to the put in. Before I know it, I’m sitting in the front of an oar raft gently bobbing along on soft waves. About a mile downstream and after several drenching rapids, I realize I am smiling.
Our guides, who were joined by one young man at the launch, are now five strong. They prove themselves through the entire trip. All afternoon they row into a strong headwind. We make camp above a rocky beach where the guides unload and pack gear up from the boats, cook a delicious Italian dinner and set up our open-air restroom facilities. I don’t think I have ever seen a group of people work harder.
The last golden light touches the tops of the peaks and fades into darkness. The cool evening air feels amazing. Tonight I sleep to the lullaby of the river.
14 miles in~
Back on the water, we immediately enter a stretch of rapids and I get drenched. The water smooths and the morning sun begins to dry me. As the magnificence of this canyon slowly passes by, I get lost in my thoughts. I am in awe at the beauty of this place. Dividing the Salmon River Mountains to the South and the Clearwater Mountains to the north, both with reliefs of over 7000 feet, this canyon is deeper than the Grand Canyon itself.
A few miles farther and I’m sitting in the white sand soaking up the sunshine. Most of the group has headed on an uphill hike. I lay back and listen to the song of the river. All cares of daily life at work and home have magically been swept away. Time stands still.
After a lunch of chicken Caesar salad and fruit, we run our biggest rapid yet. Black Rock has a huge hole followed by a couple of very large swells. The raft dives nose first into it and a wall of water completely consumes us. We hit the wave train and it feels like I could reach out my arms and start swimming. A few more bends in the river and we break at some hot springs. It’s a sweltering day and I opt to sit in the shallows while others hike the rocky hillside to enjoy the springs.
We make camp on a big sandy beach where the river disappears around a bend and the ridges appear to intersect with each other. I anticipate the sun will set in the crevice, and make a mental note of the time I will need to be ready to photograph it. I like this spot.
24 miles in~
My alarm rings at 2:45 am. The dead remains of the Mustang Complex Fire of 2012 rise on the hillside above camp. These blackened silhouettes against the dark night sky have an eerie feel to them. Standing under this expanse of stars in the middle of true wilderness is incredible.
The day starts for me as the sun touches the mountain ridges high above the river. All references to clock time have vanished. Breakfast, rafting, lunch, rafting and camp define the days. We gain (or lose) 20 miles, including some of the biggest rapids on the “Main”, as they call this river. I spot a young black bear exploring the shore and we make a few stops. An afternoon swim in the river feels so good. I marvel at all the beautiful creeks we pass, wishing we could stop and enjoy. Our guide chooses the night camp spot just for me. It has a sweet little cascade called Rhett Creek just to the side of a sandy beach. Dinner is one of the best cheeseburgers I’ve had in a long time, or maybe the food just tastes better out here.
44 miles in~
The alarm sounds at 1:30 but this time I turn it off. The next thing I know, there is light in the sky. I have no trouble getting up now, and I take a chair and my gear upstream from camp and watch as the last stars fade from the sky. A few clouds light up pink.
Day 4 is the hottest day yet. In addition to the waves that break against the boat and cascade over us, we stop several times to swim. The cool water refreshes me. My skin is now a reddish brown combination of tan and burn. I haven’t spent this much time playing in water since I was a kid. We float 15 miles and stop at another sandy beach. There is a herd of young bighorn sheep that wanders close to camp, grazing on the scrub grasses between river rock. Tonight we eat steaks and play games around the campfire.
I like how the river curves here and disappears between the canyon contours. There’s a small rapid close to shore and I wade into the swift current to photograph the evening light. This has been a great day.
59 miles in~
I woke at 4 a.m. and was surprised to see the Milky Way still visible in the night sky. Quietly I set up my camera with a 20mm f/2.8 lens and adjust the exposure until I get what I want. Then I grab a couple more hours sleep.
Today is going to be another scorcher. The rapids are mild today and we don’t get very wet in the boat. Every time we stop I have to take a dunk in the river. For each mile downstream we travel it seems the temperature climbs. Over the course of these 81 miles we will have descended 900 feet. The canyon has widened considerably. We cross a stretch of river called Salmon Lake while fighting a headwind. A cloud moves in front of the sun and the deep water takes on the appearance of being black. A sheep rests under a tree and a golden eagle watches from his riverside perch. There’s water play and relaxation, fishing and stand up paddle-boarding.
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
I soak in the beauty of it all. I am amazed that in mid-July this canyon is still green. I reflect on the last five days. It truly has been wonderful.
Tomorrow we will conclude our river journey around noon. I feel sad to be leaving this place, but rejuvenated enough and ready to return home. I’m missing a different “River”. My 3-year-old yellow Labrador has been in boarding for 8 days.
76 miles in~
Our final morning and we only have a short distance to travel. Around the first bend in the river we encounter our last big rapid. The river gives a big sloppy kiss goodbye.
Idaho Scenic Images presents its 2017 photography workshop line-up and online classes. Strategically positioned in stunning locations around the state, and for different lengths of time, you’re sure to find a workshop to fit your needs.
Only 2 spots left for my newly announced Palouse “Dayshop”.
There are also 2 spots left on my permit to work in the Sawtooth National Recreation area.
One of these can be a non-lodging spot(discounted), and one full lodging spot, or it would be good for two friends to share a room with two twin beds. (At a discount of course)
Don’t miss this gorgeous time of year in the Sawtooth Mountains!
In July we’ll head to the often overlooked beauty of Island Park. Situated in the northeastern corner of Idaho, in an ancient caldera and on the edge of Yellowstone.
We have three nights in a large lodge-style house with everyone having their own private room. This will be a smaller group, accommodating only 5 students.
The “Waterfalls and Wildflowers” workshop is a deluxe, 4 day/3 night extravaganza of beauty and adventure.
In August you can take my online class “Mastering Composition” from the comfort of your own home, and photograph on your own schedule, with assignments to complete each week.
Idaho, North, Bonner County, Coolin. Priest Lake at sunset from Sundance Mountain under a September sky.
In September we’ll be staying in cabins on the shores of Priest Lake, admiring waterfalls and endless mountain views in the heart of the Selkirks.
For peak fall color, join us in the Teton and Swan Valleys of Eastern Idaho. From orange aspen to golden cottonwoods to red mountain maples, not to mention The towering Teton range. This workshop is sure to delight.
It’s always fun at the end of a year to look back and see where my travels have taken me. He’s a few good memories from 2016.
I started out 2016 with a chilly wander to the north. This is Grouse Creek in the Cabinet Mountains.
In April I explored the Owyhee Desert in search of wildflowers. I found these lupine under a matching sky.
Reflections of a sunset sky on the Centennial Marsh in May.
After an all day spring rain at Stanley Lake, the light broke through just at sunset on a June evening.
I love these old log fences in the Stanley Valley, this one surrounded by Camas lilies.
During my first destination photo workshop in the Teton Valley at the end of June, we were treated to this amazing sunrise over the Teton River.
On a September afternoon, I talked my visiting kids into accompanying me on a journey up Sundance Mountain overlooking Priest Lake.
I love the feel of this image. It represents to me the many miles I’ve driven exploring roads just like this.
This image reminds me to find a different perspective. I took a cow trail way out into a field to find this view of the Lost River Range.
I waited for the light to touch the ridge in the center of this image in the White Knob Mountains.
From a local trip in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. I love when the cottonwoods reflect gold in the waters.
This was a lesson in patience. It was raining and I shot quickly and retreated to my vehicle. As I started driving away the rainbow appeared, prompting me to shoot it again. Really I should have just given it 10 or 15 minutes. You never know…
I traveled from Alpine, WY in the pitch dark of a foggy early morning, up the Snake River Canyon to arrive here well before sunrise. It didn’t seem the mountains would appear and many photographers gave up and left. Another lesson in patience.
From a fun trip to the Eastern Sierra Nevadas with a friend. We flew into Las Vegas and drove west then north to Reno, seeing the sights all along the way. This was just after sunset in the Alabama Hills at Lone Pine, CA.
A local winter scenic on Wolf Lodge Creek. I always love getting out after a fresh snowfall.
A touch of lavender in the sky at sunrise. The Coeur d’Alene River at Rose Lake just this week.
Wishing you all a Happy New Year and many beautiful scenes in 2017!
Only 2 spots left for my newly announced Palouse “Dayshop”.
Don’t miss this gorgeous time of year in the Sawtooth Mountains!
The “Waterfalls and Wildflowers” workshop is a deluxe, 4 day/3 night extravaganza of beauty and adventure.
I started out 2016 with a chilly wander to the north. This is Grouse Creek in the Cabinet Mountains.
In April I explored the Owyhee Desert in search of wildflowers. I found these lupine under a matching sky.
Reflections of a sunset sky on the Centennial Marsh in May.
After an all day spring rain at Stanley Lake, the light broke through just at sunset on a June evening.
I love these old log fences in the Stanley Valley, this one surrounded by Camas lilies.
During my first destination photo workshop in the Teton Valley at the end of June, we were treated to this amazing sunrise over the Teton River.
I love the feel of this image. It represents to me the many miles I’ve driven exploring roads just like this.
This image reminds me to find a different perspective. I took a cow trail way out into a field to find this view of the Lost River Range.
I waited for the light to touch the ridge in the center of this image in the White Knob Mountains.
From a local trip in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest. I love when the cottonwoods reflect gold in the waters.
This was a lesson in patience. It was raining and I shot quickly and retreated to my vehicle. As I started driving away the rainbow appeared, prompting me to shoot it again. Really I should have just given it 10 or 15 minutes. You never know…
I traveled from Alpine, WY in the pitch dark of a foggy early morning, up the Snake River Canyon to arrive here well before sunrise. It didn’t seem the mountains would appear and many photographers gave up and left. Another lesson in patience.
A local winter scenic on Wolf Lodge Creek. I always love getting out after a fresh snowfall.
A touch of lavender in the sky at sunrise. The Coeur d’Alene River at Rose Lake just this week.
idahoscenics 