Coastal Redwoods

Coastal Redwoods in Jedediah Smith State Park
Coastal Redwoods

I spent the night in Crescent City, California, on my way to somewhere else last summer and was blown away when I realized I was surrounded by redwoods. Within a couple of hours, I’d decided I needed to go to a place called Stout Grove before I left the area. I got directions from the local McDonald’s very early the next morning and drove up Howland Hill Road into Jedediah Smith State Park. This is the third photo I took of coastal redwoods ever (although many, many more followed).

I’d visited the giant sequoias years before and was distinctly unimpressed, but fell in love with the coastal redwoods almost immediately. I went back again this summer — and can’t wait for my third visit (maybe in 2018).

Arroyo Seco Maple Leaves

Arroyo Seco Maples
Arroyo Seco Maples

Maple leaves changing color in Arroyo Seco. I was told while I was taking photos of this tree that it’s the most photographed tree in New Mexico. It might be true — with the exception of the Rocky Mountain Maples in the Manzanos, we don’t have indigenous maple trees.

Old Car and Tree

Rusted Car and Tree
Rusted Car and Tree

I took a 4,000-mile trip to Oregon and back, and took lots of beautiful (or at least potentially beautiful) photos: sunsets, bridges, lighthouses, etc. But this turned out to be one of my very favorites — a tree that appeared to be growing through the middle of an old car. I looked at the car closely and actually think it was reassembled around the tree, but never mind that. I love it anyway.