Moab is only a five hour drive yet I waited for over a year to make the trip. With Canyonlands and Arches National Parks within a few miles of town, the scenery is endless and it would take years to hike every trail. Knowing we only had the weekend, we chose our hikes and destinations carefully. In the early mornings and late afternoons we were constantly on the move, trying to get to the right location for these photos. In the process, we were able to see some of the most beautiful and iconic scenes in the West. I hope I was able to capture that. Enjoy.

My first experience in Rocky Mountain began with an enormous bull elk bugling no further than thirty yards from the entrance gate and on the edge of the road. Through my wildlife research work, I have had close contact with all sorts of animals, including large predators. This was different, and I even hesitated to get out of the car for fear of making him angrier than he already seemed. I will not forget that day and I immediately knew that I would return time and time again. 

Case is my 2 year old Large Munsterlander. Jaclyn thinks he belongs to her now but I’m resisting. He’s been a pain and a joy to work with in the field. I hesitated to photograph him while hunting for a long time. Carrying a camera and a gun while handling a young dog seemed a little overwhelming, but I decided to do a bit of a practice run and it couldn’t have gone more smoothly. It’s great to have documented memories with a pet and hunting partner and to share the result of lots of training with friends and family.

I have driven through New Mexico many times over the years, but never stopped until this year. Our two dogs dragged us through the sand dunes at White Sands National Monument to our campsite in the middle of the dune field. White Sands is like no other place I've ever been. With blinding white dunes stretching as far as you can see, it feels otherworldly. When the sun starts to set, the dunes become filled with shadows and subtle textures that make it famously scenic.

Growing up in the South, I naturally made many trips to beaches all over Florida. This year however was my first trip to the Everglades so I was able to experience something new in a pretty familiar place. We were only there for a few hours but the park presented some great opportunities to photograph an abundance of wildlife, which was the initial subject of my photography interest. It was an unplanned destination, but was well worth the effort. It reinforced my habit of always packing my camera.

Maroon Bells is one of the most photographed locations in the country and probably the world. At sunrise and sunset, you can see cameras and tripods packed into the edge of the lake to get shots of the Bells reflecting off the water. If you hang around a little longer, it becomes a very peaceful place. 

My wife Jaclyn and I left our aspen enveloped campsite around three o'clock in the morning to start the short but very steep hike to Hanging Lake. I insisted that we get there to see the sunrise. She was less enthusiastic. It was cold, but we were sweating climbing up the steep rocks. The possibility of a mountain lion watching us struggle along the dark trail entered our minds on more than one occasion, but I had a goal. We made it to the lake just in time to see the sun come up behind a solid blanket of gray clouds accompanied by a cool mist. Better light would have made better pictures but there is no substitute for seeing Hanging Lake in person.

I drove from Boulder, Colorado to Anchorage, Alaska to help my wife move for an internship. At first, I was unsure how I would deal with spending that much time in a car. Following the first day, I realized what a great opportunity it was, and we had not yet made it to the best parts of the drive. We drove eleven hours per day for five days. I never got bored. Hopefully, we can make that drive again someday because we have a lot more to see in Alaska. 

I was raised in Georgia, and it will always be my home. It is the place where I developed my love for the outdoors. I rarely get the opportunity to take photos in my home state anymore but I always take my camera. 

I visited Cuba in August 2017 just before Hurricane Irma caused severe damage to many parts of the island. Like most Americans, when I think of Cuba, I think of Havana. I picture beautiful, old architecture and buildings in disrepair. In that way, it was everything I expected. However, outside the city is equally impressive. It is a landscape like I have never seen before. Small but steep forested mountains rise out of coastal farms. Coffee and tobacco farming villages nestled in their valleys bustle with people and constant flurries of taxi horns looking for passengers on their way to Havana. 

It is a beautiful country with kind and welcoming people. I hope they are able to find a balance with the growing tourism industry that allows them to better their economy while preserving their culture. 

I spent Christmas in Breckenridge with my family this year. This being my first winter in Colorado, I am still new to taking photos in the snow. The scenery in Breckenridge, especially on the snowshoe trails, made it easy. It will not be my last visit. 

Boulder is one of the best cities in the country for people who like to get outdoors. The hiking trails in the city's Open Space and Mountain Parks system are second to none. It is easy to find great photo opportunities within a mile or two of Pearl Street. 

After visiting Crested Butte in the fall, it is one of my favorite locations in Colorado. The winding drive over Kebler Pass from downtown Crested Butte down into the Gunnison Valley is a dream for photographers. A short drive over to Marble, CO took us to the trail that leads to the ghost town of Crystal. It was a cold and windy hike to Crystal Mill. Luckily, the icy rain held off until the last quarter mile of the hike back to the car when we were forced to run up the muddy 4x4 trail.

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve seems to get lost in the abundance of scenic places in Colorado. The contrast of the massive dunes sitting just below snowcapped mountains covered in conifers is difficult to comprehend. It is, without a doubt, the most interesting landscape that I have witnessed in person.