As I sit here in the summer heat of Phoenix, with my fingers wrapped around a steaming mug of freshly brewed coffee, I'm compelled to share an experience that stirred my soul and reminded me why I fell in love with landscape photography.

I want to get serious about sharing my photography and journey with you. And so today begins that journey. I hope that you enjoy the photographs that I send your way. I hope they bring a smile to your face or ignite a yearning to be in that place - to smell the salt air or feel the gentle caress of the wind on your skin.

Or at least my photos will give you a small break from the busyness of life! And so to begin, here is my story for this photo below:

When I lived in Virginia, I once found myself alone on the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was fall, and the leaves were turning from the deep greens to the beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows of the promise of the coming season. What I remembered most was the quiet, the stillness of the air, and the scent of the forest. My camera bag was heavy on my shoulder, and I eagerly walked along the Parkway. The world was shrouded in fog, and as I waited, breath held, the sun began to rise.

What unfolded before me was nothing short of magical.

The first rays pierced the mist, transforming the forest into an ethereal wonderland. Beams of golden light danced through the canopy, illuminating droplets of moisture hanging in the air. The autumn leaves - a tapestry of crimsons, ambers, and emeralds - seemed to glow from within.

I felt a profound connection to the land as I stood there, lost in the moment. The earthy scent of damp leaves filled my lungs. Somewhere in the distance, a bird called out, breaking the reverent silence. The mist swirled and eddied around tree trunks like gentle spirits of the forest.

When I finally placed my camera on my tripod and composed my scene, my hands trembled - not from the cold, but from a mix of excitement and humility. How could I possibly capture the raw beauty before me?

The resulting image, "Morning Light on the Blue Ridge Parkway," is my humble attempt to share this transcendent moment with you. As you look at it, I hope you can feel the cool air on your skin, hear the soft rustle of leaves, and experience that same sense of wonder that washed over me.

This photograph is more than just light and color captured on the sensor. It's a reminder of the profound peace we can find in nature if only we take the time to seek it out. It's an invitation to step away from our busy lives, even for a moment, and reconnect with the quiet magic surrounding us.

I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to witness and document such fleeting, beautiful moments. And I'm equally grateful to you for allowing me to share this journey with you.
May "Morning Light on the Blue Ridge Parkway" bring a moment of serenity to your day and perhaps inspire you to seek out your moments of natural wonder.

With warmest regards from the misty mountains,