The Stokksnes peninsula and beach were high on my list of places to visit in Iceland. It's a common photography spot, since the stunning mountains descend right to the beach. However, when I got there, there was nothing to photograph. A storm was firmly socked in, with lots of snowfall and virtually no visibility. Sadly, I moved on. However, after driving around a few fjords, I saw the mountains of Stokksnes appear in my rear view mirror. I pulled over and soaked it in. From this less-common side of the mountains, the storm made for a rather beautiful scene.

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If you see Croatia by boat, as I did, make sure you take an excursion inland. The Dalmatian Coast is admittedly some of the most stunning shoreline I've ever seen, and it's hard to pull yourself away. But the Croatian Countryside has a lot to offer, too. Take Krka National Park, the location of this photograph. The Krka River, which cascades through these foothills of the Dinaric Alps, is the longest river in Croatia. In this canyon, the makeup of the rock allows for the solidification of minerals dissolved in the river, creating formations known as tufa. But beyond having amazing landscapes and geology, it also has amazing history. Native people have fished these rivers, and harnessed their power for milling grain, for millennia. And despite many worldwide empires having come through the region, their culture and way life is still alive and well.

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There's only two or three photographs that when I see them, my first thought is "wow, I remember how cold I was." Obviously, the California winter storm pictured here is nothing like the blizzards in other parts of the country. Heck, it's nothing like the blizzards in other parts of the state. These Santa Cruz Mountains are remarkably mild. But that means you're typically not dressed like you would be for a nor'easter. And here at Russian Ridge, the winds coming off the Pacific can rip over these mountains at surprising speeds. Couple that with the fog and 100% humidity, and near freezing temperatures, and it can feel like the coldest shower you've ever taken.

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This photo has quite the story to go along with it. It had been raining in the area a lot for the past few days. During a brief break in the rains, I thought I'd try to go capture some lush hillsides. At first I thought I'd go to Coyote Hills, but as I approached them, it was clear they were still brown. However, I could see some beautiful emerald hillsides rising in the distance (what I now know to be the Garin/Dry Creek/Pioneer parks). I had never explored these hills yet, so I whipped out my phone to see if there were any public, explorable parks in the hills ahead. And then, I got pulled over and given a ticket for using my phone. Oh well, I can't say I didn't deserve it. But undeterred, I still explored the hills. It was a lovely setting, as the approaching storms coated the hills in dappled, evanescent sunlight. Overall, I think it was worth the ticket.

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My title for this photograph is perhaps a bit too abstract, even for me. "Behind The Mask" pays homage to the name of the waterfall in this picture, Phantom Falls. Get it? Like how the phantom wears a mask? Maybe not. Anyway, if you don't see the waterfall in this photo, that's because this vantage is above the falls. Right in the center of the image, where the creek ends, the water plunges over a massive basalt cliff, becoming Phantom Falls. I love how this vantage feels nearly polar opposite compared to when you are looking at the waterfall and cliff. It feels almost like a "behind the scenes" look at the drama of Phantom Falls. While the waterfall is one of the most dramatic I've ever seen, from here it is total peace and tranquility -- a much more accurate representation of the true feel of North Table Mountain Ecological Preserve.

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The name of this photograph comes from the nature of this waterfall. Phantom Falls (in North Table Mountain Ecological Preserve, in the Chico/Oroville area, California) is so named because sometimes you see it, and sometimes you don't. It only appears after prolonged rain, towards the end of the wet season. And it can dry up rather quickly, too, with the hot sun as well as very absorbent volcanic ground. This photo was taken in mid to late spring, with probably only a few weeks of water flow left. But the grass was green and lush, and still hid a few poppy blossoms. The place truly came to life at sunset, when the shadows cast by the dramatic rock formations began to play games with the landscape.

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I've said it in other captions, but I'll say it again here. North Table Mountain is one of the coolest places I've ever been. Located just outside of Chico, California, the preserve protects ancient volcanic basalt rock formations. Phantom Falls, pictured here, is perhaps the main attraction. It's a seasonal waterfall that only appears in the rainy season. I took this photo at the very end of April, which is pretty dry. The waterfall had withered to a mere ribbon of water. In fact, it barely reached the bottom at all, misting into the air as it fell. This photo looks like it could have been taken from a drone, but it was actually just taken from a higher neighboring cliff.

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Here is another photo from up in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. This is taken on Alder Springs Trail, which is just lovely this time of year (early summer). The grass is drying but some trees are still blooming, and the whole landscape ends up with a nice warm, but complete, palette of colors. I've tried to capture that color palette here. I think my favorite part of this photo is the lone tree on the hillside in the middle-ground. It seems to be calling for attention but being forgotten at the same time.

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I came across this tree while hiking in the hills of the East Bay Area. When I saw it, it seemed like it was telling me to stay awhile. It offered plenty of shade, a nice break from the still-strong setting sun. It offered a nice place to sit, on a giant boulder underneath. But best of all, it offered one heck of a view. An unobstructed vista of the California's whole Bay Area, and plenty of rolling chaparral too. Not to mention, a front row seat for the sunset. I couldn't stay that long because I wasn't familiar enough with this park to hike in darkness, but I wanted to! Yet the title of this photograph doesn't only reflect what I thought when I saw this tree. It also reflects the tree itself. It looked like a very old tree, and so has undoubtedly "stayed awhile" itself. But drove that message home, for me at least, is the way the tree grew around the boulder. It may not have been the easiest path to adulthood, but this tree would not be deterred... or moved!

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This day in Russian Ridge had the sky of summer, but the mood of spring. As the rains of winter give way to sunny skies, the moist soil of the Santa Cruz Mountains is poised for a takeover. The tall dry grass is finally pushed out by this year's new flock. For a few fleeting months, these gentle hillsides are a lush wonderland. But in no time at all, this grass too will grow tall and brown. The cyclicality of these mountains is beautiful and mesmerizing, even on a year-long timescale. I wish I could say that each season has it's perks. In reality, they do, but I quickly tire of summer, and always eagerly await the season of green.

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