Images of Nature - Instruction - Workshops
Views of Nature Photography
North American Travel Programs
Death Valley
Death Valley National Park, located in eastern California, is the largest National Park in the lower 48 states, totaling over 3.4 million acres. This program will introduce the audience to this remarkable scenic and historical wonder. We'll discuss the history, geology, climate and logistics for a visit or for a photographic adventure. As an added bonus. we'll head over the Panamint Mountains on the western edge of Death Valley to the Owens Valley, at the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Here we'll explore some unique geologic and historic sites.
To see some images and learn more click: Death Valley
Colorado's Historic Railroads
Colorado's railroad history goes back to the mid 1800s. Many of the remnants of 19th and early 20th century railroads are still with us. This program will take the audience to many locations where these remnant remain and then experience several of the scenic railroads that still run. Riding historic trains is fun and educational and in this program we provide the knowledge to go to the best railroad experiences Colorado has to offer.
Monuments of the Four Corners Region
The incredible rock features as well as the mysterious cliff dwellings make this area a doubly interesting trip. The Ancestral Puebloans who inhabited the cliff dwellings, mesa top settlements and many archaeological sites in the Southwest are the ancestors of today’s Pueblo culture, the Hopi and Zuni. The other major tribe, the Navajo, arrived a bit later and now occupy the areas in eastern Utah and northeastern Arizona.
Our adventure starts at Mesa Verde then going west and south to Canyon de Chelly, up to Monument Valley and back to Hovenweep and Canyon of the Ancients. We’ll look at the human impacts and the geologic features of this vast area of land. As we explore the people, we’ll look at the ancient and modern societies.
To see some images and learn more click: Monument Valley Canyon de Chelly
Atlantic Canada
This part of Canada has a long and varied history of English, Scottish, French and American influence. It also has a serene natural beauty that soothes the soul. These provinces are tightly coupled to the sea and as such offer visitors a variety of experiences ranging from culinary delights to grand festivals.
Halifax, capital of Nova Scotia, is a short flight from many east coast U. S. cities and is our entry into the Atlantic Provinces
Our presentation features a tour of the cities, countryside and more remote sections of Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. We’ll explore the scenic beauty, some of the special events and look at the history of this far eastern part of our northern neighbor.
Colorado Ghost and Mining Towns
Colorado’s mountains are full of historic mining towns. Some are vibrant tourist spots, others quiet vacation spots and still others have faded away leaving only a few dilapidated structures. This presentation takes the audience to over a dozen towns and explores their history, current status and glimpse into their future.
To see some images and learn more click: Ghost Towns
Colorado's Historic Eastern Plains
Colorado's eastern plains hold many opportunities to explore and photograph historic sites and natural beauty. Features include the 150 million year old dinosaur tracks in Picketwire Canyon, the remnants of the more recent human history preserved in local history museums and the stark realities of the Japanese Interment Camp near Granada and the poignant reminders of Sand Creek. Couple those with the native rock art and the re-creation of Bent's Old Fort trading post near La Junta and you can see why this region is worth spending many days exploring. Our program will provide the audience with images and stories about many of the small towns, picturesque canyons and the human history of this vast area.
To see some images and learn more click: Eastern Colorado
Washington State and the Pacific Northwest
The Pacific Northwest is exemplified by the area surrounding greater Seattle. In this region we find the rain forest of the western edge of the western edge of the Olympic range, the urban setting of Seattle, the placid San Juan Islands and the arid expanse of the Yakima Valley. Within each of these areas are sites that excite the traveler. Seattle is a short two-hour flight from the Denver area. Once there, the opportunities to sample the food, the scenery and the lifestyle abound.
Our presentation takes the audience on a tour of the Olympic Peninsula, the Pike’s Place Fish Market, the Yakima Valley, the Boeing Museum and other sites in western Washington. In addition, we have updated this presentation to include images and information from a recent trip. New places and activities include whale watching opportunities in the Juan de Fuca Strait, Butchart Gardens in Victoria, B.C. and additional places on the Olympic Peninsula.
New England in Fall
New England in the fall is an experience that all travelers must have. The rich color, crisp air, the wonderful food and the experience of moving through the ever-changing landscapes allow travelers to renew themselves and create great memories.
Trees and shrubs in fall color, white churches, covered bridges and ocean front scenes all cry out NEW ENGLAND. These iconic images along with travel suggestions provide our audience with an incentive and a plan to visit this incredible region.
We’ll go from the urban setting of Boston to the coast of Maine, then to the rural regions of Vermont and New Hampshire. We’ll even make a short jaunt into Ontario, Canada.
Our tour will show the fall color, the historic structures, the quaint villages and the overall flavor of New England in the fall.
The San Luis Valley of Colorado
The San Luis Valley is located in south central Colorado and is one of the most diverse and interesting parts of the state with its history, scenery, wildlife, and modern life experiences. Spanish settlements date back hundreds of years while humans have been here on and off since the Clovis period over 10,000 years ago. Wildlife migration routes date back many millennia.
The Valley is about a four-hour drive from Denver. Upon entering the Valley, the majesty of the mountains and the vast expanses take over. Add in the traditional food at local establishments and the experience just gets better.
We will explore the history, the available activities, the wildlife and the modern life of the Valley. Our many trips to this region allow us to pass on tips and ideas on how the traveler can enjoy the area.
All photographs on this site are copyrighted by the photographers and carry liability if copied, downloaded, reproduced or manipulated in any way without prior consent.
email: viewsofnature@comcast.net
Southern New Mexico (and a little of west Texas)
Travel with us from El Paso (where we’ll stop by the local zoo) up into New Mexico to visit a variety of places. We’ll explore Hueco Tanks Texas State Park with its Native American rock art and Guadalupe National Park, a Park that is almost all trails. We’ll venture into New Mexico to visit two very well-known sites, Carlsbad Caverns and White Sands National Monument. In addition, while in Alamogordo to visit White Sands, we’ll go to a small zoo and visit a great museum dedicated to America’s space program. This presentation will give ideas on exploring an area of the southwest you may not have put on your must-see list.
To see some images and learn more click: Carlsbad White Sands