Under the boundless sky, in the vast sea
An orca, Smith and Minor Island Aquatic Reserve, WA
A large male orca is hunting in the coastal water with the snow-capped Mt. Baker in the background.
Final destination
Golden Silk Orbweavers, Lake Ashby, FL
With its skull-like cephalothorax, a female Golden Silk Orbweaver and its male partner (in the back) are waiting for preys on their web.
Sand, Water and Light-EP3
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Sand was compressed into rocks; water carved out formations; light puts on the show.
Godzilla
Iguana, Key West, FL
An iguana, the creature mutated and became a gigantic monster in 1998 Godzilla movie, was basking on a beach.
Rewarding sweats
A fisherman, Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area, TX
Under the scorching sun, a fisherman carefully harvested his catch while dripping sweats.
A different way of living
Creeping vines, Key West, FL
It requires guts, and imagination, to live in a vertical space.
Mark of time
A tree trunk, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
A tree with deep-trenched bark that could only be made by time.
Sweet dream
A puppy, Kitty Hollow Park, TX
Exploring in the Spring grass, dreaming in the warm sunlight.
A bounty killer
A Mosquito Hunter Dragonfly, Everglade National Park, FL
Hello bunny
A rabbit, Arches National Park, UT
A fluffy rabbit was staring at its visitor with its huge but cute eyes.
Sky is the limit
kite surfer, Jones Beach State Park, NY
Against a strong wind, a kite surfer was dragging his kite while walking on the beach.
A bio-thermometer
Black Pool, West Thumb Geyser, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Different species of bacteria thrive in the water zones with different temperatures that are visually indicated by different colors of corresponding species.
Thank you, my friends
A coyote, Death Valley National Park, CA
A mother coyote bid farewell to the people that helped her.
Time could create
Green River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park, UT
Being constantly eroded by rainfall and river, the deep canyon has been formed such like it was cut by a sharp cleaver.
Overlook
A woman on the deck, North Caribbean Sea
In the bow section of a ship, a woman enjoyed her privacy while overlooking the vast and endless water.
Have a sunbath
A starfish, Bahai Honda Key, FL
A starfish enjoyed its being under the cast of shimmering light and shadow in the shallow water.
Sand, water and light-EP2
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Sand was made into rocks; water sculptured the rocks; light directs the show.
Chip off the old block
A surfer and his son, Galveston beach, TX
A serious father is coaching his son for surfing techniques. Both of them quite enjoy it, albeit awkwardly.
Change
A Gooseberry Jellyfish, Las Palomas Wildlife Management Area, TX
A beached Gooseberry Jellyfish is changed into a crystal-clear ball that focuses the sunlight into a halo. To some extent, this is the climax of its life.
It’s so cool!
A lizard, Canyonland National Park, UT
Under a scorching sun heat, a little lizard found its cool comfort zone, and enjoyed it.
Race from day to night
A NASCAR race, Daytona Speedway, FL
Although the last sunbeam is just about to vanish behind the horizon, the heat of the race just reached its peak.
The brushed sky
Star trails, Cherry Spring State Park, PA
The dark sky seems being brushed by a colorfully inked brush with one stroke, leaving numerous lines with uneven thickness and gaps.
A role model couple
Wild Turkeys, Cataloochee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC
A Turkey couple graze in the valley.
King of Bahamas
A crew of a sailing boat, Nassau, Bahamas
Shortly after leaving the port, a crewman showed up and said: “Do you know the Queen of Egypt?…I’m the King of Bahamas.”
Who want to play chess?
Arrays of hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
The colorful hoodoo formations mimic alignments of chess pieces.
I have a bed
A Flamingo, Pittsburgh Zoo, Pittsburgh, PA
A Flamingo rested its head on its back. It’s time to hit the sack.
Magic
Sky and a grassland during magic hour, Canyonlands National Park, UT
Unrealistic reality
A house facet covered by magenta bougainvillea, Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA
Sand, water, and light-EP1
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Antelope Canyon, AZ
Sand was compressed into rocks; water carved out rocks; light puts on the show.
One on another
A yacht carrying a small boat, Nassau, Bahamas
A fully-equipped yacht is heading out to the open water. It is unclear how to get the small boat on the yacht onto the water if needed.
Home sweet home
A Ghost crab, Avalon Beach, FL
A Ghost crab was carefully checking its surroundings, while still partially hiding its body in its home, a burrow.
A master of migration
A Monarch butterfly, Luray, VA
Monarch butterfly is distinguished from other species due to its jaw-dropping migration route that spans thousands of miles between Canada and Mexico (its overwintering site). The migration distance is so long that a full cycle is finished not by one but four generations.
Photographers love S curve-Example 2
A man-made structure in an attraction (Radiator Springs Racers), Disneyland, CA
24/7
A lighthouse with red beacon, Acadia National Park, Maine
A lighthouse sending red signals is on duty 24/7, which is very necessary on such a rocky coastline.
What did you say?
A curious horse, Solvang, CA
A curious horse approaches its visitors, and raised its ears to capture the conversation.
Not more or less, just perfect
Foliage covered in morning fog, Great Smoky National Park, NC
The dense fog accumulated during the night was retreating under the exposure of morning sunlight. When it was just about the disappear completely, the perfect light condition created a special filter that desaturated the warm colors of the trees and gave them a brisk look.
Symmetry
Palace of Fine Arts Theatre, San Francisco, CA
The symmetric dome structure seen from under.
Diversity
A street scene, Pittsburgh, PA
From near to far, from the modern-style graffiti to the everyday shopping district to the sacred church, what a diverse and interesting composition.
Meaningful death
Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY
A forest killed by hot springs vacated the environment for other creatures, just such as the bacteria living in the hot water.
Where am I
A doll, Brown University, Providence, RI
A decorative doll posed as drunk was hung to flag the location of a bar, which is genius way to attract and navigate customers.
Red and blue
A lobster shack house, Georgetown, ME
A perfect combination of red and blue, catalyzed by warm afternoon sunlight.
To the master
Layered rocks, Grand Canyon West, Grand Canyon National Park, AZ
A diagonal line was formed by the edge of colored rock layers due to erosion. The image composition was inspired by a masterpiece, Approaching Shadow, created by Fan Ho, a celebrated Chinese photographer, film director and actor.
Indistinguishable
Lake Tahoe, NV
The vastness, the rocky beach, and the greenish blue color of the mineral-enriched water make you think you are looking at a sea, not a lake.
You look tasty
A black bear, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
A black bear, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
A black bear that was feeding on acorns was suddenly distracted by the visitors nearby. Fortunately, its appetite and craving were not distracted.
Do you want to live here?
Houses along the beach, Monterey, CA
Outlined
Tree branches covered in snow, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA
The tree branches are outlined by the snow resting on them. The same visual effect can be seen in the traditional Chinese painting with a technique called outlining.
First time in life
A boy learning fishing from his grandfather, Osterville, MA
Right after receiving tutoring from his experienced grandfather, the boy caught his first fish in life.
It’s so hot
Smoky forests, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC
Fog retreated from the forests when exposed to the morning sunlight. It’s like the forests were steaming, which is a perfect example how this park got its name.
How do you like my eyeliners
A bison with charming eyeliners, Grand Teton National Park, WY
After a soothing dust bath, a bison wears naturally made eyeliners around its moisturized eyes, which delivers a less ferocious but more charming look.
See you tomorrow
Sunset seen from Clingmans Dome, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, NC
Different I am
A red maple on the bank of Peabody River, White Mountain National Forest, NH
A maple tree dyed with vivid red color without any peer in the surroundings is extremely eye-catching in the golden hour.
A feather fallen on a rock
El Capitan, Yosemite National Park, CA
A piece of cloud looks like a feather resting on the top of El Capitan.
The show today is called Eating
A squirrel eating a pine cone, Acadia National Park, ME
A squirrel eating a pine cone, Acadia National Park, ME
A little squirrel chose a colorful stone as the stage to display his best-seller performance, eating a pine cone. It was a great show, however, too short, because he ate so fast.
We need a roof
A fungi-infested tree bark, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
A unknown type of fungi grows from the grooves of a living tree bark.
We are different
A green-grassed land under a colorful hill, Mollys Pond, VT
Flowing life
An emerald-colored hot spring, Yellowstone National Park, WY
A seemingly dead hot water creek is actually full of life, the bacteria that is vividly emerald-pigmented.
Longing
A bird in cage, San Diego Zoo, CA
What is there on its mind? Is it longing for something?
A leaf in the wind
A sailboat, Hudson River, NY
In dusk, a sailboat with its sails folded was floating on the wavy water.
Catch me if you can
A pronghorn doe, Grand Teton National Park, WY
A pronghorn doe frequently checked on her stalker to prevent being approached.
I hope nobody saw me
A young seal, Santa Catalina Island, CA
A young seal activated its “stealth mode” while searching for food. However, when noticed someone was looking, an awkward and embarrassed look appeared on its face.
Tug of war
A rocky coast, Acadia National Park, ME
In a typical scene in the Maine coast, the rugged sharp rocks are trying to pierce the ocean while being eroded by the tidy water relentlessly. Who is gonna win?
The radio tower
Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh, PA
Cathedral of Learning with its antenna on top looks like a radio tower broadcasting to the outer space.
Let’s make a mark
A shoe-hung tree, Middlegate, NV
A gigantic tree with all kinds of shoes dangling stands on the roadside along US. 50. For more about shoe tossing, please click here.
Don’t take my breakfast!
A man beach fishing in the morning, Marina, CA
A man in wader was fishing along the Marina Beach that was glowing under the very first morning glory. However, he was not alone. A flock of Heermann’s Gulls was having their morning feasting frenzy nearby.
One is enough
A maple leaf on a moss-covered rock, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
A single piece of fallen leaf, instead of a whole colorful forest, can also tell the coming of fall.
Can you hear my prayer?
Lourdes Grotto, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
I’m lonely :(
A lone tree in the meadow, Cades Cove, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN
Compass in the dark
Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse, Portland, ME
A lighthouse, a symbolic totem in Portland, stands at the end of a pier made of boulders.
Left or right
An Appalachian trail post, NC
Continue or stop? Proceed or return? Left or right?, etc. There are so many but similar questions. But the key is which answer you pick.
Leave me alone!
Humpback whales, Cape Cod, MA
Humpback whales, Cape Cod, MA
Humpback whales, Cape Cod, MA
Humpback whales began diving when detected the approaching of whale watching boats.
Endless
A Road, Death Valley National Park, CA
A typical road in Death Valley that stretches out to the skyline.
No Trespassing!
A chipmunk, Mt. Rainier National Park, WA
A little land owner tried to intimidate the intruder with its ferocious appearance.
The Point
Downtown Pittsburgh at night
The Point park in downtown Pittsburgh where three rivers merge.
The good, the bad and the ugly
Great Cormorants, Falmouth, MA
Three Great Cormorants rested on abandoned structure after breakfast.
A cracking sky
A Sycamore in winter, Pittsburgh, PA
In a brisk winter sunny day, the leafless Sycamore branches create a visual effect that looks like a solid piece of azure glass is cracking.
I don’t belong here
Rocks on a sandy beach, Garrapata Beach, CA
Unique rocks on a typical sandy beach in California disturb the scene but create a dramatic role in the frame.
Sup!
A female deer, Shenandoah National Park, VA
A doe raised its head while foraging at dusk.
It won’t be bad with all primary colors in play
Road among trees, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
Blue Ridge Parkway meanders among colorful trees with blue sky above, which has a perfect combination of three primary colors.
It’s good to have pink in this way
Racetrack Playa under strange pink light, Death Valley National Park, CA
In a very brief moment right before sunset, the sun light hit the vast but thin cloud that acted like a huge diffuse box. The spectrum was filtered with nothing left but pink color that dyed the entire sky and ground.
The sky breaks, finally
The face of a hill exposed to sun light after a rain storm, Blue Ridge Parkway, NC
The sky broke after a two-day rain storm, and cast bright light to part of a leafy hill, which boosted the vibrant colors and contrast between the foreground and background.
I’m taller than you
Joshua trees, Joshua Tree National Park, CA
A heart, broken or not?
Blue Mussel shells, Acadia National Park, ME
A romantic heart made by two blue mussel shells.
Can someone show me how?
A young sea gull and a clam, Easton’s Beach, Newport, RI
A hungry sea gull juvenile was relentlessly pecking a clam but failed to crack it. Hope it had learned something.
Oil painting
Long Point Beach, Provincetown, MA
The gradual color development from blueish green to green to yellowish green from foreground to background creates a feeling like you see an oil painting.
Perfect match
A building in Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
In a so lucky angle, a spare fits in the clearance shaped by nearby trees.
Silky spirit
Grotto Falls, Great Smoky Mountain National Park, TN
A very crowded spot. It took forever to have a clear shot, but it’s worth it.
Pulchritude of afterlife
A dead tree stump, NV
Time doesn’t care if beauty is timeless, regardless of life or death.
A time machine, sort of
A train locomotive, Barnstable, MA
A discarded locomotive, or a piece of time machine, has traveled from the past to the present. Where will it go in the future?
Once upon a time in the West
Bodie, CA
Bodie, CA
Bodie, CA
A deserted gold rush town is now a ghost town and protected as a historic site.
Winter’s theme
A snow-covered trail, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA
Road, car and nothing else
US 50, NV
The plain beauty of the claimed loneliest road in the US, U.S. Route 50, in NV.
Trees with eyes
A Quaking Aspen forest near Lake Tahoe, NV
In the blue hours, a small forest of Quaking Aspen perfectly casts an eerie atmosphere with its unique feature, eye-like branch knots.
How
Moving rocks on Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park, CA
Moving rocks on Racetrack Playa, Death Valley National Park, CA
The mysterious movements of rocks in Death Valley.
Photographers love S curve-Example 1
Linn Cove Viaduct, Blue Ridge Parkway, Mile post 304, NC
The famous birds-eye view of Linn Cove Viaduct at MP 304 of Blue Ridge Parkway.
It’s better without golfers
A golf course under golden morning light, Falmouth, MA
Boys’ Disney land
Sand Mountain Recreation Area, NV
Sand Mountain Recreation Area, NV
Sand Mountain Recreation Area, NV
A perfect place for mount bike and ATV lovers along Route 50 in NV.
Artistic but tragic
Treeline in Great Smoky National Parks, TN
A perfect example of infestation caused by alien insects. The dead trees (white) among the trees still alive form an artistic pattern.
The art of light and shadow
A beach fence, Sandwich, MA
The straight lines of the fence and the curved lines of the shadow echo in harmony.
Quiet, please!
Hall of Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh
Hall of Cathedral of Learning, University of Pittsburgh
The interior of Cathedral of Learning on the first floor. Let me tell you this, your mouth will be automatically shut when you walk inside.
Is somebody living here?
A house pained with vibrant colors, Newport, RI
The front of a beautiful house in the historic district of Newport, RI.
Nobody dislike tan, right?
A seal enjoying sun bath, Monterey, CA
A seal in the shallow water of Monterey Bay was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun bath in its comfort zone.
First Gambling town
Virginia City, NV
Virginia City, NV
Virginia City, NV
Main street of Virginia City after a brief snow storm.
Can you believe it?
A man with its lucky catch, Osterville, MA
A man was so happy with his catch. “Can you believe it?”, he yelled.
A lovely catty that never meows
Neighbor’s cat, Cronton-on-Hudson, New York
A little creature cannot voice due to its nasal problem. But it’s very pretty, don’t you think?
Pittsburgh skyline
Downtown Pittsburgh in winter, PA
The Pittsburgh downtown seen from Mt. Washington.
Best swimming pool ever
Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park, CA
Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park, CA
Beautiful water on a gorgeous summer day. My dad said this is the best water he has ever swim in.
First post ever
A bird, Sandusky, Ohio
This photo was taken not too long after I started learning how to shoot back to 2012. I still like it today even after years of rapid evolution of techniques and taste (you know most times you hate your photos so much even though you loved it to death when you first shot it).