Emberlight on the Meadow – A Morning to Remember at Rainier
Glowing skies, golden foliage, and a fleeting moment of alignment at Mount Rainier — this is the story of chasing light in “Emberlight on the Meadow.”
Anticipation on the Road to Paradise
Some mornings just feel different.
As I drove up toward Paradise, the sky had already begun to blush with color — a surefire sign that something special was about to unfold. That quiet thrill began to stir in my chest, the kind of feeling that makes you speed up ever so slightly, double-check your gear in the passenger seat, and steal glances at the clouds glowing above the treeline.
I knew this morning had potential.
The Rush for Composition
By the time I pulled into the lot, the clouds above Rainier were already starting to bloom with color. I scrambled out of the car, breath pluming in the cold morning air, fumbling to find the composition I had carefully scouted the day before.
There’s always a moment of frantic energy when you know the light is about to peak — and you’re not quite set up. Tripod legs clatter open. Gloves half on. Lens cap somewhere in the grass. And then…
The Emberlight Moment
Mount Rainier stood bold and radiant, its shoulders wrapped in drifting clouds painted in hues of lavender and flame. In front of me, the scrub oak burned gold, echoing the sky above. I paused for a breath — the light, the tones, the stillness — it all aligned.
Rainier is never a guarantee. The mountain creates its own weather, and many trips end in whiteouts or disappointment. But that morning? That morning was perfect.
This frame, Emberlight on the Meadow, is one of those images that feels like a reward not just for being there — but for loving the process.
Location & Gear
**📍 Location:** Paradise, Mount Rainier
**🧭 Trail & Access:** Skyline Trail
**🎒 Gear Used:**
- Canon R5
- 15–35mm f/2.8
- Really Right Stuff tripod
Where the Wind Meets the Wild – A Morning Descent into Fury
Before dawn, I scrambled down a cliffside on the Oregon Coast, guided only by crashing waves and instinct. What I found was raw, untamed ocean power beneath a glowing sky.
In the dark, before the horizon softened into color, I stood at the edge of a cliff on the Oregon Coast with nothing but the roar of waves below. I had traced the trailhead the day before, but nothing quite prepares you for descending steep terrain by headlamp, knowing only by sound how close the sea is.
Each crashing wave echoed upward — deafening and relentless. There’s a primal awe that comes with hearing the Pacific in a mood like that. My boots slipped on loose gravel as I lowered myself toward a jagged shore, adrenaline overriding hesitation.
When the first blush of light painted the sea stacks, I froze. I had never seen waves this size in person. They rose and collapsed in slow, thunderous rhythm — nature’s violence and beauty in equal measure. The cliffs lit up with warm gold, casting long shadows across the frothing whitewater below.
This image, *Where the Wind Meets the Wild*, is one of my favorite captures from that morning. It’s not just about light or composition — it’s about reverence. For danger, for discovery, and for the places that make you feel small in the best possible way.
This morning reminded me why I chase light and solitude in wild places. Sometimes the hardest descents bring the most unforgettable moments. Where the Wind Meets the Wild is available as a fine art print in multiple sizes.
Location & Gear
**📍 Location:** Northern Oregon Coast
**🧭 Trail & Access:** Unmarked spur trail (~0.5 miles, steep and loose — not recommended when wet)
**🎒 Gear Used:**
- Canon R5
- 15–35mm f/2.8
- Neutral Density Filter
- Really Right Stuff tripod with spiked feet for rocky terrain