reric.org photos

A massive, rocky mountain range dominates the background, featuring steep cliffs and patches of white snow. In the foreground, dark silhouettes of coniferous trees stand against the bright landscape. The sky is a deep, cloudless blue, suggesting a bright and clear day.

The granite giants reach for heavens blue,
With crowns of white upon their stony brow.
A forest stands in shadows, dark and true,
To ancient peaks the silent spirits bow.
The sunlight strikes the ridges sharp and high,
While valleys sleep in emerald and shade.
A vast expanse of bright and open sky,
Where light and shadow play a grand parade.
The needles of the pine are dark and deep,
Against the mountain's pale and rugged face.
While silent sentinels their vigil keep,
Within this wild and high and lonely place.
Nature's grandeur in a silent roar,
Upon the earth and through the heavens' door.

blue, cliffs, conifers, evergreen, forest, hiking, mountains, nature, north bend, outdoors, peaks, rocky, sky, snow, wilderness

Two prominent, sharp mountain peaks are partially covered in snow. In the foreground, the dark silhouettes of dead tree trunks and evergreen branches frame the view. The sky is a solid, bright blue, indicating a clear day.

The granite teeth reach up to touch the sky,
In silent prayer beneath the azure dome.
Where eagles drift and mountain spirits fly,
This rugged realm becomes the climber's home.
The snow clings fast to every jagged crest,
A white shroud draped upon the ancient stone.
While shadows fall upon the mountain's breast,
And winds through lonely canyons softly moan.
The skeletal remains of timber stand,
Dark silhouettes against the brilliant light.
They guard the secrets of this wild land,
Before the coming of the winter night.
Though stone and wood may weather and decay,
The mountain peaks remain in grand array.

blue, cliffs, evergreens, hiking, mountains, nature, north bend, peaks, rock, silhouettes, sky, snow, trees, wilderness

A black dog wearing a bright yellow collar moves through dense green vegetation. The image is heavily motion-blurred, creating streaks of green and brown. The setting appears to be a wooded trail or forest floor.

A streak of black amidst the forest green,
Where shadows dance and light begins to fade.
A fleeting shape, a motion barely seen,
Within the leafy depths and dappled shade.
The world dissolves in lines of emerald hue,
As rapid movement sweeps the vision wide.
A yellow spark, a collar bright and new,
Where wild and wandering spirits reside.
The path is lost to blur and rushing sight,
As colors bleed into a rushing stream.
No steady form remains within the light,
Just fragments of a passing, woodland dream.
Through tangled brush the silent traveler goes,
While all the world in motion softly flows.

animal, black dog, canine, dog, foliage, forest, green, hiking, luna, motion blur, nature, north bend, woods, yellow collar

Dark, leafless tree trunks stand in the foreground, creating a silhouette against the landscape. In the background, steep, rocky mountain slopes are partially covered with patches of snow. A bright blue sky with a single soft white cloud hangs above the peaks.

The dark silhouettes of timber reach on high,
To frame the peaks that wear a crown of white.
A brilliant blue adorns the summer sky,
And bathes the rugged cliffs in morning light.
The rocky slopes are steep and grand to see,
With patches of the winter's frozen lace.
They stand in silent, ancient majesty,
Within this wild and high and lonely place.
Through jagged boughs the sun begins to glow,
Upon the granite walls so vast and grey.
While shadows dance on valleys far below,
To mark the passing of a mountain day.
In nature's grip the quiet spirit finds,
Its peace away from all the worldly minds.

blue, clouds, forest, hiking, mountains, nature, north bend, outdoors, rocky, silhouettes, sky, snow, trees, white, wilderness, winter

A rustic wooden bridge with a large curved arch spans a calm river. The structure is made of weathered timber and supported by thin metal cables. Surrounding the bridge is a thick forest of evergreen trees under a dim, twilight sky.

The wooden arch ascends toward the sky,
Above the river's slow and silent flow.
Where shadows of the forest softly lie,
And evening light begins its gentle glow.
The timber weathered by the rain and time,
Is held by cables thin as spider's thread.
Through ancient woods where quiet spirits climb,
Upon the path where weary hikers tread.
The water ripples deep in shades of teal,
Beneath the structure's heavy, curved embrace.
A sense of stillness is the only feel,
Within this dark and secluded forest space.
Though twilight falls and colors fade from sight,
The bridge remains a ghost within the night.

arch bridge, bridge, evergreen, forest, hiking, nature, north bend, outdoor, river, timber, trees, twilight, water, wood, wooden bridge

A close-up shot shows a small, smooth-capped fungus emerging from a crevice in a weathered tree trunk. The wood is covered in green moss and textured bark. The lighting is soft, highlighting the contrast between the white cap and the dark wood. at Red Mountain

Upon the ancient bark of weathered wood,
A tiny life emerges from the shade.
Where once the mighty forest giants stood,
This quiet bloom in silent light is laid.
The mossy green provides a velvet bed,
As sunlight filters through the canopy.
With cap of white and base of deep, dark red,
A small and secret forest mystery.
No wind disturbs this quiet, wooden stage,
Where life finds purchase in the damp and old.
It writes upon the bark a living page,
In shades of ivory and earthy gold.
In nature's realm where silent wonders grow,
The smallest things are often all we know.

bark, brown, forest, fungus, green, growth, macro, moss, mushroom, nature, tree trunk, white, wood

A close-up shot of a rounded, light-colored fungus resting on a dark, mossy piece of wood. The surface of the mushroom is heavily textured with many clear dew or rain droplets. The background consists of dark forest floor debris, including twigs and decaying organic matter. at Red Mountain

Upon the ancient wood where shadows lie,
A silent traveler rests in damp repose.
With crystal tears beneath a heavy sky,
It drinks the moisture that the forest throws.
Its pale and rounded form, a ghostly sight,
Is pearled with droplets, clear and bright as glass.
It thrives within the dim and dappled light,
As quiet seasons through the woodland pass.
No sun descends to dry the morning dew,
Upon this orb of life in earthy bed.
In shades of cream and brown, a muted hue,
Where forest secrets are by silence fed.
A tiny world within a drop of rain,
Where life finds beauty in a soft domain.

brown, decay, dew, forest floor, fungus, log, macro, moisture, moss, mushroom, nature, water droplets, white, wood

Several light-colored, shelf-like fungi emerge from the dark, textured bark of a tree. The fungi feature small, raised white bumps across their smooth surfaces. Green moss clings to the damp, rugged bark surrounding the growth. at Red Mountain

Upon the ancient bark where shadows lie,
A silent life emerges from the wood.
Beneath the canopy and forest sky,
In damp and quiet realms where it has stood.
With pale and rounded forms of softest hue,
Small beads of light adorn their velvet skin.
They drink the morning mist and silver dew,
As life's slow, secret cycles now begin.
The mossy green surrounds the textured grey,
A quiet feast within the woodland shade.
While sunlight dances in a dappled play,
Upon the tiny wonders nature made.
In stillness grows this small and subtle prize,
Away from searching and the human eyes.

bark, forest, fungus, growth, macro, moss, mushroom, nature, pale, texture, tree, wood

Multiple shelf-like fungi with white undersides and brown, layered caps emerge from a textured wooden surface. The fungi are clustered together, showing various stages of growth. The lighting is bright, suggesting an outdoor forest setting. at Red Mountain

Upon the ancient bark where shadows play,
The silent dwellers claim their wooden throne.
In shades of brown and white they find their way,
In quiet realms where forest seeds are sown.
Their caps are layered like the rings of time,
With undersides as pale as winter snow.
In nature's rhythm, slow and most sublime,
They watch the seasons in their steady flow.
No sunlit bloom or petal bright they bear,
But sturdy shelves against the weathered grain.
They breathe the dampness of the forest air,
And drink the essence of the summer rain.
A quiet life within the woodland deep,
While all the world around them falls to sleep.

bracket fungi, brown, forest, fungus, growth, mushroom, nature, texture, tree trunk, white, wood

A husky dog with black and grey fur rests on a snowy slope amidst patches of dirt and rocks. Small evergreen trees and sparse vegetation emerge from the melting snow. The scene is set in a rugged, mountainous hiking area during a warmer season. hiking at Red Mountain

Upon the melting white, the traveler lies,
With fur of charcoal, silver, and of night.
Beneath the gaze of vast and open skies,
He rests away from summer's warming light.
The mountain path is carved in ice and stone,
Where evergreen and granite meet the ground.
He finds a quiet kingdom of his own,
Where peace and silent solitude are found.
The patches of the earth begin to show,
As winter's grip begins to fade away.
Through rocky trails where mountain breezes blow,
He pauses in the brightness of the day.
A loyal friend amidst the wild and grand,
Upon the thawing skin of mountain land.

animal, black, dog, evergreen, grey, hiking, husky, mountains, nature, resting, snow, summer, wilderness

A blonde woman wearing a beige fleece and grey hiking pants sits atop a large rock. She is holding a small snack in her hands and looking toward the camera. The background is filled with lush green trees and dense forest vegetation. hiking at Red Mountain

Upon a stone amidst the forest green,
She rests her weary limbs from mountain trails.
A quiet moment in the woodland scene,
As sunlight filters through the leafy veils.
With gentle gaze she meets the camera's eye,
While summer warmth descends upon the wood.
The verdant canopy reaches for the sky,
In this secluded, peaceful neighborhood.
A simple snack to fuel the journey long,
As shadows dance upon the mossy ground.
The forest sings its ancient, leafy song,
Where quiet solitude is easily found.
In nature's lap she takes a moment's rest,
By mountain air and sunlight truly blessed.

fleece, forest, green, hiking, laura, nature, outdoor, rock, sandals, sitting, snack, summer, trees, woman

The foreground shows the transparent, shallow water of a lake, revealing submerged logs and stones on the bottom. In the background, a steep scree slope is dotted with patches of snow and dense evergreen forests. The sunlight creates a bright reflection on the water's surface. hiking at Red Mountain, marmot whistling near rocks

The crystal pane reveals the world below,
Where sunken logs in silent slumber lie.
The mountain peaks in rocky grandeur show,
Beneath a bright and vast and summer sky.
The emerald trees stand guard upon the steep,
While patches of the winter snow remain.
In quiet depths the ancient secrets sleep,
Away from wind and sun and summer rain.
The surface shimmers with a silver light,
A mirror for the forest and the stone.
It captures every shadow, clear and bright,
In colors that the earth has made its own.
In stillness dwells the spirit of the wild,
Where nature's peace is perfectly compiled.

alpine, clear water, evergreen, hiking, lake, mountain, nature, reflection, rocks, scree, snow, submerged, trees, water

A white butterfly with dark markings on its wing edges perches on a stem of tiny white blossoms. The plant features slender green leaves and a tall, pale stem. The background is a soft, out-of-focus blend of green and brown foliage in natural light. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

Upon the snowy crest of summer's bloom,
A silent traveler finds a place to rest.
It escapes the forest's deep and leafy gloom,
By nature's gentle hand it is caressed.
With wings of pearl and edges traced in night,
It clings to petals soft and pure and bright.
In dappled sun and shifting morning light,
A tiny ghost of pure and pale delight.
The garden breathes in shades of emerald green,
While quiet life unfolds in summer's heat.
A peaceful grace within the woodland scene,
Where earth and sky in quiet beauty meet.
Though fleeting moments pass like summer air,
This tiny life is held in beauty rare.

butterfly, flora, flower, garden, gimped, hiking, insect, insects, macro, nature, plants, pollen, summer, white, wildflower, wings

A complex, circular spider web is illuminated by bright sunlight filtering through a dark canopy. The sun shines directly through the center of the web, creating a brilliant lens flare and highlighting the intricate silk threads. The surrounding background consists of dark, out-of-focus trees and branches. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

A silver net is spun with careful grace,
To catch the light within the forest deep.
It hangs amidst the shadows of this place,
While silent woods their ancient secrets keep.
The sun descends to pierce the silken ring,
A brilliant star caught in a web of thread.
Upon the strands, the golden rays will cling,
Where light and dark in quiet dance are wed.
No heavy hand has shaped this fragile lace,
But nature's art in patterns fine and bright.
It glows with such a soft and holy grace,
A tiny prism of the morning light.
Though small and thin, it holds a cosmic glow,
As sunbeams through the tangled branches flow.

animals, bokeh, forest, geometry, glimmer, hiking, light rays, macro, nature, outdoor, silk, spider, spider web, sunlight, treeline

The image features the intricate, twisted textures of an old tree trunk. Deep ridges and swirling patterns in the wood suggest decades of growth and decay. Patches of green moss cling to the rough, reddish-brown bark. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

Upon the forest floor the giant lies,
With twisted limbs and skin of weathered grey.
Where ancient secrets hide from human eyes,
And shadows dance as light begins to stray.
The swirling grain tells tales of passing years,
In patterns carved by wind and heavy rain.
Through seasons of our joys and all our fears,
The wood preserves the marks of sun and stain.
A velvet moss adorns the rugged face,
In emerald hues against the reddish bark.
It holds the spirit of this sacred place,
A silent witness in the deep and dark.
Though time may strip the living leaf away,
The knotted soul of nature's strength shall stay.

bark, brown, decay, forest, gimped, gnarled, green, hiking, moss, nature, organic, plants, swirls, texture, tree, trees, wood

A black and white photograph of a thick woodland area shrouded in fog. Tall, straight tree trunks dominate the vertical space, while the forest floor is covered in a chaotic layer of fallen branches and twigs. The atmosphere is quiet, moody, and heavily obscured by mist in the background. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

The silver mist descends upon the wood,
Where ancient giants stand in silent rows.
In shadows where the quiet spirits stood,
The heavy fog in ghostly silence flows.
A tangled web of branches lies below,
Upon the earth where fallen timber sleeps.
The light is dim, a pale and ghostly glow,
As through the bark the creeping darkness creeps.
No sun can pierce this veil of grey and white,
Nor warm the floor of sticks and broken pine.
The forest waits within the fading light,
Where tangled paths and shadows intertwine.
In monochrome, the silent woods remain,
To dream beneath the mist and softest rain.

black and white, branches, dense, fog, forest, gimped, hiking, mist, monochrome, nature, timber, trees, twigs, wilderness, woodland

A dense forest of coniferous trees is shrouded in a thick white mist. The trees appear as dark silhouettes against the bright, foggy background. The atmosphere is quiet, moody, and obscured by heavy fog. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

The silent giants stand in greyish light,
Their needles lost within the heavy shroud.
They wait through day and through the lonely night,
Beneath a veil of thick and ghostly cloud.
No sun descends to pierce the milky veil,
No color breaks the monochrome of old.
The forest tells a quiet, misty tale,
Of ancient wood and shadows dark and cold.
Each spire reaches for a hidden sky,
While vapor clings to every branch and limb.
The world is hushed as spirits wander by,
And all the forest light is growing dim.
In silver mist the silent watchers wait,
Within this pale and atmospheric state.

black and white, conifers, evergreens, fog, forest, gimped, hiking, mist, misty, monochrome, nature, outdoors, plants, silhouettes, trees, woodland

The camera is positioned at the base of a tree, looking directly up its trunk toward the canopy. The rough, deeply furrowed bark dominates the foreground with intricate textures and brown tones. Sunlight filters through the green leaves of the canopy in the background. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

Upon this rugged pillar, time has carved,
In deep and winding lines of ancient brown.
By sun and rain the thirsty wood is starved,
Yet wears its textured skin like a crown.
I gaze from low beneath the leafy height,
Where shadows dance upon the furrowed face.
The canopy obscures the morning light,
In this secluded, green and quiet place.
The ridges rise like mountains made of wood,
To reach the sky where emerald spirits play.
If only all the world were understood,
As clearly as the light in this display.
From roots to sky the silent giant grows,
In every grain, a secret story flows.

bark, brown, daylight, forest, gimped, green, hiking, low angle, nature, plants, texture, tree, trees, upward, wood

Vibrant green maple leaves are illuminated by bright sunlight, creating a high-contrast scene against a dark forest background. Moss-covered branches weave through the foliage, adding texture to the lush greenery. The dense canopy suggests a thick woodland setting during a bright summer day. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

The golden light descends through leafy lace,
To touch the emerald canopy above.
It finds the forest in a bright embrace,
And fills the woodland with a glow of love.
The maple leaves are bathed in summer's fire,
While shadows dance upon the mossy bark.
Each verdant branch fulfills a deep desire,
To catch the sun and banish all the dark.
A tapestry of green is woven tight,
Where dappled light and heavy shadow meet.
The forest wakes within the morning light,
And makes the summer's glory feel complete.
In every leaf, a spark of life is found,
Where quiet peace and radiant light abound.

bright, canopy, foliage, forest, gimped, green, hiking, maple leaves, moss, nature, plants, summer, sunlight, trees, woodland

The image features a close-up view of fern leaves illuminated by bright sunlight. The light shines through the translucent green foliage, highlighting the dark sori on the undersides of the leaflets. The background is a soft, out-of-focus blend of blue sky and dappled light. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

Upon the frond where golden light descends,
The emerald lace is bathed in summer's glow.
Each tiny spore its silent pattern lends,
As shadows dance and gentle breezes blow.
The sun pierces through the canopy high,
To touch the veins of green so fine and bright.
A tapestry beneath the open sky,
That captures every beam of morning light.
No heavy bloom or petal seeks the eye,
But simple grace in every serrated edge.
As light and shadow pass the traveler by,
Upon this verdant, living, leafy ledge.
In quiet woods where ancient spirits dwell,
The ferns weave out a bright and leafy spell.

backlit, botany, fern, foliage, forest, gimped, green, hiking, leaves, macro, nature, plants, summer, sunlight

The image features a detailed view of thick, light-colored fur covering a limb or paw. Small bits of dirt and debris are scattered throughout the hair. The subject rests upon a bed of small, grey and brown pebbles and forest debris. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

Upon the stones of grey and dusty brown,
A tuft of silvered fur lies soft and still.
No movement stirs within this quiet town,
Of pebbles cast beneath the forest hill.
The light descends to touch the tangled hair,
Where tiny specks of earth and shadow play.
A silent witness to the mountain air,
In textures woven in a soft array.
Each strand is marked by grit and woodland debris,
As sunlight dances on the coarse design.
From wilder paths where creatures wander free,
To resting spots where sun and shadow twine.
A simple form upon the rocky ground,
In quiet grace, a silent peace is found.

animal, close-up, dirt, fur, gimped, gravel, hair, hiking, nature, outdoor, paw, pebbles, texture

Small, round red berries are scattered among vibrant green leaves on thin, dark stems. Sunlight filters through the foliage, creating a translucent effect on the leaves and casting soft shadows. The background is a dark, out-of-focus forest setting. Hiking at Duckabush River, Washington, 2004

Upon the stem where summer shadows play,
The crimson jewels hang in morning light.
Through emerald leaves the sunbeams find their way,
To make the forest floor a glowing sight.
Each tiny sphere of red is ripe and round,
Against the verdant backdrop, bright and clear.
No greater treasure in the woods is found,
Than nature's bounty gathered very near.
The dappled light descends in golden streams,
To kiss the skin of fruit so sweet and small.
It captures all the forest's quiet dreams,
Before the autumn shadows start to fall.
A summer gift upon a slender vine,
Where light and life in perfect grace entwine.

berries, botany, foliage, forest, gimped, green, hiking, huckleberry, leaves, nature, plants, red, summer, sunlight, wildlife

A long-legged harvestman rests upon a large, irregular clump of dried mud and soil. The surrounding ground is composed of loose dirt, small pebbles, and bits of organic debris. The lighting is direct, casting harsh shadows against the uneven terrain. they were everywhere!

Upon the crust of earth so dry and grey,
A spindly walker moves with silent grace.
Its many legs in rhythmic, slow display,
Across the rugged, dusty, earthen face.
The shadows fall where jagged rocks reside,
In dimness where the hidden creatures dwell.
No place for weary travelers to hide,
Within this dry and sun-baked, rocky shell.
With slender limbs it navigates the grit,
A tiny ghost upon a barren land.
Where light and darkness in the crevices sit,
It wanders through the dust and desert sand.
A quiet life within the dirt is found,
Upon the ancient and the broken ground.

arachnid, brown, creature, dirt, earthy, harvestman, hiking, insect, macro, mud, nature, soil, wildlife

A bright, flickering flame rises from a pile of wood in the center of the frame. The foreground features a dark, textured surface, possibly a rock or log, partially illuminated by the fire's glow. The background is completely black, suggesting a night setting. must be mating season!

A dancing light within the velvet night,
With golden tongues that lick the heavy air.
It casts a warm and flickering, amber light,
Against the dark, a bright and sudden flare.
The shadows dance upon the rugged stone,
As embers glow with deep and crimson hue.
In silent woods, the fire burns alone,
To pierce the dark and bring the warmth to view.
No stars are seen within this hollow space,
Only the heat that rises from the wood.
A primal glow upon the earth's dark face,
Where once the silent, lonely darkness stood.
Though night is vast and shadows ever creep,
The burning flame its watchful vigil keeps.

campfire, darkness, embers, fire, flame, hiking, light, night, orange, texture, warmth, wood, yellow

A harvestman spider with extremely long, thin legs moves across a mound of dark, textured soil. The scene is illuminated by a warm, amber light that casts deep shadows. The background is almost entirely black, creating a dramatic and somewhat eerie atmosphere. yikes!

Upon the mound of earth so dark and deep,
A spindly ghost emerges from the night.
While weary hikers fall to silent sleep,
It moves beneath the amber, glowing light.
Its slender legs like threads of silver spun,
Do dance across the grit and jagged stone.
No warmth is found beneath the setting sun,
It wanders through the shadows all alone.
The darkness clings to every grain of sand,
A silent hunter in the velvet gloom.
It treads upon this small and lonely land,
Within the forest's deep and quiet room.
Though scary to the eye that meets its sight,
It seeks its way through shadows of the night.

amber, arachnid, creature, dark, dirt, harvestman, hiking, insects, legs, macro, nature, soil, spider

A weathered wooden signpost stands in the foreground of a sunlit meadow. The sign points toward a trail winding through dry grass toward a thick forest of tall coniferous trees. The sky is clear and blue, suggesting a bright, sunny day. hiking in Indian Heaven Wilderness

Upon the path where golden grasses sway,
A wooden marker stands against the blue.
It marks the route for travelers on their way,
With weathered grain and colors deep and true.
The forest waits in silent, emerald lines,
Where ancient pines reach up to touch the sky.
A quiet peace through sunlit meadow shines,
As summer's warmth begins to slowly die.
The trail winds on through grass of faded hue,
To lead the soul where wilder spirits roam.
Beneath a canopy of endless blue,
This wooden guide directs the wanderer home.
In stillness here, the mountain air is sweet,
Where earth and sky in perfect silence meet.

blue sky, coniferous forest, evergreen trees, grass, hiking, meadow, nature, outdoors, signpost, sunny, trail, wood

A massive, volcanic mountain dominates the horizon under a clear, pale sky. The foreground and middle ground are filled with vast, rolling hills covered in thick coniferous forests. A light haze hangs over the landscape, softening the distant ridges. view towards mt st helens

The silent giant stands against the sky,
With crown of white upon its stony head.
Below, the emerald forests softly lie,
Where ancient trees their quiet secrets shed.
A veil of haze descends upon the land,
To blur the lines where earth and heaven meet.
No human touch is felt upon this strand,
Where mountain air and valley shadows greet.
The morning light is pale and soft and still,
Upon the slopes where winter lingers long.
It rests beneath the sun's ascending will,
And sings a wordless, everlasting song.
In majesty the mountain holds its place,
With rugged lines and quiet, stony grace.

conifers, forest, haze, hiking, horizon, landscape, mountain, nature, outdoors, sky, snow, summit, trees, wilderness