U.S. Outdoor & Travel Photography & Stories

My top 24 photographs of 2024.

Posted on December 31, 2024March 9, 2025By Heather

In 2024, I took more than 6,000 photographs in 8 countries in all 4 hemispheres. From over 6,000 images, I’ve curated 24 favorites—just 0.004%—to share with you. … Read More >My top 24 photographs of 2024.

Domestic Short Stops

Capturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation

Posted on January 1, 2024January 18, 2025By Heather

The year my dad made us “Friends of the Zoo” at our local Kansas City Zoo was one … Continue ReadingCapturing Conservation: Animal portraits to inspire the next generation

Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking Outdoor Photography

Photography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Posted on December 23, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

Family and work travel can be unproductive for many photographers. Fast-paced itineraries and going with … Continue ReadingPhotography from O’ahu, Hawaii in September

Domestic

Animal Portraits from GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Posted on November 4, 2023November 13, 2023By Heather

When the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium announced their GloWild event would return, I jumped … Continue ReadingAnimal Portraits from GloWild at the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium

Domestic Short Stops

San Diego Up Close

Posted on October 23, 2023October 25, 2024By Heather

I had already written an extensive post about recommendations for visiting San Diego, but since … Continue ReadingSan Diego Up Close

Domestic

Morning views in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Posted on September 17, 2023December 23, 2023By Heather

Admittedly, I underestimated coastal Alabama as an outdoor travel destination. But when the Outdoor Writers … Continue ReadingMorning views in Gulf Shores, Alabama

Adventure Travel Dog-Friendly Domestic Hiking

Mountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Posted on September 12, 2023October 24, 2024By Heather

Something always stands between me and the goats. I haul all my stupid, heavy photography … Continue ReadingMountain goats on the McCullough Gulch Trail hike in Colorado

Adventure Travel Domestic Essays Hiking

River reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

Posted on August 23, 2023March 9, 2025By Heather

Why would any sane, rational human being leave the comfort of their home with air … Continue ReadingRiver reconnection: backpacking the North Fork Skokomish River Trail in Olympic National Park

Domestic

Skåne, Sweden is for the birds.

Posted on June 28, 2023November 12, 2024By Heather

Tap photos to view full-size. Photos best viewed full-size on desktop computers. I recently traveled … Continue ReadingSkåne, Sweden is for the birds.

Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking

Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Posted on January 2, 2023January 28, 2025By Heather

This is a story about defeat, joy, and grief. It is full of adventure and misadventure, with a touch of prescience. Twists and turns. Bathroom humor. Summit season 2022 was unsuccessful, but mountain season was a hit. Buckle up; it’s a ride. … Read More >Peru Creek: Crapping in a Bag & Other Stories

Domestic Travel Tips

Voyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota

Posted on August 8, 2022June 9, 2024By Heather

It appears that 2022 is the year I visit national parks experiencing extraordinary flooding events. … Continue ReadingVoyageurs National Park in Northern Minnesota

Dog-Friendly Domestic

Paradise Valley, Montana: A Cabin at the Foot of Emigrant Peak

Posted on June 25, 2022June 25, 2022By Heather

This story is continued from Western Kitsch: The Black Hills of South Dakota. After our … Continue ReadingParadise Valley, Montana: A Cabin at the Foot of Emigrant Peak

Domestic

1% of 1% of Yellowstone National Park

Posted on May 29, 2022January 28, 2025By Heather

June 15, 2022 – Yellowstone National Park Update: I published this story just two weeks … Continue Reading1% of 1% of Yellowstone National Park

Domestic Hiking

Western Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Posted on May 21, 2022March 15, 2025By Heather

We daydreamed about visiting Badlands area for years. We were drawn by the mystique of … Continue ReadingWestern Kitsch: The Black Hills, South Dakota

Domestic Hiking

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Posted on March 20, 2022September 10, 2023By Heather

I have been setting my sights on day trip destinations near Kansas City. I’m seeking … Continue ReadingLoess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

Domestic

Four Seasons of Loose Park Photography in Kansas City, MO

Posted on February 2, 2022August 25, 2023By Heather

One landscape photographer pro-tip I received was to choose a place near your home that … Continue ReadingFour Seasons of Loose Park Photography in Kansas City, MO

Domestic

50 Miles on the Flint Hills Nature Trail

Posted on November 22, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

My two fitness goals this year were to summit another 14,000-foot peak and do a … Continue Reading50 Miles on the Flint Hills Nature Trail

Domestic Hiking

Photography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Posted on November 20, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

The Pacific Northwest continues to be one of my favorite parts of the country. On … Continue ReadingPhotography from Snoqualmie Falls, Washington

Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking

Hiking Huron Peak 14er in Colorado

Posted on August 31, 2021August 8, 2023By Heather

Fear has been a consistent companion in my life. At age 10, I negotiated my … Continue ReadingHiking Huron Peak 14er in Colorado

Domestic Short Stops

Sunrise at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland

Posted on July 24, 2021May 26, 2024By Heather

I recently had the opportunity to return to Annapolis, Maryland to visit family, and we … Continue ReadingSunrise at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland

Dog-Friendly Domestic Hiking

The 50-Miler That Wasn’t: Indiana’s Knobstone Trail

Posted on June 26, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

I set two simple outdoor fitness goals this year – hike and summit at least … Continue ReadingThe 50-Miler That Wasn’t: Indiana’s Knobstone Trail

Domestic Hiking

The Sonoran Desert & Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Posted on May 13, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

The types of cactus and landscape change as we approach Arizona from New Mexico. The … Continue ReadingThe Sonoran Desert & Saguaro National Park, Arizona

Dog-Friendly Domestic

White Sands National Park, New Mexico

Posted on April 20, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

The last time I saw White Sands was more than two decades ago, when it … Continue ReadingWhite Sands National Park, New Mexico

Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking

Bryce Canyon National Park

Posted on January 12, 2021August 25, 2023By Heather

Bryce Canyon in southern Utah is the last of the four national parks I visited … Continue ReadingBryce Canyon National Park

Adventure Travel Domestic Hiking

Capitol Reef National Park

Posted on December 19, 2020August 25, 2023By Heather

Capitol Reef National Park was the major destination on my 3-week long national parks road … Continue ReadingCapitol Reef National Park