The art of nature abstraction: A guide to seeing differently
November 27, 2025
Text and photos by Heather Cline
When we think of nature photography, we often picture sweeping landscapes or charismatic wildlife. But there’s a quieter, more intimate world waiting just beneath the surface — a world of textures, patterns, and colors that reveal themselves only when we slow down and look closely. Abstract nature photography inv...
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Yucca Bloom: Light, Form, and Detail
November 25, 2025
Yucca blooms are more than desert flowers—they’re sculptural forms waiting for the right light. With their tall stalks and clustered white blossoms, they stand out against arid landscapes, but it’s in close view that their textures and geometry reveal themselves. These plants are pollinated almost exclusively by yucca moths, a rare example of mutua...
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Gratitude for the Wild Turkey
November 20, 2025
Meet the Locals: Wild Turkeys of Northern California
Text and photos by Heather Cline
With Thanksgiving around the corner, I wanted to take a moment to appreciate the wild turkeys I see almost every day here in Northern California. It’s easy to overlook them or assume they’re just big, awkward birds—but there’s so much more to these feathered n...
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Are you ready for this?
November 18, 2025
Late November brings colder air, unpredictable skies, and the kind of weather that keeps you checking the horizon. But for photographers, this unsettled season is a gift—storm clouds, stark light, and wide, empty spaces offer some of the year’s most dramatic scenes. It’s a reminder that beauty doesn’t always arrive with calm skies. Sometimes, it ro...
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Rule of Thirds: A Simple Grid with Powerful Impact
November 13, 2025
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Compositions using the Rule of Thirds
Text and photos by Heather Cline
Bison and birds, Yellowstone National Park
Over the years, I’ve covered a range of topics on composition and design, but this time I’m going back to basics—taking a closer look at one rule at a time. The rule of thirds is one of the most widely taught—and widely used—compos...
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In Their Honor: A November Reflection
November 11, 2025
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On Veterans Day, we pause to recognize the service and sacrifice of those who have worn the uniform. Arlington National Cemetery stands as a solemn reminder of the cost of duty and the legacy of those who served. In the quiet of November, among rows of white headstones and falling leaves, we reflect on the lives given in defense of our country—and...
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Three Fall Spectacles in California
November 06, 2025
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By Land, Air, and Water: Three Fall Spectacles in California
Text and photos by Heather Cline
Sandhill cranes at sunset
Every fall, California offers three standout wildlife events that are worth watching—and photographing. In the forests, black-tailed deer enter their rutting season, with bucks competing for mates. In the Central Valley, sand...
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A supermoon for the beavers
November 04, 2025
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Tonight is the November Beaver Supermoon. It will rise on the eastern horizon between 4:35 and 4:55 PM depending on your time zone. It is the closest, brightest, and largest full moon of 2025, and the last one of the year. It’s called the Beaver Moon because it coincides with the time beavers prepare their lodges for winter. Whether you are photogr...
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Through My Lens: Santa Rosa & Santa Cruz in Wild Detail
October 31, 2025
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Through My Lens: Santa Rosa & Santa Cruz in Wild Detail
Text and photos by Heather Cline
Water Canyon Beach, Santa Rosa Island
If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know I’m on a mission to visit every national park in the United States. I recently checked off number 38—Channel Islands National Park—and I’m excited to share the exp...
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Autumn’s Feast: Bears on the Creek
October 28, 2025
Each October, Taylor Creek becomes a point of focus for one of Lake Tahoe’s most exciting wildlife stories: the kokanee salmon run. As these bright red fish return to spawn, black bears emerge to feast before their winter hibernation. The salmon’s journey is brief but serves as a critical food source, for not only the bears but the entire riparian...
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California's Fox Quartet
October 23, 2025
California’s Fox Quartet: Wild Faces of the Golden State
Text and photos by Heather Cline
California’s wild landscapes are home to four distinct fox species, each uniquely adapted to its environment. From coastal cliffs to desert valleys, these foxes reflect the state’s ecological diversity and resilience. In this post, I’ll introduce you to the...
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Dwarfed by Nā Pali
October 21, 2025
This boat beneath the towering cliffs of the Nā Pali Coast is nearly lost in the scale of the landscape. This dramatic coastline, located on the north shore of Kaua‘i, is known for its razor-sharp ridges, hidden valleys, and sea caves—accessible only by boat, kayak, or helicopter. It’s no wonder filmmakers chose this wild terrain as a backdrop for...
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The Fall Texture Challenge
October 16, 2025
The Fall Texture Challenge: Seeing the Season Differently
Text and photos by Heather Cline
Autumn is officially here, and nature has started quiet a transformation. Leaves are starting to curl and crisp, bark deepens with moisture, and seed pods crack open to create the next generation of plants. Although fall is defined by the changing colors, t...
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Zen and the Art of Squirrel Stretching
October 14, 2025
This fox squirrel struck a pose that looked straight out of a yoga class—one paw stretched, body balanced, and total focus on the moment. Whether it was a stretch, a scratch, or just a mid-morning pause, the result was pure charm. Squirrels are known for their agility and quick reflexes, but every now and then, they surprise us with a moment of cal...
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15 Reasons Nature Is Ridiculously Cute
October 09, 2025
15 Reasons Nature Is Ridiculously Cute
Text and photos by Heather Cline
From fuzzy faces to playful poses, these wild creatures—young and grown—prove that cuteness knows no age.
Bison Calf – Born with reddish fur that darkens over time. Fun fact: They can run within hours of birth!
Black Bear Cub – Tiny at birth but full of energy. Fun fa...
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