https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/south-america/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/pacific-islands/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/africa/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/central-america/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/north-america/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/china/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/brazil/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/samoan-islands/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/philippines/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/seychelles/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/guatemala/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/amazonas/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/iguazu/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/panama/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/andes/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/patagonia/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/himalayas/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/new-images/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/favorites/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/canadian-rockies/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/southwest/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/colorado/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/caribbean/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/cook-islands/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/solomons/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/samoa-tsunami/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/tonga/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/asia/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/tahiti/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/thailand-burma-laos/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/indonesia/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/gallery/blog/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/page/bio/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/page/prints/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/page/representation/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/page/workshops/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/christmas-tree-fall-leaf-ornaments-colorado-telluride/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Telluride-Ski-Area-Xmas-Tree-High-Pass-PS10-MAG2.jpg Christmas in Autumn A perfect Colorado Christmas tree is decorated with hundreds of falling autumn leaves during the first snowstorm of the season.  The painterly effect was created in camera with a shallow depth of field and slight over exposure of the scene. San Juan Mountains https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/black-canyon-gunnison-double-rainbow-monsoon-horizontal/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Black-Canyon-Rainbow-Wide-H1-PS14-MAG1.jpg Black Canyon Reverie A late season monsoon storm produced a spectacular rainbow over the heart of the Black Canyon gorge just before sunset. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/telluride-wildflowers-penstemon-peppermint/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Telluride-Silverpick-Flowers-3-PS5-MAG1.jpg Peppermint Fields Blooming Red penstemon flowers evoked childhood thoughts of a field of peppermint candy. Southwest Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/telluride-wildflowers-colorado-candyland/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Telluride-Silverpick-Flowers-1-PS4-MAG1.jpg Candyland  A very wet winter has transitioned into a spectacular profusion of spring wildflowers.  This was one of the most spectacular displays of native wild flowers that I have seen in 20 years of living here. Southwest Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/owl-creek-cimarron-fall-aspen-layers/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Owl-Creek-Aspens-and-High-Contrast-Cliffs-PS8-MAG1.jpg Layers and Light Spectacular fall light plays across the layered aspens and cliffs of the Uncompaghre backcountry and Cimarron Range. Uncompaghre National Forest, Ridgway, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/wilson-peak-fall-aspen-snow-telluride-14/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Wilson-Peak-Lone-Aspen-Snow-v31-MAG1.jpg Wilson and the Lonely Aspen  A lone aspen stands against the winter in the San Juan Mountains near Telluride. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sneffels-aspen-ridge-fall-ridgway-storm/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sneffels-High-Ridge-Storm-Orange-Aspens-PS8-Orton3-MAG1.jpg Autumn Dreams A few seconds of autumn storm light shine across the aspen forest of the Sneffel's Range in the San Juan mountains of Colorado. Mt Sneffels range near Ridgway, Colorado. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/telluride-ajax-autumn-snow-tree-accents/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Telluride-Zoom-Ajax-Autumn-Snow-Line-of-Light-v9-MAG2.jpg October Snow and Colors of Telluride Recent snow and late afternoon light provide dramatic accents to this October view of Telluride Valley.  The triangular snow fluted mountain in the distance is Ajax peak. Telluride, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/san-juan-telluride-campbell-fall-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/San-Sofias-Fall-Sunset-Snow-Lift-4-v5-MAG1.jpg Autumn's Crest October snow blankets the summit crest of Mt Campbell and the San Sofia range as sunset light streams into the autumn forest below. San Juan Mountains https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/dani-koteca-tribe-elder-wamena-trek-village/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Wamena-Trek-Elder-Koteca-in-Village-PS1-MAG1.jpg Dani Elder Tribesman.  A Dani tribe elder wearing a classic 'Koteca' or penis gourd greets us outside his traditional home in a remote village in the highlands of New Guinea.  We were trekking along a local foot path high in the mountains above the Baliem Valley and got a bit lost and ended up in this village somewhat by mistake.  The locals were very accomodating and let us stay in a family hut similar to the one in this picture.  We ate the local spinach and taro root and sang songs with the kids around the kitchen fire.  It was an amazing experience!   NOTE: The Dani are not particularly fond of cameras and I was able to take this iPhone 6 photo but they objected to any more photos after I pulled out my Canon SLR.  Therefore the quality of this photo is not comparable to the other images on this site.  However it was such a unique photo opportunity I chose to include it on the website. If you are interested in ordering this image as a print, please contact me directly so we can discuss sizing and print resolution. Tangma Village, West Papua, Indonesia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/dani-women-baliem-wamena-portrait-laugh/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Yani-Women-Laughing-at-Mummy-2016-Crop-PS6-copy.jpg Dani Smiles  I think they are laughing at my utterly inept ability to say 'smile' in the Dani language Baliem Valley New Guinea, West Papua, Indonesia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/raja-ampat-passage-cave-diving-underwater/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Jana-in-Cave-Raja-Ampat-The-Passage-MAG1.jpg The Passage  Swimming through a dark limestone cavern in the passage near Gam Island, Indonesia. Raja Ampat, Indonesia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/raja-ampat-snorkeling-cape-kri-fish-ball/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Andreas-swims-in-fish-ball-Raja-Ampat-v2-PS9-copy.jpg Immersion  My friend Andreas Kotzke swimming through a huge fish ball off the coast of Kri Island in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. Raja Ampat, Indonesia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bunaken-diving-underwater-reef-sunset-split/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Calypso-Bunaken-MAG8.jpg Calypso A view below the surface as a tropical squall blows across the pristine waters near Bunaken island. Bunaken island, Indonesia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/aspens-colorado-fall-snow-storm-molas-stand/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Molas-Pass-Aspens-v2-PS25-copy1.jpg The Last Stand A defiant stand of aspens retain their color as winter takes over the autumn landscape. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-aspen-fall-snow-pastel-pasture/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Pastel-Pastures-Aspens-Snow-Forest-Ironton-PS7-copy.jpg Pastel Pastures  A delicate early snow fall accents the pastel colors of autumn. San Juan Mountains, Colorado. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-aspen-vortex-view-up-fall/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Aspen-Vortex-View-Up-PS7-copy-3.jpg Aspen Vortex  Looking up into the glowing aspens lit up by the late afternoon sun. Elk Mountains, Colorado. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-fall-telluride-river-bend-canyon/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Fall-River-S-Curve-Ilium-Valley-Telluride-PS16-copy.jpg Kodachrome Canyon Cinematic light plays across the autumn landscape near Telluride, Colorado.  San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-aspen-fall-glow-wilson-sun-star/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sunshine-CG-sunset-aspens-sunstar-PS26-copy.jpg Autumn Glow The last light of the setting sun shines through the golden aspen leaves creating the spectacular glow that defines Colorado's autumn season. Wilson Range, Colorado. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bali-rice-fields-volcano-reflection-mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Bali-Rice-field-shoots-and-volcano-PS14-copy2.jpg Highland Rice Fields The sun sets over fresh rice shoots and the beginning of a new season in the Bali highlands. Bali, Indonesia https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/aspens-sneffels-fall-sunset-dallas-divide-grace/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Color-of-Grace-MAG1.jpg The Color of Grace  A perfect autumn evening in the iconic Sneffels Range of Colorado. Sneffels Range, Colorado. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/raja-ampat-sharks-underwater-reef-yenkoranu/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sharks-off-Pier-Yenkoranu-Raja-Ampat-1-PS2-copy.jpg Reef Life, Raja Ampat  A spectacular scene at the edge of the reef near Yenkoranu home stay on Kri island, Raja Ampat. Kri Island, Indonesia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-aspens-fall-forest-boles-fade-white/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Aspen-Vertical-Trunk-Abstract-1-PS7-copy.jpg Fade to White  The last vestiges of autumn gold falls into the wind and the silent wilderness of white will begin it's reign again. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-fall-aspens-fog-chimney-rock-rising/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Chimney-Rock-Autumn-Fog-Rising-MAG14-copy-2.jpg The Rising  Chimney Rock emerges from a cold autumn fog. San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/raja-ampat-tropical-island-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Raja-Ampat-Sand-Bar-and-Island-Horizontal-PS4-copy-3.jpg Pristine Beach, Raja Ampat  The crystal clear turquoise waters lap against a perfect white sand beach in the remote Raja Ampat islands. West Papua, Indonesia https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/clown-fish-green-anemone-raja-ampat/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Raja-Ampat-Clown-Green-Anenome-FamPS3-copy3.jpg Clown Fish and Green Anemone  A common underwater scene on Fam Wall in Raja Ampat. Raja Ampat, Indonesia https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-aspen-snow-fall-fog-peak/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/San-Juans-Mountain-Fog-Aspens-1-PS13-copy-2.jpg September Storm  An early September snow storm clears to reveal newly snow capped peaks towering over the aspen forest.  San Juan Mountains, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/san-juan-mountain-fall-aspens-snow-vista/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/San-Juans-Fall-Aspens-from-Rail-Track-Overlook-PS9-copy.jpg Clash of the Seasons Fresh snowfall at the peak of fall color is a somewhat rare occurance in Colorado, but when autumn clashes with the onset of winter, the result is beyond spectacular! San Juan Mountains, Colorado. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/raja-ampat-homestay-yenkoranu-sunset-beach-hammock-mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Raja-Ampat-Yenkoranu-Homestay-Beach-Ripple-Sunset-MAG1.jpg Yengkoranu Homestay Sunset Sunset over the beach and hammock deck of the Yengkoranu Homestay in Raja Ampat, Indonesia. One of the last wild and undiscovered diving destinations in the world. Kri Island, Raja Ampat. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/raja-ampat-homestay-yenkoranu-mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Raja-Ampat-Yenkoranu-Pier-Pano-MAG1.jpg Yenkoranu Homestay Pier Yenkoranu homestay is a wonderful base for exploring the Raja Ampat island archipelago.  It is run by local villagers and they have fresh fruit, basic rice and fish or chicken dinners, a local small dive shop and clean basic bungalows for sleeping.  The staff are very friendly and fun and know the islands very well.  Kri Island, Raja Ampat. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/raja-ampat-island-panorama-fam-mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Raja-Ampat-Fam-Island-iPhone-Pano-MAG1.jpg Raja Ampat Panorama A panorama of Fam Island area near Pianemo homestay. West Papua, Indonesia.  Incredible diving and snorkeling awaits the intrepid traveler to this remote paradise. Raja Ampat, Indonesia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/long-neck-women-myanmar-portrait/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Long-Neck-Woman-Portrait-1-MAG1.jpg Portrait of a Long Neck Woman A woman of the Kayan tribe in Myanmar.  These women begin wearing the rings at age 5.  As they get older more rings are added to appear to lengthen the neck.  The rings actually depress the collar bone and rib cage rather than elongating the neck.  It is thought that the tradition started as a means to avoid slavery since they appeared less attractive this way. Her teeth have been damaged by years of chewing betel nut. I had many questions to ask her, but her tribal language is quite distinct and translation was almost impossible. Myanmar https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monks-burma-bagan-reading-reverence/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-Book-Bagan-Reverence-MAG1.jpg Reverence "No one saves us but ourselves.  No one can and no one may.  We ourselves must walk the path."  -Buddha Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-bagan-light-rays-gentle-touch/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Gentle-Touch-Bagan-MAG1.jpg A Gentle Touch “And only the enlightened can recall their former lives; for the rest of us, the memories of past existences are but glints of light, twinges of longing, passing shadows, disturbingly familiar, that are gone before they can be grasped, like the passage of that silver bird on Dhaulagiri.” ― Peter Matthiessen, The Snow Leopard Remote Temple in Burma https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/moonrise-bagan-burma-thadingyut-festival/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Moonrise-over-Bagan-Burma-MAG1.jpg Moonrise over Bagan, Burma. The full moon rises over Bagan during the Thadingyut festival (Buddhist lent). Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-candle-temple-hall/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Alan-in-temple-door-with-candle-MAG2.jpg The Halls of Buddha A young monk prays before an ancient Buddha in Bagan, Burma. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monks-umbrellas-temple-brothers/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-and-Umbrella-and-rear-window-brothers-MAG2.jpg Brothers A portrait of monk brothers sheltering from the heat of the midday sun. Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-children-candles-joy-reverence/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Children-Lighting-Candles-Joy-in-Reverence-MAG1.jpg Joy and Reverence Lighting candles under the Buddha of an ancient temple. Remote Temple in Burma https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monks-and-candles-stairway-mag2/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-Lighting-Candles-in-Stairway-MAG1.jpg Illuminating the Stairway. Monks place candles in a dark stairway in preparation for anight festival at the temple. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monks-playing-portrait-bagan-burma/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-in-Tunnel-Making-Faces-MAG2.jpg Monks can have fun, too! I stumbled on to this perfect portrait set up with the young monk in front, when his friend decided we were being too serious and jumped in the photo. That spontaneity ended up being the key to the success of this shot. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-burma-meditation-pondering-dark/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Pondering-in-the-Dark-PS6.jpg Pondering in the Dark A young monk pondering in the cool shadows of a temple as the hot afternoon sun fades away. Burma https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-bagan-buddhist-lent-mentor/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-Candlelit-temple-Mentor-MAG1.jpg The Mentor An elder monk teaches the novices at a candlelit temple during Thadingyut festival (Buddhist lent). Bagan, Burma https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-bagan-burma-temple-step-inside/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Bagan-Step-Inside-MAG1.jpg Step Inside A young monk carrying morning alms back to the monastery. Bagan, Burma https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bagan-burma-temple-sunset-silence-kingdom/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Bagan-Burma-Sunset-Kingdom-of-Silence-MAG1.jpg Kingdom of Silence One of the greatest joys of travel is riding an old bike along the dirt paths of a forgotten kingdom like Bagan. I explored the farm fields and then climbed to the top of this temple and enjoyed a beautiful pastel sunset with only the occasional tropical birdsong breaking the silence.  What a magical place, frozen in time! Bagan, Burma https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bunaken-underwater-split-level-view/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Underwater-Bunaken-MAG1.jpg Underwater Bunaken A view of the stunning underwater world surrounding Bunaken Island, Indonesia. Bunaken Island, Sulawesi, Indonesia https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monks-forest-path-bagan/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-Walking-Bagan-Forest-Path-MAG1.jpg The Forest Path Late afternoon in the fields of Bagan, Burma. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monks-fields-bagan-burma-austerity/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-Fields-Bagan-Burma-Austerity-MAG1.jpg Austerity Taking a break from the searing afternoon heat of the plains of Burma. The Plains of Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/burma-smoker-portrait-cherub-satisfaction/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Cheerub-Smoker-Close-Portrait-Satisfaction-MAG1.jpg Satisfaction Traditional Cherub smoking is still common in the rural areas of Burma. Street market, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-window-light-beam-around-corner/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Walking-Around-Corner-Light-Beams-MAG2.jpg Around The Corner Temple in Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-alms-bowl-reflection-bagan-curiosity/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Alan-and-Alms-Bowl-Curiosity-MAG2.jpg Curiosity Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-light-beams-portrait-bagan-burma/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Alan-Light-Rays-Portrait-1-PS4-MAG2.jpg Radiant Portrait of a young monk praying. A remote temple in Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bangkok-cityscape-chong-nonsi/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Bangkok-Night-Bridge-Metropolis-MAG1.jpg Metropolis: Bangkok at Night. Bangkok, Thailand, the main hub for all travel in SouthEast Asia.  If you want to travel in Burma, you are required to get a visa at the Burmese embassy in Bangkok.  This is the Chong Nonsi footbridge adjacent to the BTS Skytrain. The Burma (Myanmar) embassy is a short distance from here. Bangkok, Thailand. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/shwedagon-night-reflection-kandawgyi/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Shwedagon-Night-Reflection-Kandawgyi-Lake-MAG1.jpg Shwedagon Twilight The spectacular Shwedagon Pagoda shines bright in the twilight over Yangon, Burma. Kandawgyi Lake, Yangon, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/shwedagon-night-reflection-yangon/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Yangon-Shwedagon-Kandawgyi-Night-Pano-MAG1.jpg Yangon Nights Reflections of Shwedagon Pagoda and Karaweik Dragon Pagoda at dusk. Yangon, Burma. Kandawgyi Lake, Yangon, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/loi-krathong-chiang-mai-monks-night-remember/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/A-Night-to-Remember-Loy-Krathong-MAG1.jpg A Night to Remember On the night of the full moon in November, Thailand celebrates Loi Krathong and the Yi Peng festival.  This particular night seemed to be a blend of the two festivals.  Loi Krathong traditionally refers to the release of floating candles in lotus shaped banana leaf boats onto local waterways.  Yi Peng is a floating paper lantern festival.  Here you can see the floating candles in the temple moat while at the same time the monks are releasing floating lanterns into the night sky after a beautiful ceremony of chanting. This was a truly enchanting evening and my photographs simply cannot do justice to the beauty of this culture. Chiang Mai, Thailand. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/parasols-umbrellas-burma-color/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Parasols-Backlight-Burma-MAG1.jpg The Colors of Burma Backlit Parasols for sale by a local street vendor in Bagan. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monks-umbrellas-temple-sunset-bagan-golden/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-Line-Temple-Umbrellas-Golden-Land3.jpg The Golden Land Young monks walk through the rural countryside fields of Bagan, Burma. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/burma-street-vendor-woman-thanaka/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Burma-Woman-Selling-Peanuts-to-Pidgeons-MAG1.jpg Peanut Seller This woman is selling peanuts to feed the pidgeons near a Hindu Temple in Yangon, Burma.  The face paint is called Thanaka and it is used by most Burmese woman as a skin moisturizer, sunscreen and for fashion. Her lips are red because she has been chewing betel nut which turns to a red wine colored fluid when it mixes with saliva in the mouth. The red dot on her forehead is a tikka, commonly worn by women of Indian cultural heritage. Yangon, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monks-umbrellas-bagan-burma-afternoon-walk/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monks-Single-File-Parasols-Afternoon-Walk-MAG1.jpg Late Afternoon Walk The heat of the day subsides and these young monks make their way back to the monastery from a remote temple in the countryside. A remote temple in Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/schwedegon-pagoda-in-rain-burma--mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Schwedegon-Pagoda-In-Rain-MAG1.jpg Shwedagon Pagoda in the Rain Yangon, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/inle-lake-fishermen-balancing-mist-floating-grace/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Inle-Lake-Fishermen-Balancing-Float-Grace-1.jpg Floating Grace Inle Lake's traditional Intha Fishermen play around in front of my camera as the morning mist envelopes the lake.  They get around on flat bottomed skiffs and use a technique of leg rowing, where they wrap a leg around the paddle and drive the boat through the water with a snake like swirling motion of the leg.  They push tall reed baskets into the shallow waters to trap fish and then spear them through an opening on the top. Inle Lake, Shan State, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/inle-lake-fisherman-basket-sunset-balancing-act-mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Inle-Fisherman-Balancing-Act-MAG1.jpg Balancing Act Inle Lake, Shan State, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/inle-lake-fishermen-portrait-sunset-brotherhood/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Inle-Lake-Fishermen-Portrait-Sunset-Brotherhood-MAG2.jpg Brotherhood Traditional fishermen on Inle Lake take a break to smoke hand rolled cheroots as the sun begins to set. Inle Lake, Shan State, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-temple-light-beams-bagan-burma-rapture/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Rapture-Monk-Temple-Light-Rays-Buddha-Bagan-MAG1.jpg Rapture Myanmar (Burma) is a land arrested in time. Decades of isolation under the ruling junta have limited the influence of mass tourism now prevalent throughout the rest of South East Asia. Feeling like a traveler in the 1970's, I found an old Chinese bicycle to explore the dirt roads and trails crisscrossing the plains of Bagan, the former capital of Burma where thousands of brick temples are congregated along the Ayeyarwady River. I was fortunate to meet a group of young monks out in a field who enjoyed seeing their photos on the LCD of my camera. They seemed to have a quick and natural sense of the moods I was trying to capture as they showed me some of their favorite temples. Clearly enjoying themselves, they became more competitive with each other, posing in ever more creative situations for my camera. My previous experience photographing the slot canyons of the USA became invaluable as I realized the qualities of reflected light in the adobe brick temples was very similar. In the slot canyons, I would toss a bit of sand into the shafts of light to give them definition. Here, I improvised and used incense that I bought outside one of the temples. Just before the sunset, we visited this very old temple where the atmosphere of light and the spirit of the friendly Buddhist monk seemed to come together in a way that captured the essence of this hidden place that feels lost in the ancient dusts of Asia. A remote temple in Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bagan-temple-interior-child-point-light-mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Touch-the-Light-MAG1.jpg Touch the Light I met this woman at the base of this temple where she was selling coconuts. I had already planned to climb to the top for sunset and star photos. I told her I would buy a coconut after I finished photographing if she was still around. I climbed down well after dark and everyone had left but she waited the entire time to sell me that coconut. She hacked the top off with a machete, dropped a straw in and we talked awhile in limited English. She said she needed that last sale. The cost of the coconut? One dollar. I gave her five.  The next day I went back and she was there again.  We talked awhile and then walked up this stairway  into the temple.  Her baby spontaneously pointed into the light and she agreed to let me take this photo of her and her new baby. The spontaneity of this scene makes it one of my favorite images from the entire trip. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bagan-temple-sunset-twilight-burma-mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Twilight-Temples-of-Bagan-Burma-MAG1.jpg Twilight at the Temples of Bagan Twilight fades over the ancient riverside temples of Bagan, Burma. The lighted temple on the summit of Mt Popa can be seen in the far distance. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monk-bagan-temple-meditation-contemplation/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-Temple-Glow-Bagan-Contemplation-MAG1.jpg Contemplation A Buddhist monk contemplates a statue of Buddha in a thousand year old temple in Bagan, Burma. Bagan, Burma. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/kathmandu-street-life-in-balance/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Kathmandu-Life-in-the-Balance-MAG2.jpg Life in the Balance This friendly fruit and vegetable vendor works the scales in a back alley of the old city of Kathmandu. Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/ofu-beach-breaking-waves-american-samoa/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Ofu-beach-Breaking-Wave-MAG1.jpg Breaking Waves, Ofu Beach. This is a sand level view of small breaking waves crashing on beautiful Ofu Beach, one of the most spectacular beaches in the entire South Pacific. National Park of American Samoa. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-aspens-fall-abstract/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Aspens-Parallel-Forest-Colorado-Abstract-MAG1.jpg The Parallel Forest An abstract view of the beautiful fall colors near Kenosha Pass, Colorado. Kenosha Pass, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/cerro-torre-patagonia-crimson-glow/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Cerro-Torre-Patagonia-Crimson-Crags-MAG1.jpg Crimson Crags Cerro Torre, one of the most spectacular mountains on earth, catches the first pink rays of sunrise on a clear and cold morning in Patagonia. Cerro Torre, Patagonia, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/machu-picchu-mist-sunrise-inca-trail/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Machu-Picchu-Clearing-Storm-MAG3.jpg Clearing Storm over Machu Picchu Storm clouds clear shortly after sunrise, revealing the dramatic splendor of the ancient ruins of the lost city of the Inca.  I took this image in the spring of 2010 after the heavy floods that washed out the railroad and parts of the Inca trail. The ruins were closed for months, but reopened the day before I took this image. There were hardly any people around which really added to the majesty of the experience. Machu Picchu, Peru. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-dunes-chasing-shadows/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Chasing-Shadows-MAG3.jpg Chasing Shadows Tropical clouds race across the sky throwing light and shadows over the ridges and accenting the valleys of the vast dune field. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/whale-shark-isla-mujeres-snorkeler-encounter/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Whale-Shark-Isla-Mujeres-Snorkeler-Encounter-MAG1.jpg The Encounter  A huge Whale Shark drifts gracefully past a snorkeler in the deep clear waters near Isla Mujeres, Mexico. Isla Mujeres, Mexico. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-dunes-sweep-of-light/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Dunes-Sweep-of-Light-MAG1.jpg The Sweep of Light Beautiful light accents the sweep of dunes. The play of equatorial light and shadow filtering through the late afternoon clouds create some of the most surreal scenes on the planet. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-dunes-sugarland/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Sugarland-MAG1.jpg Sugarland The shadows of tropical clouds cast long shadows over the sugar white dunes of the Lencois Maranhenses. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/john-fielder/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Mike-at-Fielder-Gallery-New-Show-May-2013.jpg My New Exhibit at the Gallery in Denver! Come down and visit the John Fielder Denver Photo Arts Gallery and see the new exhibit!  The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday on Santa Fe and 8th in the Denver Art District. John Fielder and Denver Photo Arts Gallery https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-metallic-dunes/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Metallic-Dunes-MAG1.jpg Metallic Dunes This particular evening had the most extraordinary light!  The sun was setting through layers of clouds, and beams of light would break through and sweep across the ridges and valleys of the dunes creating a spectacular metallic sheen over the sand.  This was my last and my favorite night that I spent out there. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-pink-sand-dunes-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Pink-Sands-MAG-3.jpg Pink Sands The pastel colors of twilight are absorbed by the soft white sands of the dunes. I almost forgot to mention the killer birds that tried to attack me while I was photographing the sunset this night. They must have a nest up there on the dune because they would squack and circle me and then take turns diving in a fast swoop nearly hitting my head. You could hear the whistle in their wings when they nearly hit me. It was crazy! A big distraction to my photography efforts, that´s for sure! I had to hold my teva sandle up in my hand the whole time and threaten to throw it at them whenever they swooped at me. I assumed they would calm down and leave after it got dark, but they kept coming back. I couldn´t see them at night, I could only hear the whistle of their wings when they swooped at my head in the dark. That was spooky when I was shooting the stars and setting up the timelapse. I don´t know if they would actually hit me with their long sharp beak or not- it certainly would leave a mark if they did... Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-starlight-dunes-milky-way/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Starlight-Dunes-MAG9.jpg Starlight Dunes The Milky Way galaxy rises over the dunes of Lencois Maranhenses.  The long exposure picked up some of the lights of the village of Barreirinhas in the distance. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-milky-way-stars-camp/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Milky-Way-Camp-MAG1.jpg Wind Sand and Stars My lonely little campsite in the middle of the dunes.  I had unusually clear weather on this last trip which allowed me to enjoy the spectacular night skies. The dunes are only a couple degrees from the equator, so from one place I could see the southern cross, the big dipper and I could almost see the north star all in one sweep of the sky! 'Wind Sand and Stars' is the title of a beautifully written book about flying across the dunes of the Sahara in the 1930's.  Passages from the book would occassionally go through my mind as I stood and enjoyed the vast silence. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/san-blas-kuanidip-twilight-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Kuanidup-San-Blas-Twilight-Boats-MAG1.jpg San Blas Serenity  Twilight comes to Kuanidup Island in the beautiful San Blas Islands.  I often refer to this area as the 'Cook Islands of the Americas'.   Kuanidup Island, San Blas Archipelago, Panama https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/aspens-golden-glow-kenosha-pass/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Kenosha-Aspen-Golden-Glow-Colorado-MAG1.jpg Golden Glow Sunset light filters through the brilliant autumn aspen forest near Kenosha Pass, Colorado. Kenosha Pass, Colorado. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/canyonlands-rainbow-painted-desert/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Canyonlands-Rainbow-MAG3.jpg The Painted Desert  A rainbow fills the void across the vastness of Canyonlands National Park. This image reminds me of the paintings of Albert Bierstadt, a famous 19th century painter known for his romantic western landscapes. His images often had a special quality of light sometimes called "Luminism", and I'm sure he would have loved the beautiful storm light over the canyons on this day. Canyonlands National Park, Utah. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-sunrise-walk-in-clouds/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Sunrise-Walk-Clouds-MAG1.jpg A Walk in the Clouds The pastel purgatory of color between twilight and sunrise among the great sand dunes of Lencois Maranhenses. Brazil. Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/buddha-head-ayutthaya-cycle-of-life/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Buddha-Head-Cycle-of-Life-Ayutthaya-MAG1.jpg The Cycle of Life An ancient Buddha is slowly absorbed by the forests of Ayutthaya, the original capital of Thailand and a UNESCO world heritage site.  The great floods of 2011 damaged many of the ancient buildings and this Buddha was completely submerged but fortunately, as you can see, it only sustained minimal damage. Ayutthaya, Thailand https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-beach-paradise-tour-b/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Beach-Paradise-and-Palms-MAG1.jpg El Nido Beach Paradise One of the most pristine beaches in all of Asia. Pinagbuyutan Island. Palawan, Philippines. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-las-cabanas-beach--colors-of-asia/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Las-Cabanas-Beach-Sunset-Colors-Asia-MAG1.jpg The Pastel Colors of Asia Asia is the most densely populated continent and as a result there is more particulate dust in the air than many other remote places I've travelled to. But that same dust can make for some stunning sunsets, such as here on Palawan island in the Philippines.  This is a 2 second exposure, which gives the clouds a bit of motion and captures the feel of the warm tropical breeze blowing over the lapping waters of the bay. El Nido, Palawan Island, Philippines. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/whale-shark-donsol/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Whale-Shark-and-snorkeller-1-MAG1.jpg Whale Shark! Donsol has the highest concentration of whalesharks in the world. Despite that fact, I spent multiple days going out with the fishermen and didn't see any until the last afternoon of my last day there! Donsol, Philippines https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/mt-mayon-rice-fields-legaspi/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Mt-Mayon-and-Rice-Fields-MAG1.jpg Mt. Mayon and the Rice Fields. The worlds most perfectly symmetrical volcano towers over the rice fields of rural Luzon Island near the town of Legazpi, Philippines. Legazpi, Philippines. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/apo-island-beach-typhoon-light/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Apo-Island-Rocks-Surf-and-Storm-MAG2.jpg Typhoon Dreams. A powerful typhoon advances slowly toward the quiet and remote gold sand beaches of Apo Island off the coast of Dumaguete, Philippines. Apo Island, Dumaguete, Philippines. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-fish-chaos-underwater-shimizu/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Fish-Frenzy-MAG1.jpg Chaos under the Waves Zebra fish near the beach of Shimizu Island.  El Nido. Shimizu Island, El Nido. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-boat-tour-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Boat-Bow-Sunset-MAG1.jpg Cruising Into the Sunset Cruising back to El Nido on a traditional Bangka Boat after a day of island hopping in Bacuit Bay. Bacuit Bay, Palawan. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-etched-palm-tree-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Palm-Tree-Side-Light-Detail-MAG1.jpg Etched by the Setting Sun I love the way the late afternoon sun caught the highlights in the palm trees against the dramatic backdrop of the dark cliffs of the island. Pinagbuyutan Island, El Nido. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-underwater-snorkeling-view/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Split-Level-Underwater-Bangka-Boat-Lagoon-MAG1.jpg Snorkeler's View. The scenery of El Nido's lagoons is absolutely stunning, both above and below the water.  This is a traditional Bangka boat, a canoe with outriggers and a small motor, and it is the primary means of transport on Palawan Island. Bangka Boat in Cadlao Lagoon, El Nido, Palawan. Philippines. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/jellyfish-el-nido-shimizu-snorkel/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Jellyfish-El-Nido-Shimizu-Island-Snorkeling-MAG1.jpg Jellyfish! Shimizu Island, El Nido. Jellyfish are most common here in May.  There were a few floating around in February, too.  The sting itches but is not dangerous. The snorkeling in the El Nido area is superb. There are fantastic rock formations, healthy and diverse corals, good visibility and strong efforts from the locals to preserve the reefs. Palawan, Philippines. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-kids-in-hammock/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Kids-in-hammock-El-Nido-MAG1.jpg Fun in the Hammock! Village on Palawan Island. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-over-under-boat-fish/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Over-Under-Fish-and-Boat-MAG1.jpg Life Beneath the Boat El Nido, Palawan Island. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/hidden-beach-under-over-snorkel-el-nido/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Palawan-Hidden-Beach-Over-Under-H-MAG1.jpg The Crystalline Waters of Palawan A view from under and over the water of a beautiful beach near El Nido.  Palawan island. El Nido, Palawan, Philippines. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lion-fish-el-nido-underwater/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lion-Fish-El-Nido-MAG1.jpg Lion Fish Sunstar Cadlao Lagoon, El Nido, Palawan Island. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-hidden-beach-tower-milky-way/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Hidden-Beach-Tower-and-Milky-Way-MAG1.jpg Nightfall at Hidden Tower The milky way rises on a cloudless night at Hidden Beach.  El Nido, Palawan.  Philippines. Hidden Beach, El Nido, Palawan. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/apo-island-rainforest/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Apo-Island-Rainforest-MAG1.jpg Apo Island Rainforest The interior island rainforest of Apo Island. Apo Island. Negros Oriental, Philippines. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-hidden-beach-stars-fire-light/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Hidden-Beach-Stars-and-Campfire-Light-MAG1.jpg Fire Light and Stars. The light of my campfire illuminates the cliffs surrounding Hidden Beach near El Nido, Palawan. The milky way is visible over the top of the cliffs. Hidden Beach at night, El Nido, Palawan. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/hidden-beach-el-nido-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Hidden-Beach-El-Nido-Sunset-MAG3.jpg Hidden Beach Camping on this Hidden Beach on a remote island in Bacuit Bay was an incredible experience.  Two monkeys and a monitor lizard kept me company while I photographed the stars after this beautiful sunset. El Nido, Palawan Island. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-palawan-lagoon-life/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Palawan-Lagoon-Life-MAG2.jpg Lagoon Life Underwater paradise.  Late afternoon in Cadlao Lagoon, Palawan Island, Philippines. Cadlao Lagoon, Palawan Island, Philippines https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/el-nido-palawan-emerald-pool/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El-Nido-Palawan-Emerald-Pool-MAG1.jpg Emerald Pool The underwater world is illuminated beneath this calm lagoon bathed in afternoon light.  El Nido and Bacuit Bay on the north end of Palawan island are home to some of the most magnificent scenery in all of Asia.  I came here in 2006 when it was a tiny little village without electricity and very few tourists.  People are slowly discovering the area now, but it still retains it's rustic charm and the outer islands remain mostly pristine and protected.  El Nido, Palawan Island, Philippines https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/red-planet-milky-way-jericoacoara-night-mag1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Red-Planet-Jericoacoara-Night-Stars-MAG1.jpg The Red Planet The incandescent lamps of the village of Jericoacoara cast a warm glow over the coastal sand dunes during this 25 second exposure of the Milky Way and Southern Cross.  The otherworldly scene is reminiscent of the photos NASA has published from the Mars rover 'Opportunity'.  The Southern Cross can be seen at the lower right of the milky way, tilted a little bit counter clockwise. Jericoacoara, Brazil https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colonial-sao-luis-brazil/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sao-Luis-Old-Door-Impressionist-Brazil-MAG1.jpg Old Colonial Sao Luis Sao Luis, Brazil https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-moon-another-world/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Full-Moon-Another-World-MAG1.jpg Another World Gazing up tonight and thinking about how many of my life's most special moments were experienced under the same light of this timeless moon. Special places, people and moments that somehow seem comfortingly close no matter where I am or where they are. I know they are all there right now, at this moment, bathed in that same silver moon light that I am seeing here. Right now. All connected by the same light across the vastness of space, time and memories. Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/railay-beach-longtail-sunset-salvation-bay/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Railay-Beach-Longtail-Boat-Salvation-Bay-MAG1.jpg Salvation Bay Longtail boats rest in a quiet anchorage away from the tropical monsoon winds of South Thailand.  West Railay Beach. Krabi, Thailand. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/morning-alms-luang-prabang-laos/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Morning-Alms-Luang-Prabang-MAG1.jpg Morning Alms A young boy runs out of food for the monks, so he sits in quiet reverence as they walk by. Luang Prabang, Laos. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/durbar-square-passage-of-generations/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Durbar-Square-Passage-of-Generations-MAG1.jpg The Passage of Generations The back alleys of Durbar Square, Kathmandu https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/aspen-leaf-colorado/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/YellowLeafBlueGraniteNPN2.jpg Midnight Aspen Golden, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/rio-de-janeiro-night/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Rio-at-Night-MAG1.jpg Rio at Night Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/tonga-blowholes-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Tonga-Blowholes-Sunset-MAG1.jpg Sunset Fountains Sunset among the amazing Mapu'a Vaca coast blowholes. Tongetapu Island, Tonga https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/cusco-twilight-colonial-fountain/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Cusco-Night-Fountain-MAG.jpg Cusco Twilight Cusco, Peru https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/granada-door-nicaragua/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Granada-Old-Door.jpg Street Colors Granada, Nicaragua https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-back-streets-of-granada/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Granada-woman-and-hat-bowl-at-corner-MAG1.jpg The back streets of Granada Nicaragua https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/pashuputinath-tea-with-sadhus/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sahdus-and-Hall-of-Mirrors-1NPN.jpg Tea with the Sadhus Pashuputinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/seychelles-petite-anse-eden/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Seychelles-Petite-Anse-Eden-MAG1.jpg Eden Your own personal paradise.  An isolated cove on the wild side of La Digue island. Seychelles https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/seychelles-beach-fortress/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Seychelles-Sunset-Fortress-Walls-MAG1.jpg The Fortress Walls The sculpted boulders of Anse Source D'Argent beach reminded me of sentinals on a fort guarding the island paradise from threats after darkness. Anse Source D'Argent, Seychelles https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/seychelles-anse-severe-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Seychelles-Anse-Severe-Sunset-MAG4.jpg Anse Severe A stormy sunset over Anse Severe beach, La Digue Island, Seychelles. Seychelles https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/seychelles-beach-stars-celestial/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Seychelles-Celestial-Stars-Sunset-MAG1.jpg Celestial The moon falls through a veil of high clouds as twilight turns to stars.   This is a blend of two images taken a couple minutes apart.  The blend was neccessary to keep highlights visible in the boulder while keeping the brightness of the moon in check. Seychelles https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/seychelles-la-digue-rock-sand-storm/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Seychelles-Rock-Sand-and-Storm-MAG1.jpg Rock Sand and Storm Late afternoon light shines on the sculpted boulders of Anse Source D'Argent beach, Seychelles. Seychelles https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/seychelles-beach-cheris-corner/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Seychelles-Cheris-Corner-MAG1.jpg Cheri's Corner Emptiness at sunset on one of the most spectacular beaches in the world. The Seychelles Islands off the East coast of Africa. Anse Source D'Argent Beach, Seychelles https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/annapurna-harvest-machapuchare/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Mountain-Harvest-Annapurna-Nepal-MAG1.jpg Mountain Harvest The spectacular harvest colors of November in the foothills of the Annapurna Range, Nepal.  The high peak in the background is Machapuchare, the sacred 'fish tail' mountain that towers over 20,000 feet above the golden barley fields. Annapurna Range, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/patan-kathmandu-portrait-red-scarf/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Patan-Kathmandu-Woman-Portrait-Red-Scarf-MAG1.jpg Welcome to Kathmandu Patan. Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/kathmandu-portrait-beneath-veil-durbar-square/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Durbar-Square-Woman-Portrait-Beneath-Veil-MAG1.jpg Beneath the Veil A street portrait from the back streets of Kathmandu.  I had to wait until she walked in front of a dark open doorway to get the contrast I needed and the shadow blues in her hair were accented by a nearby blue tarp that was reflecting light on to her face. Kathmandu, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-delicate-shore/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Delicate-Shores-MAG1.jpg Delicate Shore Preparing to get drenched by a powerful thunderstorm spreading over the empty dunes. Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/cerro-torre-sunrise-diamonds-sapphires-gold/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Cerro-Torre-Sunrise-Diamonds-Sapphires-Gold-MAG2.jpg The Jewels of Cerro Torre The light of sunrise reveals the crystalline jewels of ice that sparkle under the frozen spire of Cerro Torre. Laguna Torre, Patagonia, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/moreno-glacier-fall-portrait/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Patagonia-Fall-Portrait-Perito-Moreno-MAG1.jpg Fall Portrait, Los Glaciares, Argentina The autumn forest near Perito Moreno Glacier in Patagonia, Argentina. Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-walking-edge/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Laguna-Bonita-Walking-on-Edge-MAG1.jpg Walking on the Edge Walking around the magnificent dunes and lakes of Lencois Maranhenses. Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/patagonia-waterfall-colors/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Colors-of-Patagonia-MAG1.jpg The Colors of Patagonia The autumn colors of Patagonia are beyond compare.  I've never seen such vibrant reds, yellows and oranges. Often times the full spectrum of color can exist on a single tree. Despite the beauty of the scene, photographing this area is a challenge.  Patagonia is famous for it's epic winds and I was able to get the leaves to sit still in only 3 of the 40 images I took here.  This small waterfall is a 45 minute walk from the small town of El Chalten, the main base for trekking in the Fitzroy range.  Walking through the tapestry of fall color up to the icy blue lakes and glaciers of Cerro Torre is an experience I will never forget. Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-soft-sands/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Soft-Sands-of-Twilight-MAG1.jpg The Soft Sands of Twilight The warm tropical sands of Brazil. Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-lake-serpentine/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Lake-Serpentine-MAG2.jpg Serpentine A warm tropical sunrise illuminates the lakes and dunes of the Lencois Maranhenses.  I was happy to see the sun again after a powerful thunderstorm rocked my campsite overnight.  I had watched with trepidation as a towering wall of black clouds moved in toward me after sunset. Huge cracks of thunder were breaking the silence. A powerful wind kicked up and I realized I better set up my Bivi Sack before the wind made it impossible. Just as I got it set up, the purple rippled bottom of the thunderstorm let loose with driving rain. I dove into the Bivi and waited for the thunderstorm to pass, hoping to try a few starlight shots when it was over. But the storm didn´t stop. It grew stronger as the night turned utterly black. Lightning was flashing through the fabric of the Bivi and I could feel the sand underneath me vibrate with the thunder. Lightning and thunder were flashing and crashing every 20 seconds. I had set my bivi up on a fairly low spot in the dunes, but it was still pretty wild out there and I was flinching with every crack of thunder. It was surreal being alone out there, and the sky was SO black except for the sharp flashes of lightning. I finally fell asleep, wet and cold from a leak in my bivi bag.  When I woke up again, the last stars had begun to fade and I could see the storm had finally drifted off to the far horizon.  I quickly grabbed my camera out of a dry bag and made it to this spot just as the first warm rays of sunrise hit the dunes and the sand began to dry out... Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-sunset-color-of-thunder/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Color-Thunder-MAG5.jpg The Color of Thunder The dunes of Lencois Maranhenses are like nature's canvas- the golden white sands reflect the full spectrum of sunset colors into the watery atmosphere, intensifying and bathing the scene in dazzling light like nowhere else I've ever seen.  There are a few rare places on earth that have just the right atmospheric conditions to create extraordinary light; Patagonia, the high altitude Himalaya, the white granite walls of Yosemite- but this little known corner of the world, empty and quiet,  just might have the best atmospheric conditions of them all. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/ghost-great-gallery-stars/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Ghost-Great-Gallery-Stars-Canyonlands-MAG1.jpg Ghost 'The Ghost', a sinister appearing figure in 'The Great Gallery' panel in Canyonlands National Park glows in amber light under a starlit sky. The lonely figures of this panel have been guarding the remote upper reaches of Horseshoe Canyon for over 4,000 years. They are thought to be as old as the great pyramids of Giza, painted on this wall when human civilization was in it's infancy. I sat down in the silence of the starlight, unchanged for millenia, my mind wandering, questioning, and curious about the people that created these enduring sentinels of the southwest. I left without any answers.  Their secrets intact, I turned away and the ephemeral ghosts were left alone again to guard the emptiness. The Great Gallery, Canyonlands National Park, Utah. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-dune-play-light/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-High-Dune-Play-of-Light-MAG1.jpg The Play of Light Contours of light and shadow sweep and dance across the remote lakes and dunes of Lencois Maranhenses, one of the most surreal landscapes on earth.  This vast field of coastal sand dunes lies only 3 degrees south of the equator.  Intense tropical thunderstorms gather over the dunes, cracking the silence while heavy rains fill the depressions in the dunes, creating thousands of crystal clear freshwater lakes.  I was trekking through the dunes when I crested this high point and was treated to a dazzling show of light and shadow drifting and swirling over the contours of the dunes, accenting all of the fine details of the rippling sand and the intense aquamarine colors of the freshwater lakes.  The silence was overwhelming. Lencois Maranhenses National Park, Brazil https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-laguna-azul/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Laguna-Azul-MAG1.jpg Dali's Lagoon A stormy twilight illuminates the surreal landscape of the Lencois Maranhenses.  This was taken half way through my barefoot multi-day trek across the dunes.  This is one of the most unique and spectacular landscapes I've ever seen; a shining emerald in Brazil's National Park system. This scene reminds me of the some of Salvador Dali's surrealistic paintings.  It was pure magic to stand there alone in the gentle breeze and silence and watch the pastel colors fade into the black of night. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/strike-overlook-grand-staircase/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Strike-Overlook-Grand-Staircase-MAG1.jpg Etched in Gold Strike Overlook, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah. Exquisite sunset light etches the remote cliffs and buttes in golden hues as a storm gathers over the distant Henry Mountains. I thought this image from 2005 was lost forever when my hard drive crashed shortly after the trip. This is one of the first digital photos I ever took. After the loss of this and other images I learned the lesson of backing up my images very early in my digital career. Today by a sheer stroke of luck, I discovered a copy of this image had been inadvertantly buried in a unrelated folder that I rescued but has remained unopened for the last 5 years. Nikon D70 circa 2005. Strike Overlook, Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bora-bora-coral-gardens/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Fish-Pano-Bora-Bora-MAG1.jpg The Coral Gardens The underwater world of Bora Bora Lagoon in the islands of Tahiti. Bora Bora Lagoon, French Polynesia https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bora-bora-moonrise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Bora-Bora-Sofitel-Night-Cabana-MAG1.jpg Moonrise, Bora Bora Lagoon. The famous over-water cabanas of Bora Bora Lagoon. Bora Bora, French Polynesia https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bora-bora-lagoon-snorkel/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Over-and-Under-Bora-Bora-MAG1.jpg Lagoon Life The view under the surface of spectacular Bora Bora Lagoon. Bora Bora Lagoon, French Polynesia https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/one-foot-island-white-sand-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/One-Foot-Beach-and-Palms-1-PS1MAG.jpg White sands The spectacular white sand beaches and turquise lagoons of Aitutaki, Cook Islands. One Foot Island, Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/spearfishing-tsoi-lik-lagoon/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Spearfisher-Tsoi-Lik-Papua-New-Guinea-MAG1.jpg Spearfisher, Papua New Guinea. Fishing for dinner in the far flung Tsoi Islands, a remote archipelago of islands surrounding a gorgeous lagoon in New Ireland Province. Tsoi Lik lagoon, Papua New Guinea https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/tuamotu-palm-trees-fakarava/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Tuamotu-Tahiti-Palm-Trees-MAG1.jpg Tuamotu Palm Beach A deserted pink sand beach on one of the small islets of Fakarava Atoll in the Tuamotus.  These low lying islands are north of Tahiti and they harbor some of the most spectacular diving and snorkelling in of the South Pacific.  A ring of small islands like this one form a barrier around the massive turquoise lagoon like gemstones on a necklace. Fakarava Atoll, Tuamotu islands. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/iguazu-falls-enchanted-gorge/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Iguazu-Falls-Enchanted-Gorge-MAG5.jpg The Enchanted Gorge Sunset light is filtered through the heavy mist of Iguazu Falls, one of the seven wonders of the world. My photos of Iguazu Falls don't do justice to the experience of being there, feeling the ground rumbling, the warm spray raining down, watching the light rays dance in the mist. It's pure majesty! Iguazu Falls, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/ama-dablam-beyond-dark-skies/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Ama-Dablam-Beyond-the-Dark-Skies-MAG1.jpg Beyond the Dark Skies This was the sunset on Ama Dablam shortly after I took my image 'The Gift' on my birthday in 2009.  This is my favorite mountain on earth and it totally dominates the view on the last few days of the trek to Everest Base Camp in Nepal.  There is a bit of motion artifact from the howling wind despite weighing my tripod down with a stuff sack full of river rocks. Last light on Ama Dablam, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sing-sing-tsoi-lik/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/SingSing-Tambaran-MAG1.jpg SingSing Tambaran 'Sing Sing Tambaran' means 'Dance of the Spirits' in Tok Pisin (Talk Pidgin), the language of Papua New Guinea.  This was an impromptu celebration on the beach at Tsoi Lik Lagoon in the exotically remote Lavongai Islands.  We were the only people staying at the Tsoi Lik Guest House, a family run traditionally constructed hut on a spectacular beach.  The children of the family invited me to their school to talk one day, and in return, they surprised us with this festive dance on the beach after sunset.  There is no electricity, internet, cell service and very little petrol.  The stars at night here were unbelievable.  The islanders get around by walking and canoeing  and subsistence farming and fishing are a way of life.  We were welcomed into every aspect of their lives and I can't remember anywhere in my travels where people were more friendly.  Life here is virtually untouched by modern civilization and we had a refreshingly awesome time 'off the grid' there. This is a composite of two images, one shot with a flash and then I panned the camera up and took another 25 second exposure on a tripod in the exact same location a minute later. Tsoi Lik Island, Papua New Guinea. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/tsoi-lik-starfish/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Starfish-Light-Rays-PS6-MAG1.jpg Beneath the Waves A lone starfish shines in the late afternoon light of Tsoi Lik lagoon, Papua New Guinea.  The Tsoi Islands are a secret South Pacific paradise with spectacular white sand beaches surrounding a stunning turquise lagoon.   A large tropical tree overhangs the lagoon in this spot and the late afternoon sun was filtered through the branches for a few minutes each day, providing a dramatic backdrop of light rays that danced from one colorful starfish to the next. Tsoi Lik Island, Papua New Guinea https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sacred-kiva-ruins-canyonlands/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sacred-Kiva-Ruins-Canyonlands-MAG.jpg Sacred Kiva A silent echo of a culture that suddenly vanished without explanation. Canyonlands National Park, Utah. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/iguazu-falls-garden-rainforest/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Iguazu-Garden-of-the-Rainforest-MAG1.jpg Garden of the Rainforest Rainbows dance through the misty falls of the Atlantic rainforest. Iguazu Falls, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/iguazu-falls-sunset-gates-ii/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Iguazu-Falls-Sunset-Gates-Calypso-v2-MAG.jpg Gates of Calypso II The swirling waters of the Iguazu River tumble into the sunset mist of the rainforest. I took this a day after my other version of this scene. The sunset light was more dramatic this evening with cloudy warm tones. Iguazu Falls, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/zion-narrows-rock-chamber/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Zion-Narrows-River-Bend-MAG1.jpg The Chamber of Light Sunlight filters down through massive canyon walls to illuminate a sheltered bend of the Virgin River. The Virgin River Narrows, Zion National Park. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/machu-picchu-llamas-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Machu-Picchu-Llamas-Sunset-MAG1.jpg The Light of Ages Resident Llamas catch the golden light of a timeless sunset on the edge of the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu. Machu Picchu, Peru. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/iguazu-rainbow/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Iguazu-Brazil-Rainbow-H-MAG1.jpg Iguazu! Iguazu Falls in full flood after the heaviest rainfall in 25 years. This was taken from a platform on the Brazil side that takes you out to an island in the throat of the falls in an area you could never reach by foot. It's not exactly wilderness here, but the sheer power, sound and feel of the water puts it near the pinnacle of all the natural spectacles I've ever witnessed. Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/moreno-glacier-autumn-icetower/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Moreno-Ice-Block-Frame-by-Trees-MAG2.jpg Beyond the Fall Beyond the edge of colorful autumn lies a land of ice and snow.  I came back here to catch this scene at sunrise but the prominent ice tower had fallen down during the night. Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/machu-picchu-sunrise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Machu-Picchu-Sunrise-MAG.jpg The Lost City The warm rays of sunrise begin to burn off the morning fog over the lost city of Machu Picchu.  I was lucky enough to be on the first train back to the ruins after the disastrous floods of winter, 2009. This was the first day in nearly 4 months that the park had received any visitors. And it was empty at sunrise! Machu Picchu, Peru. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/patagonia-autumn-trees/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Patagonia-Fall-Lake-Trees-MAG3.jpg Season's Change The spectacular fall colors of Patagonia. The change of season brings cooler drier air, the winds die down and fresh snow begins to blanket the peaks as the forest turns gold. Patagonia High Country, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/moreno-glacier-autumn-sunrise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Moreno-Glacier-Autumn-Sunrise-MAG.jpg Autumn Among the Glaciers An autumn sunrise illuminates the icy ramparts of the Perito Moreno Glacier.  Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina.  This is one of the few glaciers in the world that is not receding with our climate change. Perito Moreno Glacier. Patagonia, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/cerro-torre-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Cerro-Torre-Sunset-Icebergs-MAG2.jpg Fire and Ice A fiery sunset illuminates the cold icebergs of Laguna Torre, one of the most beautiful lakes in all of Patagonia. Laguna Torre, Patagonia, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/patagonia-sunset-inferno/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Patagonia-Inferno-Sunset-MAG2.jpg Inferno The most spectacular sunset I've seen in a couple years unfolded after a cold, rainy and windy day in Patagonia. As tempting as it can be, you can't hole up in bad weather in Patagonia or you will miss the spectacular light. Finding an interesting foreground was difficult in this area, so I went with a standard layered composition and zoomed in on the peaks. The natural light in Patagonia is extraordinary, probably because of the pristine air quality and the low slanting rays of the southern latitude, especially in the fall. The high altitude sunsets of the Himalaya are the only other place I've seen such vivid colors. The sensor of my 5D Mk II could barely handle the full color spectrum and intensity of this sunset. I actually had to DE-saturate the sky slightly to keep the yellows in check. Fitzroy Range, Argentine Patagonia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-dune-light/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Dune-Light-MAG3.jpg The Sharp Edge of Light Passing clouds filter the tropical sun, throwing brushstrokes of light across an endless sea of dunes. I took this midway through my trek across the lakes and dunes of Lencois Maranhenses, Brazil. If you look carefully at the foreground you can see the footprints of a roaming goat that lives in a nearby oasis. A small crystalline stream runs between two lakes below the dunes and these fresh water lakes make the dunes of Lencois unique in the world. After taking this image, I wandered back to my oasis camp in the dark and I thought about a favorite passage by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry as he awaited rescue in the middle of the Sahara: "Sitting in the flickering light of the candles on this kerchief of sand, on this village square, we waited in the night. We were waiting for the rescuing dawn - or for the Moors. Something, I know not what, lent this night a savor of Christmas. We told stories, we joked, we sang songs. In the air there was that slight fever that reigns over a gaily prepared feast. And yet we were infinitely poor. Wind, sand, and stars. The austerity of Trappists. But on this badly lighted cloth, a handful of men who possessed nothing in the world but their memories were sharing invisible riches." Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lencois-maranhenses-lake-mag/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lencois-Maranhenses-Lake-1-MAG.jpg Thunder in the Silence A powerful thunderstorm darkens the sky over the dunes of Lencois Maranhenses National Park. I spent three days trekking barefoot fifty miles across the dunes in May, 2010. 'Lencois Maranhenses' or the 'sheets of Maranhao' are an immense coastal dunefield near the delta of the Amazon River. The drenching rains from powerful equatorial thunderstorms fill the depressions in the dunefield with crystalline fresh water lakes which makes the area unique among the great landscapes of the world. The dark shadows of passing storm clouds create spectacular patterns of light on the snow white dunes, illuminating the clear aquamarine lakes while cracks of thunder break the silence of the landscape, adding to the surreal beauty. I was utterly captivated by the delicate patterns in the sand, the tropical breeze, the silence, the star filled skies and the immense emptiness of this amazing land. Lencois Maranhenses Sand Dunes, Northeastern Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/fitzroy-sunrise-hidden-falls/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Fitzroy-Sunrise-Waterfall-MAG1.jpg Hidden Falls I could hear falling water in the distance so I decided to hike cross country down to a canyon away from the trail to Fitzroy basecamp. When I got down to the river, I found this beautiful series of cascades rimmed with fresh ice at sunrise after a cold autumn night. A few days later I got up at 3am and planned to hike solo back to this location for another sunrise. As I came around a bend in the trail, my headlamp illuminated the eyes of a crouching puma, only a few feet away next to the trail. I was alone, it was pitch black, and the body language of the puma convinced me to slowly back away and abandon my plans... Beyond the trail to Fitzroy Basecamp, Argentine Patagonia. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/iguazu-falls-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Iguazu-Falls-Sunset-Gates-of-Calypso.jpg The Gates of Calypso "You hear it before you see it. You feel it before you hear it, through the soles of your feet, in the chambers of your soul—a low rumble, the very ground thrumming beneath you. Step to the edge. A gust of wet wind and the earth falls away in this great leap into the abyss." -Jeff Rennicke from National Geographic. Runoff from the heaviest rains in 25 years funnel over the cliffs of Iguazu Falls, one of the greatest natural wonders on the planet. This is the first image of a new series from South America. I spent the last 2 months traversing the wilderness continent, from the windswept dunes of northern Brazil to the crystalline icebergs of Argentine Patagonia. I came face to face with a puma in the middle of the night below Fitzroy, trekked 50 miles barefoot across a spectacular wilderness of sand dunes, and was lucky enough to get on the first train back to Machu Picchu after the disastrous floods of the past winter. I've got lots of stories and images and share, and I hope you enjoy the ride. Iguazu Falls. South American Rainforest. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/galen-rowell/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Galen-Rowell-at-Rock-Creek-Workshop-MAG.jpg Galen Rowell climbing in the Sierra Michael Anderson took this photo of Galen Rowell at one of his first Mountain Light workshops at Rock Creek in 1987. Sierra Nevada mountains near Rock Creek. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/antelope-slot-1/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Deep-Within-MAG.jpg Deep Within The unique magical glow of the slot canyons. Antelope Canyon, Arizona. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/storm-light-over-the-gates-of-zion/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Storm-Light-Gates-Zion-v3MAG1.jpg Storm Light over the Gates of Zion The setting sun illuminates the peaks through a gap in the clouds while thunder rattles in the distance. Zion National Park, Utah. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/dance-of-the-mantas/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Dance-of-the-Mantas-MAG1.jpg Dance of the Mantas A family of Manta Rays dance gracefully around us in the shallow waters off of Uepi island in The Solomons. Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/liquid-magic/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Liquid-Magic-MAG1.jpg Liquid Magic The spectacular palette of warm blue water in this lagoon is like a magnet. It's intoxicating, and you will want to immerse yourself in it every waking moment of the day. But to capture the luminescent colors, you need to photograph it midday. The colors are muted during the magic hour, my favorite time to photograph. I wanted to share this beauty in something beyond a standard postcard view but found the task very difficult. Then I found this spectacular sidelight one late afternoon and it gave the scene the sense of drama I had been looking for. Ofu Island Lagoon https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/islands-in-the-stream/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Ofu-Beach-Blue-Planet-MAG1.jpg Islands in the Stream 'Islands in the Stream'.  Credit Hemingway for the title. I'm not sure if the old man of the sea ever made it to the South Pacific, but I'm sure he would have really enjoyed the Manua islands here in American Samoa. These are some of the most magnificent islands in the world and they are way off the radar of most travelers and photographers. Ofu Beach, National Park of American Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-fire-dancers-of-hina-cave/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Fire Dancers Hina Cave Tonga MAG1.jpg The Fire Dancers of Hina Cave Traditional fire dancing deep inside a sacred cave on the far corner of Tongetapu Island, Tonga. Tongetapu, Kingdom of Tonga. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-crystalline-silence/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Chrystalline-Silence-MAG1.jpg The Crystalline Silence For some reason, most trekkers to Everest Base Camp stay on the trail and rarely venture into the surrounding wilderness. I decided to do some exploring and found this spectacular alpine lake with a reflection of Ama Dablam. Clouds obscured the view in the afternoon but parted just after sunset to reveal some of the most beautiful twilight colors I've ever witnessed. The cloud layer that had surrounded me all afternoon can be seen receding back down the valley. It's still catching some light from below. 17,000 feet high in the Khumbu Himalaya https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/predator-in-the-shallows/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Shark-in-Dark-Shallows-1-PS1-MAG.jpg Predator in the Shallows A black tipped reef shark, only a few feet off the Uepi Island beach. Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/south-pacific-surf/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Tonga-Blowholes-Pano-1-PS6-MAG.jpg South Pacific Surf This is what the surf normally looks like on Tongetapu Island. So you can imagine that we were a little nervous hanging out here during the Tsunami warnings of October, 2009. Tonga will be one of the first nations to be seriously affected by global warming since most of the islands are flat and rise to only a few meters above sea level.  I can't imagine having this on my doorstep with the seas rising and having nowhere to go... Tongetapu Island, Tonga https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-hunt/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Shark-swimming-through-Fish-3PS3MAG.jpg The Hunt A Reef Shark cruises along the Charapoana Passage, a deep water channel that separates Marovo Lagoon from the Solomon Sea. Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/explosion-in-blue/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Explosion-in-Blue-MAG2.jpg Explosion in Blue An open ocean swell crashes into the rugged volcanic coastline of Tongetapu Island, Tonga. Tongetapu Island, Kingdom of Tonga https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/reed-gallery-show/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Reed-Gallery-Show-Photo-MAG.jpg Reed Gallery Show Reed Gallery. Denver, Colorado. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sorella-gallery-outside-zion/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sorella-Gallery-1MAG.jpg Sorella Gallery outside Zion. Springdale, Utah https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/michael-anderson-photographing-patagonia/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Michael-Anderson-Photographing-Patagonia-MAG.jpg Michael Anderson photographing Patagonia Cheri took this phgoto of Michael Anderson photographing in Patagonia Patagonia, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/aerial-view-of-ofu-island/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Ofu-Aerial-view-MAG.jpg Aerial View of Ofu Island This is Ofu Island in American Samoa from the plane. It's one of the most beautiful islands in the world and fortunately was spared major damage from the Tsunami. We were staying in the Vaoto lodge( the small row of buildings near the airstrip in the lower left corner) when the Tsunami hit. When the earthquake struck at 7am, huge rocks came tumbling down from the huge cliff directly above the lodge. After the shaking subsided, we grabbed our passports and water and got in the lodge pickup and drove the dirt road along the coast to the small gap between the main island and the sharp peak on the right. That's where we were when the Tsunami hit. The huge bulk of Olosega Island rising up and out of the picture at the far right seemed to block most of the force of the Tsunami and the coast where the lodge is only saw a 15 foot wave. The wave crossed the reef and came up the grass toward the lodge but didn't flood it. The Samoan people believe these remote islands are haunted by evil spirits, but on this day, it was a benevolent hand that seemed to be in control. American Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/southern-cross/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Southern-Cross-MAG3.jpg Southern Cross A clear night on Maina Island. Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands. I had never seen a spiral galaxy with my naked eye. Until this night. Maina island sits far out in the corner of Aitutaki Lagoon, alone in the vast Pacific stillness, as far from artificial lights as you can get today. Polynesian mariners colonized the South Pacific long before there was any electricity, relying on the Southern Cross and other constellations to guide them across tremendous expanses of empty ocean. It's nice to know there are a few places left in the world where that ancient sky still survives, unchanged for millenia. Those tiny white clouds above the island are the Magellanic Cloud Galaxies. The Large Magellanic Cloud is the one just above the island and the Small Magellanic Cloud is the one higher up. They are the two closest galaxies to our sun and they orbit around our Milky Way. They are only visible in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a blend of two images taken on a tripod about 15 minutes apart. A remote corner of Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/deep-vertigo/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Taiyo-Wreck-2-MAG.jpg Deep Vertigo This is the wreck of the Taiyo, a 300 foot long fishing boat that crashed and sank on it's maiden voyage. The ship went down backwards VERTICALLY against a massive reef. The bow is only 5 feet under the surface, and you can swim directly over it. As you look straight down to the stern nearly 300 feet into the abyss, you feel as though you are floating in outer space, hovering over the ship, trying your hardest to keep the powerful sense of vertigo at bay. Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/an-elder-monk-at-bodhnath-stupa/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monk-at-Bodhnath-NPN.jpg An elder Monk at Bodhnath Stupa The monk I met and described in my travel journal entry "The Magic of Kathmandu" Kathmandu, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/kalopani-kids/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Kalopani-Kids-NPN.jpg Kalopani Kids Children working the harvest near Kalopani in the heart of the Kali Gandaki Gorge. Annapurna Trail near the village of Kalopani https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/shark-alley/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Shark-Pano-1PS7MAG1.jpg Shark Alley I knew The Solomon Islands were famous for shark diving, but nothing quite prepared me for this spectacle in the Marovo Lagoon. I took this while snorkeling the Charapoana Passage near Uepi Island. Charapoana Passage, Solomon Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/pacific-midnight/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Pacific-Midnight-MAG6.jpg Pacific Midnight A sky filled with stars and the half light of the moon make for an enchanted night on the lost coast of Tutuila.  American Samoa is probably the most underrated travel destination in the South Pacific. Tutuila Island, American Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-wild-coast-of-tau/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Tau-Sunset-MAG.jpg The Wild Coast of Ta'u The South coast of Ta'u island has some of the most spectacular scenery in the Pacific. It is wild, pristine and seriously remote. Samoans believe that humans were first created here at the ancient Saua site, auspiciously marked only by a few weathered and windswept boulders. We flew to these islands to photograph The National Park of American Samoa, the least visited, least known and one of the most spectacular of all the US National Parks. It's the 50th American National Park, and the only one south of the equator. The park consists of three units, one for each of the main islands that make up American Samoa: Tutuila (the main island), Ta'u (seen in this photo) and the crown jewel of the park, Ofu Island, one of the most visually stunning islands in the South Pacific. We started the trip with a small plane ride here to the mysterious island of Ta'u. We hiked out to the most remote point in the park, near where this image was taken.  The trail takes you through virgin Pacific Rainforest where a number of endangered species thrive in the pristine environment.  Humpback Whales were breaching right off the shore. The next day we met a couple fishermen who agreed to take us in their boat across the straight to Ofu Island, our main destination in the park. National Park of American Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-chiefs-whistle/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Tonga-Blowhole-sunset-2-MAG.jpg The Chief's Whistle Mapua'a Vaca, translated to "The Chief's Whistle" in English, is a spectacular 4 km stretch of blowholes on the rugged and rarely visited western coast of the main island of Tonga. Huge swells from Antarctic storms drift north and are compressed into tunnels in the overhanging lava cliffs. The tunnel compresses the water through a small hole at the end and it shoots 300 feet up into the sky. As the water is funneled through the hole it creates a loud 'fwooop' sound that gives the area it's name. This was actually LOW tide at sunset and the blowholes were still spectacular. The rugged lava coastline of Tonga https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/wreck-of-the-taiyo/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Taiyo wreck MAG.jpg Wreck of the Taiyo The Taiyo Fishing Boat is 300 feet long and on it's maiden voyage, it crashed into this reef and sunk vertically. The bow is in 5 feet of water and when you swim over it you can look straight down the deck nearly 300 feet. It feels reminiscent of the famous photos of the bow of the Titanic. This was photo was taken along the side of the bow at 30 feet. Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sahara-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sahara-Beach-NPN.jpg Sahara Beach It's never over until it's over! This is the third big trip I've done recently where I got one of the finest sunsets on the very last day. I just returned from the South Pacific and I had saved this island for the last 2 days of the trip. It's Maina Island out in the far corner of Aitutaki Lagoon in the Cook Islands. A small oasis of palm trees sits in a corner of this uninhabited island and a massive sand bar with brilliant turquise water spreads out in every direction. The white sand bar is so broad that you feel like the small stand of palm trees is an oasis in a sandy desert. This is one of my favorite places on the entire planet! Camping on this beach on a night with no moon, these beautiful clouds eventually cleared revealing the most magnificent star filled sky I've seen yet. Being far out on this tiny patch of land in the middle of the vast Pacific, there is no light pollution anywhere. It was the first time I could actually make out a small spiral galaxy with my naked eye. Maina Motu in the far corner of Aitutaki Lagoon https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/litia-sini-fales--gone/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lalomanu-Smoking-Ruins-and-Pilons-MAG.jpg Litia Sini Fales: Gone The large concrete structure in front was the support frame for the restaurant at Litia Sini's. Remains of Litia Sini's Fales, Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/its-all-gone/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Samoa-Tsunami-Lalomanu-Stump-MAG.jpg It's all gone. All that is left of Taufua Beach Fales. Lalomanu Beach, Samoa. Lalomanu Beach, Samoa. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sunset-over-the-ruins--lalomanu-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Samoa-Tsunami-sunset-over-ruins-MAG.jpg Sunset over the ruins. Lalomanu Beach. Paradise Lost. A spectacular tropical island sunset seems shockingly out of place against the destruction at Lalomanu Beach, Samoa. October 3, 2009. Update: February 11, 2010.  The Fales are being rebuilt and are open again!  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aleipata-Samoa/Taufua-Beach-Fales/274691898784?v=wall Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/samoa-tsunami--litia-sinis-fales/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Samoa-Tsunami-Litia-Sini-Lalomanu-wood-frame.jpg Samoa Tsunami: Litia Sini's Fales When the massive Tsunami struck Litia Sini's Beach Fales, the restaurant and deck were destroyed and smashed up into the steep hillside you see in the photo. Then the waves receded, pulling a lot of the debris back into the water. This is part of the framing of the restaurant which stood over the beach on the concrete pilings in the distance. The steep hillside made it very hard for people to get away from the huge wave. Only a few precious minutes passed between the earthquake and the moment the huge wave came crashing through the fales. The wave tore through the everything in it's path, carrying splintered wood and sharp shattered tin roofing directly into the people that were struggling to get up the hillside. Lalomanu Beach, Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/floating-jacket--samoa-tsunami/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Samoa-Tsunami-Jacket-Floating-MAG.jpg Floating Jacket. Samoa Tsunami A fleece jacket floats in the water in front of the devastated Litia Sini Beach Fales in Samoa. Four days after the disastrous Tsunami, the scene looks just as it did when the waves receded. I am still haunted by what I saw there. Lalomanu Beach, Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/defiance-at-lalomanu/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Litia-Sini-Defiance-MAG.jpg Defiance at Lalomanu Standing over the ruins of the beachside restaurant at Litia Sini's Beach Fales, these men recall the horrifying moment the 25 foot wall of water rushed over this spot, flattening everything and everyone in it's path. They say the time for mourning is now over and now they need to focus on rebuilding their lives. They vow that Litia Sini's will stand again, although a little higher on the hillside as a precaution. Litia Sini's Fales, Lalomanu Beach, Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-haunting-aftermath/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lalomanu-Ruins-Computer-and-shoe-MAG.jpg The Haunting Aftermath Four days after the Samoa Tsunami, the victims had all been transported to the local hospital. Most of the local funerals were over. But the beach looked just as it did an hour after the disaster. Lalomanu Beach, Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-burning-ruins-of-lalomanu-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lalomanu-Burns-in-the-sunset-MAG.jpg The Burning Ruins of Lalomanu Beach Paradise Lost. What was left of the Taufua Beach Fales was collected into piles and burned on the beach. There is no heavy equipment available. All of the cleanup was done by hand by the local families in the scorching tropical sun. Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/samoa-tsunami--smoking-ruins-of-tafua/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Samoa-Tsunami-Ruins-of-Tafua-MAG.jpg Samoa Tsunami: Smoking ruins of Taufua The smoking ruins of the Taufua Beach Fales. It's hard to believe this was an idyllic palm studded beach with private fale cabins a couple days ago. There is nothing left now. Personal effects, including luggage, suntan oil, swim fins, waterlogged photographs, laptops and clothing still litter the beach 4 days after the wave struck. Update: February 11, 2010.  The fales are being rebuilt and are open again!  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aleipata-Samoa/Taufua-Beach-Fales/274691898784?v=wall Taufua Beach Fales. Lalomanu, Samoa. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/samoa-tsunami-hero--meet-tele/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Samoa Tsunami Hero.jpg Samoa Tsunami Hero: Meet 'Otele' Lalomanu Beach, Samoa. Four days after the Tsunami. The bodies have been carried away and the funerals are over. But the beach still looks exactly as it did a few hours after the wave struck. Smoking ruins. Sandals, sunscreen, pillows, cell phones and passports still lie scattered among the splintered wood of the fales, piled up against the the coconut palms, snapped off at chest level by the force of the wave. After helping some of the families on the beach, one of the locals heard me asking who the heroes of the Tsunami rescue were. He introduced me to 'Otele' and we stood next to one of the beach fires and talked a long time about his experience that morning. He worked at Taufua's Fales and was up early that day. He felt the powerful earthquake and when he looked around, he was concerned that nobody seemed to be getting out of the fales. At that point he looked to the sea and saw it sucking back toward the reef. He immediately started running door to door to get people out of the fales, banging and yelling "Tsunami coming! Run! Run up the hill! Run NOW!!!' Then, just before the 25 foot high wall of water approached, he turned and made a dash for the hill behind the camp with a New Zealand woman tourist he had just warned. They couldn't get up the hill fast enough and the wave hit them. The 'wall' of water, as he described it, crashed into the line of fales and was now full of splintered timber and sharp pieces of tin roofing. He and the woman were battered by the waves and the debris, just out of safety's reach. He suffered some contusions and abrasions and lost a couple teeth, but the woman from New Zealand was unconscious and the wall of water began to recede and suck her backwards. He held onto her arm with one hand and a palm tree with the other and saved her life. We sat in utter silence as he told the story. There was nobody else helping them clean up the debris on the beach. Everything was being moved by hand. He said he needed to get back to work although it was now after dark. I asked to take a photo of him, suggesting that people really needed to hear his story. He shrugged off the suggestion but ultimately agreed to a couple shots and then his friends all started calling him 'movie star' and they all laughed, mocked each other and wrestled a bit. Then three of them asked to have their photos taken as well, all doing their best imitation of James Dean. Then they thanked us for coming to help, punched each other in the shoulder and went back to work, still laughing. It was a poignant ending of a powerfully emotional day. It is a Samoan tradition that you never say goodnight without a smile on your face, and that was true here once again, even on this day, in this twilight, on this darkest of all nights. Lalomanu Beach, Samoa. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/samoa-tsunami--devastation-in-lalomanu/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Tafua-Devastation-NPN.jpg Samoa Tsunami. Devastation in Lalomanu Lalomanu beach was one of the hardest hit areas when the Samoa Tsunami, a 25 foot high wall of water, struck early in the morning of Sept 29, 2009. Around 50 small 'fales' open air beach cabins, once stood here on this idyllic beach, most just a few feet from the lapping turquise water. Residents that survived the 8.3 earthquake and the resulting Tsunami are now in shock, wandering among the twisted metal and splintered wood looking for anything they can save from the rubble, although most of the debris is ending up in the massive bonfires they have built on the beach. Despite the loss of family members and everything they own, residents remain defiant and optimistic about the future. I've never seen this much resolve in the face of so much destruction. See my travel journal to learn how you can help. Lalomanu Beach, Samoa. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/stalking-the-void/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Shark-Through-Fish-1-NPN.jpg Stalking the Void A common scene along the pristine reefs of Marovo Lagoon in The Solomon Islands. Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-blue-planet/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Maina-Sand-Bar-blue-transitionNPN.jpg The Blue Planet Our world is mostly a vast ocean, and I've never been so cognizent of that fact until I spent a couple weeks in the South Pacific last spring. The sea has a cleansing power that is palpable there. The air is crystal clear, clean, and the tropical breezes embrace you in a carefree way that makes you feel like you are in need of nothing material. The azure waters are warm and inviting and you suddenly become aware that you are far, far, away from the rest of the world. It's just you and the vastness of the south seas, extending to the horizon in every direction. You're at ease in your own little private paradise, surrounded by the vast, empty, purifying Pacific waiting for nightfall and the ancient light of a billion stars, the same twinkling sky our ancestors enjoyed before the days of electricity and street lights. Skies so dark that paradoxically you become aware that starlight exists, that when everything around you is this dark, the stars seem bright, casting a subtle sheen on the warm foamy surf and a silver lining to the low floating clouds. The palms rustle and the surf booms in a relaxing rhythm and everything feels right in the world. In this place time stands still. Maina Motu, Cook Islands, South Pacific. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-edge-of-nirvana/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Tengboche-Ama-Dablam-NPN1.jpg The Edge of Nirvana Late afternoon light begins to reveal the icy world beyond Tengboche Monastery. Nepal Himalaya. Tengboche Monastery, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-forbidden-kingdom/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Kagbeni-Forbidden-Kingdom-NPN.jpg The Forbidden Kingdom High in the Nepal Himalaya lies the remote Kingdom of Mustang, one of the last places on earth where Tibetan Buddhists continue to live as they have for millenia, untouched by the influences of the modern world. Mustang Region, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/coiled/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sadhu-Hair-Coil-Crop-NPN.jpg Coiled Intense devotion in the eyes of a hindu pilgrim. Pashputinath temple, Kathmandu, Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/step-inside/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Pashputinath-Sadhu-Portrait-Hall-of-Mirrors-NPN.jpg Step Inside The Hall of Mirrors at Pashputinath Temple, one of the holiest sites for Hindus in Nepal. Pashputinath Temple. Kathmandu, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/bodhnath-stupa/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Bodhnath-Pano-NPN.jpg Bodhnath Stupa Sunset over the ancient stupa, one of the largest in the world and a social center for Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/dawn-in-the-kingdom/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Dawn-in-The-Kingdom-NPN.jpg Dawn in the Kingdom Although Nepal is not technically a kingdom anymore, the Himalayan scenery along the trek to Everest Basecamp feels medieval. The peaks are more majestic than your wildest expectations and the friendly villages and cliffside monasteries feel like they were dropped there straight out of a storybook. Nepal is that rare place that makes you feel like you are stepping back in time to a simpler era. Thamserku towers over the boreal forest of Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/michael-anderson-self-portrait/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Michael Anderson Self Portrait Teahouse Nepal.jpg Michael Anderson. Self Portrait I took this photo in a Teahouse in Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/michael-anderson/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Mike-Antelope-Self-Portrait-MAG2.jpg Michael Anderson I am most happy when I am wandering among the natural wonders of the world. Yes, people talk about how the slot canyons have been heavily photographed, but for me that does not detract at all from the feeling of wonderment I have walking alone in the warm swirling glow of one of nature's true masterpieces. Self Portrait in a Slot Canyon https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/palm-abstract/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Palm-abstract-NPN1.jpg Palm Abstract The intimate side of Aitutaki Cook Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-fred/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Fred-NPN1.jpg The 'Fred' Fred Perron, adventurer extraordinaire, shows us his favorite places on the lagoon. He's living the dream Remote corner of Aitutaki Lagoon https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-shallow-seas/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Shallow-Seas-NPN1.jpg The Shallow Seas The tides recede and a starfish makes it's way out to the deeper waters of the lagoon. Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-magical-mystery-lagoon/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Magical-Mystery-Lagoon-NPN2.jpg The Magical Mystery Lagoon I've seen it with my own eyes and yet I still can't completely comprehend how the colors of this lagoon can be so spectacular. Even the pink colored clouds are a mystery to me. And look at the cool water patterns under the lower left rock!  Some things are just pure magic. Believe it or not, the view UNDER the water is even better!  Taken handheld from a moving boat.  Tilt in horizon corrected by a crop, otherwise this is straight out of the camera. A remote corner of Aitutaki, Cook Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-happy-isles-of-oceania/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Happy-Isles-of-Oceania-NPN1.jpg The Happy Isles of Oceania One of my favorite authors, Paul Theroux spent a year kayaking and camping around the islands of the South Pacific. One of his favorite memories of the year was a night on Maina motu. Inspired by his experience, we went there and camped on the beach under a full moon. This was sunset that evening. I fell asleep staring out at the southern cross and a billion other stars and listened to the warm breeze rustle the palms and the low rhythmic thunder of the surf crashing on the reef. We survived on a bottle of rum with candlelight and ate a few local bananas. It was one of the most magical nights in all of my travels. Maina Island, Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/postcard-from-paradise--the-cook-islands/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Diving-into-Aitutaki-NPN.jpg Postcard from Paradise- The Cook Islands Diving off the boat to snorkel around Giant Clams, Morey Eels, Turtles, Eagle Rays and a tremendous biodiversity of tropical fish. A remote corner of Aitutaki Lagoon https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/liquid-landscape/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Liquid-Landscape-1-NPN2.jpg Liquid Landscape View from the kayak on Aitutaki lagoon. Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-most-beautiful-lagoon-in-the-world/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Aitutaki-Aerial-PS1-NPN1.jpg The most beautiful lagoon in the world? The most beautiful lagoon in the world? That small island in the far corner of the lagoon is called 'Maina'. It is the most remote island on the atoll and after kayaking island to island for a week we decided to camp out under the stars by ourselves on this island on the night of the full moon. That night was one of the most memorable we've had in all of our travels. We felt SO out there!!! Just us and a gorgeous lagoon, billions of stars, not a sign of civilization and thousands of miles of the blue pacific in every direction. This was taken from the prop plane ride back to Rarotonga, the capital of the Cook Islands. Maina Island, Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/one-foot-island/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/One-Foot-Island-beach-NPN3.jpg One Foot Island One Foot Island, a small 'motu' or coral island that surrounds the Aitutaki lagoon. This gem of an island has one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The motu was showcased in the American TV show 'Survivor- Cook Islands' Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/fire-dancers-on-the-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Fire-Dancers-Aitutaki-1-NPN.jpg Fire Dancers on the beach Fire dancing on a white sand beach under a billion stars with a gentle tropical breeze and rhythmic drumming- it doesn't get better than this. Aitutaki Atoll, Cook Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/etu-moana/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Etu-Moana-PS9-NPN1.jpg Etu Moana 'Etu Moana' is the Maori word for blue starfish. I just returned from a fantastic trip to Aitutaki Atoll in The Cook Islands in the heart of the South Pacific. I had a feeling that a great sunset would materialize this night and I spent 3 hours walking up and down the beach looking for a suitable foreground and wasn't having much luck until I glanced down and saw this little guy. He was invisible without polarized sunglasses and luckily I had just put mine on. Believe it or not, these guys move pretty fast and I had to use a high ISO to keep the shutter speed up and hold the limb movement to a minimum. Canon 5D MkII 16-35mm lens at 16mm 5 seconds at f20 ISO 320 and a 2 stop hard graduated neutral density filter. PS: The trip was paid for with my grand prize in OP's Iconic 100 contest! It pays to play! Aitutaki Lagoon, Cook Islands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/cloud-break/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Cloud-Break-NPN1.jpg Cloud Break The National Park of American Samoa, our least visited park but one of the jewels of the system Ofu Island https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/yellow-and-white/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sadhu-YellowNPN.jpg Yellow and White Sadhu (Hindu Holyman) at Pashputinath temple, Kathmandu. Pashputinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/welcome-to-the-hall-of-mirrors/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sadhu-Portrait-PashputinathNPN.jpg Welcome to the Hall of Mirrors A sadhu (hindu holy man) greets me in front of the famous hall of mirrors, an optical illusion created by successive temple doors in perfect alignment. Pashputinath Temple, Kathmandu https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/self-portrait-at-sunset-with-ama-dablam/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Mike Self Portrait, Ama Dablam and headlampNPN2.jpg Self Portrait at sunset with Ama Dablam After enjoying my last sunset in the Everest region, I decided to take a memento photograph of myself as I walked down toward Namche Bazaar and the snow peaks of the Himalaya disappeared from view. Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/above-the-trees/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Ama Dablam Smoke sunset NPN1.jpg Above the Trees This is the classic and most familiar view of Ama Dablam, a 23,000 foot peak the towers over the trail to Everest Base Camp. The mist you see here is actually smoke coming from a yak-dung burning stove at the famous Tengboche Monastery which sits high on this ridge. Mt Everest is obscured by the big cloud in the left corner. Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/enchanted/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Young-Monks-and-pidgeons-P4NPN1.jpg Enchanted Young monks at the famous Bodhnath Stupa watch pidgeons scatter overhead as the ceremonial drums begin. Bodhnath Stupa. Kathmandu, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/hungry/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Girl with Babies Hand PS8NPN.jpg Hungry This young girl was asking for money to feed the infant she is carrying.  She already bears the scars of a very difficult life. Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sadhu-pokhara/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sadhu-Pokhara-PS3NPN1.jpg Sadhu, Pokhara Sadhu Portrait. Pokhara, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-gift/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Gift-NPN1.jpg The Gift The spectacular sunset on my Birthday at 15,000 feet in the Everest region of Nepal. The mountain in the background is Ama Dablam.  This is my favorite image from this trip. Below Ama Dablam on the Everest trek https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/shipwrecked/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Shipwrecked-MAG2.jpg Shipwrecked Should I die and go to heaven, this is what I imagine it looks like there... La Digue Island, Seychelles. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/figures-in-the-sand/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Figures-in-Sand-MAG3.jpg Figures in the Sand Twilight on the prehistoric boulders of La Digue Island, Seychelles. Anse Source D'Argent, Seychelles. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/living-on-the-edge/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/AdamantsCrevasse-NPN1.jpg Living on the Edge I was going through some old slides and found this image from a ski traverse of the Adamants Range in British Columbia. The terrain was absolutely incredible and it was common to have to ski through/around icefalls like this one. This is a scan of a 35mm slide and it reminds me how difficult it would be to repeat a trip like this using digital equipment. Batteries would always be cold and there was little sun to permit solar charging. You couldn't bring too many batteries because of weight limitations skiing with a big pack. Maybe there's one niche left for 35mm film? By the way: The guys I went with are certifiably crazy. I don't condone getting this close to a gigantic crevasse ever, especially with such a short rope distance between skiers. I masked my yellow ways by telling them I needed to stay back to give 'a grand perspective' to the shots. It worked most of the time. Adamants Range, British Columbia, Canada https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/a-long-way-from-the-sea/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Man-and-Conch-Shell-NPN3.jpg A Long Way from the Sea A long way from the sea. Lhasa, Tibet https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lightstream-black-and-white/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lightstream-B&W-MAG1.jpg Lightstream (Black and White) A remote slot canyon on the Colorado Plateau https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-end-of-the-day/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Timeless-Standing-MAG1.jpg The End of The Day Li River, China https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-dark-coast/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Dark Coast MAG1.jpg The Dark Coast After leaving Venezuela, we made our way to Northeast Brazil, far out on the tip of South America, where we were actually closer to Africa than Central America. It is a very remote area, and we took a regular bus followed by a dune buggy the last 20 km to a small fishing village called Jericoacoara. The last part of the journey was a drive along the sandy beach since there are no regular roads to the village. It´s an amazing place, an oasis of palm trees and greenery surrounded by hundreds of miles of golden sand dunes. It´s hard to describe the beauty of walking out on the vast dune field under the blue half light of the moon after taking sunset photos. The rolling dunes spread out to the horizon on one side while the ocean waves crash in a regular rhythm on the other. The tide fluctuation is huge and you can walk out about a mile on the wet sand at low tide. Low tide was at night, and we made a routine of walking far out on the flats by moonlight. The cool light of the moon made the distant dunes loom larger than life, and they were reflected perfectly onto the glassy plain of wet sand surrounding us. The horizon seemed to merge together and you got this extraordinary sense that you were walking through the star filled empty sky. The bathing warmth of the evening sea breeze added to otherworldly feel of the place. We met a few really cool locals there and had some interesting conversations about Brazil. We also imbibed in the local mojitos and capirinas from street stalls on the sandy streets. There was a good mix of rustic posada restaurants with surprisingly good pizza and Brazilian reggae music at night. We walked barefoot everywhere and felt very safe there (unlike other parts of Brazil). It was a very special place and we spent a few more days there than we originally planned. Jericoacoara, Brazil https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/delicate-tides/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Delicate-Tide-MAG1.jpg Delicate Tides The tide flows in and pastel clouds recede to the horizon. Ofu beach in the National Park of American Samoa. The least visited US National Park is one of the most beautiful in the system. Ofu Island, American Samoa. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/nam-tso-sunrise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Yak-Horns-Nam-Tso-2MAG.jpg Nam Tso Sunrise A Yak skull draped with a ceremonial 'kata'  flutters softly in the breeze as sunrise illuminates Nam Tso Lake, 16,000 feet high on the Tibetan Plateau.  16,000 feet in Tibet https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/above-the-monsoon/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Above-the-Monsoon-MAG1.jpg Above the Monsoon Moisture from the steaming plains of India rises up into the Himalaya every afternoon, condensing into a spectacular sea of clouds that only the tallest peaks can penetrate. This is Kangtega, 'the yak saddle' peak, one of the most spectacular peaks in a land of superlatives Everest Region, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sandstone-sunset/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sandstone-Sunset-MAG1.jpg Sandstone Sunset The surreal glow in this canyon gives the illusion of a desert sunset over the buttes of monument valley. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/south-pacific-rainforest/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Samoa-Waterfall-1-MAG1.jpg South Pacific Rainforest A beautiful waterfall in the highlands of Upolu island.  This waterfall was featured in the Survivor-Samoa TV show. Upolu Island, Samoa. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/colorado-twilight/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Colorado Twilight MAG1.jpg Colorado Twilight Fresh early season snow and the autumn colors of Colorado Crested Butte area, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-happy-kids-of-rio-sidra/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Happy-Kids-San-Blas-MAG1.jpg The Happy Kids of Rio Sidra Rio Sidra, San Blas Islands, Panama https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/courtyard-cafe-antigua-guatemala/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Courtyard-Cafe-Antigua-MAG1.jpg Courtyard Cafe, Antigua, Guatemala Antigua, Guatemala https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/symmetry/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Symmetry MAG1.jpg Symmetry A tranquil stream meanders through the park like meadows of Yading Nature Reserve, one of the most spectacular and least known mountain sanctuaries in the world. Yading National Park, Sichuan, China https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/fall-in-the-himalaya/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Fall in the Himalaya MAG1.jpg Fall in The Himalaya The most majestic mountain sanctuary I've ever seen.  This was still a true wilderness when I visited in 2006. I camped and was invited in to Yak herder huts as I hiked a kora around the mountains. A kora is a holy pilgrimage tibetan pilgrims make around certain holy regions such as the famous Mt Kailash kora. I hope the Chinese government decides to preserve the area in it's current natural state and that they respect and honor the tibetan pilgrims that hike the kora each year as their ancestors have for hundreds of years. Yading National Park, Sichuan, China https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-far-edge-of-fall/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The Far Edge of Fall MAG1.jpg The Far Edge of Fall The southern migration of autumn color ends here, among the majestic towers of Patagonia. Patagonia, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/autumn-in-the-subway/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Autumn in the Subway MAG1.jpg Autumn in the Subway 'The Subway' Slot Canyon.  Autumn is my favorite time to explore Zion.  The warm palette of fall colors mixes boldly with the towering sandstone walls and a peaceful stillness descends over the canyons.  The Subway Slot Canyon in Zion National Park https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/luminous-passage/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Subway-Luminous-Passage-MAG1.jpg Luminous Passage The Subway Slot Canyon, Zion National Park https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sadhu/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sadhu-MAG1.jpg Sadhu I met this Sadhu when I was wandering the streets of Kathmandu far from the bustle of Thamel. I took this with a dark open doorway as the background to give contrast to his face. Kathmandu, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/prisoner-of-tibet/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Prisoner-of-Tibet-MAG1.jpg Prisoner of Tibet A hardened tibetan woman remains stoic despite being a cultural prisoner in her own land. Tibetan plateau https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/primordial/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Primordial-MAG1.jpg Primordial Sunrise over the coral gardens of the south pacific. The white line in the distance is made by the surf crashing over the edge of the fringing reef. Ofu Island, National Park of American Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/postcard-from-paradise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Postcard from Paradise boat MAG1.jpg Postcard from Paradise San Blas Islands, Panama https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sapphire-coast/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sapphire Coast MAG1.jpg Sapphire Coast Twilight on one of the most beautiful and unknown islands in the South Pacific. Ofu Island, National Park of American Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monsoon-sunrise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monsoon Sunrise MAG1.jpg Monsoon Sunrise A huge thunderhead was building directly over my head as the sun rose on my last day on this island. Lightning flashed into the scene, but I couldn't quite capture it. The longer exposure I chose to capture a few lightning bolts ended up resulting in these interesting cloud effects. A few minutes after I took this I got drenched in the heaviest downpour I've ever experienced. But it was awesome! Ofu Island, The National Park of American Samoa https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/sacred-lake/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Sacred Lake MAG1.jpg Sacred Lake Nam Tso lake is a stunning aquamarine jewel nestled at 16,500 feet on the Tibetan Plateau. The lake is sacred to the local Tibetan Buddhists who often make pilgrimages to this part of the shoreline. Nam Tso Lake, Tibet https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-ice-cavern/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Ice-Cavern-MAG1.jpg The Ice Cavern This is a scan of a 35 mm slide. In the winter of 2003, 4 friends and I set out to ski about 70 miles of the great divide route across the icefields of the Canadian Rockies. Along the way we enjoyed (suffered through?) many adventures including a rappel down an icy cliff face in 100 mph winds onto a dangerous avalanche slope, a ski across the thin ice of a thawing lake, and some of the most incredible powder skiing of my life down the face of Mons peak. This image of an ice cavern at the base of the Mons icefield seems to encapsulate the beauty, remoteness and danger I felt on that incredible adventure. A remote Glacial Cavern in the Heart of the Canadian Rockies https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-mystic-waters-of-shangri-la/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Mystic-Waters-ShanriLa-N5 MAG1.jpg The Mystic Waters of Shangri La The secret valley of Shangri La, an unknown mountain paradise hidden in the vast borderlands of Tibet. Yading Nationa Park, Sichuan/Tibet borderlands https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/marbled-sunrise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Marbled Sunrise MAG1.jpg Marbled Sunrise Sunrise at one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. Moraine Lake, Banff National Park https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/tempest/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/M-&-M-storm-sky-2 MAG1.jpg Tempest A huge thunderstorm builds over the buttes of canyon country. Canyonlands national Park, Utah https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-sacred-himalaya/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Gangapurna-Chorten-MAG1.jpg The Sacred Himalaya A symbolic chorten and faded prayer flags greet the sunrise 16,000 feet along a trek in the Himalaya. High in the Annapurna Range, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/secret-journey/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Secret-Journey-MAG1.jpg Secret Journey This spectacular light only exists for a few minutes each day for 3 weeks around the summer solstice. Then the darkness rules again. Zion Narrows, Utah https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/infinite-wake/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Infinite Wake MAG1.jpg Infinite Wake Sunset winds stir the placid waters of a beautiful lake in the Canadian Rockies. Maligne Lake, Jasper National Park, Canada https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lhotse-falls/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lhotse-Falls-MAG1.jpg Lhotse Falls A cascade below Lhotse peak and the tallest rock wall in the world. Along the route to Island Peak Base Camp, Nepal. Everest Region, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/a-lasting-impression/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lasting-Impression-v2-MAG1.jpg A Lasting Impression The first snow of the season arrives early, blanketing the autumn foliage in a spectacular contrast of the seasons. Ouray, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/jokhang-mist/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Jokhang-Mist MAG1.jpg Jokhang Mist A pilgrim walks the holy kora inside the famous Jokhang Temple, the center of Tibetan Buddhism. The Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/falling-through-the-mist/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Falling Through the Mist MAG1.jpg Falling Through The Mist Sunrise illuminates the fine mist of Iguazu falls on an unusually cool morning in the jungle. Iguazu Falls, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/holy-waters/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Holy-Waters-MAG1.jpg Holy Waters Heavy runoff in spring fills the Virgin River as it cascades through the famous narrows of Zion Canyon. The Narrows, Zion National Park, Utah https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-glowing-defile/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Glowing-Defile-2-PS2MAG1.jpg The Glowing Defile A spectacular slot canyon hidden in Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Utah. Utah https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/pastel-breeze/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Pastel Breeze MAG1.jpg Pastel Breeze Palms rustle in the evening breeze on a deserted beach on one of 7,000 islands in the Philippines. El Nido, Philippines https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/touch-the-light/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Touch the Light MAG1.jpg Touch the Light The edge of winter in Patagonia. Cerro Torre, Patagonia, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/simplicity/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Simplicity MAG1.jpg Simplicity Simplicity in lines Crested Butte, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/a-fluttering-of-hope/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/A Fluttering of Hope MAG1.jpg A Fluttering of Hope Prayer flags stream in the wind, carrying the dreams of a proud culture across their Tibetan homeland. The remote Borderlands of Tibet https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/genesis/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Genesis-MAG1.jpg Genesis Prehistoric, surreal, and empty. Our vast tropical oceans. The middle of the Indian Ocean. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/intimate-grandeur/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Intimate Grandeur MAG2.jpg Intimate Grandeur Reflections of the high Himalaya. Everest region, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monochrome-coast/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monochrome-Coast-MAG1.jpg Monochrome Coast Sunrise illuminates the sand dunes of the surreal Northern Coast of Brazil. The Northern Coast of Brazil. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/canyon-falls/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/El Chalten Canyon Falls MAG1.jpg Canyon Falls A beautiful waterfall among the colorful Lenga trees of Patagonia. El Chalten, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/autumn-among-the-towers/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Autumn Among the Towers MAG1.jpg Autumn Among the Towers Cerro Torre shines through the autumn splendor on a spectacular morning in Patagonia. Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonia, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/streaming-into-fairyland/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Streaming Fairyland MAG1.jpg Streaming into Fairyland The Li River canyons. Ancient Lair of the Dragon, the archetypal landscape of China, a place of outstanding beauty and a culture struggling to preserve it's identity in the face of rapid change. Li River, China https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/lightstream/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Lightstream-v4MAG1.jpg Lightstream A spectacular wall of sandstone found in a remote rarely visited slot canyon on the Colorado Plateau. The light is completely natural and I waited 5 hours in this cramped space for just the right amount of reflected light to illuminate the 'heart' in the wall. Deep in a Remote Slot Canyon on the Colorado Plateau https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/wo-chi/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Wo Chi MAG1.jpg Wo Chi Wo Chi is navajo for 'light shaft'. I took this near the summer solstice in a deep slot canyon, and at that time of the year, the sun is high enough to create spectacular beams of light that penetrate all the way to the canyon floor for a few minutes each day. Antelope Canyon, Arizona. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/tangerine-dream/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Tangerine-Dream-MAG1.jpg Tangerine Dream A spectacular waterfall tumbles down the red rock walls of a hidden canyon into a cool emerald pool. Escalante Canyons, Utah. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/aspens-and-autumn-foliage/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Aspen-Red-Foliage-MAG1.jpg Aspens and Autumn Foliage White Aspen boles in the rain among red foliage in the San Juan mountains of Colorado. Ouray, Colorado https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/antelope-canyon-beam/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Antelope-Valley-beam-10MAG1.jpg Antelope Canyon Beam The famous beams of Antelope Canyon can only be seen during the brief few weeks around the summer solstice when the sun gets high enough to penetrate to the bottom of the 300 foot deep canyon. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/shattered/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Shattered-MAG1.jpg Shattered The thin ice on the edge of a lake was broken and then piled up on the shore by a powerful wind leaving this mosaic of patterns in the stacked ice. It's a glacial lake which gives it a nice spectrum of green and blue. Patagonia https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/luminous/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Luminous MAG1.jpg Luminous Sunrise over the Fitzroy range as the clouds clear from the first snowstorm of the season. Laguna Capri, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/silhouettes/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Silhouettes-MAG1.jpg Silhouettes I almost didn't get this one. My camera was having electrical problems from sea spray two days earlier. The camera finally came back to life in the middle of this sunset. The scene is so fantasy-land, I left the blurred palm on the right as a reminder that it IS real. La Digue Island, Seychelles. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/desert-paradise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Desert-Paradise-MAG1.jpg Desert Paradise There are endless secrets hidden in the labyrinth of canyons that make up the remote Escalante area of Utah. When you start hiking at a seemingly random pullout on a dirt road in a plain of sage, there is no indication of the magical landscape that awaits a few hours away. The plain slowly gives way to shallow washes that dig deeper into the colored bedrock and then the first green cottonwoods appear along with small bubbling springs. The waters gather into a clear rushing stream and the walls begin to loom much higher, overhanging and sheltering the canyon from the desert sun. The river comes alive as the water flows over this small cascade near the deepest part of the canyon. Explore the canyon country! Paradise is out there, somewhere in those deep canyons beyond the sandstone horizon. Coyote Gulch, Escalante Wilderness, Utah. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/stone-surf/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Antelope-stone-wave-MAG1.jpg Stone Surf The swirling stone of a slot canyon mimics a stormy sea. Antelope Canyon, Arizona. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/autumn-in-patagonia/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Autumn-in-Patagonia-MAG2.jpg Autumn in Patagonia Fitzroy towers over Laguna Capri and the golden Lenga forest. It's autumn in Patagonia! Laguna Capri, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-chasm/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/The-Chasm-MAG1.jpg The Chasm Sunrise through the morning mist of Iguazu falls. I was extremely lucky to get this image. The park doesn't open to visitors until 9am, well after sunrise. But the previous day, I met a local ranger who was surprised that I had her same job in Yosemite, years ago. She invited me into the park the following morning through an unmarked alternate entrance, and I was able to enjoy this sunrise completely alone. La Garganta Del Diablo, Iguazu Falls, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/la-catarata/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Iguazu-San-Martin-MAG1.jpg La Catarata The magnificent Iguazu falls shining in the last light of the day. Iguazu Falls, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/where-the-dark-river-rises/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Angel-Falls-Pano-NPN4MAG1.jpg Where the Dark River Rises Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, thunders 3,000 feet down into the heart of the Rainforest. Canaima National Park, Venezuela https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/wisdom-and-reflection/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Wisdom-and-Reflection-v3N3MAG1.jpg Wisdom and Reflection This beautiful mountain is Yungmaijung, a physical manifestation of the bodhisatva of Wisdom in Tibetan Buddhism. After researching the writings of Joseph Rock, I believe this mountain was the inspiration for Karakul Peak and the valley of Shangri La in the famous book 'Lost Horizon'. It was unclimbed as of 2008. Yading National Park, Sichuan, China https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/a-corner-of-paradise/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Corner Paradise MAG1.jpg A Corner of Paradise Sunrise from the dock, El Nido, The Philippines. El Nido, Palawan Island, Philippines https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/ofu-beach/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Ofu-Beach MAG1.jpg Ofu Beach Sunrise on Ofu Beach. National Park of American Samoa. The only footprints I ever saw on this beach were my own. National Park of American Samoa, Ofu Island. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/dreamscape/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Dreamscape-v2-MAG1.jpg Dreamscape Cerro Torre towers over a Dreamscape of ice and snow in the majestic high country of Patagonia. Lago Torre, Patagonia, Argentina https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/solemn/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Solemn-MAG1.jpg Solemn This Chorten stands on the border of Chinese Yunnan province and Tibet.  These Tibetans are burning incense and praying toward their land which is out in the distance, surrounded in clouds and mystery.  It is now forbidden for foreigners to enter this region without an official escort. Tibet https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/michael-anderson/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Self-Portrait-Nepal-Teahouse-NPN.jpg Michael Anderson Michael Anderson self portrait in a teahouse in Nepal. Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-longest-journey/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Longest-Journey-MAG2.jpg The Longest Journey What is she searching for? This young Tibetan woman has walked hundreds of kilometers prostating to the ground with every new step to reach this place, the sacred Jokhang Temple, the holiest place in Lhasa. After the fall harvest, thousands of pilgrims walk from every corner of Tibet to participate in the Kora around the temple creating a scene so powerful and humbling that photographs and words cannot begin to describe it. Jokhang Temple, Lhasa, Tibet https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/monastery-of-the-clouds/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Monastery-of-the-Clouds-MAG2.jpg Monastery of the Clouds The famous Tengboche Monastery floats over heavenly clouds under the shadow of Mt Everest. The monastery has been there for centuries. I climbed this ridge to get a better view of Ama Dablam and Mount Everest which are above me to the right. After the alpengow faded from Everest, I looked back down and this scene before me was even more compelling. I flipped the camera around and got a few shots before the fast moving clouds engulfed the monastery. Climbers enroute to Everest often stop here for a blessing by the local lama before they continue on to basecamp. Tengboche Monastery, Nepal https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/timeless/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Timeless-3-MAG2.jpg Timeless When I first saw a photograph of the karst peaks of Guilin thirty years ago, I couldn't believe a landscape like thisreally existed. The area remained at the top of my 'life list' of places to see since then. When I finally found the opportunity to visit, I wandered alone on the riverbanks and met a cormorant fisherman who showed me his traditional methods. They fish at night and the lantern attracts fish toward the raft so the cormorant can dive in and catch them. The fishermen tie a loose string around the cormorant's neck so they can't swallow it completely, and the men pull out the fish and store them in a basket. This method of fishing has existed for over a thousand years here. I decided to call the image 'Timeless' in honor of the men and their tradition. It is still possible to find the 'old China' if you know where to look. I met the fisherman during the day when he was cleaning his raft on the banks of the river. Using a Mandarin phrasebook I carried in my pocket, I asked him if he would be out fishing that evening. He said yes, and I asked if I could watch him from the shore and photograph him. He agreed and seemed genuinely interested in my camera. He understood what I wanted to do and stayed fairly still on the raft as the best sunset of my trip unfolded around us. I used a fill flash to keep the wing detail in the black Cormorant. Suddenly it spread it's wing wide open. And then the most amazing part happened. It held it's wings open and still like that for about 2 seconds. It was getting pretty dark and my shutter speed was slow at 1/30 second. That single moment, with the cormorant holding it's wings out still like that was the key to the entire image. The cormorant was perfectly sharp in the dim twilight during the best sunset of my entire trip. Guilin, China https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/thunder-and-light/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Thunder and Light MAG1.jpg Thunder and Light The humbling power of Iguazu falls- a true masterpiece of nature! This is La Garganta del Diablo (the Devil's throat) from the Argentine side of the falls at sunrise. Hum the theme to the movie 'The Mission' for added effect... Iguazu Falls, Argentina. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/stranded/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Stranded-MAG1.jpg Stranded The remote and surreal northeast coast of Brazil. Jericoacoara, Brazil https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/prayer-wheels-at-dusk/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Prayer-wheels-dusk-MAG1.jpg Prayer Wheels at Dusk Spinning prayer wheels are illuminated on a cliffside monastery in the high country of Nepal. Mustang region, Annapurna Range, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-fountains-of-el-dorado/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Fountains-of-El-Dorado-MAG1.jpg The Fountains of El Dorado "The legend speaks of a fantastic lagoon far beyond the great mountains, a place of unspeakable beauty and mystery, where the gilded man became king." Like Shangri La in Tibet, El Dorado is the mysterious mythical paradise of South America. When you arrive in the magnificent Canaima National Park in Venezuela, you feel like you've become privy to the secret. It's a vast landscape of mysterious table mountains, with hundreds of waterfalls pouring off the cliff edges into pristine rainforests and lagoons below. It's a land of Jaguars, Toucans, Quetzals, and river dolphins. And the Pemon people that live there are among the friendliest I've ever met. It's one of the Earth's greatest natural treasures and a crown jewel of South America's famous wilderness parks. Hacha Falls, Canaima, Venezuela. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/the-edge-of-a-lost-world/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Edge-of-Lost-World-MAG1.jpg The Edge of a Lost World This is the summit of Monte Roraima, a remnant of the supercontinent Pangea, and one of the oldest land formations on earth. This 40 square kilometre table mountain towers 7,000 feet over the surrounding Amazon highlands of Venezuela and harbors a completely unique and ancient ecosystem isolated for millions of years from the steamy jungle below. There are plants and animals that exist on top, and nowhere else in the world. The hot amazon air cools and swirls around the summit creating a cloud forest and some of the tallest waterfalls in the world plunge from the summit to the wilderness world below. The trail to the summit follows a narrow diagonal ledge directly up the sandstone cliff to this point. Summit of Mount Roraima, Venezuela https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/oasis/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Canaima-Lagoon-MAG1.jpg Oasis In the heart of the largest rainforest on Earth, an Oasis of life, light and inspiration. I am home now, but every night I still dream of the Amazon, the greatest and most threatened ecosystem in the world... This is the magnificent Canaima National Park in Venezuela, one of the largest national parks on earth, covering 30,000 square km and a crown jewel in the UNESCO list of world heritage sites. Canaima Lagoon, Venezuela https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/photo/clearing-storm-over-ama-dablam/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/images/xl/Ama-Dablam-Mist-MAG1.jpg Clearing Storm over Ama Dablam Twenty minutes before I took this image, I was surrounded by dense fog.  I looked at my map again and the contour lines clearly showed that Ama Dablam, one of the most beautiful mountains in the world, should be right in front of me.  But all I could see were a few rocks at my feet and a the faint outline of a dark ridge disappearing toward the bottom of a deep canyon.  Then the fog began to glow, and in an instant, it lifted up and revealed this spectacular scene in front of me.  I had time to take about 10 photos before the alpenglow faded. I continued to stand there in the fading twilight transfixed, overwhelmed by the brevity and majesty of the scene I had just witnessed.  And I was elated that I had finally photographed a scene that did justice to the grandeur of the Himalayan landscape. Ama Dablam is in the heart of the Everest Region, Nepal. https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/news/ https://www.michaelandersongallery.com/contact/