Your Bio

Welcome to my photo sharing site. On these pages you will find photographs I have taken around Anacortes and around the world. As many of you know photography has become my hobby and passion. It gives me joy to photograph nature and the beautiful surroundings we enjoy here in Washington. It also gives me pleasure to share these with family and friends.

At this time I have made this a public site and wish to keep it that way. Although I only upload reduced size and low dpi photos I still ask that you please respect my images and do not copy or use them in any commercial way. Instead, feel free to return and enjoy viewing them on a regular basis. Do feel free to share the web address with others if you like what you see.

If you are interested in high resolution copies of these photos feel free to contact me.

Come around often as I tend to upload photos on a regular basis.

Hope you enjoy.

J.B.

jb.smith@verizon.net

Featured Galleries

Canada's Icefields Parkway - July 2008 : On the way to Calgary, Alberta for a photo workshop with my DPChallenge friends Beth and I spent a couple of days in the Banff - Jasper area and stayed on the Icefields Parkway, halfway between Jasper and Lake Louise. If you have never driven and explored this area it is one of the great drives in Canada and well worth your time and gas. The glaciers are slowly (or not so slowly) melting away so get with it. Lots of grand scenery and wildlife, we just missed a grizzly by minutes! Here are a few of the shots I took.

Canada's Icefields Parkway - July 2008

On the way to Calgary, Alberta for a photo workshop with my DPChalleng ...

Updated: Jul 17, 2008 8:58pm PST

Galleries

Canada's Icefields Parkway - July 2008 : On the way to Calgary, Alberta for a photo workshop with my DPChallenge friends Beth and I spent a couple of days in the Banff - Jasper area and stayed on the Icefields Parkway, halfway between Jasper and Lake Louise. If you have never driven and explored this area it is one of the great drives in Canada and well worth your time and gas. The glaciers are slowly (or not so slowly) melting away so get with it. Lots of grand scenery and wildlife, we just missed a grizzly by minutes! Here are a few of the shots I took.

Canada's Icefields Parkway - July 2008

On the way to Calgary, Alberta for a photo workshop with my DPChalleng ...

Updated: Jul 17, 2008 8:58pm PDT

Beth's Greek Adventure - April/May 2008 : In April of 2008 I realized a 30+ year dream of going to Greece. On the mainland we spent two nights in Athens, two in Arachova, and two in Kalambaka. We then boarded the wonderful ship 'Galileo' and sailed to nine islands. It was a fantastic adventure and here are the pictures I took along the way. I hope you enjoy them. (Posted for Beth)

Beth's Greek Adventure - April/May 2008

In April of 2008 I realized a 30+ year dream of going to Greece. On t ...

Updated: May 27, 2008 9:53pm PDT

Redrock Country - April 2008 : Nick, my youngest son, and I did a drive trip through southern Utah to Zion, Capital Reef, Goblin Valley, Arches and Canyonland Parks this April (2008). We met up with a group from DPChallenge, a photo site I belong to, for some photography fellowship. This is an awe inspiring place and needs multiple visits to get it all. But here are at least some of the shots I got. Hope you enjoy.

Redrock Country - April 2008

Nick, my youngest son, and I did a drive trip through southern Utah to ...

Updated: Apr 30, 2008 7:20pm PDT

Artist Point Snowshoe Hike - March 2008 : Our little hiking group took a snowshoe hike up to Artist Point on Mt. Baker today (March 31, 2008) and lucked out with great weather, a little snow, some clouds and some outstanding views, although Baker and Shuskan never came fully out. It is a short hike, a little under 3 miles and 1,050 feet of elevation gain round trip, but some parts are very steep and it provided quite a challenge on snowshoes with all the fresh snow the last couple of days.

Artist Point Snowshoe Hike - March 2008

Our little hiking group took a snowshoe hike up to Artist Point on Mt. ...

Updated: Mar 31, 2008 8:57pm PDT

Oahu, Hawaii - 11-2007 : Thanks to an invitation by friends to visit with them we had the opportunity to go back and visit the Island of Oahu where Beth and I had lived and were married back in 1971. We had only been back once briefly in 1991 and then only to the Honolulu area and even then could not believe the changes. This trip we got to visit the entire Island including our old stomping grounds and places we lived and worked. Wow! What changes and growth. No more sugar cane fields, hardly any pineapple fields, tens of thousands of new homes and new major freeways full of cars. Beach parks on the leeward side full of homeless camps. We were shocked and somewhat disappointed at first. But soon we got out and about and rediscovered some of the lifestyle we enjoyed then. Beautiful weather, beaches, mountains and people, stunning waves and pieces of the old Hawaii we left behind. Hey, everywhere we have been has seen too much growth in the last 30 years so you have to concentrate on what is still good. And Hawaii still offers up that relaxing atmosphere we loved, even on Oahu. I was not overly serious about taking photos this trip but still managed to indulge my hobby at the resort condo we stayed at, on the Northshore beaches were the annual winter surfing championships were taking place, downtown at Waikiki and on the windward side of the Island. Thanks Wally and Jo for the invite and to Jeff and Heather for putting us up a couple of extra days. Hope you enjoy.

Oahu, Hawaii - 11-2007

Thanks to an invitation by friends to visit with them we had the oppor ...

Updated: Nov 24, 2007 9:04pm PDT

Park Butte Hike - Nov 2007 : Late season hike to Park Butte on the south side of Mt. Baker. Likely our last high hike of the year as the weather started changing the day we hiked and now snow is called for. As it is we did hike through snow maybe 2 miles of the four miles in. We were glad to get it in as October weather kept us out of the high country all month. This is another highly recommended hike in the Mt. Baker area with views from the top (Park Butte Lookout) that span the full 360 degrees of the horizon. The books say anywhere from 6.8 to 8 miles round trip, we did 8.01 miles according to the GPS. The hike climbs steadily with a total of 2100’ of elevation gain.

Park Butte Hike - Nov 2007

Late season hike to Park Butte on the south side of Mt. Baker. Likely ...

Updated: Nov 08, 2007 2:27pm PDT

Seattle GTG - 11-2007 : DPC get together on November 3rd 2007.

Seattle GTG - 11-2007

DPC get together on November 3rd 2007.

Updated: Nov 08, 2007 12:20pm PDT

Yellow Aster Butte Hike - Sept 2007 : This week Pat, Dick, Sandy, Ed and I did Yellow Aster Butte in the North Cascades. Yellow Aster Butte is known for its beauty and glorious show of mountain peaks including the American Border Peaks and Mt. Tomyhoi to the north and northwest, Goat Mountain, Mt. Shuskan and Mt. Baker to the south and southeast and many more. Our hike took us 7.7 miles roundtrip and 2,200 feet of elevation gain in. You can do more or less depending on where you go once up in the higher country. This day the weather was iffy but we managed to hike up through the clouds and into broken sky with sun breaks and a few views of the surrounding mountains. We managed glimpses of Mt. Shuskan and a little better looks at American Border Peak, Yellow Aster Butte and Mt. Tomyhoi. Our fortune was in the fall colors and the beautiful Yellow Aster Basin itself! The wild blueberries were in a blaze of reds and oranges and full of fruit. These shots may look oversaturated but that is how they came out of the camera. All I did was brighten and improve contrast a little. This hike is now on my top three list and will require a few more trips to explore it fully.

Yellow Aster Butte Hike - Sept 2007

This week Pat, Dick, Sandy, Ed and I did Yellow Aster Butte in the Nor ...

Updated: Sep 26, 2007 3:12pm PDT

Oyster Run - 2007 : The annual invasion of the Harley's came to town Sunday. The weather was a bit cool with some fog in the morning. That kept the crowds down a bit but it broke out to a beautiful sunny afternoon that helped show off the bikes and assorted characters.

Oyster Run - 2007

The annual invasion of the Harley's came to town Sunday. The weather w ...

Updated: Sep 23, 2007 11:11pm PDT

Heliotrope Ridge Hike - Sept 2007 : The Heliotrope Ridge hike offers two alternatives, this one took us to the Coleman Glacier overlook area about 5.3 miles round trip with a little over 1500 feet of elevation gain going in. Heliotrope Ridge is a must do hike in the north Mt. Baker area and we hit it on a very nice day (although all the pictures are into the sun which offers a challenge). Only issues that you need to be aware of are the stream crossings which can be hazardous at times. The fourth gave us a challenge but our early hike hour and early return made it manageable. I'm ready to do it again and take in the longer climber’s route portion which leads up onto the glacier. Enjoy the pictures. Edit: I did this hike again a week later with Ed and a friend of his and we hiked further up the spine to where the glacier splits, maybe another .75 miles and 600 feet or elevation gain. I think the photos from this trip turned out beteer so I posted those also. They are listed first and nummbered 1-30.

Heliotrope Ridge Hike - Sept 2007

The Heliotrope Ridge hike offers two alternatives, this one took us to ...

Updated: Sep 20, 2007 12:13pm PDT

Antique Steam Engine Show – Sept 2007 :

Antique Steam Engine Show – Sept 2007

Updated: Sep 16, 2007 8:09pm PDT

Cascade Pass Hike - Sept 2007 : This week it was just Ed and I and we did Cascade pass. We went in a little past the pass to a rocky area and had lunch and then back out, about 8 miles round trip. As you will see the weather was dry but in the clouds going in with the typical NW cloudy on the west side and sunny on the east side syndrome. The colors are beginning to turn so it will be spectacular in a couple of weeks but we were treated to wild blueberries and lots of weird mushrooms for our earlier visit.

Cascade Pass Hike - Sept 2007

This week it was just Ed and I and we did Cascade pass. We went in a l ...

Updated: Sep 06, 2007 5:28pm PDT

Ptarmigan Ridge Hike - August 2007 : Another of the Mt. Baker hikes which starts at Artist Point and travels via the Chain Lakes trail to a junction and then directly towards one of Mt. Baker’s base camps, Camp Kiser. We hiked as far as the camp and then just past Coleman Pinnacle, about 4.3 miles and then the same out. The views from this hike are spectacular with 360 degrees of mountain tops, snow fields, glaciers, tarns and meadows below. We hit a beautiful day of mild temps and clear weather making what can be a tricky hike much simpler.

Ptarmigan Ridge Hike - August 2007

Another of the Mt. Baker hikes which starts at Artist Point and travel ...

Updated: Aug 29, 2007 9:15pm PDT

Lake Ann Hike - August 2007 : Mount Baker's Lake Ann Hike passes through a variety of terrain from steep hillsides, meadow streams, wooded trail, rock fall areas, close-up views of Mount Shuskan’s Curtis Glacier and finally the tarn known as Lake Ann in 4 to 4.5 miles one way, 8 to 9 miles round trip. This day we had cool to warm temps with on and off rain, fog and a few breaks to see the glacier. Our early start provided solitude for our trip in and our stay at the lake with no other hikers to be seen. We did pass others coming in on our way out. We hope to do this hike again this season but hopefully during better weather to see more of the views.

Lake Ann Hike - August 2007

Mount Baker's Lake Ann Hike passes through a variety of terrain from s ...

Updated: Aug 23, 2007 10:02pm PDT

Sights of Seafair 2007 : The Seafair Airshow over Lake Washington in Seattle features not just the Blue Angels but hundreds, if not thousands, of boats filled with thousands of people who come out to party, see and hear the F-18's do their thing. The action is fast and loud. Here are some of the sights but unfortunately none of the sounds.

Sights of Seafair 2007

The Seafair Airshow over Lake Washington in Seattle features not just ...

Updated: Aug 05, 2007 10:05pm PDT

Sauk Mountain Hike - July 24, 2007 : Short but steep hike up to Sauk Mountain with friends. The wildflowers were in bloom and the weather was wonderful!

Sauk Mountain Hike - July 24, 2007

Short but steep hike up to Sauk Mountain with friends. The wildflower ...

Updated: Jul 25, 2007 10:16pm PDT

Columbia Gorge & Mt. St. Helens June 2007 : I took a trip down to the Columbia Gorge outside Portland to shot waterfalls with a group I belong to on-line called DPChallenge. I met some nice people that I had only known on-line up to that point, had a good time and learned a few tricks. If you like water this is the place. I then went by myself to Mt. St. Helens National Monument to do a little hiking and shoot some landscapes. It was a beautiful day but ended in clouds and rain moving in so no sunset photo chance. Hoped for a little lightning but no luck there either. In any case I think you will enjoy the shots I did get.

Columbia Gorge & Mt. St. Helens June 2007

I took a trip down to the Columbia Gorge outside Portland to shot wate ...

Updated: Jun 16, 2007 4:02pm PDT

Family & Friends : Here are the photos I took on wedding day. Look at all the cut off feet! Let me know if you want any of the originals as I can copy them to a DVD and send them out.

Family & Friends

Here are the photos I took on wedding day. Look at all the cut off fe ...

Updated: Jun 16, 2007 3:14pm PDT

Southwest, USA - 2007 : Visit with friends in Arizona and then the drive from through Utah in March of 2007.

Southwest, USA - 2007

Visit with friends in Arizona and then the drive from through Utah in ...

Updated: Apr 15, 2007 11:30am PDT

Florence, Italy 2007 : Florence, Fiesole & Lucca

Florence, Italy 2007

Florence, Fiesole & Lucca

Updated: Apr 14, 2007 11:07pm PDT

Oyster Run 2006 : The 2006 edition of my Oyster Run photos. I took far fewer this year and cocentrated more on people. Hope you enjoy seeing them as much as I do taking them.

Oyster Run 2006

The 2006 edition of my Oyster Run photos. I took far fewer this year a ...

Updated: Dec 10, 2006 3:01pm PDT

Thailand 2006 : Following on from China we took a short trip to Bangkok, Thailand which included the Grand Palace, Ayuttaya (the ancient capital), the Summer Palace and the Floating Market.

Thailand 2006

Following on from China we took a short trip to Bangkok, Thailand whic ...

Updated: Nov 19, 2006 12:05pm PDT

China 2006 : October 2006 tour of China including Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong.

China 2006

October 2006 tour of China including Beijing, Xian, Chongqing, Shangha ...

Updated: Nov 19, 2006 12:00am PDT

Blue Angels - Seattle 2006 : Seafair 2006 - Blue Angels show over Lake Washington.

Blue Angels - Seattle 2006

Seafair 2006 - Blue Angels show over Lake Washington.

Updated: Aug 20, 2006 5:00pm PDT

Birds & Other Critters : Mostly birds but you may find insects, mammals and other wildlife here.

Birds & Other Critters

Mostly birds but you may find insects, mammals and other wildlife here ...

Updated: May 27, 2006 7:37pm PDT

Flowers & Landscapes : A place to find landscapes, scenery and pictures of flowers.

Flowers & Landscapes

A place to find landscapes, scenery and pictures of flowers.

Updated: May 27, 2006 7:18pm PDT

Tugs, Shipping and Port :

Tugs, Shipping and Port

Updated: May 27, 2006 7:07pm PDT

Mt. Rainier 2005 : Late June 2005 trip to Mt. Rainier National Park. Lots of landscapes and wildflowers with a little wildlife mixed in.

Mt. Rainier 2005

Late June 2005 trip to Mt. Rainier National Park. Lots of landscapes ...

Updated: Jul 07, 2005 11:45am PDT

Arizona / New Mexico 2005 : April 2005 Birding Trip to SE Arizona and SW and Central New Mexico with Joe and Nancy Halton as my guide. Places visited include Saguaro National Park, Green Valley, Madera Canyon, Pantagonia Creek, Sulphur Springs Valley, Cave Creek Canyon and Santa Fe, and Bosque del Apache. Gallery includes many shots of birds, cactus, landscapes and the Santa Fe area.

Arizona / New Mexico 2005

April 2005 Birding Trip to SE Arizona and SW and Central New Mexico wi ...

Updated: May 09, 2005 10:21pm PDT