Author: Jeffrey Kontur

Facts & Trivia / Nature / USA

Columbia River Gorge and some of America’s Tallest Waterfalls

The Columbia River separates Oregon and Washington. It has repeatedly been called western America’s most important river. Along the river are a number of impressive waterfalls. Several of these are quite readily accessible just off Interstate 84 and US Highway 30. And of course some high quality photos.

History / Nature / USA

A visit to Mount St. Helens, 38 years after it erupted

Twenty-two years after my first visit to Mount St. Helens, and 38 years after its famous 1981 eruption, I return to what might be America’s most famous volcano. Here is a selection of photos taken from my day on the mountain.

Culture / Nature / Sedate / USA

Portland Japanese Gardens

I filmed a recent visit to the Portland Japanese Gardens. These are widely proclaimed to be the best such gardens outside of Japan. And here are some photos from the gardens.

Activities / Modes of Transport / USA

Snoopy vs. The Red Baron

Although Joseph is a small town in a relatively remote area and has only a small airfield, they drew a surprising number of planes. Including four old WWI biplanes. Despite what was supposed to be a formation fly-by of F-15 fighter jets from the Oregon Air National Guard, it was...

Activities / Modes of Transport / Off-the-beaten-path / USA

After all, what would an airshow be without airplanes?

I arrived bright and early for the pancake breakfast. Thankfully, by the time I finished eating most people either hadn’t arrived yet or were still eating or socializing. So I was able to get really nice photos of the planes on the ground without people wandering through my shots.

Modes of Transport / Off-the-beaten-path / USA

Wallowa County Fly-in & Classic Car Show

Maybe it’s just because I don’t go to airshows all that often, but there were a bunch of surprises waiting for me at the Wallowa County Fly-in. It wasn’t just an airshow, but also a classic car show. In fact, it was also a pancake breakfast and a silent auction...

Miscellaneous

The Bailey Clan

The pets I’ve been babysitting for the past month in Oregon are, at times, needy and annoying but always cute.

Nature / USA

Say Hello to my Little Friend

Hummingbirds are beautiful but skittish and difficult to photograph because they move to fast. That hasn’t stopped me from trying. Here, I got a handful of really beautiful shots. Plus I show my setup.

Nature / Off-the-beaten-path / USA

Starry, Starry Night

For the last several nights I have been out well past midnight taking photos of the night sky. It’s very dark in this remote corner of Oregon and there are million stars out. It’s quite magnificent, really. Here are some of my favorite photos from those excursions.

Nature / Off-the-beaten-path / Strenuous / USA / Wandering

One of the Best Mountain Ranges You’ve Never Heard Of

Right in the back yard of the place where I’m housesitting sits the Wallowa Mountains. Literally. The entrance to a state park is four houses away. I go walking in there almost daily. I have hiked 9,000 feet up into the mountains, ending up well above the snow line. They...