Excerpts from a Geographer's Photo Archive
This past year I’ve been to some impressive waterfalls. It made me reminisce about “waterfalls I have visited.” Expect more waterfalls this week. Here I’m 16 here and I’m at La Coca Waterfall at El Yunque, which is the only tropical rainforest in the U.S. National Forest System. (El Yunque National Forest, Puerto Rico, 1976)
It had been a very rainy winter in Arizona and the reservoirs had filled to capacity and water would be released into the Salt River for the first time in several years. and would arrive in Tempe on New Years Eve around noon. The line of garbage marks the leading edge of the water. (Tempe, Arizona, 2004)
I was out to lunch with an old friend who commented on how brave he thought I was to drive the camp bus on the trips to Mackinac. At the time, I thought nothing of it–now I think he has a point. (Gaylord, Michigan, 1984)
Having lived in the upper Midwest most of my life, I’m no stranger to big winter mornings. Having come through a storm the day before, this one seemed especially beautiful as dawn broke. (Höfn, Iceland, 2024)
One of my last days in Iceland I went up in Hallgrímskirkja to catch some last views of the city and the surrounding islands and mountains. (Reykjavik, Iceland, 2024)
Reynisfjara Beach is one of the most beautiful and interesting black sand beaches in the world. It is also one of the most dangerous. The sun was going down on a cold winter evening and the water was calm. Even though I didn’t expect them, I kept my eye open for sneaker waves. (Vik, Iceland, 2024)
I had been to Jökulsárlón twice before–both times on sunlit summer days. I wanted to see the glacial lagoon in winter. I have some better photos of ice flows that I will post sometime. I like this one because of the icebergs in the the lagoon and the intrepid December tourists who have the same idea I have. (Jökulsárlón, Iceland, 2024)
As I mentioned yesterday, we have adopted some Icelandic traditions including the Yule Lads. One by one they start arriving on December 12 with the entrance of Stekkjastaur (Sheep-Cote Clod who harasses the sheep) who also departs on Christmas Day. Yesterday the last of the Lads, Kertasníkir (the Candle Beggar) arrived and he will depart on the 6th. I’ve heard them described as “santas,” but to me they are “their own thing.” (Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, 2025)
After living in Iceland we have adopted some of the Icelandic Christmas traditions–including Jólakötturinn, the Christmas Cat. Getting socks for Christmas is an important thing. (Reykjavik, Iceland 2024)
I was having lunch with a friend the other day and she was talking about going up in the lighthouse for the solstice. As I was listening to her I realized I lived across the harbor from the lighthouse and I had never climbed up it–but I have a number of photos, (Kenosha, Wisconsin, 2012)
Lighted Spaces and Landscapes 