Moments of Wonder - January 2025
Can you spot the common theme in these 5 images?
As I considered project ideas for 2025, I kept returning to the idea of wonder. I’ve long appreciated the search for wonder and awe and used my camera to document those moments as best I could. But, I’ve yet to put those images into a cohesive project. So as 2025 began, I decided to create a monthly projected titled Moments of Wonder. As typical with my projects, rules are loose and fluid, but for now, I’m planning to capture one moment a week that stops me in my tracks and makes me appreciate the forces of life that are so much larger than we often acknowledge.
“Anything looked at closely becomes wonderful.” – A. R. Ammons
January was filled with road trips to snowy adventures. I challenged myself to shoot more than I had in previous years and was incredibly pleased that I was motivated and inspired by so much beauty.
Leaving our cabin one morning to head to the ski trail, I marveled at fresh snow that had fallen overnight. A cold cloud of low fog swirled in and out of the trees as blue sky created the frosting on top of this beautiful cake. I embraced winter’s chill, choosing a white balance that would evoke a feeling of cold that matched the scene.
The drive home from our favorite ski area follows the Columbia River through beautiful Chelan County. Eagles, hawks, and other birds and raptors can be spotted all along the banks of the river, in search of their next meal. On this day, however, we spotted a pair of eagles perched calming on a tangled tree. Roads were icy and traffic was heavy, so at first I kept driving past. But the more I thought about this pair, the more I knew I had to turn around. Luckily, the were still there and allowed me a short photo shoot before flying off together in protest to the paparazzi.
Following a morning ski, we took a walk through White River Sno-Park, a favorite year round view point. The wind was incredibly strong and gusting down the glacier, creating clouds of swirling snow against the brilliant blue sky. With the large amounts of snowfall we’ve had, the mountain ridgelines are mostly covered in a thick frosting of snow giving a painterly look to this beautiful scene.
Leaving Pearrygin Lake after an afternoon hike through the snow, the sky began to take on brilliant colors against the setting sun. We found a spot to pull over near the entrance of the park, allowing for an expansive view of the hills behind the lake. A few clouds offered the perfect palette for the colors and light as the sun setting in the distance.
Leaving lunch at a coffee shop in Whistler, I noticed the frozen stream below the parking lot. Using my tripod and ND filter, I worked in a limited space to capture the beauty of these frozen diamonds coating the rocks in this small rapid. With sunlight entering from the side, flare cut through the filter, offering a fun golden vignette to draw you into the scene.
I hope you enjoyed these Moments of Wonder. Until next time. If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment and share with a friend.
💛 Jenny
such a beautiful part of our country, I love how you capture it!!
Wonderful pictures Jenny, thanks for sharing.