Owyhee Canyonlands....Toy Pass

Along the front range of the Owyhee Mountains, the high desert groves of Mountain Mahogany blanketing the open glades of Toy Pass. The road from Oreana to Triangle passes through this magnificent pass and heads deep into the Owyhee high desert.

 
With the sunrise my thoughts drift to far away places. Much of this high section of desert reminds me of what you might see in African Plain. Put this on your list of  seldom visited places.

Snake River

Being in the right place at the right time is a large part of photographic success. Light and natural elements that create the oppurtunities for exceptional images are many times fleeting. On this morning I was lucky. The Snake River flows just 25 yards from my living room window and I was able to photograph a fall fog rise with a fresh cup of coffee in the backyard. 

The Simple natural world

Pure graphic elements enhance the natural world, by introducing a change in foliage and the low light of fall. Simple line and rhythm of nature rise to their peak and quickly head into winter.

Payette Lake

Meadow Creek

Targhee National Forest

"Fish On"- Big Hole River

There is so much about Montana that is, "The West". Fishing the pure water of the Big Hole River gave me one more reason to think just that.  Crystal clear water flows 155 miles from its source high in the Beaver Head Mountains. This range separates Montana from Idaho at the continental divide, and produces some of the best trout fishing in North America.

 

Brooks Montgomery and Chris Hart, Owners of Hart Montgomery, a company that represents an array of fishing industry companies, were kind enough guide the Outcast photo shoot down their little backyard river. Leading us to many fish and brilliant scenic locations. To view more images of this photo shoot click the Big Hole link.

God said, "shoot with your iPhone"

Driving down interstate 90 in the lush Silver Valley of Northern Idaho a voice spoke to me, saying, "shoot with your iPhone". Having just seen the Blues Brothers, and with the exit for the Cataldo Mission in sight, it could only mean one thing. I was on a Mission from God.

The Mission of the Sacred Heart, was built by Missionaries and members of the Coeur d'Alene tribe between 1850 and 1855. This is the oldest standing building in the state of Idaho, and is listed on the national registry of historic places.

All images © Mark Lisk

Bear Grass

This cool summer has given way to a beautiful and long lasting wildflower season. The Lupine and Beargrass in the higher and cooler regions of Idaho are in prime shape. Now, in this first week of August, it feels like late june in the high country.

Images form Crystal Lake Wilderness Study Area, St. Joe National Forest.

Owyhee Bloom

Nothing but dirt, rocks, and if your lucky the occasional flower. This year if you ventured into the Owyhee Desert it is hard not to get lucky. This spring has been an exceptional wildflower season. Still in full swing this last week of June, and should stay with us for another week or two.

 

This grouping of Lupine can be photographed from the McIntyre Ridge Road near 3 Fingers Butte. The roads are in good shape and the camping is good at near by Succor Creek State Park, in the far eastern edge of Oregon.

Three Fingers Butte, known by the locals as Three Fingered Jack rises above the sage brush floor near Succor Creek State Park.