https://www.erikstensland.com/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/websites/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/physical-gallery/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/books/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/portfolio/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/blog/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/20220414/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/20220502/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/musing/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20220508/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20220410/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/mussing-photos/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20220410-2/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20220410-3/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20220130/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20220206/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/20220601/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20220828/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20220827/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/20220920/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20221016/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20230305/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/home-photos/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/20221221/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/20230418/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20230511/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20230514/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/2023505/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20230619/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20230718/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/20230901/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20231127/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/speaking-announcement/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20240105/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/beneath/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20240121/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20240211/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20240214/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/speaking-cleveland/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/videos/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/speaking/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/garfield2024march/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/eplibrary-jan2024/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/rmchannel-dec22/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20240318a/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/2024318b/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20240329/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20240901/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20241027/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/invite/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/workshop2025-10/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/20250405/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/book-lovers-week/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20250427/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20250829/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20250928/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/2026winterworkshop/ https://www.erikstensland.com/gallery/m20251224/ https://www.erikstensland.com/page/https://www.morninglight.us/page/nm-gall/ https://www.erikstensland.com/page/about/ https://www.erikstensland.com/page/ep-gallery/ https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/77/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20240118_rachels-photos_12-Edit.jpg Allenspark, CO https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/76/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Workshop_Advertisement_Image-3.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/75/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20250510-06-03-22-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/74/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Slide1.JPG https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/73/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/2026-Cover.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/72/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20240426-06-20-50-lg-2.jpg Estes Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/71/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/v3.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/70/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/WorkshopAdvertisement.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/69/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/garfield.jpg Cleveland, Ohio https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/68/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20170608-04-45-03-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/67/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Title-Image.jpg Estes Park, CO https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/66/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20210511-06-13-01-lg.jpg Estes Valley Library, Estes Park, CO https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/65/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/ErikYouTube.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/64/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20220608-05-22-12-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/63/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20221111-08-05-17-lg.jpg Light Above the Shadows The view from the New Camaldoli Hermitage is always stunning, but before the sun rises it takes on special beauty and tranqulity as the sky glows with color while the rest of the world is still in shadow. Big Sur Coast, California https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/62/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/PhotographersGuide-Coffee-Award.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/61/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/PhotographersGuide_Cover-3D-award.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/60/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/WhispersAudio-Cover-web.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/lenticular-over-longs/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20230203-16-48-27-lg.jpg Lenticular Over Longs https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/58/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20200310-18-44-56-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/57/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20200310-17-39-23-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/56/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20220704-12-01-07-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/awake/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Awake-64.jpg Awake A new day of beauty dawns on Rocky Mountain National Park. The tundra is bursting with flowers as if celebrating each hour of this precious time of year. https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/54/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20210628-19-59-37-lg_orig.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/53/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20220428-08-41-47-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/52/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20220428-09-11-47-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/51/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20220426-14-04-54-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/50/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20220426-12-17-02-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/49/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20220503-05-30-45-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/48/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/20220503-07-15-18-lg.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/47/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/ML.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/nature_first_logo_set/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/NF2.png Nature_First_Logo_Set https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/45/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Journey2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/44/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/JourneyAward.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/43/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/JourneySilver.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/42/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/2007Gallery.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/41/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/WL2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/40/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Journey2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/39/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/PhotoGuide2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/38/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Memories2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/37/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Essential2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/36/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Whispers2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/35/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Pocket2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/34/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/PhotoGuide.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/33/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Journey.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/32/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Essential.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/31/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/WL.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/30/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Memories.jpg https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/29/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/RTP.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/28/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/RMNP.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/27/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/NF.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/26/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/ML2.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/25/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/IRMNP.png https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/hidden-garden/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Hidden-Garden.jpg Hidden Garden In a world of lush green that stretches out in every direction the rhododendrons are an amazing sight to behold. These large blossoms seem to leap out of the forest and draw you in. Prints are available at this link. Redwood State and National Park, California https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/the-call/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/The-Call.jpg The Call There is something about the vast, seemingly endless ocean. I feel it call out to me, inviting me into this place of mystery, danger, adventure, completely beyond my control and comfort zone. Yet it is a call to something much more, a belonging, intimacy, depth, and life in a way which we have yet to experience. Point Arena, California https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/steamboat-whimsy/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Steamboat-Barn-Windows.jpg Steamboat Whimsy The iconic barn of Steamboat, Colorado, which has graced so many magazine covers and advertisements over the decades, is now beginning to sag. Yet its unusual shapes add a special touch of whimsy and delight, making it perhaps even more wonderful than when it stood so proudly. Prints are available at this link. Steamboat Springs, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/spots-and-stone/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Spots-and-Stone.jpg Spots and Stone Lichen and granite sometimes dance together and make a beautiful piece of art such as this scene in the Never Summer Mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/peaceful-reflections/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Peaceful-Reflections.jpg Peaceful Reflections A quiet morning at a remote mountain lake in Rocky Mountain National Park puts me in the mood to reflect. On this morning I found myself drawn to the shapes, lines, and textures that we tend to overlook. There is so much to appreciate in the details in life, in simple reflections and varying hues. We live in a world of wonder, if only we are willing to pay attention. Prints are available at this link. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/mythical-world/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Mythical-World.jpg Mythical World Whenever I am in Iceland, I am constantly amazed by what I am seeing. It often feels like something out of a dream, too fantastical to be real. On this morning I don't think I would have been surprised if I saw dwarves or hobbits pass through this scene. Here, geothermal activity fills the air with steam as the mineral laden pool below spills into a stream both nourishing and warming the grazing sheep. Prints are available at this link. Iceland https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/mysterious-peace/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Mysterious-Peace.jpg Mysterious Peace An April snowstorm painted the world white while low clouds added a sense of mystery, transforming Lily Lake into a beautiful winter dream. The feeling of peace on this morning was profound as there was not a breath of wind and the only noise was from the ducks bathing in the lake's cold water. It was another one of those special mornings in Rocky Mountain National Park. Prints are available at this link. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/mountain-symphony/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Mountain-Symphony.jpg Mountain Symphony The tundra explodes with wildflowers in mid-summer in Rocky Mountain National Park as the Never Summer Mountains try to hold on to their remaining snow. This dynamic scene that reoccurs ever summer is nothing short of glorious as the world seems for a short while to overflow with music. Prints are available at this link. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/morning-joy/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Morning-Joy.jpg Morning Joy An idyllic scene in the Columbia River Gorge as mist rises over a beautiful waterfall just after the start of this new day. One of the places I've seen time and time again in photographs is Punchbowl Falls in the Columbia River Gorge of Oregon. Because it has become something of an icon I almost didn't visit it, especially as the weather was not the overcast and rain that was forecast but sunny skies which generally aren't good for photographing waterfalls. For some reason I decided to at least go and have a look. The scene turned out to be even more beautiful than I expected with mist rising over the falls illuminated by the sun. Prints are available at this link. Columbia River Gorge, Oregon https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/less-is-more/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Less-is-More.jpg Less is More As I was driving down the eastern coast of Iceland, I found myself enchanted by the reflection of the sky in the water. About two miles offshore is a natural strip of land that stops the large waves of the sea from getting any closer. As a result, the water is often still and provides a wonderful reflection of the sky above. In this photo you can just see that strip of land. It reveals the horizon without being too distracting from this dreamy scene. Prints are available at this link. Iceland https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/kaleidoscope/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Kaleidoscope.jpg Kaleidoscope We live in an amazing world that is filled with wonderful things. Sadly, we rarely notice the wonder that surrounds us because it has become common place. That is one of the things I love about travel. It takes us out of what's normal and presents us with something completely different. When I had the opportunity to spend a week in Iceland, I made it a priority to get up into the Highlands to experience the area's incredible geology. This volcanic area filled with lava, rhyolite, sulfur, iron and so many other rocks and minerals creates a kaleidoscope of color. I created this image while standing on top of a mountain looking down at this section of land with a long lens. To give you a sense of perspective, the dark rock sticking up near the middle is approximately 25 feet high. In the upper left you'll see snow melting into a stream. The almost neon green color is moss which grows in the most unexpected of places in Iceland. Prints are available at this link. Iceland https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/haiyaha_blue/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Haiyaha_Blue.jpg Haiyaha Blue Lines and shapes of extaordinary color appear on the high lakes of Rocky Mountain National Park during the cold winter months. Prints are available at this link. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/grass-and-log/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Grass-and-Log.jpg Grass and Log Our world is filled with contrasting textures, colors, and shapes. There is wonder all around us if only we will slow down and pay attention. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/elephant-expression/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Elephant-Expression.jpg Elephant Expression Rocks fascinate me. In some ways they are like clouds. If you stare at them for a while you begin to discern all sorts of objects. In this scene on the northern California coast I immediately was captivated by an elephant looking at me through this rock. What do you see? Redwood State and National Park, California https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/dune-light/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Dune-Light.jpg Dune Light As the day comes to an end in Great Sand Dunes National Park, the sun briefly appears before setting, creating a dramatic sunstar. That list minute of light was the best of the day, providing hope to get through the night ahead. Prints are available at this link. Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/colors-of-vintgar/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Colors-of-Vintgar.jpg Colors of Vintgar Autumn leaves and blue water of Vintgar Gorge in Slovenia create a treat for the eyes. Prints are available at this link. Vintgar Gorge, Slovenia https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/calm-at-the-edge-of-doom/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Calm-at-the-Edge-of-Doom.jpg Calm at the Edge of Doom While driving on back roads in the Icelandic Highlands I came across this small shed at the edge of a rugged mountain. As the light passed through the clouds it lit certain areas leaving other in shadow. This created a sense of drama and even foreboding. It was a beautiful mix of tranquility and danger; that is very much how life feels at times. Prints are available at this link. Iceland https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/autumn-pastels/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Autumn-Pastels.jpg Autumn Pastels Near the end of the autumn a snowstorm moved in coating the forest in a blanket of white. As I climbed the Bierstadt Moraine the following morning, low-lying clouds were still moving in and out of the trees bringing with them short but intense bursts of snow. This dynamic weather created a painterly quality to the scene and allowed the remaining aspen to gloriously display their colors. Prints are available at this link. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/aspen-silence/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Aspen-Silence.jpg Aspen Silence Though the winds tend to howl through our cozy mountain hamlet during the winter months, a snowstorm often brings the gift of absolute stillness. In the mountains and meadows away from the city streets, you can even hear the gentle sizzle of the snowflakes melting when they land upon a warm winter coat. To be out in such conditions is to experience an environment of surpassing peace. Here the naked aspen seem to be lifitng up their limbs in mute celebration of this wonderful grace. Prints are available at this link. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/antelopes-guardian/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Antelopes-Guardian.jpg Antelopes Guardian This was my first visit to Antelope Canyon and I was surprised to find that it was guarded by a woman of stone with a proud nose and long flowing hair. Prints are available at this link. Antelope Canyon, Arizona https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/afternoon-downpour/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Afternoon-Downpour.jpg Afternoon Downpour A fast moving rainstorm moves in over the Never Summer Mountains of Rocky Mountain National Park bringing much needed moisture to the area. Such storms are important for the natural world and in some ways the storms of life are an important part of our growth and life as well. Prints are available at this link. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/adoration/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/Adoration.jpg Adoration As the sun crests the horizon, the mountain flowers stand tall and turn towards it in awe and expectation. Aspen sunflowers, paintbrush and bistort seem to celebrate the arrival of the new day. They almost give the impression that they see the light beyond the light and the beauty beyond the beauty. Prints are available at this link. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado https://www.erikstensland.com/photo/a-spot-of-art/ https://www.erikstensland.com/images/xl/A-Spot-of-Art.jpg A Spot of Art Deep in a canyon in the southwest I spent a delightful afternoon celebrating all of the beautiful shapes that lined the walls. Prints are available at this link. Utah https://www.erikstensland.com/contact/