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Some of My Favorite US Hot Spots by Russ Burden Photographer Russ Burden shares his favorite four hot spots in the United States for nature photography. Article rating: 9.00

I absolutely love being outdoors at sunrise and sunset to capture the golden moments when the landscape, wildlife, architecture or people get bathed in hues of yellow, red or orange. It’s a definite “high.” The air is fresh and clean the in early morning and there are no crowds. Anticipating what I’ll see at sunrise leaves me no desire to fill my veins with AM coffee. My caffeine comes from the dawn light falling on my subjects taking on a quality unobtainable at any other time of day. So where are these places that get me so revved up? Actually, they span from my backyard to the mountain trails of the Rockies to the electrically charged autumn colored mountain sides of Vermont and New Hampshire.  I want to share with you my favorite photographic locations so you may get to experience the feelings I get every time I revisit them at the best times of the year.

#1) Grand Teton National Park: Rising over 7,000 feet from the valley of Jackson Hole, the Grand Teton range is undoubtedly the most majestic set of mountains in the lower 48. The flagship peak, the Grand Teton, stands at 13,770 feet above sea level and is noted for its rugged appearance and photogenic quality. Other prominent peaks include Mount Moran, Mt Teewinot, and Mount Owen. There are so many hidden gems in the park, one could spend years exploring it and always find a new photogenic location. Not only does the park shine in its scenery, the wildlife is a major draw. Bears, elk, deer, and moose are among the highlights. Best times to visit - spring and fall.

#2) The Oregon Coast: Spectacular areas of rugged coastlines, sea stacks silhouetted against dramatic sunsets, tide pools teaming with life, fern and moss entrenched rain forests, fog enshrouded rhododendron bushes, and dramatic sea cliffs carved by the Pacific, can all be found as one travels to the prime locations along the rugged Oregon coast. Not only is it a fantastic area to photograph scenery, the wildlife shooting is top shelf. Shore birds are plentiful as are sea lions and harbor seals. Additionally, there are many opportunities to photograph wildflowers, sand patterns, plant life and tide pools. Best times to visit - late spring and summer.

3) Yellowstone: As mentioned above, the Tetons is a favorite destination but how can one mention this wonderful park and not point out the magnificence of its sister park, Yellowstone. Simply stated, Yellowstone is a world class destination for wildlife photography. The bonus is the breathtaking settings in which the animals can be photographed. Your shutter finger will develop a callous if you spend too much time in Yellowstone as fantastic image making opportunities can be found around every bend on every road.

4) Monument Valley: An icon of the Southwest, Monument Valley is awe inspiring. Seen in the warm light of sunrise and sunset, the sculpted monuments take on a presence that leaves the viewer wondering how in the world anything so magical could have been sculpted by wind and precipitation. Although some of the park can be seen from the main road, to really appreciate its beauty you need to hire a Navajo guide to take you to the best locations for your photography.

The above locations are just the tip of the iceberg regarding my favorite areas in the US in which to shoot. Within each, there are prime shooting spots that do provide fantastic images. I’d love to have you join me on a Nature Photography Tour so I can share my intimate knowledge of each area. But if you don’t and just have a desire to experience some of the most extraordinary scenery in the United States, make it a point to visit these Hot Spots.

To learn more about this topic, join me on one of my Photographic Nature Tours. Visit www.russburdenphotography.com and click on the NATURE TOURS button for more information. Also, pick up a copy of my new book, Amphoto’s Complete Book of Photography. You can purchase a signed copy directly from me or visit your local book store or Amazon. Contact me at rburden@ecentral.com to order your signed copy.

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