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foxenhowl.bsky.social
FoxenHowl
@foxenhowl.bsky.social
85 followers 26 following 82 posts

https://foxenhowl.substack.com/
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#photography #Hiking #fineart #Adventure #landscape #nikonz5 #macro
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foxenhowl.bsky.social
Throwback to this past winter just outside of Reno. The Sierra Nevada Mountains loom over a valley of short grasses, farm homes and cattle.

I shot this hanging out the window of a moving vehicle, probably a fav shot for life.

#landscapes #photography #mountains #travel #adventure #winter
This black and white image of the sierra nevada mountain range is composed in thirds, running horizontally across the frame. At the top the light grey cloud covered sky is smooth and even only broken by the peaks of the mountain range 1/3 of the way down the frame. The mountains are in sharp focus, snow capped summits and dark evergreen forests contrast cleanly against the smooth sky as they decend steeply into the flat valley below. Where the valley pours out of the dark evergreens at the base of the mountains 2/3 of the way down the frame, small farm houses dot the landscape to the right and a herd of black cattle dot the landscape to the left, still far in the distance as evidenced by their small size. The remaining bottom 1/3 of the image is filled entirely with dark grey grass mottled fields, stretching out toward the viewer creating a mirror of the smooth grey sky and providing scale for the scene. At the very bottom the small and subtle blur of a fence can be seen, creating movement and hinting to the manner in which the shot was captured. On the move. #perspective #intentionalblur #shotinmotion #blackandwhite #sierranevadamountains
September 30, 2025 at 7:06 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Whales in California. We got “mugged” by a friendly humpback while on a tour off of Long Beach and it was one of the most incredible wildlife experiences of my life.

#whales #humpback #wildlife #photography
A whale partially breaks the water rolling onto its side to expose its fin in a wave like motion. The nose of a humpback whale breaks the water as it blows air and mist from its blowhole The tip of the mouth of a humpback whale protrudes slightly from the blue waters, its chin crusted in several species of barnacle and layered barnacle scars where precious creatures had been attached. A humoback whales curved form breaches the water as it returns to the depths. Its dorsal fin is cleanly exposed and its body is curved in a c shape at the center of the frame. In the foreground you can see the white waters lapping above its recently submerged tail and a similar water effect where its head has already been submerged. A light reflection from below the surface from the whales belly gives a sense of the size of this creature.
September 30, 2025 at 1:35 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Spent the day exploring meadows in western north carolina. The long term parkway closure means uninterrupted recovery for wildlife, and an influx in monarch populations.

Shot from the parking area, with a 600mm zoom lens. Small perfection

#photography #nature #butterfly #macro #composition #nikon
A close-up photograph of a monarch butterflies wings. The surface appears like fine, overlapping scales, similar in texture to very soft, velvety sandpaper. Thin black veins branch out across the wing, forming bold dividing lines that feel almost like raised ridges in contrast to the smoother areas between them. The colors are rich: one wing shows a pale golden-orange background, while another in the frame carries a deeper, rusty orange tone. Along the edges, white spots punctuate the black borders, giving a beaded, dotted impression like small stones set in a dark frame. The overall tactile sense is one of fragile strength—delicate, powdery, and paper-thin, yet crisply structured.
August 31, 2025 at 1:10 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
From my in progress series Trail-Keepers. A study of quiet labor in the wild. Flattened colors mix with monochromatic hues and motion blur reflect memory, presence, and the human hands that shape the land

#conservation #photography #hiking #nature #photojournalism #trail-keepers
August 5, 2025 at 3:25 AM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Testing out a new telephoto lens at sunset. I loved capturing this muskrat from across the river and watching him surface every few moments with fresh clams.

#WildlifePhotography #river #WetlandsWildlife #photography #EditorialWildlife #WildlifeBehavior #nature
A rounded muskrat is centered in the frame, its damp, russet fur spiked with moisture like matted pine needles after rain. It sits upright in shallow water, clasping a bit of food close to its chest with slender, curved paws—an almost reverent gesture. Its head faces forward, slightly bowed, giving the impression of focus or contemplation. The water around it ripples gently, reflecting soft pink and bronze tones, as if brushed with diluted ink. The overall mood is quiet and intimate, capturing a moment of stillness in a wild life. A side view of a muskrat partially submerged in clear, rippling water. The animal’s body is slick and streaked with water, its coarse, reddish-brown fur clumped like wind-blown brush. Its black eye glints with alertness, and fine whiskers fan outward like damp threads. The muskrat holds a morsel in its paws, caught mid-chew, while ripples shimmer outward in soft rings. The light reflects off the water’s surface in swatches of pale violet and cream, evoking a painterly texture. The composition feels alive and alert—a subtle glimpse into wild behavior.
July 15, 2025 at 7:01 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Some flowers from a summer hike in Pisgah. Rhododendron with a resting bee, and mountain laurel in detail.

Shot with my #nikon Z5

#flowers #nature #landscape #photography #macrophotography #plants #summerdaze #blueskyartshow
macro photograph captures a pollen-dusted bee nestled deep inside a blooming rhododendron flower. The flower head is a cluster of tightly packed buds, their forms resembling soft wax tapering to bright fuchsia tips, with bases mottled in warm tones of gold and pale green—like hand-dyed velvet. One blossom has unfurled to reveal delicate, crinkled petals in a soft lavender hue, gently cupping the bee as it burrows inward. The bee’s body is dense with fine black and ivory hairs, each filament holding specks of white pollen like coarse sugar scattered over felt. Its legs are bent and slightly splayed, mid-movement, as it works inside the bloom. The flower’s inner structure presses around the bee like silk drawn over a textured surface—smooth in appearance but rich in tactile nuance. A fuzzy brown stem curves behind the flower, grounding the image in a natural, unpolished context. The photograph is a sensory contrast of textures: the pliant softness of petals, the grit of pollen, and the low hum of life in motion, suspended in a moment of shared purpose between plant and pollinator. #pollinator #bee #saveourparks A striking macro photograph captures the intricate reproductive structures of a mountain laurel flower (Kalmia latifolia) in vivid detail. The image is dominated by a dense cluster of long, slender filaments in shades of crimson and magenta, radiating outward like sunbeams from the flower’s center. The petals have been removed by natural causes, leaving only the flowers internal workings behind. Each filament is topped with a pale green anther dusted in pollen, resembling the textured surface of a poppy seed pod or the coarse tip of a matchstick. One prominently curved style arcs through the frame, ending in a glistening red stigma that catches the light like a drop of lacquered glass—its rounded surface both smooth and almost wet-looking, suggesting a tactile contrast to the surrounding fuzz of the filaments. The background is softly out of focus, but hints at the cupped petals of the flower—white tinged with pink, their texture similar to crepe paper brushed with shimmer. The filaments appear to emerge from recessed pockets in the petals, a hallmark of mountain laurel anatomy, giving the scene a kinetic tension—as if frozen in the instant before the stamens spring outward. The interplay of texture is complex and sensory-rich: gritty pollen, velvety filaments, glossy stigma, and petals that shimmer like crushed frost under the light. It is a portrait of structure and subtle tension, highlighting the sophisticated, spring-loaded mechanics hidden within this deceptively delicate bloom. A tightly cropped macro photograph captures the shimmering surface of a blooming mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) flower. The pale pink petals are dusted with a sugary iridescence, reminiscent of finely ground mica or frosted glass, giving the flower an almost mineral texture. The lighting grazes the surface from the side, creating dramatic contrasts that accentuate the curling petal edges and the slight translucence of the bloom. Speckles of deeper fuchsia appear like pinpricks across the petal’s waxy skin, leading the eye toward the red-tipped stamens, which curve delicately like soft bristles. A withered golden petal in the lower right adds a note of decay and contrast, anchoring the image in a fleeting moment of bloom. The composition draws attention to the physical texture of the flower—more felt than seen—like the cool, smooth surface of a stone polished by water, interrupted by the soft resistance of velvet. #protectourparks #landscapephotography #wallart #photoprints
July 13, 2025 at 3:07 AM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
The mix of gold and blue light spilling over the mist and ridgelines offered the perfect opportunity to pause and really focus on composition and light balance—something I’ve been working to recenter in my process.

#landscape #photography #mountains #nature #foto #art #fineart #hiking #wilderness
A panoramic landscape photograph shows a vast sequence of blue-toned mountain ridges layered into the distance under a pale morning sky. The composition begins with the darkest ridge in the foreground—low, rounded, and textured with dense forest—then gently steps back into increasingly lighter, mist-covered ridgelines that recede toward a hazy horizon. The mist, settled in the valleys like gauze or thin fabric, appears almost fluid, pooling around the base of each ridge and catching faint golden reflections from the early sun. It looks as if the land is exhaling. The light is diffused and cool, evoking the crisp, damp feel of predawn air brushing across your skin. If you could touch this landscape, it might feel like soft velvet layered over firm corduroy—smooth in the misted valleys, rippled and raised where the ridgelines break through. The scene smells like wet stone, crushed leaves, and the distant sweetness of decaying pine needles carried by mountain fog. The entire composition is quiet, still, and breath-like—carefully balanced between darkness and light, weight and softness.
July 8, 2025 at 11:07 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
I visit this overlook every year. The view of the valley below, framed by dramatic ridgelines makes it my go-to location to practice working with different kinds of light and stitched panorama - pictures as wide as the views.

#landscape #mountains #photography #art #panorama #goldenhour #sunrise
July 3, 2025 at 4:56 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
The dissapearing mountain tops and mist filled valleys always make me feel at peace. They lend themselves to contemplation both in the moment and in the images captured.

#blackandwhite #photography #landscape #fineart #mountains #contemporaryart #art
A black and white landscape photograph depicting an expansive view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The foreground is dominated by a densely forested hill, while dozens of overlapping ridgelines recede into the distance, each layer appearing lighter due to atmospheric haze. The tonal gradation—from deep blacks in the foreground to pale grays at the horizon—creates a strong sense of depth and softness. The composition is minimal and relies on the rhythmic repetition of curved ridge lines. The use of monochrome accentuates the interplay between contrast and negative space, giving the image a timeless, contemplative quality. A black and white image capturing a fog-filled Appalachian valley at dawn. The landscape is carved into undulating hills and shadowy ridges. Below, fog drifts in horizontal layers across the valley floor, creating a dreamlike veil through which tree canopies and field lines subtly emerge. Light leaks in from the top of the frame, producing faint sun flares and illuminating the mist. The soft diffusion of light and low contrast lend the image a painterly effect. Compositionally, the image achieves harmony through vertical depth and tonal layering, guiding the eye from foreground textures to the distant silhouettes of mountain ridges.
June 30, 2025 at 2:53 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
A stroll through the high peaks in Pisgah National Forest. Nothing quite beats the views and the familiar feeling of the trail beneath my feet in this place - my favorite place in the world.

#photography #wilderness #hiking #mountains #landscape #protectourparks #adventure
June 28, 2025 at 10:35 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Climbing into the cold water in front of Catawba Falls to take this picture was just what I needed after the hot hike up to its base. New CPL filter pops so hard the final was untouched.

#landscape #waterfall #photography #foto #wilderness #mountain #photographers #nikon #longexposure
June 26, 2025 at 7:49 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
New blog’s live: photos from a cold, quiet ridge walk for some soul searching with the Z5 earlier this winter A little ice, a little sky, a lot of snow—see the full hike here 👉 tinyurl.com/2s38y3w4

#mountains #substack #photography #snow #photojournal #landscape #hiking #appalachiantrail #wild
a square image with text. the level one header reads "A Walk In Winter" in the top left corner, below it in slightly smaller font, the level two header reads "Midwinter Scenes and Healing in the Highlands". The image behind the text is a series of three mountain summits receding back into the frame. The mountain in the foreground fills the lower 1/3 of the frame, and a snow covered trail recedes into the distance from the bottom of the frame, indicating that the photographer was standing on the trail themselves when taking this image. Rising from the snow, reddish shrubs covered in hoarfrost flank the trail, but do not obscure the sky or the mountains farther in the distance, both of which appear less snow covered and more wooded than the bald in the foreground. a frozen tree branch stretches from the bottom left of this image, brown and red, coating in a thick white frost. The first layer of twigs is in sharp focus, even the ice crystals are clearly distinguished. The narrow depth of field used to capture this image allows the remaining layers to blur into the background, easily distinguished but sofly focused branches layered behind sharply focused ones against a background of blurred browns, whites and shades of blue. The muddled outlines of the mountain ranges beyond this tiny tree branch.
June 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore gave empowering speeches this past weekend at the SC Democratic Convention, calling for unity, action and remembrance of the past. 🧵

@govwesmoore.bsky.social @scdemocrats.bsky.social #scdemsweekend #photography #politics #news #unity
Governor Wes Moore stands confidently on a raised platform, delivering a keynote address to a large, attentive crowd gathered in a warmly lit banquet hall at the 2025 SC Blue Palmetto Dinner. Dressed in a tailored navy suit, he speaks with conviction behind a sleek, transparent podium. The audience, seated at round tables adorned with elegant floral centerpieces in blue and white, listens intently. The atmosphere is vibrant yet respectful, filled with community members of all ages, some leaning forward to catch every word. The scene captures a moment of collective focus and civic engagement, as Governor Moore gestures with purpose under the soft glow of ceiling lights In a powerful black-and-white portrait, Governor Wes Moore speaks passionately into a microphone at the SC Democratic Convention framed dramatically by a backdrop of large American flags. Wearing a dark suit, striped tie, and a lapel pin, Moore’s expression is earnest and commanding—his mouth open mid-sentence and one hand raised in a sweeping gesture that underscores his message. The monochrome tones amplify the gravity and patriotism of the moment, evoking the solemn energy of a pivotal keynote speech about leadership, unity, and national values. Marylands Governor Wes Moore, dressed in a bright blue event t-shirt over a crisp dress shirt and tie, stands under the spotlight during a lively outdoor party hosted by South Carolina Democrat and Congressman Jim Clyburn during the 2025 SC Dems Weekend. Holding a microphone close to his mouth, he addresses the crowd with energetic conviction, his right index finger raised high to emphasize a key point. His face is lit with passion and determination, eyes focused on the audience, drawing them into his vision. The dark sky filling the background contrasts sharply with his dynamic presence, making him the clear focal point of a moment charged with momentum and inspiration.
June 3, 2025 at 5:39 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Good morning bluesky! Heres something peaceful for you.

Stumbled onto this scene on a quiet morning walk by the river a few days ago—a tree reflecting over the water, perfectly still, like it had been waiting for someone to notice.

#nature #photography #reflection #river #trees #forest #hollerland
A close-up view of a tree leaning gently over a mirror-still pond, its leaves touched by soft, golden light. The reflection in the water is so clear it blurs the line between real and mirrored. Shadows drift around the edges, and the light has a painterly softness, like morning mist. You might hear a faint rustle in the leaves or the distant call of a bird. The air feels cool on your skin, and time seems to slow in this quiet forest pocket—hidden, held, and wholly at peace. A single tree with golden-green leaves stands at the edge of a calm forest pond. Sunlight filters through the canopy above, spotlighting the tree and casting a shimmering mirror image on the still water below. The surrounding woods are shadowed, quiet, and dense, framing the scene like a hush. There’s a feeling of early morning here—cool air, the scent of damp earth and moss, and the kind of deep silence that feels almost sacred. It’s a moment of stillness, caught between breath and reflection.
May 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
I have been messing around with various camera techniques and this is my favorite extreme underexposure so far!

This #blueheron stayed still so long its like he knew I was practicing

Shot with #NikonZ5
F6.3, ISO400, 1/2500
#bnw #photography #wildlife #birds #nature #river #Chiaroscuro #art
May 28, 2025 at 9:06 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Out on the trail chasing light and detail—these blooms were too perfect to ignore. It’s amazing how nature paints with color and texture, I had to capture it

Look for hidden passengers in both images!

#MacroPhotography #FineArtPhoto #bokeh #hiking #BotanicalBeauty #photography #flower
A close-up photograph of two delicate, violet-blue wildflowers, likely from the Commelina genus, blooming atop fuzzy green stems. Each flower has three soft, rounded petals—two large and one partially hidden below—radiating from a central cluster of feathery violet stamens. The stamens fan outward like miniature brushes, tipped with vivid yellow pollen that adds a striking contrast. The left flower is in sharp focus, standing upright with its stamen filaments splayed like a firework, while the right flower angles away and is slightly out of focus, contributing to a sense of depth. The rich, dark green background is smooth and blurred, creating a painterly bokeh that isolates the flowers in an almost dreamlike vignette. The foreground includes softly curved leaves and fuzzy stems, their textures adding tactile interest. The composition emphasizes balance and contrast—between the vibrant color and muted backdrop, the crisp foreground and diffused background, and the linear stems against the rounded organic forms—evoking a tranquil, intimate view of wild botanical life A luminous macro photograph of a blooming mimosa tree flower, most likely Albizia julibrissin, also known as the Persian silk tree. The composition centers on a powder-puff blossom formed by a dense cluster of long, delicate stamens that radiate outward in shades of soft white and vivid pink. The sunlight catches the translucent threads, making them shimmer with an ethereal glow against a dark green, softly blurred background. Above the blossom, tight clusters of rounded, pale green flower buds rise on slender stems, with a small lady beetle perched quietly among them, adding a sense of life and scale. Below, fan-like compound leaves with parallel ribbing curve rhythmically across the image, their deep green color contrasting with the airy texture of the flower. The use of chiaroscuro—the play of light and shadow—creates visual drama and depth, while the painterly bokeh imparts a serene, impressionistic quality. The balance between precision in detail and softness in the periphery imbues the image with a quiet, contemplative stillness
May 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Went out wandering the local river walk yesterday and decided to mess around with lens blur techniques. Love the results!

River grass, shot by dragging my lens downward while releasing the shutter

#nikonz5

#photography #landscape #abstract #art #blur #spring #green #plants #nature
An abstract, impressionistic photograph of river grasses in motion, created using an intentional lens blur technique. The image is composed of long, vertical, and slightly arched streaks in vibrant greens, deep olives, and soft golden browns, evoking the sensation of tall grasses swaying fluidly in a gentle current or breeze. There is no sharp focus—each blade of grass is suggested rather than defined, blending into a painterly flow. The background is warm and neutral, diffused with light tans and beiges, providing a subtle contrast to the layered green tones. The visual rhythm is dynamic and organic, emphasizing movement through curved lines and repetition. The composition relies on principles of abstraction, unity, and balance, with the blurred motion creating a sense of harmony and dreamlike serenity. The photograph lacks a single focal point, inviting the viewer to explore the entire frame as a cohesive field of motion and texture. The emotional effect is calming, like watching grass ripple underwater or through a veil of memory—soft, alive, and immersive. For a blind viewer, imagine the feeling of standing knee-deep in a slow-moving river, tall grasses brushing against your skin. They bend and sway in response to unseen forces—your movement, the current, the wind. This image captures that tactile experience, translated into flowing color and form
May 25, 2025 at 12:38 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Log Hollow Falls.

The sunlight cutting through the dense foliage to illuminate the rushing waters made for a truly otherworldly, fairytale-like adventure.

#nikonz5

#photography #waterfall #mountains #wilderness #hiking #landscape #pisgah @pisgahnatnlforest.bsky.social #light #spring
A secluded forest waterfall cascades over moss-covered rocks at the center of this image, dappled in golden sunlight filtering through dense green foliage surrounding it. The water flows down smooth, dark stone into a clear, shallow pool that makes up the foreground of the image. The pool is surrounded by rich greenery, and a large tree leans across the clear water pooling in front of the falls. This peaceful waterfall is tucked deep within a lush Appalachian forest, making it a hidden gem for hikers, nature lovers, and landscape photographers. The rich contrast between the warm sunlight and cool shadows highlights the untouched beauty of the scene. Ideal for eco-tourism, forest exploration, and wilderness photography, this serene location captures the essence of natural mountain landscapes A secluded forest waterfall cascades over moss-covered rocks filling the top right 2/3 of this image. dappled in golden sunlight filtering through dense green foliage surrounding it illuminates the cascading waters and throws the surrounding foliage into stark contrast. The water flows down smooth, dark stones dappled by sunlight into a clear, shallow pool that makes up the foreground of the image. The pool is surrounded by rich greenery, and a large tree leans across the top right corner of the frame, adding depth and highlighting the angle of the fall. This peaceful waterfall is tucked deep within a lush Appalachian forest, making it a hidden gem for hikers, nature lovers, and landscape photographers. The rich contrast between the warm sunlight and cool shadows highlights the untouched beauty of the scene. Ideal for eco-tourism, forest exploration, and wilderness photography, this serene location captures the essence of natural mountain landscapes
May 22, 2025 at 5:38 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Great Smoky Mountains, Ntnl Park.

The steep ridge-lines of the smokies are unique and powerful in the region and hikes can be equally challenging. This is a set of ridges off the famous chimney tops peak.

#mountains #photography #landscapes #landscapephotography #smokymountains #spring #hiking
A lush, green mountain ridge covered in dense forest rises in sharp diagonal across the frame. Sharp ridge-lines are outlined by layers of bright foliage, with numerous bare tree trunks interspersed throughout. The landscape has a rich texture, with rocky outcrops partially visible beneath the vegetation, suggesting a rugged terrain. #green #forest
May 17, 2025 at 4:07 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Second falls in Graveyard Fields, Pisgah National Forest.

Really lucky to have this one all to ourselves in a break from the stormy weather.

#waterfall #photography #hike #thehikingingphotographer #northcarolina #pisgah #adventure
May 16, 2025 at 11:00 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Daisies, plump and bright after a heavy rain.

#daisy #flowers #summershower #rain #iphonephotography #spring #bloom #landscape
May 13, 2025 at 2:08 AM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
A blue heron shakes the rain from his wings on the banks of the river.

Shot at a slow shutter speed to catch the motion as he unfurled his feathers.

#nikonZ5
ISO400
f7.1
1/5

#birds #wildlife #photography #rain #blackandwhite #blur #wildlifephotography #river
A blue heron stands in a rushing stream neck outstretched and head still as it rustles its wings to shake off the fat raindrops that have begun to fall. Shot at a slow shutter speed to capture the motions of wings.black and white
May 12, 2025 at 12:04 PM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Spring Flowers of the #appalachianmountains on display last weekend.

Spicebush, foamflower, mayapple and trilliums all fresh and vibrant as we edge into summer.

#flowers #macrophotography #flora #fauna #photography #spring #bloom #foto #hike #fotographia #mountains #photographer #landscape
May 9, 2025 at 12:45 AM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
#rattlesnakebrancefire from the #fryingpanfiretower within an hour of its ignition. Another man made disaster in one of my favorite spaces, a hiking trip with a broken heart.

Only we, can prevent forest fires.

#nikonz5
#landscapes
#mountains #photographer #foto #wildfire #photojournalism
April 1, 2025 at 3:36 AM
foxenhowl.bsky.social
Flying over Utah. The #coloradoriver and #glencanyon as seen from a recent flight. I hope I get the chance to visit these places on the ground one day!

#aerialphotography #photography #foto #skyview #landmarks #nationalparks #canyon #travel
February 24, 2025 at 8:26 PM