This time of year in the mountain regions of the Alaska Range, there are huge fields of blossoming wild sweet pea. They cover the gravel areas of river drainages, and hit their peak bloom about summer solstice. I took this photo last week while driving to Anchorage. The wild sweet pea is very fragrant, and if you walk out into the midst of these large fields, you will be immersed in a wonderful aroma. It is worth a mountain journey just for that experience. I used a 16-35mm lens to make this picture.
Wild sweet pea, Miller Creek, Alaska Range mountains. Caon 5 D Mark III, 16-36mm f/4L IS.
On another note, I just finished loading my backpack with 60 lbs. worth of gear for a 115 mile trip in Alaska’s Brooks Range, Gates of the Arctic National Park. The smoke from forest fires are all over the state, and just moved into the Brooks Range. I’m hoping some future wind and weather patterns will change that. I plan to have some photos to share upon my return.
My pack stuffed to the max., about 60 lbs total.
Lovely sweet pea photo! Safe travels on your next trip.
Have a nice and safe trip Patrick. Very nice color, I wish one day I can smell them.
Enjoy the Brooks Range & Gates of the Artic Patrick, looking forward to the photos
Patrick,
Love the photos as always. As for your 60lb. pack:
When are you going to switch to Sony’s FF mirrorless cameras to save you some size and weight on such trips? The new A7R II will even do pretty good AF with Canon glass and the right adapter. Or, get a few of the smaller f/4 Sony/Zeiss lenses to save even more size and weight. You know you want to. For even more size and weight savings you could go with the APS-C mirrorless option, though I understand why you might be reluctant to go that small and light.
Mark, the move to lighter gear will come in due time… The extra weight is good training for the Boston marathon in April 🙂
Good luck with the marathon. I had no idea you are in training. And you do realize I was at least partly joking with my comments about switching to Sony, right?
Just partly 🙂