Halema`uma`u Crater, Hawaii.  At night, even without spitting lava, Kilauea is impressive, a portal to our planet’s fiery core…and easily accessible to tourist and photographer alike.

Halema`uma`u Crater, Hawaii.  At night, even without spitting lava, Kilauea is impressive, a portal to our planet’s fiery core…and easily accessible to tourist and photographer alike.

Halema`uma`u Crater, Hawaii.  Even when Kilauea isn’t producing fireworks, it reminds us that our planet isn’t as stable as we would like it to be.  This photo was taken a few months ago when activity was minimal.

Halema`uma`u Crater, Hawaii.  Even when Kilauea isn’t producing fireworks, it reminds us that our planet isn’t as stable as we would like it to be.  This photo was taken a few months ago when activity was minimal.

Elephant Island.  On this day in 1916, Ernest Shackleton and five companions set off in a a small open dinghy, the James Caird, to obtain rescue for the rest of the expedition trapped on rugged, isolated Elephant Island after the loss of their ship Endurance.  The men traveled some 800 miles across the stormy Southern Ocean to reach S. Georgia sixteen days later.  The remaining men had to spend the next 3 months of the Antarctic winter on Elephant Island but were eventually rescued and returned home.

Elephant Island.  On this day in 1916, Ernest Shackleton and five companions set off in a a small open dinghy, the James Caird, to obtain rescue for the rest of the expedition trapped on rugged, isolated Elephant Island after the loss of their ship Endurance.  The men traveled some 800 miles across the stormy Southern Ocean to reach S. Georgia sixteen days later.  The remaining men had to spend the next 3 months of the Antarctic winter on Elephant Island but were eventually rescued and returned home.

Mauna Ulu, Hawaii.  I found this tree, preserved by the lava that engulfed it and now providing shelter for ferns and other vegetation, in Volcano National Park.

Mauna Ulu, Hawaii.  I found this tree, preserved by the lava that engulfed it and now providing shelter for ferns and other vegetation, in Volcano National Park.

Get your dinner cooked in a volcano

Geothermal heat on Lanzarote in the Canary Islands provides an efficient, continuous heat source for the El Diablo restaurant.

Coyotes, Yellowstone.  Yellowstone Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, was the first national park in the world.  The best time to visit, I found, is in the winter.  Animals run freely, few tourists visit, and it’s hard to take a bad photo.

Coyotes, Yellowstone.  Yellowstone Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872, was the first national park in the world.  The best time to visit, I found, is in the winter.  Animals run freely, few tourists visit, and it’s hard to take a bad photo.

Yellowstone.  Did life originate in a geothermal pond?  http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtomics/2012/02/16/did-life-evolve-in-a-warm-little-pond/

Yellowstone.  Did life originate in a geothermal pond?  http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/thoughtomics/2012/02/16/did-life-evolve-in-a-warm-little-pond/

Shackleton’s signature, Cape Royds, Antarctica.  Today is the birthday of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton (15 February 1874 – 5 January 1922).  He left this neat  signature on his bunk in the hut at Cape Royds during the Nimrod Expedition.

Shackleton’s signature, Cape Royds, Antarctica.  Today is the birthday of Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton (15 February 1874 – 5 January 1922).  He left this neat  signature on his bunk in the hut at Cape Royds during the Nimrod Expedition.

Lava Trees State Park, Hawaii.  These spectral forest figures were formed in 1790 when an eruption from Kilauea covered the ‘Ōhi’a trees with lava up to 11 feet deep.  When a fissure opened and the lava drained away, the lava skeletons of the trees were left standing.  I’ve photographed other lava trees in many locations, but these are my favorites, both because of their size and the fine bark imprints but also because of the lush surrounding vegetation.

Lava Trees State Park, Hawaii.  These spectral forest figures were formed in 1790 when an eruption from Kilauea covered the ‘Ōhi’a trees with lava up to 11 feet deep.  When a fissure opened and the lava drained away, the lava skeletons of the trees were left standing.  I’ve photographed other lava trees in many locations, but these are my favorites, both because of their size and the fine bark imprints but also because of the lush surrounding vegetation.

Discovery Hut, Antarctica.  100 years ago, on December 14, 1912, Roald Amundsen, with a team of of four men and 16 dogs, arrived at the South Pole (90°00’S). They arrived 35 days before Scott’s bedraggled group.  By early March, news of Amundsen’s success had reached London.  It was not until nearly a year later, in February 1913, that the fate of Scott’s party was known, all dead in their tent a scant eleven miles from a supply depot.  Photographing inside Scott’s Discovery hut and the hut at Cape Evans gave me a visceral sense of the men’s determination and their daily life.  Despite everything, I expected them to return at any moment, walk in the door and invite me to dinner.

Discovery Hut, Antarctica.  100 years ago, on December 14, 1912, Roald Amundsen, with a team of of four men and 16 dogs, arrived at the South Pole (90°00’S). They arrived 35 days before Scott’s bedraggled group.  By early March, news of Amundsen’s success had reached London.  It was not until nearly a year later, in February 1913, that the fate of Scott’s party was known, all dead in their tent a scant eleven miles from a supply depot.  Photographing inside Scott’s Discovery hut and the hut at Cape Evans gave me a visceral sense of the men’s determination and their daily life.  Despite everything, I expected them to return at any moment, walk in the door and invite me to dinner.