...I was ill prepared for the harshness of the Arizona desert, with only a bottle of water and no foresight to bring food. The heat was a relentless, almost physical force, wrapping around me like a suffocating blanket...

...The tripod sank slightly into the spongy ground, and I adjusted my lens to frame the scene.  The tranquil forest stream flowed through lush greenery, with moss-covered rocks scattered in the water. Sunlight softly filtered through the dense canopy...

...The fog created an eerie, almost otherworldly vibe. Trees and rocks would suddenly appear, ghost-like in the gloom, giving the mountain a mysterious, unpredictable feel...

...surviving through fires and floods that marked the city’s early days. I couldn’t help but feel a connection to the past as I wandered its surroundings. The cobblestone streets and the river's gentle flow added a sense of timelessness...

...I had the privilege of photographing the Climatron at sunset, with the added complexity of the Chihuly glass exhibit on display. The brilliant, swirling colors of Dale Chihuly's art, floating alongside the giant lily pads, in the reflecting pools just outside the dome...

...I spotted a splash of bright pink atop one of the buildings.  I followed the light and ended up behind The Drake Hotel, its silhouette rising proudly into the fog.  Built in 1920, it had been the crown jewel of the Gold Coast...