New Photography Fine Art Series
This year I am launching a new series of fine art photography prints that focus on light, flow, movement, and color of my seasons spent exploring the Green River Gorge. Enjoy the visual journey.
https://www.lisaparsons.net/Conservation/Fine-Art-Green-River-Gorge-Photographs
The Seasons of the Green River Gorge
I’ve spent, what seems like a lifetime, exploring the Green River Gorge. It is always changing. Seasons, weather, human movement, time of day, light, wildlife migration all interact with a river to make every encounter unique.
Lessons Learned from Becoming a River Guide
“When I was learning how to become a river guide, I learned to read river currents, guide a raft down a river, and lead a paddle boat of customers in a fun-filled day. I started working for a local river guiding company near Seattle Washington. In the spring I started running the rivers of Washington. I entered the season confident that I had a good skill set to build on. What I didn’t understand, yet, was that the river I had run in August was a very different river in March. Gone were the lazy currents and hot weather of late summer. Spring run-off and cold temperatures challenged my skills. The river was pushy. I had to make my moves and decisions faster. When I accidentally swam, the cold water rendered me nearly immobilized and shocked. I learned during that early spring day never to take the river for granted. I had to always adapt and understand that present moment with the river. From then on I approached a river with respect and paid attention to what it was telling me in the speed and strength of the currents, the sound levels of the movement, and characteristics at the edges of the shoreline. That understanding has stayed with me as I’ve explored and documented the incredible Green River Gorge.”
Winter
In the winter the river is wild. It roars to life as the rains of November roll in. Steam rises above the swirling currents of midnight green water. The shorelines are dark with shadow and decay. Moss drips with the constant rain. The sandstone turns dark from the moisture. Beyond the roar of torrents of water there are quiet pools with subtle murmurs of water rippling along the edges of rocky beaches and sandstone shelves. In rare moments snow falls and creates something new.
Spring
Spring breaths and the forest yawns as it wakes up. Snow melt pulses down from the mountains and fills the springs and side channels with bright green water. Fiddlehead Ferns unfurl into lanky crowds on the forest floor. Giant towering Maples create a canopy of bright green that shades the forest below. Trilliums push up in spotted sunlight, their white pedals turning crimson as the days progress to summer. Baby Mergansers line up behind their parents like cars in a train. Everywhere is bird song mixed with the sound of water tumbling over stones. Every year, in May, boaters from all over flock to the river on one weekend to steward the shorelines and pick up trash.
Summer
Summer slows the currents. Snow melt ebbs and the river recedes into languid pools of deep green water. Sandstone shelves become perches for summer adventurers looking for solitude. Warmth finds its way to the river on hot summer days when the sun rises above the steep cliffs. Just for a time it beams down and banishes the deep shadows. Just in time for a swim in the cool water. On hot summer days. In the evenings an upstream breeze carries the wings of cliff swallows and King Fishers. Its lazy meander lulls the novice into believing this river is always this kind.
Autumn
With the arrival of autumn, Maples, Cottonwood, and Alder leaves cast their orange, yellows, and reds on the river surface. Leaves float in the air currents and before being carried in the the currents of the river. Fishermen find their solace along its shores. The work of following familiar trails to unknown shorelines reward them as Salmon return. The salmon make their way up side channels and spring fed streams. Their bodies thrashing against the upstream currents and marking the end of their life mate and dig into the gravel to deposit their eggs. Their death completes another cycle as otters, bear, eagles, and other wildlife feed on their lifeless bodies.
Also if you love area consider supporting local organizations that are working to preserve land along the Green River Gorge, restore salmon and wildlife habitat, and cleaning up pollution in communities along the river downstream. Many of these organizations still organize smaller more socially distanced events as a way to give back and stay connected.
Happy Holidays!