Category Archives: Wilderness

360° Views: Lena Pillars National Park, Siberia

Lena Pillars is the name given to a natural rock formation along the banks of the Lena River in far eastern Siberia. The pillars are 150–300 metres high, and were formed in some of the Cambrian period sea-basins. The highest density of pillars is reached between the villages of Petrovskoye and Tit-Ary.

Yakutia (Russian: Яку́тия, yah-KOO-tee-yuh), also known as the Republic of Sakha, is located in the Russian Far East, and is notable for being the world’s largest subnational governing body by area. Yakutia covers an area of more than 3 million km², representing about 18 percent of the Russian Federation, and making it roughly the size of India, despite having a population smaller than that of Rhode Island. The republic’s capital is Yakutsk.

Yakutia borders Chukotka to the northeast, Magadan Oblast and Khabarovsk Krai to the southeast, Amur Oblast to the south, Zabaykalsky Krai and Irkutsk Oblast to the southwest, Evenkia to the west and Taymyria to the northwest. In the north it has a long coastline with the Arctic Ocean.

Artist’s View: Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway, Idaho

The Wild Horse Trail Scenic Byway—part of the International Selkirk Loop—begins in Sandpoint’s scenic downtown located on Lake Pend Oreille. The route follows the “Wild Horse Trail,” which was crucial for the Kootenai Tribe and settlers while this region of northern Idaho grew through the gold rush era. Visitors will travel from Sandpoint to the international border crossing in Porthill.

Ecology: Planting Trees To Cool Scotland’s Rivers

The Woodland Trust – River woodland is key to tackling

the twin climate and biodiversity crises – reducing flooding, improving river health and restoring the ecosystem. We’re working in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to plant and restore river woodland for people and wildlife.

In Scotland, this particularly means fish. Salmon, to be exact. Whole upland river catchments devoid of trees are seeing Scotland’s rivers warm to a point that could see salmon disappear in just 20 years. These fish need clean, cold water to thrive, and river woodland is the way to return it to them. The Woodland Trust is working across river catchments to expand native woodland alongside rivers and burns.

Trees provide shade and cover for young salmon and trout, stabilize riverbanks, slow the flow of water downstream and create wildlife corridors. A key part of this work involves working with landowners to plant and restore river woodland on their land, advising on the initial planting and empowering them to monitor their river woods into the future.

Views: San Juan National Forest In Colorado (CBS)

“Sunday Morning” takes us to San Juan National Forest in Colorado. Videographer: Scot Miller.

The San Juan National Forest covers the southern half of the massive and complex San Juan Mountains. There are numerous peaks, rivers, lakes, and remote stretches in the forest, including the Weminuche Wilderness, the largest in the state. Parts of the forest are accessible from Cortez, Durango, Pagosa Springs, Silverton, Telluride, and Ouray.

Maine Views: The Beauty Of Acadia National Park (4K)

Acadia National Park is a stunning national treasure on the coast of Maine in the USA. This “insider’s” vacation guide covers all of the best places to see and the towns and villages in the Acadia Region from Bar Harbor on Mount Desert Island to Winter Harbor on the Schoodic Peninsula. Wherever you choose, the views are spectacular and nature abounds. No wonder this is one of the most visited parks in the United States and in all of North America.

Bar Harbor, a small seaside resort on the northeastern side of Mount Desert Island, has a unique symbiotic relationship with Acadia National Park. Together, they are like conjoined twins, both born of the same mother – and she is the land and ocean combined.

Historical roots are at play here, a special blend of salty air and the classic Down East character that is recognized and loved by millions. Together, these “conjoined twins” offer an unforgettable Maine vacation.

Filmed in Summer of 2022

Views: ‘Diamond G Ranch’ Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Arguably the finest mountain ranch retreat in the Rocky Mountain West. Diamond G doesn’t just claim to have it all. It, in fact, does! Privacy – It lies at the end of the road, virtually surrounded by state and federal lands. Access – It is accessible year-round and lies about 17 miles from Dubois and about one hour and 15 minutes from the Jackson Hole Airport.

Fishing – It has an estimated 5 miles of the Dunoir River on private land with immediate access to 2.5 more miles on public land that is rarely accessed by the public. The Dunoir is a world-class trout fishery with trout in the 20 plus inch category. Wildlife – Bear, elk, moose, antelope, mountain lion, coyote, wolverine, multiple bird species, and both bighorn sheep and mountain goats are often seen in the adjacent national forest. It is one of the richest, wildest places for wildlife we have ever seen.

Scenery – Absolutely breathtaking with a lush riparian corridor flanked by timbered and open mountains rising to over 11,000 feet topped by dramatic rock formations and three major peaks – Ramshorn, Coffin Butte and Pinnacles. Improvements – Comfortable lodge and guest quarters, operating facilities, and staff quarters all in an authentic western vernacular.

Containing over 5,000 deeded acres – This is not just a small inholding in the national forest. When you come up the private road and see the ranch laid out before you, it is the real deal. There is virtually nothing else that one would want to own.

Wildlife Views: Filming Wolf Pups In Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

In a race against time, the crew works to microchip a pack of wolf pups and return the pups to their den as quickly as possible—all while setting up their cameras in time to capture some truly heart-melting shots. Witness the wildlife of North America as you’ve never seen it before on #AmericaTheBeautifulSeries, narrated by Michael B. Jordan.

Filmed in Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. Voyageurs National Park is in northern Minnesota, near the Canadian border. It covers a vast area and is known for its forests, waterways and huge, island-dotted Rainy, Kabetogama and Namakan lakes. The Ellsworth Rock Gardens, created by artist Jack Ellsworth, are a series of abstract sculptures on a terraced outcrop. The remote Kettle Falls area has a dam and a red-roofed hotel, both from the early 20th century. 

Views: The Natural Beauty Of California In Timelapse

California, home to lush forests, mountains, deserts, and hundreds of miles of coastline. From the redwood forests in the north, to the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the east, to the Mojave Desert in the south. California has some of the most amazing scenery in the United States. The state claims the tallest point in the lower 48 with Mount Whitney to the lowest point at Badwater Basin in Death Valley, only about 85 miles apart as the crow flies. California also has some of the oldest, tallest, and largest trees in the world.

This film was shot over the span of almost five years beginning in late 2018 and is my first attempt at a full length timelapse film. Being a California native I found the subject of my own home state as the perfect project. During that time I shot over 43,000 images as part of this project producing over a hundred individual timelapse clips from some of my most favorite locations in the state. And while there have been many timelapse films on California, this is my version which I’m proud to share.

Special thanks to the many friends who accompanied me on many of the shoots, often to help carry heavy camera gear over miles of hiking trails and spent many hours waiting around while my cameras clicked away. Their help and support it greatly appreciated.

Filmed and Edited by: Jason Refuerzo

Cinematic Travel: ‘The Iceland Adventure’ (4K)

Iceland, a Nordic island nation, is defined by its dramatic landscape with volcanoes, geysers, hot springs and lava fields. Massive glaciers are protected in Vatnajökull and Snæfellsjökull national parks. Most of the population lives in the capital, Reykjavik, which runs on geothermal power and is home to the National and Saga museums, tracing Iceland’s Viking history. 

It’s been a year since I made a trip to Iceland with my sister. This was when the Faggrasjadal volcano was still active and we really wanted to see it with our own eyes. And this was definitely one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had.

In addition, we drove through almost all of Iceland in five days and we visited a lot of spectacular places with the most beautiful views. Five days is of course way too little to see everything and that’s why I really can’t wait until I can go back to visit Iceland.

Tim Roosjen