Excellent post. I always enjoy a visit to Smith Rocks, and you make me want to go again. I did a little climbing there, helped carry a climber with a broken ankle out from the back side, and have taken my share of photos there too. Back in the 90s when I was first there, visitation was sparse and more peaceful than it is today, especially in the summer months.

I don't think anyone's mentioned:
Big Bend NP (Big variety of terrain and sights, photo, drive, hike. Probably some snow in the mountains.)
Guadalupe NP (more of a hiker's park).

And I second the recommendation of Carlsbad Cavern's NP and Bosque del Apache NWR (fantastic place for wildlife).

Or better for us photographers who wear camo, just leave us alone. We wear it so people won't see us. We don't care if the animals do.

I loved that camera. The T90 made you think you had something really special. I still have that camera (non-working) and a couple of old lenses.

Spent a couple autumn days at Shenandoah NP. Most of the leaves were already off the trees up on Skyline, but the deer didn't disappoint. Blessed with clear sky, sunshine and mild temperatures on day 1. Day 2 was cloudy and cold which gave some variety.

All taken with Canon R5, RF 100-500mm lens and Manfrotto monopod.

Alert buck, and I wasn't his interest

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Interesting split tine on his right antler. This buck commandeered a tree and group of bushes at the edge of meadow for over an hour.

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Doe, right after eating a mouthful of those berries and leaves

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It appears this buck almost suffered eye damage to his left eye during a fight

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Early morning silhouette right at the edge of daylight

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Alert doe, "framed'

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The mating chase is on, and he's showing a little flag

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Crouching toward a doe

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Another buck stepping into the early morning light at the edge of the meadow and tree line

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Day #2 under overcast conditions

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Don't sneeze for the next week or so!!! I did, big ouch! Get well soon.

I highly suggest you listen to/read some of Steve Perry's material. He is a top wildlife photographer and great educator. His teaching style is simple and effective. You can buy one of his excellent books for about $24.95, but I suggest you watch this video for free first. This video covers much of the material in his wildlife books, and verbally explaining the concepts.

https://backcountrygallery.com/wildlife-photography-presentation-my-best-techniques/

WOW! #2 is spectacular. Great images.

Thanks alberio. There is a pretty small range of color at Rainier and most is limited to about 500 ft. of elevation between about 5,500 and 6,000 ft. Very dense fir forest below, and a lot of alpine slopes (and snow/glaciers) above.

Thanks everyone for taking a look and for your nice comments.

Color in abundance at Paradise meadows, Mt. Rainier, WA.

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Superb images! You're inspiring me to get back to Rainier soon.

Press the Home button at top of page, then you'll have your sections to browse.

Also check with B&H used sales to see what you can get from your current lenses. I sold most of my EF and EFS lenses there to move up to a small set of RF lenses. I was pleased with the prices offered, and with the easy of selling. You get an instant quote, and they pay the shipping.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/trade-in.jsp

Thanks for posting. Brings back some memories of climbing there and hiking the loop over Asterisk Pass. It was a fairly easy hike back in my prime days of mountaineering. Helped carry a climber with a broken ankle from the back side of the park once.

Here's a view from the top he was showing

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Monkey Face at the top of the pass, one of the most difficult of the climbing routes.

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Another view of Monkey Face from below on the west side

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