“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” - Ansel Adams.
Happy birthday to this pioneering photographer Ansel Adams! His photographs continue to serve as a tremendous inspiration. The bend at the Snake River Overlook in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park is an iconic shot and one Ansel Adams took himself, who was born on February 20, 1902. 

Pic 1: Photo of Snake River Overlook taken by Ansel Adams, National Park Service

Pic 2: Photo of Snake River Overlook taken by Tobiason, National Park Service

Pic 3: Photo of Ansel Adams shown as pictured in the 1950 Yosemite Field School yearbook.

Like a mirage, dazzling white sand dunes shimmer in the tucked-away Tularosa Basin in southern New Mexico. They shift and settle over the Chihuahuan Desert, covering 275 square miles - the largest gypsum dunefield in the world. So much more than monochrome dunes, White Sands National Park can be hard to describe. Photographer Mitch Warnick says, “Disorienting and beautiful come to mind - the air can be hot, but the contrasting cold sand balances it out. The sand becomes a cool blue as the sky’s warm colors fade during the sunset. The nearest visible landmark could be a few hundred feet away or a few thousand. This is a place that must be experienced to be understood.” Photo by Mitch Warnick (www.sharetheexperience.org).

#ICYMI We’re looking back on your favorite posts of 2020. These shimmering dunes made our year a bit brighter. #Top10of2020

Today we’re celebrating the 117th Anniversary of Flight! On December 17, 1903, two brothers from Dayton, Ohio did what most thought impossible. After years of scientific testing and determination, Wilbur and Orville Wright each flew their handmade flyer for the first time, demonstrating powered, controlled flight. Honor their historic achievement and check out the Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina. #WrightBrothersDay! As the Flyer rose for the first time, John Daniels would capture one of the most significant photos of the 20th century. Photo by National Park Service (colorized as the original is black and white).

Mount Rainier National Park in Washington delivers autumn with bright blue skies, sunshine and shimmering waterfalls. Michael Althauser snapped this photo while visiting the Paradise area, capturing the beauty of the park. “A brisk 1.4 miles from the trailhead brought us to Comet Falls, which made for just about the most perfect lunch spot one could imagine. It’s named Comet Falls because when the water hits the rocks below, it sprays out in a few distinct directions and looks like shooting stars, especially when shady in the afternoon.” Photo courtesy of Michael Althauser.

From the ocean’s salt spray to deep, serene woods to natural granite staircases leading you closer to the sunset sky, Acadia National Park in Maine is a wonder to explore. Crisscrossed by 27 miles of historic motor roads, 158 miles of hiking trails and 45 miles of carriage roads, it’s easy to find fantastic views and peaceful solitude at Acadia. A haven for artists, the park has been inspiring people long before it was first protected in 1919. Photo by Abhijit Patil (www.sharetheexperience.org).

A river visit can remind us to go with the flow. Ozark National Scenic #Riverways in #Missouri protects 134 miles of clear, free-flowing spring-fed waterways. The Current and Jacks Fork #Rivers are two of the most beautiful floating rivers you’ll find anywhere. Spring-fed, cold and clear, they are a delight to canoe, camp swim, boat or fish. Besides these two famous rivers, the park is home to hundreds of freshwater springs, caves, trails and historical sites to explore. Oh, and the views are pretty great too. Photo by Brock Davis, National Park Service.

Dragging yourself out of bed to greet the sunrise takes determination. Yet rising early ensures an exhilarating experience, especially at Haleakalā National Park in Hawaii. The summit of Haleakalā is a wahi pana - a legendary place. To see the sunrise from the 10,000-foot summit of Mount Haleakala takes some preplanning and a reservation made through recreation.gov. But as you watch the sun slowly make its way above the clouds, bathing everything in a wash of warm hues, you realize there’s no better way to welcome the day. It’s an incredible opportunity to watch the barren but colorful volcanic landscape come to life. Photo by Jeff Nigro (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Congratulations to Sam Jezak, the Grand Prize Winner of the 2019 Share the Experience photo contest! His picture of a hiking adventure at Redwood National and State Parks in California will appear on next year’s America the Beautiful: The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass. In 2019, amateur photographers sent in thousands of images inspired by the beauty and importance of America’s public lands. Thank you to everyone who participated and good luck next year! Photo by Sam Jezak (www.sharetheexperience.org).

Talk about eye candy! Words from Photographer David Rule sum up his photo, “Montana Rocks! Lake McDonald is just one giant bowl of fruity pebbles, part of a complete Glacier National Park breakfast. If only I were a rock-eating cave troll, I would’ve chomped down on these delicious looking stones. One of the most epic lake shores I’ve ever seen.” A visit to any spot in Glacier National Park is visual candy. Photo courtesy of David Rule.

People get really excited about Badlands National Park in South Dakota. The sudden change in landscape from grassy plains to colorful, jagged rock formations comes as a pleasant shock. The wildlife – both ancient fossils and roaming freely – is fascinating. Photographer Kevin Griffith really enjoyed his visit: “This was taken last August, a little bit off Badlands Loop Road. It was an awesome experience! We had some decent sightings earlier in the day of some bighorn sheep and bison in the distance, but seeing these guys lined up on a narrow ledge just hanging out was really cool! It was just what I was hoping to find in the park.” Photo courtesy of Kevin Griffith.