iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 4h

I arrived at Tipsoo Lake before sunrise and found Mount Rainier reflected almost perfectly in the calm water. I photographed this during blue hour. I really liked the cooler tones, along with the grasses in the foreground leading into the reflection.

Mount Rainier rises above Tipsoo Lake during blue hour, reflected in calm water beneath a cool blue sky. Dark evergreen trees frame the mountain, while grasses along the shoreline add depth in the foreground. The scene feels quiet and still before sunrise.

4464

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Last Wednesday morning at Paradise, I followed the Skyline Trail through some of the strongest fall color I saw that day. I liked how the trail curved through the red and yellow foliage toward Mount Rainier. Would you stop here for a photo, or keep following the trail? 🍂🏔️📷 #FallColors

A dirt trail curves through red, yellow, and green subalpine foliage on the Skyline Trail at Paradise in Mount Rainier National Park. Small evergreens dot the slope, with Mount Rainier’s rocky, glacier-covered slopes ahead. The scene feels inviting and calm.

415716

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

While hiking above Paradise, I stopped for this view across the Tatoosh Range toward Mount Adams. I used a longer lens because I liked how it compressed the different mountain ridges together. The softer light and haze helped separate each layer as they faded into the distance.

Jagged peaks and rocky ridges of the Tatoosh Range fill the foreground beneath a layered cloudy sky. Successive mountain ridges fade into the distance toward snow-covered Mount Adams on the right. Soft golden light breaks through the clouds. The scene feels expansive and atmospheric.

615320

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Fall colors at Sheep Lake near Chinook Pass. 🍂 I liked the contrast between the orange and yellow foliage in the foreground, the deep blue water, and the mountainside reflected across the lake. #CarlProthmanPhotography #LandscapePhotography #AutumnPhotography #ChinookPass #NaturePhotography

Orange, yellow, red, and green autumn shrubs fill the foreground beside Sheep Lake near Chinook Pass. Deep blue water reflects evergreen trees, rocky slopes, and patches of fall color across the lake. The scene feels crisp, colorful, and calm.

11069

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

11069

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Two hours of stars over Mount Rainier, compressed into one minute. 🌌 I photographed this from the White River area as the Milky Way moved across Little Tahoma Peak toward Mount Rainier. Airplanes, satellites, and even a searchlight crossed the frame.

39998199

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Wednesday morning I headed up to Paradise to see the fall colors. When the sun broke through, the foliage turned brilliant yellow and red. I loved seeing Mount Rainier rising above the trail. Which catches your eye first, the fall colors or Mount Rainier? 🍂🏔️📷 #LandscapePhotography #FallColors

Mount Rainier rises beyond the Alta Vista Trail at Paradise, with bright yellow, red, and pink fall foliage covering the slopes around the trail. Morning sunlight makes the autumn colors glow among scattered evergreen trees beneath a partly cloudy sky. The scene feels vibrant and peaceful.

99518

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” — John Muir I thought of that while hiking toward Sheep Lake last Saturday. With the fall color lining the trail, this was one of those stretches where I was happy to slow down and enjoy the walk.

A dirt hiking trail winds through bright red, orange, and gold fall foliage toward a rocky ridge above Sheep Lake near Mount Rainier. Evergreen trees rise along both sides beneath a clear blue sky. The scene feels inviting and peaceful.

531628

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Looking closer, the reflection has a slightly softer, warmer look than the mountain itself. I like that small difference between the two halves of the scene.

0353

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Saturday morning at Tipsoo Lake, I waited for alpenglow on Mount Rainier. The light started faint, then warm golden-red tones appeared on the summit, with pink reflected in the still water. A peaceful morning, well worth the early start. 🏔️📷 #Alpenglow #TipsooLake #LandscapePhotography

Mount Rainier’s snowy summit glows with peach-colored sunrise light, mirrored in the still water of Tipsoo Lake. Tall, dark evergreens frame the snowy mountain beneath a pale blue sky, with a grassy shoreline between mountain and reflection. The scene feels peaceful and still.

0678

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

0678

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

While photographing Little Tipsoo Lake on Thursday, I noticed a trail behind the lake and decided to follow it. A short way up, I found this view with fall color all around the trail, Little Tipsoo Lake below, and Mount Rainier in the distance. I had to sit there for a while and take it all in.

Mount Rainier rises beyond Little Tipsoo Lake and a forest of dark evergreens. A narrow trail leads between large rocks and through red, orange, and gold alpine foliage in the foreground. The scene feels bright, colorful, and inviting.

1844152

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

1844152

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Halo Cloud over Mount Rainier reflected in Little Tipsoo Lake, Washington. #MountRainier #LittleTipsooLake #LandscapePhotography #CarlProthmanPhotography #SonyAlpha

Mount Rainier rises above Little Tipsoo Lake at sunset, framed by dark evergreen trees on both sides. A tall evergreen stands left of center near the shoreline. Behind the mountain, a bright glowing cloud spreads across the sky where the sun has just dropped behind Rainier, creating a luminous halo above the summit. The same bright cloud, mountain shape, and dark tree line are reflected in the calm lake below, forming a nearly symmetrical vertical composition. Warm light in the cloud contrasts with the cooler blue-gray mountain and water. The scene feels brief, luminous, and almost unreal.

19210

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Earlier this month at Reflection Lakes, the morning light began catching the mist along the shoreline. What caught my attention was the warm light moving through the mist against the darker trees behind it. It was a beautiful way to start the morning.

Morning mist glows in warm light above a calm alpine lake, reflecting dark evergreen trees along the far shore. Grasses and low shrubs fill the foreground, while sunlight catches the right shoreline and mist. The scene feels quiet and peaceful.

0473

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

This is the world I get to see when I’m out with my camera. Mountains, forests, waterfalls, changing light, and those quiet moments you sometimes find along the way. I really enjoy being out there experiencing it, and I’m happy I can share a little of what I see with you so you can enjoy it too. 📷

723532

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

723532

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

A smaller scene from Crystal Mountain that caught my eye. I liked how the bright bush on this little island stood out against the dark evergreens and clear alpine water. 📷

A small rocky island sits in clear alpine water, with a bright yellow-green bush near its center. Dark evergreens line the background and details can be seen beneath the water in the foreground. The scene feels quiet and peaceful.

0312

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

While photographing Mount Rainier last week, I noticed the morning light beginning to reach the upper ridges above the dark forest below. I liked the contrast between the bright snow and rock on Rainier and the layers of trees beneath it. One of those scenes that made me stop and take a closer look

Mount Rainier rises above a dark evergreen forest, with warm morning light catching the upper snowfields, glaciers, and exposed rock. The mountain fills much of the frame while the dense forest below adds depth and scale. A clear blue sky surrounds the summit, emphasizing the contrast between the bright mountain and darker trees. The photo feels expansive, calm, and powerful.

0382

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Morning light catching the glaciers on Mount Rainier.

Close-up view of Mount Rainier beneath a clear blue sky, with warm early morning light touching the upper snowfields and glaciers. Dark volcanic ridges and deeply textured icefalls cut across the mountain, with a few evergreen treetops along the bottom edge. The scene feels crisp, immense, and peaceful.

0412

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

After spending the night photographing the stars at Mount Rainier, I got up early for sunrise at Reflection Lakes. The water was nearly still, with a thin layer of mist drifting across the lake. The first sunlight was beginning to reach the trees and foreground grasses. #MountRainierNationalPark

Mount Rainier rises above a dense evergreen forest and reflects in the still blue water of Reflection Lake. Thin morning mist drifts along the far shoreline, while golden grasses frame the foreground beneath a clear sky. The scene feels quiet, crisp, and deeply peaceful.

0616

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

0616

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Wednesday morning on the south side of Mount Rainier, I found one of the first strong patches of fall color I’ve seen this year. What caught my eye was how the red and orange foliage covered the hillside, standing out against the green evergreens behind it. #FallColors #MountRainierNationalPark

Red and orange fall foliage covers a sloping hillside in Mount Rainier National Park. Green evergreens rise behind it, with a small mountain peak visible through the trees on the left. The scene feels peaceful and full of early autumn color.

015911

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Yesterday morning at Reflection Lake in Mount Rainier National Park What caught my eye was the thin layer of mist above the water, with Mount Rainier and the trees reflected below. I liked how the little evergreens along the shoreline framed the view. A peaceful way to spend an early morning. 🌲🏔️

Mount Rainier’s snowy slopes rise above dense evergreen forest and reflect in calm Reflection Lake. Thin mist hangs over the far shore. Small firs and leafy shrubs frame the foreground beneath a pale morning sky. The scene feels cool, quiet, and peaceful.

119021

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

119021

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Union River Wildlife Area near Belfair, Washington. I liked how the marsh grasses curved into the calm water, with the old pilings and reflections. It was a quiet morning out there. #Photography #NaturePhotography #LandscapePhotography #PNW #WashingtonState #Trees

A calm wetland scene at Union River Wildlife Area near Belfair, Washington. Golden-green marsh grasses curve around several inlets of still blue water in the foreground and left side of the frame. Three weathered wooden pilings rise from the water near the center-right, each reflected below in the smooth surface. Across the water, a dark evergreen-covered hillside forms the background, with a few small farm buildings visible along the far shore. Soft reflections of the trees stretch across the water beneath an overcast sky. The scene feels quiet, spacious, and peaceful.

1505

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

One view from Bench Lake that really caught my eye was this closer look at Mount Rainier. I liked the contrast between the bright snowfields, dark rocky ridges, and that deep blue sky. 🏔️ What catches your eye first, the snow or the rugged ridges? #MountRainierNationalPark #PNWPhotography

Close view of Mount Rainier from Bench Lake in Mount Rainier National Park. Bright white snowfields cut across rugged dark-gray ridges beneath a deep blue sky. The compressed mountain layers emphasize the rough rock and snow. The scene feels bold and majestic.

61497

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

61497

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

While I was at Bench Lake, I liked this view toward Little Tahoma Peak and the rugged eastern side of Mount Rainier. What caught my eye was the contrast between the rocky ridges, patches of snow, and the trees along the lake. #MountRainier #LittleTahoma #BenchLake

Little Tahoma Peak rises above Bench Lake in Mount Rainier National Park, with rugged gray ridges, patches of snow, evergreen trees, and blue water in the foreground. The layered mountain view feels expansive and peaceful.

425425

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

425425

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I’m glad I stayed in one spot and kept shooting. The colors changed so quickly that every few minutes it felt like a completely different sunrise.

0281

Reposted by Carl Prothman | Photography

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

One of those sunrises that kept getting better by the minute.

Blue and purple clouds sweep diagonally above a glowing orange horizon, with distant mountain ridges and a low layer of fog below. Left panel of a four-part mountain panorama. The scene feels calm and expansive.

Fiery red and orange clouds spread across the sky above a dark mountain ridge, with softer pink and blue clouds higher up. Second panel of a four-part mountain panorama. The light feels dramatic and intense.

Brilliant orange and red clouds glow above a jagged mountain silhouette, with layered pink and purple clouds filling most of the sky. Third panel of a four-part mountain panorama. The scene feels powerful and vivid.

Tall evergreen trees and a dark rocky cliff rise against pink, purple, and orange sunset clouds, with golden light near the horizon. Right panel of a four-part mountain panorama. The scene feels bold and dramatic.

0758

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

One of those sunrises that kept getting better by the minute.

0758

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

At Sol Duc Falls, I spent some time looking beyond the main waterfall. The contrast between the rushing water, dark rocks, and green moss caught my eye. Sometimes the smaller scenes are just as interesting. 🌿 #Photography #OlympicNationalPark

Long-exposure water rushes between dark rocks at Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park, with bright green moss growing along the edges. The running water contrasts with the solid rock, and the scene feels peaceful and calming.

423723

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

What caught my eye here was that narrow strip of sunlight across the moss. The forest around it was quite dark, which made that little patch almost glow. 🌲

Sunlight filters through a dense forest near Sol Duc Falls in Olympic National Park, highlighting layers of moss-covered branches and green foliage between tall trees. The scene feels quiet and peaceful.

0656

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Last month, while I was walking near Sol Duc Falls, the sunlight filtering through the forest caught my eye. I liked how it highlighted the layers of branches and moss between the trees. It was one of those quiet mornings when I was happy to slow down and just enjoy being there.

217523

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

A quiet morning at Union River Wildlife Area near Belfair, Washington. I liked how the marsh curved through the still water and led toward the distant shoreline. 📷

A tidal marsh at Union River Wildlife Area near Belfair, Washington. Green marsh islands curve through still blue-gray water, with old wooden pilings on the left and a wooded shoreline fading into the distance. The scene feels calm and quiet.

1975

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Yesterday near Belfair, Washington, I watched a small flock of sandpipers flying low over the water. What caught my eye was how they turned together, flashing white for a moment before their darker feathers came back into view. Fascinating to watch.

A flock of small sandpipers flies low over calm water at Union River Wildlife Area near Belfair, Washington. As the birds bank together, their white undersides flash while dark reflections ripple below, giving the scene a lively, fascinating feel.

0564

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

I spent quite a bit of time working on the composition for this photo at Bench Lake. I kept some of the rocks along the left side, used the old log to lead into the scene, and balanced that with the tree reflections on the right. This ended up being one of my favorite photos from that hike. 📷

1261

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

One of my favorite photos from a hike to Bench Lake at Mount Rainier National Park earlier this week. I really liked how the rocks, old log, reflections, and Mount Rainier all came together in the composition. 📷

Mount Rainier rises beyond Bench Lake beneath a clear blue sky, reflected in the calm water along with the surrounding evergreen trees. Rocks and a weathered log frame the shoreline in the foreground. The scene feels quiet and peaceful.

0494

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This moss-covered branch caught my eye while I was walking the Sol Duc Falls trail. I liked how it curved through the forest and almost formed an arch over all the green below. I had to stop for a photo. 🌲📷 Would this have caught your eye too? #PNWPhotography

A long fallen tree limb covered in thick pale green moss curves like an arch across a dense Pacific Northwest forest. Bright green leaves fill the understory, with darker mossy trees and foliage behind it. The scene feels lush, quiet, and peaceful.

0522

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

What I was watching most closely was the water. As the wind eased, the reflection of Mount Rainier gradually took shape. That was the moment I had been waiting for. 📷

1331

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Bench Lake went completely calm just after sunset, giving me this beautiful reflection of Mount Rainier with a touch of alpenglow. 🏔️

Mount Rainier rises beyond Bench Lake at sunset, its snow-covered slopes catching a faint pink alpenglow. The mountain is mirrored almost perfectly in the calm water, framed by dark evergreen forest and a soft blue-gray sky. The scene feels peaceful and still.

326230

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

While up at Mount Rainier last month, I noticed the sun hitting the snow on the far peak with fog rising up from the valley below. I thought it made a great contrast. Do you enjoy photographing fog? If you have a favorite fog photo, I’d love to see it. 📷

Warm first light touches the snow high on Mount Rainier above a dark rocky ridge. Fog hangs among tall evergreen trees below under a pale blue sky. The scene feels quiet and cool, with just a hint of warmth.

0321

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Turn the sound on for Sol Duc Falls. 🔊 Watch full screen. 💻 A short view from the footbridge in Olympic National Park, using only the natural sound of the waterfall.

013217

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

The smoky August sunset gave Lake Washington an unusual glow. What really caught my eye was the red reflection, sparkling in an S-shape as it came toward me. It was a moment of light I just had to stop and watch.

Smoky sun glowing above calm water, with a weathered stump in the foreground and a long orange reflection stretching toward the viewer. The hazy scene feels quiet, subdued, and reflective.

1595

Carl Prothman | Photography @carlprothman.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Monday Wildlife Photo Challenge 📷🦌 Share a wildlife photo you’ve taken. Here’s mine: A deer pausing in the tall grass.

A brown deer stands alert in tall green grass, facing left with both ears raised. Its bright eye and white tail stand out against a softly blurred, deep-green forest. The scene feels quiet and watchful.

1372