26 Jun 2025 5 min read

A Summer Sojourn

Photos and insights from my recent trip to the Sierra Nevada

Wandering in search of stories. Photo by David Lukas

I just returned from three weeks in the Sierra Nevada, and am still getting my feet back on the ground, so this week I simply want to share some photos and express my gratitude.

This trip was a very special experience for because I've never set aside time to simply explore with a sole focus on studying and learning about the natural history of a place. Even better, the vast stretches of the Great Basin that I drove across, and the places I visited in the Sierra Nevada, are the most important landscapes of my life.

highway leading to Sierra Nevada — I find myself expanding in the big empty spaces of the Great Basin and Sierra Nevada. Photo by David Lukas

When I was there I kept thinking that these places don't simply touch my heart and soul, they are the sacred stillness at the center of my being.

sunset on the White Mountains — I could watch these landscapes for hours. Photo by David Lukas

Being there again, after a long absence, recharged my imagination and spirit; and it was only possible because of this newsletter and your support.

flowers in subalpine meadow — Flowers in a subalpine meadow. Photo by David Lukas

Not only have your paid subscriptions and generous donations given me a solid foundation for planning trips like this, but because of you the newsletter is now a platform and motivation for visiting places in search of new topics and new content.

trail to Boundary Peak — The long, and very, very hard trail to the summit of Boundary Peak. Photo by David Lukas

I've never imagined being able to take a trip like this, so this sojourn to the Sierra Nevada was a test run. I was curious to learn what it would be like to visit a place with the newsletter as my focus.

Sierra Nevada lake — Hiking and collecting content for the newsletter. Photo by David Lukas

Simply put, it was an amazing experience. I love being motivated by intellectual challenges, so the task of engaging with a landscape in search of stories was incredibly inspiring. But what surprised me even more was the sheer joy of also engaging with these places as an artist.

As a lifelong naturalist, it's been a welcome change to start seeing the world through the eyes of an artist. Photos by David Lukas

Everywhere I went, I kept thinking about ways to capture and share what I was experiencing with everyone on the newsletter. It sharpened my eye and my senses; it made me pay attention!

ground snake — Seeing the tail of this western groundsnake for a split second as it darted into a crack prompted me to stand motionless for over an hour waiting for it come back out in order to capture an image of it. Photo by David Lukas

A beetle scrabbling in the dust was no longer a passing observation, it was now a window into a little jewel of a life so important that I spent 20 minutes lying on the hot ground to photograph it.

Lying down to photograph a tiny darkling beetle amidst soaring snow-capped peaks. Photo by David Lukas

A daylong hike to a 12,000-foot pass was no longer a personal achievement, it was now an opportunity to share visions of wild, remote places that many people will never get to see.

Approaching Bishop Pass in the Sierra Nevada. Photo by David Lukas

I love that I am no longer thinking solely about facts and information, I am now also looking at colors, shadows, lines, patterns, and images, and wondering what stories they might tell.

eastern Sierra Nevada — Learning to look at the edges of world in a new light. Photo by David Lukas

Not only has this trip already inspired several fascinating newsletter topics over the past couple weeks, it's also given me fun ideas for future newsletters. On top of that, I found myself taking 400-500 photos a day and building out a huge stockpile of photos for future topics.

western screech owls — There's a story here! Photo by David Lukas

When I started this newsletter two years ago, I knew that I wanted to share cool stories with folks, but I had no idea how much it would change the ways that I look at the world.

bristlecone pines and clouds — The drive to see bristlecone pines in the White Mountains is challenging and arduous, but I drove it twice because I wanted to see the trees in a different light. Photo by David Lukas

I love that I now wake up every morning thinking about the newsletter, and I spend my days looking for new ideas and taking photographs to share with you.

Lodgepole pine cone and rosy sedum. Photo by David Lukas

Again, this is only possible because you've been following and appreciating these newsletters. If you've been a paid subscriber, or if you've made a donation, thank you for your support. If you haven't, please consider making a contribution today.

Kalmia flowers at sunset — Kalmia flowers backlit by sunset light. Photo by David Lukas

None of this would be possible without you!

finding shade — Taking a much-needed break after hours trying to photograph pinyon jays in the blazing sun. Photo by David Lukas