This week I’m sharing photos of the Oregon Cascades from above. Most of these pictures were taken with my DJI drone.
The Lens-Artists Photo Challenge prompt this week is “Shot from above.” That sounded like a perfect excuse to take a Sunday drive. We drove north from Bend and turned west near Terrebonne. After driving through Cove Palisades State Park, we headed south towards Sisters, Oregon.
When you’re in dense forests, it’s hard to know what features are in the landscape nearby. I flew up a few hundred feet and got this picture of several of our mountains. The Cascade Range stretches from northern California to central British Columbia. Oregon’s Cascades are 260 miles long and as wide as 90 miles.
I like how trees look from above so I took this picture near Black Butte. I don’t usually include pictures of myself on this blog, but I do appear in this photo. Can you see me? 🙂
After navigating several roads like this, we decided to head to a lower elevation location.
We stopped at the Cascade Flyers field, located halfway between Bend and Sisters. This is where a local remote control aircraft club meets. Even an ordinary scene like this one can look interesting from the sky. I’m in this photo, too. Great self-portrait, right?
This picture shows several iconic peaks of the Oregon Cascades from above. South Sister, Middle Sister, and North Sister fill the frame. South Sister is the most active local volcano. This mountain range is almost entirely volcanic in origin.
This picture shows Black Crater and Mount Washington. From certain angles, Mount Washington has a distinctive teepee-shaped formation on its peak. This volcanic plug formed when hot magma hardened within a vent.
Here’s a closer view of Mount Washington.
The last picture shows Three Fingered Jack, Black Butte, and Mount Jefferson. Bend’s Deschutes Brewery makes a delicious Black Butte porter beer named after this peak.
I’m still learning how to adjust the camera settings on my drone. If you don’t make adjustments, the pictures tend to be overexposed in the Auto setting. That means I will have to actually read instructions or watch videos instead of just “winging” it.
Lens-Artists Photo Challenge – Shoot from above
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The Cascades are so beautiful. You photographed the area majestically.
Thank you, Egidio! I'm lucky to have views of them every day. m
Looks like you are enjoying what I assume is a new "toy" ?? It's great to get a whole new perspective on something we know well, as you've definitely done here Siobhan. I have a good friend who lives in Oregon and she was great to really show us around, especially the spectacular peaks. Great idea for the challenge!
Thanks, Tina! I need to use it more to get used to it, so this was a perfect prompt. Yes, we are lucky to have some gorgeous mountains here.
Wonderful to have a drone to play with. Did you have to get a licence. You have to in Australia if you fly at a certain height
Yes, they are a fun toy to have, Brian! Mine is just under the U.S. weight limit where a license would be required. On mine, you see warnings on the controller if you get too close to restricted space, like airports or military facilities. I think they just turn off in certain restricted areas. Some people misuse them. A water tanker plane used to fight fires was hit recently in a wing by a drone while fighting California's wildfires. Most drone owners fly responsibly.
That's good to know thanks Siobhan
Lovely showcase. Perfect for the theme.
Thank you!
Wow, this is awesome, Siobhan. Loved it!
Thanks, Sofia! I had fun with that prompt.
These landscapes look wonderful from above, especially the mountains! And I like the geometry in the shot taken near the aircraft club :)
Thanks, Sarah! I'll try to take more mountain pictures once I get the settings right. Glad you noticed the geometry at the airfield. 😄
Beautiful!
Thanks!
Great photos! I'm sure there is a history behind the names to these peaks that being from the UK I'm totally unaware but I must admit I did chuckle a little at 'Three fingered Jack'. Please forgive me! haha
Thanks! Yes, there are stories behind the names. Interestingly, there was a mountain named Three Fingered Jack close to where I lived in another state.
This three fingered Jack really gets around!
Looks like you're having fun with your new drone camera set up Siobhan. Your photos are great.
Thanks, Anne! It's been fun to play with.
Incredible shots! And, yes, I saw you in at least the first shot!
Thanks, Lindy! Glad you spotted me standing on the road.