A few weeks ago, just as the Seattle heatwave was starting (which soon led to our highest recorded temperature ever of 102 degrees) I really wanted to get out and climb Mount Dickerman. Due to its 4000′ elevation gain though, I really did not want to be climbing in the heat of the day. So I left my house at 5:30 AM, and was at the trailhead around 7:00. This got me to the first alpine meadows just as the sun was cresting a ridge at 9:30 AM, and hitting a patch of wildflowers for the first time that day, and thus still dew-covered. If you have seen my macro photography portfolio (i.e. ultra closeups), you may have noticed that I am a bit obsessed with dewdrops. So hitting a patch of wildflowers completely soaked in dew, yet being blasted by beautiful low-angle morning sunshine was basically like dying and going to heaven. Here are a few of my favorites from that morning…

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In fact, I was so obsessed, I barely noticed the flies that were swarming me…