Carl Prothman
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carlprothman.bsky.social
Carl Prothman
@carlprothman.bsky.social
3.7K followers 6.5K following 340 posts
Pacific Northwest landscape photographer and skier, chasing light and mountains. Seattle, WA, USA
#photography #pnw
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Caught the last light on this ridge yesterday.
The evening light created a beautiful alpenglow on the snow.

I stood there just enjoying the colors as the glow faded from the rock. It felt good to be alive.

#PNW #LandscapePhotography #Alpenglow
A close-up view of a rugged mountain ridge at sunset, its upper slopes covered in patches of snow and dark evergreen trees. The peak is illuminated by warm orange-pink alpenglow, while the lower rock faces and forested sections fall into deeper shadow. The contrast between the glowing snow and the darker terrain emphasizes the steep texture and layered ridgelines. Above the summit, a soft pastel sky fades from pale blue to light peach with thin, wispy clouds. The scene feels quiet, fleeting, and full of calm as the last light slips away.
February 14, 2026 at 1:11 PM
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Mount Rainier catches the last light of the day.

The snow glows softly from the sunset while the shoreline water below turns cool and blue.

#pnw
Mount Rainier dominates the background with snow-covered ridges highlighted by low, warm sunlight. Dark forested hills and a residential neighborhood sit below the mountain. The foreground shows open water with subtle texture from light wind. The atmosphere feels calm and transitional as day turns toward night.
February 13, 2026 at 5:16 PM
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Clear water and afternoon light along the shore.
One of those places that doesn’t rush you.
A wide view of a blue alpine lake with small wind-driven ripples across the surface. On the left edge of the frame, a tall evergreen tree leans slightly over the water, its dark green branches partially framing the scene. Across the lake, dense forested hills rise in layered ridgelines, with taller conifers forming a jagged silhouette against the sky. Large white clouds drift above the ridgeline, lit from the side, while parts of the forest remain in shadow. The water appears deep blue with subtle texture from the breeze. The overall mood feels calm, cool, and quietly expansive.
February 12, 2026 at 5:01 PM
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A small, quiet pond tucked into the forest.
Everything feels a little closer here.
A small forest pond surrounded by dense evergreen trees under a clear blue sky. The still water reflects tall conifers along the far shoreline. Lily pads and floating vegetation gather near the edges, and a partially submerged log rests near the left side of the pond. Overhanging branches frame the top of the image, with shrubs and grasses filling the foreground. The scene feels enclosed, calm, and quietly intimate.
February 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM
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Winter lingering on the upper slopes.
Snow in the trees, bare ridges beyond, and that quiet between seasons.
A rugged mountain ridgeline stretches across the background under an overcast gray sky, with patches of lingering snow scattered across dark, rocky slopes. In the foreground, evergreen trees rise from a snow-covered hillside, their deep green needles contrasting with the white snow and muted brown terrain beyond. Light snowfall is visible against the distant mountains, softening edges and reducing contrast across the scene. The image conveys a quiet, subdued mood that feels calm, reflective, and slightly somber.
February 10, 2026 at 5:40 PM
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Low clouds drift across the lake.
Evergreen forest lines the shoreline.

#QuietLandscape #LowClouds #Cascades
An alpine lake east of Alpental at Snoqualmie Pass. Deep blue water fills the basin, bordered by dense evergreen forest and steep, pale rock walls. Low clouds drift across the far shoreline, partially obscuring the trees and softening the ridgeline. The foreground includes dark conifers and rocky terrain, adding depth and scale. The scene feels quiet, cool, and contemplative.
February 9, 2026 at 4:50 PM
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Last Light

A quiet evening settles in as the light fades behind the ridge. A lone boat drifts across the lake.

This spot is a little hidden, with a wide view. It’s one of my favorite places at Lake Wenatchee.

#LakeWenatchee
A calm lake at sunset is framed by shoreline logs, low shrubs, and leafy trees in the foreground. The water is smooth with faint ripples reflecting warm orange and pale gold light from the sky. Near the center of the lake, a small boat appears as a dark silhouette, drifting quietly across the water. Beyond the lake, a large mountain rises in soft blue and purple tones, with layered ridgelines fading into the distance. The sky transitions from warm orange near the horizon to lighter pastel tones higher up, with no harsh clouds or dramatic contrast. The overall scene feels quiet, spacious, and peaceful, evoking a sense of stillness and reflection.
February 6, 2026 at 4:16 PM
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Layered mountain landscape

While at Snoqualmie Pass this past week, I noticed this sheer rock face catching the last warmth of the day. Feels like spring is right around the corner.

What draws your eye first here, the snow lines, the forest, or the rock itself?

#pnw
A layered mountain landscape under a clear blue sky. A broad evergreen forest fills the lower half of the frame, rising toward a steep gray rock cliff with scattered bands of lingering snow. The cliff forms a strong horizontal line across the image, with a slightly higher outcrop on the right. Above it, a wide expanse of smooth blue sky provides open space and scale. The scene feels calm, balanced, and quietly expansive.
February 5, 2026 at 6:07 PM
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Enjoy the alpenglow on Mount Rainier.
Turn sound up.
carlprothman.bsky.social Carl Prothman @carlprothman.bsky.social · Sep 25
Mt Rainier at sunrise this morning.
February 5, 2026 at 4:30 AM
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Last summer at Lake Hensken at Crystal Mountain
Still water, deep green reflections.
One of those quiet moments that stays with you.

#PacificNorthwest #MountainLake #QuietPlaces
A small alpine lake surrounded by evergreen forest on a summer day. The water is calm and mirror-like, reflecting tall conifer trees and a pale sky. The shoreline is natural and uneven, with grasses and low vegetation near the water’s edge. No people or structures are visible, and the scene feels enclosed and sheltered by the surrounding trees. The overall mood is quiet, still, and unhurried.
February 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
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Soft light.
Low clouds.
A calm moment on the mountain.

Some scenes don’t need attention.
They just stay with you.

#PacificNorthwest #LandscapePhotography #NaturePhotography
A vertical landscape photograph showing a forested slope in the foreground with evergreen trees and muted grasses rising toward a steep, rocky mountain face. Low clouds partially veil the upper cliffs, softening the transition between rock and sky. The light is gentle and diffused, with no harsh shadows, allowing subtle textures in the trees, stone, and clouds to emerge gradually. The overall scene feels calm and restrained, conveying a quiet, reflective mood that invites the viewer to slow down and linger.
February 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
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Tucked below the ridgeline, an alpine lake sits calm and untouched.
Moments like this make it easy to stay a while.

#AlpineLake #MountainLandscape #QuietPlaces
A calm alpine lake sits below a forested ridgeline, its still surface reflecting the surrounding evergreen trees and soft summer light. The shoreline curves gently along the water, with no people or structures visible, emphasizing the quiet, natural setting. The scene feels peaceful and unhurried, inviting a sense of stillness and pause.
February 2, 2026 at 4:38 PM
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An alpine meadow in summer.

Wildflowers, open grass, and a line of trees holding everything together. Some places naturally ask you to pause.

#alpinemeadow #wildflowers #quietplaces
A gently sloping alpine meadow filled with dense wildflowers stretches across the foreground, with clusters of purple, white, yellow, and red blooms scattered through tall green grass. A narrow stream curves quietly through the meadow, partially hidden by vegetation. Beyond the meadow, a line of tall evergreen trees forms a natural boundary, rising unevenly against a bright blue sky with faint wisps of cloud. The terrain rolls softly, with open grassy patches and subtle elevation changes leading the eye toward the trees. The scene feels open, calm, and unhurried, conveying a sense of peaceful stillness and space.
February 1, 2026 at 5:15 PM
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Seeing motion where the land is already alive.
I added movement to my landscape photo, not to change the place, but to echo how it felt standing there. The light shifts. The layers breathe. The scene never really sits still, even in a still photograph.

#landscapephotography #visualperception
January 30, 2026 at 6:04 PM
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Storm clouds moving in along a quiet stretch of Polihale State Park beach in Kauai. I loved the contrast between the sky, the water, and the sand.

#kauai #beachscape #stormlight
A wide sandy beach at Polihale State Park on the island of Kauai, Hawaii curves gently along the shoreline, with turquoise ocean water meeting smooth golden sand. Dark storm clouds stretch across the sky, with rain visibly falling in the distance near the rugged cliffs along the Nā Pali Coast. A single line of footprints runs along the right side of the beach, leading toward the horizon. The image feels calm and reflective, with a quiet sense of anticipation as the storm approaches.
January 29, 2026 at 5:15 PM
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“Every mountain top is within reach if you just keep climbing.”
– Barry Finlay
A mountaineer, roped in for safety, climbs up the snowy slope of Mt. Rainier at sunrise. The snow is illuminated with a reddish glow from the early morning light, contrasting sharply with the deep blue sky above. A flagged pole marks the route across the incline, and faint climbers can be seen further up the ridge. The scene captures the stark beauty and solitude of high-altitude alpine climbing.
January 28, 2026 at 5:42 PM
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Morning light moves across Mount Rainier, bringing out the texture of snow and ridges. The kind of view that holds your attention longer than expected.

#landscape #nature #pnw
A close, telephoto view of Mount Rainier under clear morning skies. Low-angle sunlight grazes the upper slopes, revealing layered snowfields, wind-sculpted ridges, and subtle creases in the glaciers. Bright sunlit faces contrast with cooler blue-gray shadows, emphasizing the mountain’s scale and complex terrain. Dark evergreen forest lines the lower flanks, grounding the scene beneath the expansive, snow-covered summit. The overall light is calm and steady, giving the mountain a quiet, dimensional presence that feels both powerful and serene.
January 27, 2026 at 5:28 PM
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Early morning light catching the snowmaking mist.
A snowmaking machine stands on a groomed ski run at Crystal Mountain, spraying a tall plume of fine snow into clear air. The low winter sun sits directly behind the mist, backlighting the spray so it glows white against a deep blue sky. Snow crystals drift outward and downward, forming soft diagonal streaks across the frame. A dark evergreen forested hillside rises in the background, creating strong contrast between shadowed trees and the illuminated snowmaking cloud. The scene feels quiet, cold, and purposeful, with a calm sense of anticipation for winter conditions taking shape.
January 26, 2026 at 2:30 PM
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Layers of green ridges and open valleys, with early autumn color settling in. I’m always drawn to scenes like this. Quiet. Spacious. Beautiful in a steady way.

Mount Rainier National Park, Sept 2025.
#MountRainier #PNW #LandscapePhotography
A wide alpine landscape in Mount Rainier National Park, viewed from a high hillside overlooking a deep, forested valley. Dense evergreen trees fill the valley floor and climb the surrounding slopes, forming layered ridgelines that fade into bluish tones with distance. Rocky mountain peaks and exposed scree rise along the upper ridges, contrasting with the dark green forests below. In the foreground, scattered alpine firs stand among low shrubs and grasses showing early autumn colors, with greens blending into patches of yellow, rust, and deep red. The terrain slopes downward diagonally, guiding the eye into the center of the scene and toward the distant mountains. Above, a partly cloudy sky with soft white clouds and pale blue gaps casts gentle, uneven light across the landscape. The photo feels expansive and serene, evoking a quiet sense of depth, openness, and calm.
January 25, 2026 at 1:51 PM
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Feels like spring out here in the PNW.
Warm light, fresh air, and a perfect day for a walk at Seward Park.

#pnw #sewardpark #spring
A winding gravel trail passes through Seward Park with evergreen trees and sunlight filtering through the canopy. Early green growth lines the path, and a large leaning tree frames the scene. The photo feels peaceful and renewed.
January 22, 2026 at 10:31 PM
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Emerald water moving through a narrow gorge on the Nooksack River near Mount Baker. After the rain, everything slows down and the forest feels deeper and quieter.

#pnw #landscapephotography #nature
A narrow rocky gorge along the Nooksack River near Mount Baker, with clear green water flowing between moss-covered stone walls. Dense evergreen trees rise on both sides, and light mist hangs in the background above the forest. The scene feels cool, quiet, and grounding.
January 21, 2026 at 5:15 PM
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Evening Light on Mount Rainier from Lake Washington

Love these rare blue-sky days around here in Seattle. When they do occur, Mount Rainier makes an appearance and the whole day feels different.

#pnw #landscapephotography #nature
A wide view across calm water shows Lake Washington in the foreground with gentle ripples reflecting muted evening light. Along the shoreline, evergreen and deciduous trees frame a small cluster of waterfront homes and moored boats, partially softened by light atmospheric haze. In the distance, Mount Rainier rises prominently, its snow-covered slopes catching warm sunlight against a clear blue sky, with subtle shadows defining the mountain’s ridges and contours. The overall scene feels quiet, balanced, and peaceful, creating a sense of calm and clarity.
January 20, 2026 at 7:51 PM
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Late afternoon glow over Puget Sound:
Olympics freshly dusted in snow, winter grasses framing the view, and a ferry quietly slicing through the calm. PNW winters always deliver. ❄️🌊🏔️

#landscapephotography #pnw
A wide view across Puget Sound shows calm, rippling blue water stretching toward the horizon. In the distance, a long line of snow-dusted mountain peaks sits beneath a muted blue-gray sky, softened by atmospheric haze. A low, forested shoreline and faint shoreline structures are visible between the water and the mountains. In the foreground, several tall reeds rise in dark silhouette from the lower edge of the frame, adding vertical contrast against the horizontal layers of water and land. The overall scene feels quiet, spacious, and deeply calming.
January 19, 2026 at 8:14 PM
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White snow, deep blue sky, and the kind of winter contrast that never gets old.

#pnw #winter #landscape
Snow-covered evergreen trees rise from smooth snowdrifts beneath a vivid blue sky. Sunlight enhances the clean contrast between the white snow and the saturated sky. The image feels peaceful and refreshing.
January 18, 2026 at 4:23 PM
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Summer View of Mount Rainier from Chinook Pass
I love this view from Chinook Pass. The rugged peaks in front give Mount Rainier depth and scale, making it feel larger and more dominant.

#pnw #landscapephotography
A layered mountain landscape viewed from Chinook Pass, Washington. In the foreground, rugged rocky peaks and ridgelines with sparse vegetation rise unevenly, creating a jagged silhouette. Beyond them, dense evergreen forest fills the midground, darker in tone and texture. Mount Rainier stands in the background, its broad, glacier-covered summit bright and smooth against a clear blue sky, sharply separated from the rough terrain below. The composition emphasizes contrast between the broken foreground and the massive, unified mountain, and the overall scene feels grounded, powerful, and quietly commanding.
January 16, 2026 at 11:49 AM