I’m an avid hiker and backcountry explorer. I like to drag along a camera and this page’s goal is to share some of my most interesting photographs.
There are many great corners of the world to discover. This site is an inside out look at the world. Most of the photos are from the Owens Valley area of Eastern California where I live. The grass is always greener on the other side of the hill and so the subject wanders to other valleys, mountains, deserts, and places.
Updates: In August 2026, I added a page showing photos of wildflowers to date this year. I also added quite a few photos to the Death Valley, Inyo-Whites, Colorado, Utah, Perspectives and a few other pages.
Please contact me at the e-mail below. Note that I’m not willing to discuss the specific location of petroglyph and pictograph sites. Don’ be shocked if you come across a haiku or two. My wife, Junko, has started a new page that can be viewed by following the “General 6.” link .
Courtney Smith on the trail. One of the last to wear a watch in the 21st century.