Windy Weather, White Mountains – As an environmental photographer, I try to document every aspect of nature that is interesting. I also try to think out of the box and create images that will be beneficial to have on file for future use. Weather related images are always in demand and are good to have on file.

I find it a challenge to create images that showcase the power of wind, winter and nature. To create a great image that includes these three elements everything has to line up perfectly, and most times they don’t. Being in the right place at the right time does help, but this means shooting in less than ideal conditions and my camera gear does take a beaten.

Above, a hiker ascends the Airline Trail along Durand Ridge in the Presidential Range during extreme weather conditions. Strong winds cause snow to blow across the open ridge. Including the hiker helps showcase the windy conditions in the alpine zone. Without the hiker, this might be a boring scene or less interesting.

Above, a winter hiker on the Appalachian Trail near Mount Adams fights to keep his balance in 40 mile per hour winds. Mount Madison is in the background. I love this scene because of the way the snow is blowing off the summit of Mount Madison and blowing across the trail in the foreground. And yet it is a very simple scene.

Above, strong winds blow snow across the alpine zone along Crawford Path (Appalachian Trail) near Lakes of the Clouds. One of the easiest ways to show windy conditions in a scene is to photograph snow blowing over mountain tops (above & below images). The ending result is usually an interesting winter scene.

Above, strong winds blow snow through Tuckerman Ravine and over the eastern slopes of Mt Washington. On bad weather days, Tuckerman Ravine is a great place to create weather related images.

All of the above images can be licensed for publications by clicking on the image you are interested in. And you can view more images of windy conditions here.

Happy image making..

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Erin Paul Donovan

Owner of ScenicNH Photography LLC

Erin Paul is a professional photographer, writer, and author who specializes in environmental conservation and historic preservation photography mainly in the New Hampshire White Mountains. His work is published worldwide, and publication credits include: Appalachian Mountain Club, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacker Magazine, and The Wilderness Society.