The legend of El Dorado has prompted thousands of explorers to seek out the lost city of gold. For at least five centuries, tales of the city’s magnificent gold reserves have circulated among people of the Americas, telling of its golden temple, gilded streets, and troves of precious stones. Discovering this view reminded me of the search for El Dorado and made me feel as though I had stumbled upon its remains.

One of the great joys of being a landscape photographer is having the opportunity to experience that childlike sense of wonder on a regular basis. Venturing out into nature often makes me feel like I’m ten years old again, letting my imagination turn boulders into castles, forests into fairytale settings, and canyons into mythical lands. Since imagination is the fount of creativity, I allow my myself to get lost in such thoughts whenever they arise. With any luck, I’ll find myself again, back in my role as a photographer and ready to tell a story about the marvelous treasures of nature.