Rich Greene Photography

I was honored to have this photo earn 2nd Place in the Open Division of the Santa Monica Mountains Fund 2025 Photo Competition. 187 photos were submitted -- a lot of amazing images from extremely talented photographers -- over twice as many as last year.

You can see all the finalists of this year's Photo Competition hung at the Anthony C. Beilenson Visitor Center at King Gillette Ranch now through March 23rd.

The Milky Way from Joshua Tree National Park, taken in August 2014.

I went back into the archives to reprocess the some of the images I shot of this celestial wonder.

This was the last shot I took that evening.

August 21, 2019.

If I've ever had a better day shooting, I can't remember it. The only day that comes close was a mass ascension at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta several years ago, but that was different, because the subjects there were man made.

These came courtesy of The Creator. And what a sight they were.

We took off from Juneau south in the Gastineau Channel and into Stephens Passage; destination Tracy Arm Fjord.

My head was on a swivel, my right index finger constantly pressing the shutter button.

Talk about sensory overload.

Fortunately, I had a full battery and plenty of space on my SD card.

This was the first sign that it was going to be a great day; one like no other in my photography experience.

Two humpbacks frolicking on a late summer day, breaching not once, not twice, but at least three times for our little passenger vessel!

Yes, living in SoCal, we've been on whale watching tours many times, and seen lots of whales, but never have I captured a breach. Flukes, yes. Breach, no.

I have to hand it to the crew from Allen Marine Tours who took us there, too. Kudos to you, kind sirs.

Incredible is too small a word to describe it.

You had to be there.