Bend Oregon Photos/Images

Bend, Oregon Photos at the Bend Brewing Company!

As many of you know, I have what I think of a permanent exhibit hanging at the Bend Brewing Company in Downtown Bend, Oregon.  Please visit their website here. Bend Brewing Company.  For Several Years now, I’ve had my work hanging at the Bend Brewing Company, and about twice a year I hang some of my new work in the small hallway that connects between the front door and the main dining and pub area.  Well, I currently have some of my work in the Bend Brewery Hallway!  My home is in the downtown area of Bend, Oregon and The Bend Brewing Company is the first restaurant/brewery I come to when I go on my frequent walks in the downtown area.  that’s only part of why I enjoy having my fine art photographs exhibited at the Bend Brrewery.  The below image of Tumalo Falls in summer, is only a few miles from the heart of downtown Bend, Oregon!

Bend Oregon

Bend Oregon

The above Tumalo Falls image is currently on display at the BBC, as are the following images from the Bend, Oregon area.

Because of the proximity of the Bend Brewing Company to my home in downtown Bend, It became one of my favorite resting grounds while talking my daughter for walks as a newborn.  As she grew, the staff at the BBC became very engaging with Emma, making it her and my favorite father/daughter walking destination.  As a matter of fact, when She was in kindergarten, she had to do a diorama of her favorite family activity and she chose”going to the Pub”!  Luckily, her kindergarten teacher was also a fan of the Bend Brewery!

Another new photo on display is the following image from Newberry Crater which is also located near Bend, Oregon.

Newberry Crater, near Bend, Oregon

Newberry Crater, near Bend, Oregon

This photo of Newberry Crater, and Paulina Peak is new from the last shooting year and it is one that I am still very excited about.  The warm sunrise light, the snow covered Central Oregon Cascades, the rocky spires of Paulina peak, and the misty Paulina Lake make for a stunning combination.

Below is another one of my favorite photographs that is currently hanging in the Bend Brewery, is the following image of Sparks Lake Sunrise, is also located near Bend, Oregon.

 Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon

I have several other photos in my temporary exhibit at the Bend Brewing Company, so if you happen to be in downtown Bend, Oregon area, before March 1st, 2012, please stop by and enjoy some of my favorite images from the Central Oregon area!

Thanks For Visiting,

Mike Putnam


Broken Top Sunrise Print, now showing at the High Desert Museum!

I am proud to announce that one of my fine art prints, “Broken Top Sunrise” is now on display at Central Oregon’s High Desert Museum.  The High Desert Museum is a phenomenal resource for Bend and the whole High Desert region.  The High Desert Museum elegantly utilizes history, wildlife and natural resources to foster a greater appreciation of conservation and preservation in both Central Oregon and the Intermountain west.  Below is an image of my fine art print, “Broken Top Sunrise” which is currently on display at the High Desert Museum.

Art at the High Desert Museum

Art at the High Desert Museum

The exhibit that my print is part of is about invasive species in the High Desert.  Predictably, the exhibit is extremely well organized and laid out.  It is a great combination of  material that is visually stimulating, entertaining, and educational.  Coincidentally, my print is a documentation of native species of

High Desert Museum Logo

High Desert Museum

wildflowers thriving in the Bend, Oregon area.  It is not intended to represent invasive species, but rather the beauty of native species.

My print, “Broken Top sunrise” was captured high on the flanks of Broken Top Mountain, not far from the Broken Top Trail.  it is an image that I worked very hard to get.  Many separate scouting trips, both before and after sunrise were required to appropriately plan and compose this photograph.  It is one of my favorite locations in the Bend, Oregon area and it is one that I am honored to share with the High Deseert Museum!  For information about my Broken Top Sunrise image or any of the many other fine art prints in my portfolio, please visit the galleries page of my website by visiting the following link. Fine Art images.  Incidentally, you can find my line of Bend Oregon Note Cards in the Silver Sage Trading Store located just just a few feet away from where my print is currently hanging in the museum.  For more information about my note cards please visit my note cards page.  Bend, Oregon Note Cards.
I hope that the good folks at the High Desert Museum are half as happy to have the print as I am to share the print.
thanks for Visiting and I’ll see you at the museum!
Mike Putnam

Bend, Oregon Winter Snow Photographs.

My hometown of Bend, Oregon is truly a four season outdoor wonderland.  Unfortunately, the winter of 2012 had been especially mild until yesterday.  Bend and the Central Oregon region are heavily dependent on winter snow fall for their supply of exceptional drink water, as well as irrigation water for agricultural purposes.  Winter snow melt from high on the flanks of Broken Top Mountain flows toward Bend via multiple alpine streams and eventually end up in the City of Bend’s water supply.  Without enough winter snow fall, there are grave concerns regarding water supply.  Additionally, the economies of Bend and the city of Sisters,or are heavily dependent upon winter snow fall to fuel winter sports.  The Bend area offers world class Cross Country skiing, downhill skiing at Mt. Bachelor, and snowshoeing, throughout the Deschutes National Forest.  Without adequate winter snow fall in Central Oregon, these winter driven snow sports suffer and tourism dollars plummet. One of my favorite winter locations for winter snow sports in the Bend area is Tumalo Mountain and its stunning view of the Central Oregon Cascades.

Fresh Snow on the Central Oregon Cascades, near Bend, Oregon

Fresh Snow on the Central Oregon Cascades, near Bend, Oregon

Tumalo Mountain is located 20 miles from the city of Bend, near the Mt. Bachelor ski resort.  Tumalo Mountain is not lift served so snow sports enthusiasts have to earn their turns at this iconic backcountry location.  The East facing slope of Tumalo is a steep bowl while the remainder of the mountain offers a more gradual grade for relaxed tree skiing.  The photograph seen above of the Central Oregon Cascades after a heavy winter snowfall was taken from near the summit of Tumalo Mountain.

The next two photos in this winter collection are both of my favorite Oregon River, the Deschutes River.  The image seen below features the distinct and beautiful Red Osier Dogwood which is common in riparian areas throughout Central Oregon.  This particular Bend Oregon photo was captured in Tumalo State Park.  Because Tumalo State Park is lower in elevation than the City of Bend, it is often accessible during the winter season.  Red Osier Dogwoods along the Deschutes River near Bend, Oregon.

Red Osier Dogwood and the Deschutes River

Red Osier Dogwood and the Deschutes River

The recreational area along the Deschutes River trail south of the city of Bend is higher in elevation than the city of Bend  and therefore is sporadically accessible during times of heavy snowfall in Central Oregon.  One of my favorite hiking destinations along the Deschutes River trail is Benham Falls, seen below.  While winter can be harsh at Benham Falls, summer is always spectacular at this beautiful waterfall.

Bend Oregon's Benham Falls in winter

Bend Oregon's Benham Falls in winter

The detail in the fine art print of this scene at Benham Falls in the Deschutes River is beautiful.  The snow and ice details make this one of my favorite Bend Oregon winter scenes.  Leaving the Bend area and traveling west to the city of Sisters, you can visit this wonderful grove of Ponderosa pine trees.

Oregon Ponderosa Pine Tree Grove in Winter

Oregon Ponderosa Pine Tree Grove in Winter

This particular Ponderosa Pine Tree Grove has stunning color in both the summer and winter. These trees all lean slightly towards where I was shooting this photo from and their bark is slightly shielded from the elements.  This gives their bark the wonderful cinnamon color that is a favorite of hikers and naturalists in the Sisters, Oregon area.

One last image that I think embodies the snow/winter season in the Bend, Oregon area is the following Photo of Mt. Bachelor after a heavy winter snowfall.

Photo/pic/image of  Bachelor in winter, Bend, Oregon

Photo/pic/image of Bachelor in winter, Bend, Oregon

This winter snow photo of Mt. Bachelor was hard earned, requiring a 60 minute snowshoe climb in 29 inches of overnight powder snow. Fine art prints of this and all of the images in this collection of winter photographs are available for sale.  Please visit the galleries page of my website by visiting my photo gallery page.  Oregon Photos for sale.

Thanks for visiting and have a wonderful snowy winter!

Mike Putnam