The family trip to Rocky Mountain National Park in the middle of summer provides us with an amazing close encountering with the wildlife thriving across alpine tundra, subalpine forests, and riparian wetlands. High above the tree line, specialized mountaineers make their home among the rugged granite: an alert yellow-bellied marmot peeks out cautiously from its … Continue reading Wild Encounters: Life Across the Rocky Mountain
Summer is finally here! After waiting for more than four weeks, I was finally able to see and photograph the growing woodpecker chick. The tiny chick hatched and has been growing inside a nest cavity in a sturdy tree trunk, surrounded by lush greenery that creates a peaceful backdrop and highlights the harmony of the … Continue reading THE WONDERS FROM PARENTS’ LOVE
As 2025 comes to a close, these moments stand out not because they were the most beautiful or the vibrant, but because they shaped the year in quiet, lasting ways. Each photo captures a pause, a feeling, or a turning point — reminders of where I’ve been, who I shared time with, which challenges I've … Continue reading Farewell, 2025: Moments That Mattered
Months after unforgettable experience viewing Aurora Borealis inside arctic circle (https://cxianliu.wordpress.com/2025/04/19/the-trip-to-lofoten-3-the-northern-lights/), I had another opportunity to view it near my home. Even though I missed the strong show on the night of November 11, I did capture the show on the night of November 12. Beside Bush Lake, I saw the northern lights dancing across … Continue reading Aurora Moving Over a Still Lake
Oftentimes, we travel for hours—by plane or car—to admire breathtaking autumn foliage, yet overlook the beauty right beside us. Last month, we spent a week at Acadia National Park. Driving through forested roads, along lakesides, and beside the ocean shore, we witnessed some of nature’s most stunning wonders. Since drone flights are prohibited within national … Continue reading Sometimes Beauty Is Right Beside Us
Even as Minnesota’s trees and plants begin their quiet shift into autumn in mid-September, the zinnias I planted last spring still blaze with vibrant color. Butterflies and bees dart from bloom to bloom, seizing these last bright days to gather nectar and give their own graceful thanks to nature. Their wings are flapping like tiny … Continue reading A Moment in the Middle of September
They were at my backyard, so close that I had to take this photo through window. The doe stands alert to capture the slightest voices in the surrounding woods. She was trying to watching for any potential dangers while nursing her baby. The fawn, maybe 1-month old and still dappled with white spots on her … Continue reading A Tender Moment in the Wild: A Doe and Her Fawn
A few days ago, a young barred owl landed in front of our door. It stood there motionless even when I approached within couple of feet. It only appeared alert, facing the camera with dark, round eyes. After snapping couple of photos of the bird, we were watching it through house windows. It remained at … Continue reading The Death of an Owl
Visiting Lofoten but narrowly missing the Northern Lights inevitably left a bit of regret. Since the island is located within the Arctic Circle, the aurora is present often than most of other places on the earth. However, witnessing the Northern Lights is not as easy as we expected before the trip. The main challenge is … Continue reading The Trip to Lofoten #3, the Northern Lights
On Lofoten Island, you won’t even see a two-story building, but the small wooden cabins, known as Rorbuer, painted in red or orange, are everywhere. Looking into history, I found that these cabins were originally used as seasonal housing for fishermen during the fishing season. They have stood along the coastline for years, and their … Continue reading The Trip to Lofoten #2, the Fishing Villages
From Hiding to Blogging 