Virtual windows with the dynamic beauty of natural landscapes

At about 1,500 meters altitude, waters of the Mistaya River run parallel to and east of the Continental Divide to finally reach the ocean at Hudson Bay.

Here, in the Canadian Rockies, rapidly changing weather and the consequent drama of morning light and shadow is displayed on the sheer mountain slopes and further reflected in the river's changing surface.

Cloud shadow-patterns from dramatic skies flow over the landscape.

Patches of direct sunlight alternately reveal the layers and contours of ridges, canyons and other features which are then lost again to deep shadow.

The river's flow and a large eddy move in opposite directions behind wind-blown reeds and grasses.

The whine of occasional mosquitoes is lost in the sound of wind. Crows call to each other in the background.

Pools of water and pools of dappled light reflect an otherwise unseen sky in this deeply shadowed summer canopy. While a small waterfall establishes the flow of clear water, it is reflection that reveals the surface motion of water and trees above, both moving in the gentle and occasional breezes of an early summer day. The sound is that of continuous flowing water and singing birds. Cameo appearances of butterflies, insects, and a wild turkey.

Filmed at a rare prairie remnant in Northwest Iowa, the hypnotic swaying of purple Prairie Blazing Star transmits to us a sense of the gentle summer breezes. Persistent Red-winged Blackbird calls establish unseen territorial boundaries. Coneflowers, sunflowers, the sound of insects, a visiting Red Admiral butterfly, birds coming and going in the distant willows, all combine to instill the deeply familiar experience of nature's summer beauty.

A typical breezy New Mexico afternoon.

The sounds of wind and water mix.

The sky shifts slowly and only once do clouds cover the sun.

Toward the end of the sequence, the sun drops in the west and shadows lengthen.

In this late afternoon light, the moving shadows cast by nearby wind-blown Chamisa fall on the similarly moving blossoms we see and produce a complex pattern of moving light and color.

This sequence is a study in contrasts and dissolving boundaries.

The composition itself opposes different scales – large and small masses of white snow against dark backgrounds with varying shades of white produced by shadowed and submerged snow-ice and dark water modulated by reflection and wind and the sometimes visible bottom.

Steady snowfall contrasts with occasional swirls driven by windy gusts and eddies that suggest a more violent storm.

Because of uniform light, the falling snow is primarily visible against the dark background of water, where it dissolves and disappears, but not against the snow-covered land and rocks where it continues to accumulate.

Beneath the clear dark water are patches of snow-ice that change due to almost imperceptible melting during the course of the sequence.

A thin, almost invisible skin of ice left from lower nighttime temperatures resists the wind-blown ripples in the foreground pool at the beginning but continues to dissolve with the passage of time.

Tucked behind the larger of these waterfalls and completely invisible to any outside view is the nest of a pair of Water Ouzels.

Excellent swimmers, these small birds are seen throughout the sequence both hunting for aquatic insects and flying behind the falls to deliver this food to their young.

Characteristically, they often bounce on a rock before making their move.

"Among all the countless waterfalls I have met in the course of ten years' exploration in the Sierra, whether among the icy peaks, or warm foot-hills, or in the profound yosemitic cañons of the middle region, not one was found without its Ouzel. No cañon is too cold for this little bird, none too lonely, provided it be rich in falling water. Find a fall, or cascade, or rushing rapid, anywhere upon a clear stream, and there you will surely find its complementary Ouzel, flitting about in the spray, diving in foaming eddies, whirling like a leaf among beaten foam-bells; ever vigorous and enthusiastic, yet self-contained, and neither seeking nor shunning your company."

From: The Mountains of California by John Muir, 1894.

In 1840, Henry David Thoreau wrote in his journal:

"I should wither and dry up if it were not for lakes and rivers. I am conscious that my body derives its genesis from their waters, as much as the muskrat or the herbage on their brink. The thought of Walden [Pond] in the woods yonder makes me supple-jointed and limber for the duties of the day. Sometimes I thirst for it.

There it lies all the year reflecting the sky - and from its surface there seems to go up a pillar of ether, which bridges over the space between earth and heaven.

Water seems a middle element between earth and air. The most fluid in which man can float.

Across the surface of every lake there sweeps a hushed music."

Thoreau's transcendental description of his experience of Walden Pond, and the significance of its presence for his daily life (and for the greater life of us all) is not only a refined, even literal, description of the Basin Pond sequences but also a profound statement of the character and significance of biophilic engagement itself - the very purpose of all eScape sequences.

For us, so many years later, with a technology that can capture and display the visual experience of these moments at Basin Pond, it is tempting to describe this sequence as being indescribable, beautiful beyond words - and leave it at that.

Yet, just as Thoreau's words give clarity and direction to our most refined and sublime experience, so a bit of background may prove helpful in creating context for these stunning visuals. The sequence begins looking southwest on an early October morning. With a storm front entering the area, the night had turned colder than in the past and, before daybreak, included rain. Low clouds, mist and fog continually form in the distance and, moved by gentle winds, hide and reveal a multi-layered landscape and sky that give rise to unimaginable combinations of the earth, water, air and light that bridge "the space between earth and heaven".

The audio of this sequence contains the 'music' of Basin Pond's early morning: silence, a bit of wind and the occasional Blue Jay.

High in the Rocky Mountains we are immersed in the clouds of a three-day snowstorm.

The snow falls in cycles that vary from light to heavy with occasional light wind that changes according to the eddy currents caused by the storm's progress through the rough terrain.

All sound is absorbed by the snow-laden fir trees and deeply covered ground.

Light is as delicately modulated as the silence.

Prairie Dogs have a special fascination for us because of their human-like postures and behavior.

This sequence begins with a prairie dog family and community being alerted to danger by incessant 'barking' from an off-screen guard.

After a predator runs across the field and immediate danger disappears, things quiet down and normal life - primarily eating plants, seeds and insects - is resumed.

As time goes on, the visible above-ground number increases until more than a dozen are active - one of whom always remains on alert as guard for the group.

As the afternoon fades into a clear twilight, everyone returns to their underground homes.

From the East rim of Steens Mountain, the longest escarpment in North America, we look out over the Alvord Desert a mile below. Melting high-altitude snow irrigates the land close to the base of the mountain and reaches out as much as a mile. Once that water is gone, the desert itself, in the mountain's rain-shadow, almost never receives moisture from rain or snow. Even the occasional late-afternoon thunder shower immediately evaporates.

Similarly, overhead, clouds form from the mountain's upward deflection of the prevailing winds and cast their shadows on the steep canyon walls. Occasionally the clouds extend beyond the mountain before their moisture is reabsorbed by the rising hot dry air of the desert and they disappear.

As the day progresses, however, more and more cloud shadows make their way further into the desert creating a rich, earth-bound display of the constantly changing cycle of formation and dissolution happening above.

Wind and silence dominate.

Looking north in the early morning, Peyto Lake and the entire valley that stretches over 20 miles north are in deep shadow. Nonetheless, the lake reflects the blue of the clear overhead sky. Above, and also extending to the end of the valley, is a standing wind-wave where clouds are forming and dissolving, tinted by the morning sun. Seen from close at hand, like those overhead, these clouds are in the constant motion of formation, while seen from a distance (as are those further up the valley), they seem stationary since they constantly dissolve rather than float eastward.

As light from the rising sun enters the valley, the tops of foreground firs are the first signs of illumination. Next the contours of the ridgeline appear on the slopes and lake surface and then, by the time the lake is lit by direct sunlight its remarkable glacial-green color emerges to contrast with the high-altitude deep blue sky. The sun, continuing to warm the east-facing slope of the valley produces rising warm air to further feed the overhead standing wave of clouds whose shadows slide down the slope but, even by the end of this sequence, almost never manage to cross the lake surface before they dissolve.

The only sounds at this time of day are those of the slowly modulating wind in distant trees and occasional crows, stellar jays, hawks and ground squirrels - separately and in occasional conversation.

Favorable winds support the launch of hundreds of hot air balloons of all shapes, sizes and colors into a clear blue sky.

Gracefully moving up and to the east, mid-way through the sequence, the winds shift and balloons begin moving in all four directions as well as up and down.

In this sequence, the changing volume of the two waterfalls as they flow out over rock and into the pool below reveal the constant pulse and fluctuations of natural, uncontrolled water.

The patterns of the falls are contrasted with the more dynamic, linked shadow-patterns of the wind-blown aspens on the foreground rocks.

Occasional birds and insects and a cameo chipmunk appearance add yet another even more random pattern of life in the mountains.

Beginning with an early morning leaden sky that in most parts of the world would suggest impending rain, reinforced by distant rumbling thunder, the clouds steadily break up to reveal patches of blue sky and occasional streaks of virga - rain that evaporates before reaching the ground.

Even as the sky becomes almost cloud-free, behind, the low, early sun is periodically obscured by moving clouds, causing a play of sunlight and deep shadow on the distant mountains, the intermediate ponderosa pines, and the sage and grass in the foreground.

Wind in the grasses and sage and occasional cameo appearances of sparrows and hawks.

Toward the end of the sequence, the clouds in the Southwest reflect the early morning rose color of cloud-filtered sunlight.

Ranging from deep shadow to full sunlight, the reflective rippling mountain pool reveals the constant activity of a school of sizable Rainbow and Brown trout.

The surface of this otherwise silent world is punctuated by flashes of color combined with silhouettes and the occasional splash from a jump for insects.

This sequence is a constantly changing view of the mysterious underwater life that lies beneath the surface - a world not commonly seen.

In August, the full moon rises through the Belt of Venus, the subtly colored shadow cast by the earth in its own atmosphere. In the peaceful Limestone Mountains of Wyoming, the shadows cast by trees and mountain slowly lengthen and cool the warm, sun washed earth. Then, as the sun finally sets, the earth shadow rises in the eastern atmosphere - just as the moon appears from below the horizon. A few distant clouds reflect back the last color as the earth shadow expands and finally fades into the darkening sky of night.

The chirping of crickets in the silence is occasionally interrupted with other insects, bird songs and distant jet aircraft.

On Wind River Peak in August, the remnant snow fields are illuminated with warm early morning light. As the sun moves higher, it gradually lights up distant forests and then trees on the far shore of the lake.

Breezes pattern the lake with ripples and wavelets. The foreground rock shore reflects back the incoming waves creating delicate counterpoint patterns.

Bird songs, slaps of jumping fish and chattering squirrels add liveliness to the soothing sounds of the lapping waves.

Swallows and a Caspian Tern make cameo appearances.

Fresh snowfall is seen blowing off the high mountain ridges into a pure blue sky while melting snow at lower elevations is beginning the annual spring melt.

During the sequence, night surface ice melts as the river's flow increases.

The view up the Platte River valley, a classic landscape, is accented by the appearance of high cirrus clouds at the end of the sequence.

The sound of water and occasional gusts of wind persist throughout.

The saltwater reef aquarium is lively with the fluid motion of marine life - tropical fish, coral, and a variety of invertebrates, such as starfish and hermit crabs.

Fish species in the aquarium: Blue Reef Chromis, Mediterranean Rainbow Warsse, Powder Blue Tang, Regal Angelfish, Yellow Tang, Lipstick Tang, Flame Angelfish, Desjardini Tang, Emperor Angelfish, Ocellated Dragonet, and Copperbanded Butterflyfish.

A cloudless summer day. Looking down-river, soft breezes rustle the foreground grasses and distant shrubs.

Cliff swallows, nesting on the red sandstone rock face, fly above the river feeding on insects. Butterflies and dragonflies hover catching the warm winds of the late afternoon.

A groundhog, a leaping Mule deer, and a diving Belted kingfisher make cameo appearances.

In the background of river-sound, bird songs and the sounds of insects.

Outgoing mid-day tide reveals a rock formation, sand and constantly changing patterns of waves and sea-foam.

Overhead clouds, visible only in reflections on the wet sand, produce dramatic lighting changes.

Waves of scintillating light appear on surfaces of water and wet sand.

A distant lobster boat makes a brief appearance.

Near and distant wave sounds are occasionally mixed with wind.

Intimate, familiar, perhaps even nostalgic, this brook could almost be anywhere.

Fresh from recent rain, the rapidly flowing water appears from a hidden source and leaves our view obscured by grasses.

Through the delicately colored grasses and leaves we glimpse its bubbling surface and hear the clarity of its small sounds.

Gusting wind, changing early morning light and occasional insects further animate this quiet, approachable world making it an extraordinary experience of the beauty that resides in small things.

Incoming morning tide washes drifting ocean kelps.

Approaching waves pass beneath the observation point in the later portion of the sequence.

3 - 4 ft. waves crash on the sandy beach and rocks.

Seagulls fly by and fish occasionally appear inside the waves.

The Bear River cascades over tumbled and eroded rock formations producing the lower end of Screw Auger Falls.

Autumn colors become vibrant for a moment when the sun peeks through the cloud cover.

Rain of varying strengths and patterns falls throughout most of the sequence.

Changing wind direction and speed creates ripples and waves on the lake surface.

Cloud-filtered sunlight creates dramatic shifts from dark to light.

Low mist-clouds are blown across the far end of the lake.

Occasional bird songs can be heard through the sound of rain.

Occasional thunder.

An intimate view of the moss-covered bank at an edge of Bear River.

The multi-directional water flow is punctuated by occasional floating and tumbling maple and birch leaves.

A windblown birch branch shades the bank.

The sound of flowing water subtly changes with variations in water flow.

Wind-blown trees and clouds are seen reflected on a shallow pool whose mirror-surface moves with waves from wind, water striders seeking food, floating masses of autumn leaves and gentle currents.

Beneath the water, slow currents move sunken leaves.

Occasional autumn leaves fall to the surface and are blown to and fro with the slowly shifting accumulations of leaves.

All in all, there are about twelve different kinds of natural movements - many interacting simultaneously.

The sound is of the nearby Bear River.

The Bear River flows over a section of eroded rock producing a standing wave.

The foreground edge of the rock receives water from peak water levels only, thereby reflecting the pulsing nature of the river.

Afternoon light changes according to cloud cover and to the sun's angle through overhead trees.

Occasional floating leaves and other debris from recent rains herald the approach of winter.

A cloudless blue sky.

Three to four foot waves crash on a black lava-rock shore at high tide.

Wave sounds range from the deep bass of heavy crashes to the highs of ocean spray.

On the horizon, Kilauea, Hawaii's active volcano, creates a plume where flowing lava meets the ocean.

Black crabs and a fishing boat make cameo appearances.

The serene water, land and sky are rich with wildlife; egrets, pelicans, ducks, coots, grebes, herons, Yellow-Headed and Red-Winged black birds, muskrats.

The background silence is punctuated by near and distant bird calls.

In fact, the background silence is a high pitched hum of mosquitoes! You will see some too.

This high altitude lake which, like its namesake, will disappear within the month, is bordered by quaking aspen and Mule's Ears sunflowers.

One week ago, the foreground rocks were just visible above the lake surface.

Birds frequently contribute their voices to the characteristic sounds of breeze-blown aspens.

Quaking aspen, nodding Indian paintbrush, swaying sage brush, shifting shadows and distant clouds record a place where wind is almost always present.

Occasional bird songs appear through the sounds of wind and rustling leaves.

Noon sunlight filters through the River birch canopy and sparkles on the peaceful creek. Submerged rocks shape the current's eddies and add soothing sounds.

Occasionally birds call to each other from nearby trees.

A day in the life of sky above one of the world's most remarkable escarpments. This one hour scene out of a seven-hour segment - noon to sunset - delivers a taste of life, just beneath the clouds of the Great Basin High Desert.

The stately growth, dissolution and movement of summer clouds range from blue sky to threatening storm.

The subtlety of the high altitude landscape is revealed by the changing pattern of cloud shadows and sunlight.

A sentinel Belding's ground squirrel periodically climbs up into a foreground sage for his own view of the day (and the camera crew).

Beneath the slowly transforming sky, the dominant experience is one of remoteness, purity and silence.

High above the tree-line, this July brook, which will disappear in August, is fed by melting snow.

A moving cloud ceiling, only a few thousand feet above the land, produces changing patterns of light and shadow.

The sound of the stream includes detailed notes of the foreground riffle.

Although July, at this altitude it is still spring and the breeze ruffles the spring flowers.

A sunny day with distant clouds and mountains and the sound of gently lapping waves.

Overhead trees cast their delicate shadow pattern on the sandy ocean bottom.

Refraction and distortion, produced by the changing lens of transparent rippling waves, animate this pattern of shadow and light.

Further, green and red floating leaves and tumbling coral show the influence of waves and currents.

The sky above remains cloudless.

The setting sun illuminates sets of three to five foot curling waves, which break on the shore and foreground lava rocks.

Wet sand exposed by receding waves reflects the golden sunlight.

High clouds colored rose by the last light of the sun fade to gray.

The sun disappears below the horizon (after eleven minutes).

Daylight, reflected on the shore, waves, and distant ocean, transitions into dusk.

A distant surfer makes two cameo appearances.