Picture of The Day

Copyright Tara Ellis Photography


September 18, 2017

I apologize for not posting for so long! I was in the process of selling my home and moving. THIS is the new view from my backyard. Puget Sound/San Juan Islands in all their glory!


May 3, 2017

Wow. What a night! Last Saturday (5/27/17) we have a massive solar storm. Because of this, the aurora was seen as far south as Arizona!!! I am blessed to live in a place where I can drive for an hour to have amazing views, such as these. Taken at Baker Lake, Washington. I took these with My Nikon D7000, ISO 640 with exposures ranging from 25 sec to 45.





January 2, 2017

I took this image in my backyard a few months ago, and I feel it is a good representation of fresh and new beginnings! May your 2017 be exciting and blessed!


November 28th, 2016


This was from my trip this summer (August 2016) to Flathead Lake, in Montana. In all the times that I have camped in Blue Bay, on the east shore, there has always been at least one good storm. I was pretty excited to capture this shot. It shows the dramatic juxtaposition of power and beauty embodied at once on the lake. The raging storm to the north, with the tranquil sunset right next to it in the west. The way the magnificent light trails up the rolling clouds makes it all the sweeter. :)

October 8th, 2016



Yikes! It's been some time since I last posted a picture! I've been sharing a bunch on the main blog page, but I will post some here of the best shots I got during my summer travels, over the next couple of weeks. This one is a bit iconic for the states. The Grand Prismatic Springs, in Yellowstone National Park. It was literally breathtaking! 

June 18, 2016


I've been so busy between work and writing, that I've been neglecting my photography! I finally got out the other night, and managed to catch this image of the northern lights. Once again, I went up to Baker Lake, from the same location that I got the last ones. (almost a year apart) The starts were especially bright this night!!


February 23, 2016


As we emerge from Winter, thoughts turn to Spring and Summer. I find myself stopping to look at this picture more often during these cold and grey days. (I have a large canvas print on my wall) This is one my favorite spots in the world: Flathead Lake, in Montana. Yes, the water is that clear, and yes, the rocks really are those colors! This is in Blue Bay..aptly named. Aghhh......

September 2, 2015

August was a busy month! I did manage to go camping at my favorite spot, though: Flathead Lake in Montana. Here is a shot I got of the MilkyWay while there!


July 19, 2015


This was a bucket list shot! I took it up at Baker lake last month during the solar storm, and man...I was NOT disappointed. Don't we live in an amazing, beautiful place?

June 22nd, 2015

Wow...I've been seriously lacking! Here is one my most recent, favorite images. I took this from the camp ground I stayed at while in Yosemite National Park last month. :)





April 29th

This photo is a bit different from my 'norm', but every once in a while, I like to try and branch out and try something new. I took this photo of my daughter in the tulip fields last Spring.




This was taken from my backyard a few days ago...I go back here often just to soak up the silence and relax. It's easy to see why!! :)


Happy Easter!


Spring is finally here!!



March 17th, 2015
It IS Saint Patrick's day, so here's a bit O green for ye! (found this guy in my backyard yesterday, isn't he a beauty?)



February 22, 2015

Down at the end of our road, where I like to go for walks (and take pictures) is a gorgeous area along the Skagit River. For some reason, people in our community feel that it's okay to literally dump their garbage, animal carcasses (not even kidding) and used needles over one of the embankments. "Oh, the river will just wash it all away when it floods," is the mentality of some. This is one of many items left behind after the last flooding event and so I decided to capture it, as a way of expressing WHY the pollution bothers me so much. We all pay for the careless disrespect shown to our environment. It's a precious gift and needs to be treated as such.


February 4th, 2015

This one is a personal favorite of mine! I'm currently preparing a framed print to put up at my new show this month at the Woolley Market. This was taken at Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State.

January 24th, 2015
Another picture captures near my home, that I think highlights the beauty of our valley. There was some substantial flooding earlier this winter and the water has yet to recede in some of the low-lying fields. I drive past this area often and I was waiting for a day such as this one to capture the reflection of the mountains in the still waters.


January 14th 2015


Wow..I've been slacking! Here is a picture that I just took this morning from my backyard. It was very foggy, and below freezing...a cool combination with the water.


Thursday, December 25th  (Christmas!)


This is my most popular picture/scripture combo I have created, so I thought it appropriate to share this one again, on this day! Merry Christmas to everyone and may the love of not only God, but your family and friends surround you today.

Tuesday, December 23rd

I recently shared my picture 'summer love', (two girls holding the sun)...this one is the counterpart. It is getting some attention over on the National Geographic site, so I thought I would share it here too. It just takes me back to those long summer days as a child, when everything was perfect. Doesn't it? :)

Friday, December 19th



Here are a couple of pictures to help get you in the Christmas/Winter spirit! 


Tuesday, December 9th, 2014

Whenever winter arrives, I begin thinking more about summer. This picture pretty much captures how I feel about summer, vacation, childhood, and lazy days spent on Flathead lake in Montana! (this is my daughter and her friend, Bree) I call this one, 'Summer Love'


Thursday, December 4th, 2014


I call this one, 'Sentinels of the Giants'. This is a grove of ancient trees in Mount Rainier National Park, WA State. I think of it as nature's cathedral. :) Don't you just want to step into it?



Sunday, Nov 23rd, 2014

I'm sharing one of my all-time favorites with you today. I took this image by climbing over the barricade at the Mount Rainier Lookout on Hwy 2, WA State. The reason I like this one so much, is because I feel like I took a 'typical' view of the mountain, and turned it into something unique. Anyone who is familiar with my work, knows how much I like to do close-ups of unusual things (like insects) so I got to incorporate both that perspective, as well as the broader landscape. I just love this one. It feels like a painting to me and I can stand staring at the large canvas of it for quite awhile...except then I feel an overwhelming urge to make another camping trip to this gorgeous, National Park!



Tues, Nov 11th, 2014


Today is cold and crisp, but the gorgeous sunshine and clear blue skies tease and remind of us warm, lazy summer days!


Tues, Nov 4th, 2014
A few days ago, the fog was thick at night and by the morning, everything was covered in a thick layer of moisture...including the spiderwebs! It makes for some beautiful pictures. :)


Tues, Oct 28th 2014
There's been a lot of darkness these past few days, following the horrific events at Marysville. However, there have been countless acts of kindness and love in response, and this picture always reminds me to seek out the light.


Wed, Oct 22nd, 2014
I feel like sharing something fun today, and this has turned out to a viewer favorite!



Wed, Oct 8th, 2014
Looking down at Lake Diablo, North Casade Hwy, Washington State


Sunday, Oct 5, 2014



Thursday, Oct 2, 2014

Look closely, and you will see the little boat with a couple of fishermen in it. Wouldn't you like to be out there right now, with your pole in the water and the sun on your face?? 



Sunday, Sept 28,2014


Even though this road, located in Mount Rainier National Park, (the Road to Paradise) scared the heck out of me, today, I find myself longing for the atmosphere. This is most definitely God's country.





Friday, Sept 26, 2014


From my recent trip to Mount Rainier National Park. Taken from the lookout at midnight.





Wed, Sept 24, 2014

To mark the obvious arrival of Fall





Monday, Sept 22nd 2014



I took this photo just down the road from our house. The cooler, damp morning today was a clear indicator of the changing season and reminded of the morning I caught this image






Sunday, Sept 21st 2014


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