Dolly Sods Wilderness comprises of a 17,371 acre protected area in the Allegheny Mountains, part of the Monongahela National Forest. It’s less than 60 miles from where I live, but the drive to the top is not for the faint of heart. Once reaching the highest plateau at approx. 1,432 metres, there is an open expanse of bog where wind is a constant element. This ecosystem is highly unusual for the Eastern United States and more typical of Canada. This is my favourite image from the magical autumn afternoon, which features numerous wild plants. And more, it was my dad’s favourite place to go backpacking in the late 1970s when I was a kid, and now it’s the favourite place for my children.

Finalist - Wildflower Landscapes