August on The Mountain...
I suspect most nature photographers in the Seattle area focus their year around August. In late summer, wildflower season arrives at Mount Rainier; first on the east slope at Sunrise, then at Tipsoo Lake on Chinook Pass (which I wound up skipping this summer), and finally, in its greatest abundance, along the south slope of Rainier at Paradise and the surrounding area. At least for me, it's time to get used to climbing out of bed at 2:30 A.M. for an early-morning drive to one spot or another in the park before dawn, and this year was no exception.
First off, the appropriately-named Sunrise.
Some days thereafter, an early-morning session at one of the most-iconic locations for photography, Reflection Lakes.
Mazama Ridge, east of Paradise itself, is one of the best locations for vistas of Rainier fronted by fields of lupine and paintbrush. This was the first year for me to make the hike, and I found it lived up to its reputation, and then some.
Finally, a return to Sunrise late on the night of a new moon. This was actually taken in complete darkness; what little light is there can be captured by the camera's sensor, but not by the human eye. (Shortly after taking this photograph, something - probably an elk, but I had no way of knowing - started making loud snorting sounds in the darkness nearby, way too close for comfort. I beat a hasty retreat, but was fortunately able to get this image before doing so.)
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These are just fabulous, breathtaking, you get the idea. And this mountain is certainly one of my favorites, if not my absolute favorite.
Thank you!
Just beautiful friend! 
I believe this is Tipsoo Lake. I wanted to get back there a few years ago, but it was snowed in.....in late summer, no less! Some day I will hopefully return and get a much better picture.
and to think you were only 11 or 12 taking this shot.
I hope you do get to return one day soon too. 
I hope I do too.........and when the roads are clear!
let me make up by saying these pictures are the best, bar none! What you've done is what I strive to attain (I suppose I'll have to get a better camera, first!). The colors are remarkable! I've always overlooked Rainier, maybe because it's so close to Portland? Not now.
Oh, and that snorting sound you heard? Probably a bigfoot. 
Simply stunning! Love the first Reflection Lake shot - may be my favorite, but it's hard to choose.
