Writing about what you love

I feel pretty lucky to have opportunities to write about things I am passionate about. I've been keeping a blog over at the South Tahoe Standup Paddle website for a few months now. After some amazing conditions this week, I got really excited about paddling. Something about that big blue lake sliding along underfoot. It's fun to check things out on the bottom. When it's good, it's good— even if it kind of smells like dead fish.

The Kokanee have been swimming up Taylor Creek for the last couple months. After they spawn, the die. The bears, though it's not part of their natural behavior, have learned to grab the dead fish out of the creek. A friend and I spotted a few schools in the lake and we checked out some of the fallen soldiers near shore.

New work in Tahoe Quarterly

I've been writing for Tahoe Quarterly for a year or so, and I've grown really fond of the publication. Though it's a small staff, they do a great job putting together a thoughtful and beautiful magazine. Every time I open it, I'm impressed by the design, imagery and in-depth stories. I would argue TQ covers Lake Tahoe better than other publication in the Basin, though I'm (obviously) a bit biased. 

In this quarter's issue, I have a couple stories. I wrote and photographed a piece on Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care's upcoming move to a new facility. The other article is on the development of Lake Tahoe's commercial crayfish fishery (or crayfishery). As a former knee injury sufferer (knock on wood), I enjoyed Adam Jensen's piece on ACL tears. And Sylas Wright's interview with South Lake Tahoe's own Jamie Anderson was really well done. Check them all out in the Tahoe Quarterly!

Now shooting for Tandem Stills + Motion

I'm really excited to say I'm sharing my photography with Tandem, a stock photography agency. They've got a great website set up to host and market images. They do a great job of curating for the best outdoor recreation and nature photography. If you're ever in the market for editorial or commercial photos, please check out my account. 

Photo copyright Dylan Silver

The color of mud

I really enjoy writing about gear, especially when it's the kind of stuff I would definitely use. Those know me, know I love to get dirty. Clothes that can handle some dirt are usually the first ones out of my drawers. This recent piece on Outside explores a few items that can take a dive in the mud. The image is from a walk through an abandoned train tunnel we did a few days ago. My friend Jason fell in mud hole. It was awesome.

The Apple Harvest

My parents have a small orchard in far Northern California. Though California has been a severe drought, their little trees are still managing a ton of apples. All the trees are different antique varieties. Some of them look like commercial brands like "Red Delicious" and "Braeburn," but I think the flavors, colors and shapes of the fruits are more complex. They're not always the prettiest, but I've always thought there is more to an apple than meets the eye.

Colors like fall

Fall is here and with it glorious, glorious color. The brush and manzanita at Angora Lakes near Lake Tahoe is incredible colorful. The aspens in Hope Valley and around the South Shore are turning and losing their leaves. For photographers, it's a welcome time of year. For skiers and snowboarders, the agony begins now. Snow, please.

When the smoke rolls in...

With the King Fire just to the west, the East Shore of Lake Tahoe has been under a blanket of smoke. The fire has burned more than 90,000 acres and 12 homes. Many people have had to evacuate. Luckily, there's some rain in the forecast. The smoke is not ideal for photography, but it does create some interesting lighting. 

Joey's sticks

My parents live in far Northern California. They have a dog named Joey. Joey's purpose in life is to chase sticks. She's a wonderful animal. But wherever her stick goes, she goes. If that's in the river, then she's going in with a splash. When I come to visit, we always make time for a few throws.