Beautiful Wounds: A Search for Solace and Light in Washington's Channeled Scablands

A lush, photographic journey through the origins and cataclysms of one of America’s most enigmatic natural treasures.

Carved and scoured by catastrophic floods at the end of the most recent ice age, the Channeled Scablands of eastern Washington State dazzle with their harsh beauty and the diversity of their natural features, including great waterfalls, sprawling canyons, and cinematic palisades. In this pictorial love letter to the region, writer and photographer Timothy Connor expertly combines stunning images, engaging field notes, historical narrative, and a touching personal sojourn. His photography captures the sweeping horizons, braided wetlands, and vibrant wildlife, while his words examine the once-mystifying landmarks of the area through the story of J Harlen Bretz, the geologist who, in the 1920s, first suggested that massive floods formed the Scablands’ epic cataracts and inexplicably deep lakes. Incorporating the poignant story of Connor’s own journey of grief, Beautiful Wounds offers a moving, visual tribute to the enduring power of nature and the healing power of time. 115 color photographs

Timothy Connor is a journalist and photographer. He has contributed to the Portland Oregonian, Longview Daily News, Seattle Weekly, Washington Law & Politics, and Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. He lives in Spokane, Washington.