Spring in the Olympics

It's always a pleasure to return to the Olympics. The first place visited when moving here 35(!) years ago this May was Lena Lake in the Olympics. The memory is clear; had a great hike, spotted a Dipper swimming in the stream, fantastic peaks, beautiful forests. Seemed like I had found paradise. 35 years later, it's more beautiful than ever.

Dipper surveying his domain on the Sol Duc

With turbulent weather, there can be unexpected surprises. It was dismally gray as sunset approached with little hope of something interesting. With some last minute clearing, suddenly the sky lit up with pinks and magentas. It was quite amazing. Almost strange to see such intense colors and grandness compressed into this tiny picture below. This is a composite of 5 photographs. Will make a grand print...

Rich sunset looking west at Lake Crescent, Olympic National Park

Loons are occasional visitors here. It's usually lone males prying the waters of Lake Crescent, far from shore. Morning revealed this one close in. Had to shoot through the cabin windows, as he would otherwise be gone in flash.

Early morning Pacific Loon

Hiked into Sol Duc Falls (Sol Duc means "Sparkling Waters" in Quileute), a popular hike near Hot Springs Resort. It is also the beginning of the trail to Seven Lakes Basin and the glorious High Divide. The prevailing Westerlies had been prevailing on the Olympics, with generous drippy, cold days, swelling the Sol Duc and creating quite a cascade at the falls.

Sol Duc Falls with Spring Runoff

Evening brought some color before the gray closed in.

Mist and Light over Mt. Muller

Rain Clouds in Portland

Normally, you don't get too excited about rain and clouds here in the "rainy" side of the Pacific NW. The predominant clouds here in Winter and early Spring are those dreary Stratus drizzly, chill you to the bones types. But on rare occasions, we see more "interesting" cloud formations. Here are few examples shot in three hours of some actual cumulus and cumulonimbus here in Portland.

The west hills of Portland

Some beautiful shadowing effects, but no lightning

Leaving downtown, one of my favorite places to photograph clouds is at the Columbia River near the airport. With 360 degrees views, there is usually something going on. Although not spectacular this day, it was still a quick escape from the urban landscape.

Spring rain on the west hills

Last light offered some very nice colors of pinks and deep blues

Coyote Wall in Winter 2

The open terrain of the central Columbia Gorge reminds me of sub-alpine meadows in summer and invites exploration. The soil is still moist, and the grass is still green. Spring is here. The Washington side gets dry early, so it's good to see the water still cascading down the hillsides and the small pockets of marsh.

Hiking on the old highway, it's evident why they moved the highway from this wall, as the old asphalt is strewn with debris. This rockfall leaves interesting, colorful patterns in the wall, with newly exposed rock next to older, weathered basalt.

Rock Patterns of Coyote Wall

Wind and weather are harsh here. These meadows are scattered with old and weathered Oregon White Oak. They will be one of the last of the deciduous trees to bare their leaves, making sure winter is behind them.

Sculptured Beauty before sunset

The area offers fine views of the Columbia River with relatively gentle walking. The trails are shared mostly with mountain bikers and other hikers. Far few people are here during the week. It's quiet and peaceful.

The new grass replacing the old as spring arrives

All the mountain bikers and hikers have left as I return. Coyote Wall wears different colors as the stars appear after dusk.

Twilight on the Wall

Spring in Portland

Moving from the snow of the Midwest and mountains, Spring is here in the Northwest. Although tethered to the city this week, there is plenty of beauty around town.

Although the Pasqueflowers are still buried beneath the snow, their relative Anemone flowers are bright and delicate. They close at night and open with the warmth of the day.

Anemone Blanda

Another Anemone in white

Macro shots highlight the delicate structures

This evening the 2 day old moon makes an appearance behind some thin cirrus clouds in the west.

Two day old "Crow or Lenten Moon"

Winter from above

Flying in winter always come with a degree of apprehension with the normal vagaries of the weather. This trip was blessed with smooth high pressure systems and pretty good visibility.

These simple textures and the cold snow of winter were tranquil.


The texture of the watershed is etched into the landscape in a stark form in winter.


These textures remind me of the complexity of the watershed and the similarity of leaf and other natural structures found in nature.