Spring Workshop in the Columbia Gorge

The first workshop of the year took place in the Columbia Gorge on Sunday, April 5th, after having to postpone our Saturday workshop due to heavy rain and wind. Not everyone was able to shift their schedules, but Sunday was a nearly rain free day.

We were met with rather flat, gray light at Women's Forum Overlook. It was serene and tranquil there, unlike the day before.

Calm and gray Columbia Gorge

Next we hiked in to Elowah Falls, where the water volume was anything but serene. It had been raining for weeks, and rained heavily the day before. As we approached the Falls, spray kept us back. It was a challenge to keep our gear reasonably dry so getting photos was also challenging.

Wild water at Elowah Falls

After drying out a bit with a nice lunch at Skamana Lodge, we headed to Dog Creek Falls on the Washington side. The water volume here was also not disappointing. I, in fact, have never seen this falls this big. It's a short wide falls that is lovely to shoot all times of the year. Even though it is a short walk, once you are there you are surrounded by canyon and solitude. Except for the occasional visitor, it can be quite tranquil.

One of the best places to shoot is to get right in the creek, far enough back not to have too much spray, but to get a feeling for motion and water with slow shutter speeds.

Getting in the creek for some nice water movement

Shooting the Falls and discussing water and rock placement in the frame

Last stop was back to Oregon near Wahkenna Falls to photograph some small streams. With fading light and steam, we called it a fun day, with participants voicing enthusiasm for the next outing!

Next Gorge workshop is scheduled for June 11th. More information here>

Six Hours in the Gorge

The clouds are breaking in town, and a gap has opened for the small chance of interesting and dramatic light. The choice of where to go is always a gamble, tempered with observation. As I drive into the Gorge, more opportunity seems to be appearing further east, so Dog Mountain looks like a good place to start.

Beams of Light on the Columbia

Dog Creek Falls is one of my favorite places. Even though it is close to the highway, there is rarely anyone here. The few who do stop, generally don't linger long. The canyon is steep, with interesting trees and hawks and eagles nearby. Ospreys will be here soon.

Generous flow at Dog Creek Falls

After shooting here for some time, sunset is approaching as well as a large bank of clouds. Looks like a small clearing to the west is forming, so it's time to head west, with the large open area near Beacon Rock my destination. Strong, colorful light, as well as strong rain met me there.

Last Light near Beacon Rock

As the rain and light faded, other, more intimate shots drew my attention.

Evening light with flood waters, grass and beautiful light

Winter Waves at Arcadia Beach

Arcadia Beach, just a short hop south of Cannon Beach, is a wide expanse of sand between Hug Point and a rocky northern partition with a few modest sea stacks. Having walked the beach and taken night photographs there, I wanted to explore the photographic possibilities of the rocks, just a short walk from the parking lot. Waves were running 12-14 ft. offshore, which means a strong and variable wash on the beach. It was a sunny day, with low wind, so, for January, it was quite pleasant. It's a popular spot for folks with kids and dogs, but the possibility of sneaker or rogue waves is always present with strong storms, sometimes thousands of miles away. While the sun was strongly shining at 3:30p, it afforded an opportunity to use a neutral density filter to slow the water down. and capture it's motion. Black and white works well for me in these higher contrast situations.

Churning water as the tide resides. 50mm, .6 sec exposure.

Near sunset, clouds rolled in from the north, creating some interesting light, but is this going to shut out the glorious sunset we all wait for? There is a nice contrast here between the black and tan rock formations. There is a black area also on the sea stack.

Waves moving in while I shoot with my gum boots on. 14mm, .4 sec. exposure.

As the sun was veiled a bit, I decided to move up on the rocks to the right. Although the tide had been going out, wave activity was strong, but I was about 8 ft. higher than incoming. In this position, I didn't have my usually planed escape route for large waves, and felt vulnerable. A cormorant perched on the large stack and dried his wings.

Waves washing up to the rocks. 6 sec exposure.

As the sun and light descended, I decided it was time to go. As I depressed the shutter for the last exposure, suddenly a large wave was heading my way. It was about 7-10 ft. larger than the others, and inundated my position. I held the tripod in place, or it helped to hold me in place. A ghost of the water can be seen in the photo below. It was more excitement than I would ever want. Water came up to the top of my boots. Glad it wasn't any higher!

Large wave inundates my position. 14mm, 6 sec. exposure

I had spotted another photographer a bit earlier contemplating making a rounding of the rocks from the north. After the wave, I thought about his condition. Shortly afterward, he rounded the rocks. He apparently ran up the beach, but was still hit and wet waist high. His camera bag protected his gear. We were both very fortunate.

Olympic Beauty in Late Summer

Having a few days to explore some of my favorite haunts with favorable weather, Hurricane Ridge and Second Beach beckoned. Even though it's beautiful there at all times of the year, it's nice to have warm days and pleasant, unfettered hiking.

Fog surrounded the road up in the morning, ever changing the views to the east at Hurricane Ridge.

Looking toward Deer Park

The next evening brought a group of Mountain Goats, heading back to Klahanie Ridge. I gave them a wide berth. Three weeks later a hiker was gored by a billy not a mile from where this shot was taken.

Mountain Goats heading back

Second Beach has many moods. Sometimes it gray and windy, other times it provides quite a show. This evening was especially beautiful. Tide was coming back in and the sun was setting. I stayed late and had the beach to myself during a special time there.

Near sunset with wonderful blues and golds. Light behind lit the small rocks

During the entire time I photographed this famous sea stack, there was a Bald Eagle watching me from a high perch on the rock. He stayed there until after sunset.

Ever changing light and beauty at Second Beach

You can view a complete set of Olympic Pictures on my website here>

Mt. Rainier Flowers

Flowers at Mt. Rainier are always a special event. Microclimates here create early season and later season flowers blooming very close to one another. This Spring, especially June, was rainy and overcast. Flowers that normally bloom much earlier were just getting going in late July.

One flower that blooms early and is very short lived is the Western Pasque Flower. The seed heads from this plant are visible throughout the summer, but the bloom is a fleeting event.

The short-lived Western Pasque Flower with a welcome visitor

The delicate Pasque Flower

Jacob's Ladder blooming at Sunrise Point

Another visitor on Avalanche Lily at Tipsoo Lake