Waves and Rialto Beach Beauty

Sometimes, it's not a simple walk on the beach at high tide in winter here on the Pacific. Thankfully the sun graced the skies for another day of exploration and photography, this day at Rialto Beach. Rialto Beach, Olympic National Park, is just north of the Quileute Tribe's village and fishing harbor of La Push. From Rialto Beach, there is nothing but wild beaches 40 miles north to Cape Flattery.

 James Island was a refuge for the Quileute when attacked by other tribes

Rialto Beach consists primarily of stones of various sizes. The water is also quite deep close to shore, so the roar of crashing waves from the west, pounding and pushing massive amounts of stones, makes quite an intense and powerful sound. Waves were washing up into the huge debris field of driftwood. This is no ordinary driftwood, as many of the trees here were old growth beauties, now worn down, sometimes thrown on top of one another during the big storms and waves at high tide.

The beautiful sea stacks and dark beach near Hole in the Wall (far right)

It was high tide as I made my way dodging waves and driftwood to the sea stacks at the north end of the beach. The waves keep me close to the shore, but it was a pleasant, slow walk with just one creek to ford. Sunset was imminent as I approached the sea stacks.

 "Split Rock" sea stacks at sunset

 Last light on the sea stacks with a short-lived ethereal sky

The walk back was gratefully easier, as more beach opened as the tide retreated. The light was quickly retreating as well. If I can see stars, the camera can capture many more. This time of year the summer Milky Way is in the WNW, with Cygnus pointing down to the horizon. A 30 second exposure captured the scene. In the far lower right, you can see the glow of crab boats as the crab season was just opened.

 Sunset Glow and The Milky Way

If you would like to view more images from this collection, and at a larger size, please visit my Website/Recent Work> 

Mountains of Snow

 The weather Gods smiled again this year in allowing a visit to Hurricane Ridge for the New Year. The winds howled last year, but there was a limited amount of snow. This New Year Day we were greeted with stillness and mounts and drifts of snow everywhere. The trees were beautifully coated with snow.

Subalpine Fir coated in snow

The landscape had a near black and white tonality, which contrasted well with the warm tones in the sky, created from the sunlight's low winter trajectory filtering through the altostratus clouds.

Mt. Olympus (left) and Mt. Carrie

Looking South, the peaceful Elwha Valley and the Bailey Range

Happy New Year!

Brief Visit to Ecola and Hug Point

The first part of the afternoon was spent exploring Indian Beach at Ecola State Park with my step daughter Nadia and her partner Mike, including a hidden waterfall and an hike/overview of the steep and beautifully forested Tillamook Head.

With an incoming tide, Hug Point was the next destination. It rained most of the day, but cleared as evening approached. Unlike the many beach lovers in summer, it was serene, lovely and the falls had plenty of water.

 Especially this time of year, one has to be very careful of wave surge, particularly north of the falls. This is the first place to be inundated with waves. It was quite disconcerting, especially alone. 

Water moving in over the rocks, and my boots. 13 sec. exposure.

  
The top of falls is thoroughly safe, from the waves at least. A special place, with many places for the imagination to roam.

Heading south now after sunset, a parting shot of this lovely area.

 There are a number of small headlands between Hug Point Beach and Arch Cape. Beautiful confluences of basalt and sandstone is found here.

Second Beach Light

The rain and clouds of autumn on the Olympic Peninsula make it a guessing game when to go out and attempt to capture the beauty of the coast between storm fronts. At our cabin at Lake Crescent, there is no internet access, so those fronts are even more elusive. Weather can also vary quite a bit location to location, and change in a matter of an hour.

The main players at Second Beach are the sea stacks, from large tree covered mini islands to just the bare rock towers, and the very long slope of beach. At very low tides, you can walk nearly a 1/4 mile from shore. Sunset is most dramatic. At this time of year, one can be quite alone here.

The north end of the beach, with it's famous sea stack, is a beautiful and active area. Luck was with me, for after searching for sea otters earlier this year, two appeared in this channel. I was away from my camera, and they disappeared in minutes after spotting me. The last photo was taken just before leaving.

 Last Light

 Afterglow and Cirrus Monster

Fading light on the beach

Rain=Waterfalls

Although it's been very busy this week with projects, getting out of town, even when it's drippy, is needed therapy. Even an hour in a beautiful location that you love can be rejuvenating.

One of those places is the lovely Elowah Falls. It's off the beaten path a bit, and a very nice hike is well rewarded. One interesting perspective to return to again and again is to drop down to McCord Creek and place it in the foreground.

22mm, 8 sec. exposure, f/11, Nikon D800e, Nikon 16-35mm f/4

Here in the Northwest, breaks in our weather can be difficult to time, especially with our busy schedules, but rewards can be found.