Racing Clouds and Tides on Olympic Beaches

 Life in profusion drapes the rocks at Shi Shi Beach. Heavy layers of mussels await the returning tide. Shi Shi is a cacophony of beautifully sculpted rocks and a steep shoreline that the sea nests against when the tide returns. To the south, a wide crescent beach sweeps to the distant and rugged Point of the Arches.

Spring Blooms

Due to a number of very dedicated people, these areas are set aside for posterity and saved from the continued taming of the wildness of our coasts. There are few visitors here for much of the year, but as the weather moderates, these beaches are greatly enjoyed by many. It's heartening to see many families backpacking here to enjoy this heritage. 

Wind and Sea

In spring, the weather changes daily, often hourly. One need only wait for change from sun to rain, with rainbows seemingly pressed against the cliffs towards evening. An eagle glides by. The rapid and humorous call of two oystercatchers landing.

Sweeping Waves

Another long beach expands to the south at Second Beach. A simple name for a magic place. The Quileute name is Quateata. The hillsides along the beach show the difficulties of winter, with offset and jumbled trees from land sliding toward the sea. This day was restful and calm.

Eastern Gorge Workshop finds Blooms and Blustery Weather

This time of year is simply great for photography.  On this Saturday, it was a downpour most of the day in Portland, but we escaped to the drier side of the Cascades for a real mix of warm sun, clouds and showers.

First stop was a beautiful field of Camas along the Columbia River. Clouds and filtered sunlight were fine for bring out the beautiful blue flowers, with green grass and moss surrounded with an oak and fir forest.

Katrina moving in for a portrait.

Discussing settings. Thanks John

We arrived at our main destination for the day, Columbia Hills State Park, with a crowd of climbers at Horsethief Butte, above the Columbia River. The sun was blazing as we explored various options to shoot the Balsamroot and basalt cliffs. Didn't think we would need sunscreen! Although there was a lot of activity, there was still plenty of room for making photographs of the flowers and surrounding area.

Randy making it up the trail adorned with Balsamroot

As the weather changed from sun to shower, we headed to The Dalles and lunch at Petite Provence. There is nothing Petite about their entrees. After lunch we reviewed some of the photographs of the morning shoot.

The weather was looking more unsettled as we drove back to Washington and the lovely hills of the Dalles Mountain Ranch. The lupine were just getting started, but the Balsamroot was covering the hills in every direction. We hiked to some vistas, making it back to the van before another shower arrived.

We explored the eastern section of this area, then headed back for some very fine vistas, beautiful, fast changing light.

Fast changing conditions for us along the Dalles Mt. Road

What to shoot next? Thanks, Randy.

Last stop was back to Horsethief Butte with hopes of some sun on the Butte before it went behind the ridge. We did have some interesting clouds and a nice rainbow. A very pleasant day of beauty and changing conditions.

Added surprise at the end of the day

Lovely Winter Oaks at Coyote Wall

After what seemed to be months confined in the city, a drive to a favorite place is always a welcome change, even for a few hours. In this mountain bike haven of Coyote Wall, this time of year one sees very few if any people here. While walking next to the great basalt wall, two men passed, staring in tandem at their cell phones. Later, one girl came by, walking down the trail, staring at her cell phone. Strange times.

Snow was lightly falling at times, and the creeks had some water in them, making for a nice atmosphere of tranquility. Wind can be fierce here, but today it was calm and serene. 

The trees are patiently waiting for spring, but their beauty is very fine in the depths of winter. As darkness approached, I soaked in the noble forms and scouted a few more prospects before the drive back.

Cape Kiwanda Beauty

Cape Kiwanda is a coastal oasis. Sandstone meets the sea. This visit was filled with discovery and explorations of areas both old and new. It is always possible to escape to areas few visit, the weather is usually quite beautiful, and the waves are magic.

Anemones in a tenuous position, waiting for the sea to return

 Despite the relatively calm winter, there had been a surprising amount of erosion of the sand, especially at the north side of the large sand hill. It's difficult to say, but I suspect the erosion is more due to the heavy use this park is subjected to every year. A number of trees in tenuous places last year had fallen downhill. We had virtually no rain this summer, so the sandstone was covered everywhere with guano, giving the rocks a whitish appearance.

Wave action after sunset

We had a very success time for our workshop here, and it was a pleasure to both teach and then return for time alone here. Had the whole area to myself and enjoyed the sea rushing in.

Sunset and sea approach this mussel lined channel

Often one is reminded of how brief we are here and how long geologic and biological changes have taken place on our beautiful planet. The next day, while exploring, I came across this section of rock.There were areas of charcoal clearly embedded in the sandstone in quite a few places.

My Firebird figure, with embedded charcoal

I look forward to my next visit, this time when the winter waves are really big!

August Workshop at Oceanside and Cape Kiwanda

Morning fog greeted us as we gathered at Oceanside for a long day of shooting and enjoying the beautiful Oregon coast.

Low tide and mist at Oceanside

Quiet and waves with the sea stacks as Frank sets up

Ever changing patterns of waves running through the rocks was enjoyable to watch and capture.

Tai getting the shot! Thanks, John

After an enjoyable lunch at Roseanna's Cafe in Oceanside, we had a long review session and discussion before heading south to Cape Kiwanda.

Cape Kiwanda is a very busy place, with all kinds of activities on the beach. We were lucky to see the fog had lifted revealing beautiful clouds and intermittent sunshine. As evening approached, we had the Cape pretty much to ourselves. It's an ideal place for beauty and photography.

Walking the beautiful sandstone cliffs with Tai. Thanks, Frank

John and I take a moment in the beautiful evening light.

 Thanks for all who attended. Participants photographs can be viewed here>>