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>>

Saturday Workshop on the Oregon Coast

On Saturday, July 13th, our workshop group gathered at the Oregon coast just north of Oswald West State Park for a long day of shooting the endless beauty here. 

One can never say what the weather will hold in store. Although July didn't have any rain, the Oregon coast, like the mountains, has it's own weather. The weather gods smiled as we had pleasant but cool and somewhat windy weather. In the morning at Arch Cape, we also had some lovely cirrus clouds slowly and majestically rolling by. They were here, apparently, just for us, as the areas to the north towards Ecola State Park and to the south were clear.

We started at Arch Cape, with an outgoing tide.

 Great to be out on the beach!

 Giving some settings suggestions. Thanks, John

We were able to move in to explore south of the Cape, as sand had filled in the gap that was there just a few months ago. Fine waves and beautiful sea stars.

 Tai lining up a detail shot.

Preston capturing the rock and cloud formations. Thanks, Kira

After lunch and a two hour review and processing session (whew!), we headed to the forest of Oswald West State Park and spent some calm time in the grand forest surrounded by the old growth forest of Sitka Spruce, Hemlock and other fine species. Overall shots and details of the forest fauna were abundant.

Last stop was the cliffs of Neahkahnie Mountain. Common Muirs, Cormorants and gulls flew close by, traveling to their nests and groups. A special place with wildflowers surrounding the trail. We were protected by the NW wind, so it was quite pleasant as evening approached.

Kira, Preston and Tai shooting from the cliffs.

Thanks to everyone for fine company in a grand landscape.

Participant photographs can be Viewed Here>>