Point of the Arches and Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park

Posted on by

Olympic National Park includes long stretches of coastline. Its wonderfully refreshing to backpack and camp along the forests edge, on the beach.

Depending upon how far you hike from the car you can find some real solitude out there.

The spot I’ve visited most often is Point of the Arches. It lies along the northern-most section of ONP, just south of Neah Bay. Its now a very popular spot and sees many visitors. These images are from a trip 2 years ago, in January. A window of warm sunny weather was forecast, and I spent two glorious days there with sumptuous light.  On this particular sunset the colors were so bright and vivid and the orange glow from the rocks and sand so intense, it was more tricky than one would think to edit these and do the place justice.

North End of Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park

Its almost a 2-mile hike through the forest and mud until you get to the stairs and descend to the beach. Point of the Arches is another 2 miles walk, along the ocean.

Once the sun started to set the shadows and lines were amazing.

As the colors got richer it was impossible to capture enough images.

Every shot looked magnificent, better then the last, and the landscape is so utterly magical…

There you have it! Prints are available here. Info on Photography Tours here!

2019 in Review: Andy Porter Images

Posted on by

2019 in Review: Andy Porter Images

Through the course of an entire year I take a lot of pictures. Its fun to look back at the images you captured earlier, to reconnect with the places you’ve been.

I choose these because there is some element about each one of these images that captivates me.

Happy Holidays and may 2020 be your best year to date!

Debay’s Swan Reserve, Clear Lake

Hals Drive-In, Sedro-Woolley

Fir Island at Sunrise

Daffodils under the Moonlight

Skagit Valley at sunset

Sun Mountain, Winthrop

Samish River, Skagit Valley

Cap Sante Marina, Anacortes

Rainbow, Sedro-Woolley

Liberty Bell, North Cascades

Night sky over the North Cascades Highway

Mount St. Helens

Artist Point, Mt Baker Highway

Point of the Arches, Olympic National Park

Mount Baker and Skagit River

Washington Pass, North Cascades

Fir Island, Skagit Valley

Ruby Beach, Olympic National Park

Skagit Valley, near Clear Lake

Point Wilson Light House, Port Townsend

2020 Night Sky Calendar is available. Click here to see the images and order your copy before they’re all gone!

Photography Classes in Burlington at Parks and Rec start in Jan, 2020. Here is the link to sign up.

Spring Trip to the Olympic Coast

Posted on by

Spring Break arrived and we headed west. For us that means a ferry ride and drive along Highway 101, through Olympic National Park, one of the greenest places on earth. We stopped to see Sol Duc Falls along the way.

And after checking into our B&B we headed to Ruby Beach for sunset.

The next morning was rainy, but the skies cleared in the afternoon for a hike along Rialto Beach.

That night we stayed in La Push and enjoyed crazy skies and a lot of hail!

Port Townsend is always a treat for more eye candy.

For information on Photo Tours, Classes and Order Prints its all right here!

Five National Parks: Images from 2018

Posted on by

As I started to review images from this year, the theme of “National Parks” kept coming to me. So here are some of my best images from 5 National Parks this year…

Zion National Park

I visited Zion NP for the 4th time, always a marvel…

Here is an image from a new place, for me: Double Alcove Arch!

And for those who have not heard of the Subway…

“The Subway”, Zion National Park

The Subway, Zion National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

They say the night skies at Bryce are magical…they say right! This is from a short 2 day trip to Bryce in April…

Milky Way, Bryce Canyon National Park

 

North Cascades National Park

I have visited this park more than all others combined. I made the boat ride this year to Hozomeen, along the shores of Ross Lake near the Canada Border, and spent a night at Hozomeen Lake…

Hozomeen Lake, North Cascades National Park

North Cascades National Park turns 50 in 2018! Here is a link to a wonderful new book, by Lauren Danner, “Crown Jewel Wilderness: Creating North Cascades National Park” which chronicles the efforts of many to create NCNP.

And a shout out to my all time favorite camping place, Sahale Glacier Camp.

Sahale Glacier Camp, North Cascades National Park

 

Olympic National Park

My only trip this year, out west to the Olympic NP was back in February… as always dreaming of my return…

Sea Stacks at Point of the Arches, Olympic National park

 

Yellowstone National Park

I just returned from a Christmas trip to Yellowstone…Cold, crisp mornings, with no one about…I am still digesting the wonder of the place…

Oh, and here is my favorite image from 2017:

Winchester Lookout and the Aurora Borealis, North Cascades

Star Trails above Winchester Lookout, Northern Lights on the horizon

To purchase prints, here is the link.

For information on North Cascades Photo Tours, this is the place!

And, 2018 Calendars are still available! Get them while they last!.

Point of the Arches

Posted on by

Here are a few pics from the sunrise this Sunday morning, Point of the Arches and Shi Shi Beach.

 

Ruby Beach

Posted on by

Ruby Beach, in Olympic National Park is one of the most visited spots along the Olympic Coast. Seastacks dot the shore. The expanse of ocean call to you as you make your way along the stones.

There are several wonderful beaches here, First Beach with its mammoth driftwood, Shi Shi Beach with its wide expanse and solitude, Point of the Arches with its majesty and life.

Yes, there is a lot to see at the coast in Washington!

 

Andy Porter Images Media and Awards

Posted on by

A few recent splashes for one of my night sky images.

NIGHT SKY

First Beach Olympic Coast, near La Push Washington

The image won third place in the annual Alaska Airlines Photo comp, winning me 2 free RT tickets! You can see the Alaska web page here.

Another use of the image is from the Sierra Club, on their Daily Ray of Hope page.

The next New Moon is June 4th, here is the link if you would like to come out for a Night Sky Photo Tour!

New Year Sale: 50% OFF ALL PRINTS AND WRAPS

Posted on by

Camped under the Milky Way 2016NEW YEAR 50% OFF SALE! 2 DAYS ONLY!

First BeachSale ends on Tuesday, January 19th at midnight!
Visit the Gallery Page here. Browse for your favorite images and select your format and size. When you get to Checkout, use Coupon Code: New Year and receive 50% off your order.

 
Photography classes are available! Find your location and sign up here.

Interested in a Washington State Guided Photo Tour? Find out more.

First Beach 3

 

Washington State Ferry Sunrise

Posted on by

Washington State Ferry Sunrise

Not long ago I got lucky. I made a reservation to ride the ferry from Coupeville  (on Whidbey Island) to Port Townsend (on the Olympic Peninsula).

My final destination was Olympic National Park and I wanted to catch the earliest ferry in the morning to allow me more time frolicking on the beach.

I arose at 5am and made a beeline for the ferry. My arrival at the ferry terminal was just before sunrise. The dissolving  darkness progressed from a solely black and white light show to Technicolor.

Ferry 4 Ferry 5

Its amazing how fast the colors materialize…and disappear. I managed to get a few shots of purple, violet and magenta clouds as they enveloped the world.

So wrapped up in the orgy of color was I that the ferry was almost missed!

Dashing to board at the last second my dream morning of orange, yellow, pink, blue (oh, what blues!) and countless shades of wonder beckoned me,  and I followed.

Wandering about the ship, through the cabins, onto the decks, down the stairs, back and forth and through.

It was a wondrous adventure of sky and sea, colors and textures, a very magical moment.