Sunrise Over Puget Sound

Posted on September 8, 2015 by Andy Porter

Not far from my house is the Samish Overlook. It is one of my go-to places for sunrises and sets.

On Labor Day I awoke at 5am and though it was mostly cloudy took an chance and made my way there.

From the parking area there are two viewpoints, one facing south with a view of Skagit Valley and Samish Bay

Samish Bay

and the other looking west out over the Puget Sound, towards the San Juan Islands.

Sunrises are always a gradual awakening of colors.

The wind was calm over the water making for some nice reflections.

For more images visit my main web site here.

You will find info on purchase of prints, photo classes and tours.

Skagit Valley Tulips 2015 – Best Images

Posted on April 18, 2015 by Andy Porter

I went to the tulip and daffodil fields often this year.

Daffodils, Morning Light

Eighteen times to be precise.

Yellow Tulips and a Smile

A new record for visits in one year.

Backlighting, my favorite

The Daffodils started in February.

Stars!

As of today, April 17, the tulips are done.

Beheading

Finished, kaput.

Pink River

Maximus

I am not sorry, I’m relieved.

Tulip Selfie

My Tulip Goal for this year was two-fold: to get an image of a huge double rainbow directly over the blazing tulip fields AND to somehow capture an image of dark skies over the tulips being ripped asunder by searing bolts of lightning.

Converging

The Barn

Mud

Pinks

I failed miserably on both of these counts.

MUD!

All of these image, and many more, are for sale as fine art prints as well as Canvas Wrapped Prints. Here is the place to view and buy!

Love the back lit scene

Reflection

Water in the rows

Loner

Tulip Photo Tours

Posted on April 4, 2015 by Andy Porter

Last night I was out conducting a photo tour of the tulip fields and encountered this lovely lady with a very photogenic umbrella. The conditions were favorable for a very nice image.

Stormy Skies, Sun ad an Umbrella

Tulip Tour Info is Here.

Evening Photo Shoot at Skagit Tulip Fields

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Andy Porter

This last Saturday the rains hit, a real deluge…windy and storms, a day to stay indoors!

Late afternoon arrives and there was a hit of blue peaking out of the gray.

It’s hard to predict if the dark skies will win the battle or if there will be a late-day clearing, but I decided to make the gamble and head out to the tulips field all abloom in La Conner.

The mud was slick and deep, the sun and clouds perfectly in harmony and the colors! The colors were to die for.

I spent a few hours here, until the sun set.

Andy Porter Guided Tulip Festival Photography Tours

Skagit Valley is located in NW Washington State and is home of some of the most stunning scenery anywhere. Spring brings amazing colors to the low lands, giant fields of tulips and daffodils create a patchwork of heaven. The Tulips have just gotten started this year, if you’d like to come for a visit and have a Tulip Photo Tour, we still have openings for Sunrise and Sunset tours this spring, have a look here.

Skagit Valley Tulips 2015

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Andy Porter

This year has been especially warm here in Western Washington and our spring has come early. The ski areas have closed and today was more than 65 F.

That translates to early bloom dates for tulips!

Skagit Valley Tulips

In early February we saw the arrival of daffodils and today I made a sunrise visit to the first tulip field that has popped open!

Skagit Tulip Festival 2015

The workers were arriving, getting their bearings and starting to head out into the fields.

The day turned out so warm! And the sky is still filled with wondrous clouds…I hope they last until sunset!

Skagit Valley Tulips 2015

If you would like to come for a sunrise or sunset Tulip Tour, now is the time to get registered!

Skagit Valley Tulip Tours

Living here in Skagit Valley not far from Tulip Heaven I am able to visit the tulip fields every day. As tulip season gets started I head out to scout the new year’s tulip and daffodil field locations and plan where are the best spots (and times, mornings or evenings) for capturing fabulous images.

The best time of day to visit the tulip fields is early morning or late afternoon. The low light and clouds offer some incredible back drops for the flowers.

Skagit Valley Tulips 2015

The best days to visit are Monday through Friday to avoid the throngs of people. On Tulip Festival Weekends after 10am, the entire tulip area is mired in a horrible traffic snarl. Weekends between 9am and 5pm are times to avoid the tulip fields, unless you enjoy traffic!

Evening – Sunset Tulip Tour

This tour is available Monday through Friday, every week that the flowers are blooming. The tour starts at 3pm and ends at 10pm. (Note: the times and itinerary are always up for change, depending on your preferences!)

Itinerary:

3:00 – Meet at Skagit Food Coop, relax, discuss photo techniques.

3:30 – Begin our photo tour at either of the two main Tulip Tourist centers (Optional)

5:00 – Drive out to several of the year’s best locations to get great evening shots of the flowers at sunset.

8:30/9:00 – Head out for a bite to eat and a review of images and tips on editing.

Cost: $150 per person Note: Each tour is limited to no more than 5 people

Skagit Valley Tulips 2015

Early Morning – Sunrise Tulip Tour

This tour is available every day, 7 days a week, every week that the flowers are blooming. The tour starts at 5am and ends at 10am. (Note: the times and itinerary are always up for change, depending on your preferences!)

Itinerary:

5:00 am – Meet at Starbucks for coffee/tea and to discuss photo techniques.

6:00 am – Drive to several of the year’s best locations to get great morning shots of the flowers at sunrise.

9:00 am – Head out for a bite to eat and a review of images and tips on editing.

Cost: $150 per person Note: Each tour is limited to no more than 5 people

Tulip Festival Photography Tours Planning

Weather

Skagit Valley Weather in the spring is…unpredictable. We can have snow, rain and sun, all in the same afternoon! Some days are gray and overcast, others with totally blue skies, but most often we will have a mix, throughout the day of clouds and sky. Rain is common. I have often seen days where it rained hard all day long, and in the late afternoon partially cleared into the most fantastic skies.

Skagit Valley Tulips 2015

New Photo Classes in Burlington

Posted on March 8, 2015 by Andy Porter

Evening Light

Here is the new flyer for the classes scheduled in March and April here in Burlington.

There are 3 classes on How to Use Your DSLR: This class is for anyone who wants to become more creative and capture better images.

And then there are two classes about Photo Composition and Editing. This is a two-day class and is for anyone who would like to learn the secrets of taking image taking to a higher level.

Here is the link to the form.

Skagit Valley Daffodils are blooming early!

Posted on February 19, 2015 by Andy Porter

This year the winter weather has been especially mild here in the Northwest. While the lack of snow and warm weather is not so good for skiing and bodes poorly for water supply in the summer, it has been pleasant to be out side in February!

If you’re interested in coming for a visit to this years Skagit Tulip and Daffodil Festival, I am offering guided Photo Tours this year!

Normally the daffodil fields explode in mid to late March, but I captured these images on Feb 18th at sunrise.

Skagit Daffodils at sunrise

Looks like our Tulip Festival may just be a bit early this spring!

Daffodils, Morning Light

Barn on Fir Island

Posted on January 20, 2015 by Andy Porter

Another day of mild winter temps and beautiful afternoon skies invited me back out for another visit to Fir Island. My attention was drawn to this huge barn. All the recent rain provided plenty of mirror space.

Barn along Fir Island Road, Skagit Valley

Fir Island also provides a winter home to snow geese!

Snow Geese on Fir Island, Skagit Valley

Sedro-Woolley Loggerodeo

Posted on January 11, 2015 by Andy Porter

Sedro-Woolley’s Loggerrodeo is held each year during the week around July 4th.

Sedro-Woolley staged it’s first 4th of July celebration in 1886, making it the oldest continuous celebration in the state, AND Sedro-Woolley is the chainsaw carving capital of Washington

The weeks festivities consist of more than a dozen events. Here are a few:

Loggerodeo Fireworks: Brilliant blasts of exploding color light up the black night sky in grand display this July 4th, starting at dusk at Riverfront Park. With its convenient location right next to the carnival, there is still time to visit the carnival after the fireworks show ends as it is open until midnight.

July 4th Carnival

Loggerrodeo Carnival

Chainsaw Carving. The contestants start with huge slabs of cedar and over several days transform them into unbelievable works of art. Many pieces, both large and small are also for sale.

Sedro-Woolley Chainsaw Carving

Sedro-Woolley Riding Club Rodeo And if all the above is not enough, The Sedro-Woolley Riding Club Rodeo is held each year over a two-day period. There are bucking broncos, barrel riding and Rodeo Queens! It is truly a spectacular event. Tickets are $10 for adults and $8 for Seniors, children and military members.