Skagit Valley Tulip Photo Tours

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Andy Porter

Skagit Tulip Festival Photography Tours

Harvesting Tulips at Sunrise

Each spring the flats of Skagit Valley are alive with the vibrant, multi-colored tapestry of tulips and daffodils. There is really nothing to compare to the sight of (seemingly) endless fields of tulips under the wonderful skies of Skagit County during the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival.

Tulip – Daffodil Season starts at the end of March and ends, of course it’s all dependent upon the weather really. The general Bloom Schedule is Daffodils first starting in late March and Tulips starting in early April. Each year is a little different, some years we’ve had a late snow, other years were very wet, delaying the starting dates a bit.

The fields of flowers are spread out over a large area encompassing parts of the towns of La Conner and Mount Vernon, Washington. Tulip and Daffodil fields are rotated regularly and each year the precise location of the flowery fields changes.

There are two tulip festival ‘tourist centers’: Rozengaarde and Tulip Town. Both of these provide tons of free parking and have both beautiful manicured multi-colored tulip beds (complete with wind mills, ponds and other back drops) as well as huge fields of tulips to wander in. Each also has a huge shop where you can purchase any and all things tulip related: postcards, prints (both large and small) cups, mugs, placemats, and literally hundreds of wonderful gifts. And of course you can always get bundles of freshly cut tulips, daffodils and Irises as well as buy bulbs for planting!

Here is a gallery of Andy Porter’s Tulip and Daffodil Images available for purchase online!

In addition to these two main hubs of tourist activity, the tulip growers also have huge fields here and there through the nearby area, like bright quilt squares. The growers provide a Bloom Map each year showing the locations of these fields, which flowers are growing there, and updates the map regularly so that anyone can see which fields are blooming.

Andy Porter Guided Tulip Festival Photography Tours

Living here in Skagit Valley not far from Tulip Heaven I am able to visit the tulip fields every day.

Morning Tulip Tour Image

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.

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

Pink Tulips at Sunset

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

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

Yellows at Sunset

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.

What to bring

Camera, lenses, filters, a tripod, extra batteries and memory cards.
Water, snacks and any other food/beverages.

What to wear

Plan to get dirty and muddy! The tulip fields are most always moist and often very wet. Wear pants and shoes that you are happy if they are covered in mud! Bring layers of clothing, sunrise and sunset can get cool quickly. Don’t forget a hat and gloves!

If you would like to sign up for a Skagit Valley Tulip Photo Tour, follow this link.

Feel free to call or email with ANY questions. 360-809-0661 andyporterphotography@gmail.com

New Web Site Launch!

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Andy Porter

I have been dreaming of this for some time, today is the launch of my new web site Andy Porter Images.

The site includes 10 Galleries of images for sale. Canvas Wrapped Prints and Archival Paper Prints in various sizes are available. Framing of the canvas prints is also an option. This is a big step, as now any orders for my work come directly to me.

The new site provides a place to provide a complete schedule of the Photography Classes I am teaching. Starting this Spring I will be teaching classes in Burlington, Bellingham and Marysville.

Another exciting part of the new site is that there is a section to promote Photography Tours! This Spring and Summer I am offering

Tulip Tours,

Night Sky Photo Tours

North Cascades – Skagit Valley Photo Tours.

We’ll see how it all goes! Thank you all very much for your support, comments and attention!

The Northern End of the Pacific Crest Trail

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Andy Porter

The Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,400 mile long foot trail stretching from the US border with Mexico through California, Oregon and Washington State to Canada.

Pacific Crest Trail, Pasayten Wilderness

Powder and Shull Mountains, from the Pacific Crest Trail, Pasayten Wilderness

The northern most part of the PCT follows the Cascade Crest crossing Rock Pass, Woody Pass and then making a long gradual ascent of Lakeview Ridge.

Rock Pass, from Woody Pass

Here a more than 7,000 feet the views are breathtaking. Lining the international border are Hozomeen Mountain, Joker and Freezeout Mtns and Castle Peak. To the west the snowy dome of Mount Baker is clearly visible. Three Fools Peak dominates to the horizon to the south.

Three Fools Peak from the PCT on Lakeview Ridge

The grassy ridgetop is a fine place to camp. Snow lingers here, usually until August, providing water.

Lakeview Ridge at Sunset

Jack Mountain from Lakeview Ridge

The easiest way to get here is to drive to Mazama and take the road towards Harts Pass, up the steep valley and towards Slate Peak. The road (generally suitable for passenger vehicles) bisects the PCT just below the summit of Slate Peak. This it the highest point that can be reached by car in Washington. From here its about a 20 mile hike to the top of Lakeview Ridge.

Sunset over the Skagit River

Posted on January 31, 2015 by Andy Porter

Bridge over Skagit River

Getting out to capture cool pics is about cloud watching. Days when its clear or overcast lack interest for me. The trick is that you need to pay attention! I have seen many days here in Skagit Valley when it poured rain all day and was miserable, only to partially clear in the late afternoon/early evening and produce some of the best skies ever. Today for example the sky was completely clear all day, but late in the afternoon the clouds appeared and we had a magnificent sunset. I was rather late getting out with the camera and so opted for a spot about 5 minutes drive from my house: The Highway 9 bridge over the Skagit River. I shot with a fast shutter speed to compensate for all the shakin’ goin’ on from the traffic over the bridge. This produced some interesting lines from the currents in the water.

Skagit River at Sunset

Introductions: Andy Porter

Posted on January 25, 2015 by Andy Porter

Leanne, Thank you so very much!

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

Old Barn

Posted on January 19, 2015 by Andy Porter

Barns have a definite personality. Some are smarmy and conceited, others destitute and abandoned. Old abandoned barns are best. All pretenses are erased and what’s exposed is the soul of the place. With nothing left to hide the history of the place exudes and if you take some time to breathe and listen you will be transported back in time.

This barn is located in La Conner and she had a lot to say!

Barn and clouds

Inside reflection

Lower boards stripped

Boat in a barn

La Conner Barn on a January afternoon

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.

Loggerodeo

Photo Shoot at Crystal Mountain Resort

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Andy Porter

Last summer my friend asked me to come along on a nighttime imaging expedition. The plan was to capture images of Mount Rainier from the Crystal Mountain Resort.

Mr Rainier and early evening light

Gondola and Mount Rainier

The expedition aspect turned out to be pretty mild, we rode the gondola up to the resort and hung around all night, eating, drinking and once in a while taking pictures of the wonderful views!