Sunrise along Edison Slough

Posted on November 24, 2013 by Andy Porter

Edison is a small town in NW Washington, not far from Puget Sound. Located in Skagit County, Edison is just north of the town, Bow, along Chuckanut Drive. Heading west, passing through town the Bayview-Edison Road zig-zags and soon comes to a cause-way type bridge over the slough.

Here is a series of images from sunrise, 11/23/2013 from both sides of the bridge. Here is a barn along the way, on Farm To Market Road…

These next 4 images are from just before the sun crested the horizon…

Once the morning sun’s rays arrived the scene changed, adding an entirely different light…

Walking back and forth along the top of the bridge there is a lot to capture!

These next two images are of the same boat, from opposite sides.

Crossing the road and looking south west here is the view of water.

Pasayten Wilderness, Summer and Fall

Posted on November 22, 2013 by Andy Porter

I had the good fortune to make it to the Upper Cathedral Lakes Basin twice in one year! The views of Cathedral Peak and Amphitheater Mountain are stunning. When I visited in summer I noted the abundance of larch and so returned in fall to see the color explosion. Here are some images showcasing the changes between July 14th and October 2nd.

These last two images were both taken while on the October trip, the first on the way in and the second, from the same spot, on the way home!

Fall Colors, Larches, Cathedral Peak and Amphitheater Mountain

Posted on November 19, 2013 by Andy Porter

The rain has set in and the days are short. Avoiding boredom necessitates a little creativity, which for me includes revisiting past hikes, editing images and trying to fashion a reasonable representation of a place.

The approach is from Tonasket, west to Loomis and then up the Toats Coulee Road to the Iron Gate Trail head.

The sky was blue and trees bright.
Iron Gate Trail Head Trees

The trip along the Boundary Trail (Doubling as the Pacific Northwest Trail) offer long vistas, green forests and in early October, brilliant orange larch.
Boundary Trail

Windy Peak

The trail is a lot of fun, the old Tungsten Mine is an interesting place to explore, and Apex Pass provides sweeping views of Remmel Mountain and the east side the of Amphitheater Mountain.
Remmel Mountain
The larch inhabit a band between 6,000 and 7,000 feet of elevation.
Amphitheater Mountain

Arriving at Cathedral Pass its a short stroll down to water and reflective views!
Cathedral Pass
Not a bad place to camp!
Cathedral Peak

Amphitheater Mountain, Reflected in a snow-melt pond

Heading down a little ways to Upper Cathedral Lake just before sunset provides all you need for a true orgy of picture taking!

Back up at the camp site the setting sun made the trees look even more afire!

The sensory overload was fun!

The hike back provided more changes in colors…

The trees along the road had a decidedly different look after only 4 days…

Using Reflections

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Andy Porter

Reflections can add greatly to any photograph. There is something striking about reflections, they add depth, color, scale, texture and sort of pull you into the image.
Mount Shuksan
Cypress Island

One item you’ll need to capture reflections is a polarizer. Try to position yourself at a 45 degree to the light for best results and as you rotate the polarizer you’ll see the reflection pop out. Be prepared to get low, maybe on your belly to get the shot!

Pond along Reiter Road
Boats along Samish Bay

I am always on the hunt for any size body of water.
Balloon reflected in a artificial “pond”
Sunset Through an Open Window

Small puddles work great!
Liberty Bell from Washington Pass Overlook along the North Cascades Highway

The water does not have to be clear!
Tulips Reflected
Mud Puddle Reflection

Even wet surfaces can create wonderful reflections.
Reflections in Sand

Everytime you see any standing water, try for a reflection!
Amphitheater Mountain Reflected, Pasayten Wilderness

Squalicum Bay

Sunset and Muddy Water

Cirque of the Towers and Wind River Range, Wyoming

Posted on November 15, 2013 by Andy Porter

Cirque of the Towers Panorama from Jackass Pass

The Wind River Range is located south of “more famous, but not more beautiful” Grand Teton National Park. The road to the Big Sandy Trail head is about an hours drive from the town of Pinedale, and easy to navigate in any type of vehicle. No permits needed, easy trails, and unbelievably spectacular views!

Pingora Peak, Cirque of the Towers

Early Morning Panorama

Warbonnet Peak

Warrior Peak in the Moonlight

More wildflowers in the basin at Lonesome Lake, Cirque of the Towers, Wind River Range, Wyoming

Steeple Peak and Lost Temple Spire from the trail to Deep Lake

View from Deep Lake, Wind River Range, Wyoming

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

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Andy Porter

I have camped at many places. Sometimes you find a spot with such beauty, such a personality that you fall in love.

Point of the Arches is one of those places for me. When the tide is out the beach stretches beyond the sea stacks. Wandering among the tide pools, excited to see what’s next, I am astounded at how much things change each time I visit, yet stay the same.

The sound of the waves, first muted and now roaring create a soundtrack that calms and thrills. The gulls and wind add their parts to the symphony.

A fire at night and the feel of sand and smoke.

The stars and darkness crashing.

Perched on the edge. Taking it all in.

Stormy Skies at Maple Pass

Posted on November 4, 2013 by Andy Porter

There many trails starting along the North Cascades Highway. The Pacific Crest Trail crosses at Bridge Creek, heading south. At Rainy Pass, on the north side, the PCT heads up to Cutthroat Pass. On the south side of the highway is the famous Maple Pass – Lake Ann Loop.

The trail is about 7 miles long, climbing from the road past a spur trail to Lake Ann and then heading up to Heather Pass. The views of Lake Ann along the way are super. The trail continues past Heather Pass up to a border with the North Cascades National Park and then turns, ascends a short distance to Maple Pass and the plunges down switch backs back to the parking area.

This August I wanted to go hike but the weather report called for storms in the mountains, however down in the valley, where I live the sky was blue, so I headed up and well…these images show the rest!

Barns of Skagit County

Posted on November 2, 2013 by Andy Porter

There are many barns here in Skagit County, here are a few images from my neck of the woods…

Best of Boats, 2013

Posted on October 29, 2013 by Andy Porter

I am not normally a “boat person” so I am not too sure how I would up with so many boating images this year, but I did and here are the best of them!

Cypress Island

Bellingham Bay Marina

Cypress Island

Samish Bay Inlet

Cypress Island

Samish Bay Inlet

Bellingham Bay Marina

Samish Bay Inlet

Bellingham Bay Marina

Samish Bay Inlet

Cypress Island

Samish Bay Inlet

Cypress Island

Bellingham Bay Marina

Cypress Island

Samish Bay Inlet

Cypress Island

Wildlife of the North Cascades

Posted on October 25, 2013 by Andy Porter

Visiting the North Cascades National Park often offer the possibility of encountering some local denizens. Some of the locals I have run into are: mountain goats (usually at higher altitudes, looking for salt); Black Bears (most often in August, busy foraging); and Deer, of all varieties. I have also had the good fortune to cross paths with salmon, marmots, pika and ptarmigan. 2 years ago I had a close (well, not that close) encounter with a wolverine in the Entiat Mountains and a Grizzly Bear in the Pasayten Wilderness, about a Mile from the Canada border. Alas, no pictures of these last two!

Mountain Goat at Sahale Camp, North Cascades National Park