The Samish River meanders through the flats of the Skagit Valley. The old wreck was once a racing tugboat, long since abandoned. The confluence of water and clouds is always a draw for me.
Tag Archives: Skagit County
Tulips of Skagit Valley
March has arrived and it’s not too long now (hopefully!) until it gets a little warmer and the flowers start to arrive.
Rows of Reds, Reflected
This months issue of NW Travel Mag with one of my images on the cover!
I live in Skagit County, named after the Skagit Indians and Skagit River) in the NW corner of Washington State. And among its other striking features such as the North Cascades and Puget Sound we have the Tulip Festival every April. 
Yellows at sunset
I understand that outside of Holland there are more tulips grown here than anywhere. The valley floor has a wide expanse of fertile, flat farmland and near the towns of Mount Vernon and La Conner there are fields and fields of bright tulips. 
Infinite Pinks
Each year the bloom times change, but generally its mid April when they are at their height of color.
This is a web site that has a link for a map showing exactly where the fields are and when they are abloom.
Rows and people
Every Saturday and Sunday the roads are crammed with cars forming long lines. This is not a good time to come! If you do come on the weekend make sure to arrive for either sunrise or sunset. I am often out for the sunrise and the fields are bright a crisp, a few workers and photographers are there, and that’s about it.
Weekdays are the best, plan to arrive about 5 or 6. The tulipy stores are closed and the manicured gardens. But the huge expansive fields are alive with the hue of low light and alive with vibrance!
Yellowy mud!
Make sure to dress for mud, and bring your tripod and polarizer!
Reds and a dramatic sky
If you decide to make the trip for a sunrise or sunset and want a tour guide, make sure to let me know! I am always happy to have company!
Sunrise over Skagit Valley
My never ending search for fine, scenic viewpoints from which to capture images led me to the Samish Overlook.
Arriving before sunrise the moon was still visible.
Clouds filled the valley and the mountain on the horizon was clear.
As the sun came up the low clouds started to burn off.
It was quite a sight!
Skagit Valley Tulip Images
These two images are from 2012, I was reviewing folders for a submission and found these two backlit shots.
And some Daffodil shots with nice lighting. 
All four are early morning shots. You just can’t beat the sky, and details from light at a low angle.
Sahale Glacier Camp Panoramas
These two shots are from Sahale Glacier Camp in North Cascades National Park. Each image below is composed of 2 shots photomerged in CS 6. I opened the two images to be connected in Camera Raw and synchronized my changes, lightening and darkening the sky and foreground with brushes and then used the automated photomerge option. A first for me and I am pleased with the results!
Sunrise along Edison Slough
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.
Barns of Skagit County
There are many barns here in Skagit County, here are a few images from my neck of the woods…
Best of Tulip Images – 2013
I am blessed, being so close to the Skagit Valley tulip fields (not to mention the North Cascades and a whole host of other marvelous places…)
I am reviewing more than 40 photo shoots from this year, eight of which were visits to the flower fields. Here is a sampling of this years best images. 
Fall Pumpkin Fest
Pumpkins, kids, sunny skies, warm fall day…what could be better? 
Boats
These boats are deserted, moored and docked along a small inlet from Samish Bay, part of Puget Sound in Skagit County, Washington. 
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 