Sauk Mountain rises more than 5,000 feet about the lower reaches of Skagit Valley. It’s nearness to the North Cascades Highway makes it a popular day hike. All of the times I’ve been there before its been partly couldy at best but I saw enough to know that it would afford great views at sunset. So, on Thursday I made my way up and captured these images of the sweet light over the Skagit River and valley…
At Riverfron Park, Sedro-Woolley, Washington
The Skagit River made the national news last week when the interstate highway bridge across it in Mount Vernon collapsed after getting struck by an over-sized truck.
Draining a large swath of the western slopes of the North Cascades, the Skagit River winds through some of the most strikingly beautiful scenery in the US. From glaciated peaks to tulip fields the river winds its way west towards Puget Sound.
Settlements and towns dot the banks, interspersed with stretches free of any human signs.
Recently I went out look for such a spot and found this vantage point just before sunset.
Skagit County is in the northwest corner of Washington State. Sunsets in the valley are magnificent, full of hue and texture. Expanses of sky, fields of flowers (and/or mud!), barns and tulips, its a great place to capture colors. 
Here in Skagit Valley spring brings daffodils and tulips. Lots of them! Winters tend to become dreary (!) and the bright colors are a very welcome relief from the monotony of dark and gray.
Spring also brings dramatic skies which change very rapidly. Sunbreaks provide not only a feeling of hope but fantastic illumination on the fields.
Daffodils arrive first, their yellow smiling faces greeting you…feeding my greedy addiction for bright colors I cannot stay away, drawn to the greens, browns and blues…
These images were captured Friday March 22nd. The daffodil fields will be in bloom for another week or so. Hopefully by that time the tulips will be starting and so sate my desire for intense color immersion a while longer…
Skagit Valley Tulip festival is almost here.
Pink Tulips and a Sumptuous Sky
North Western Images - photos by Andy Porter 