Skagit River

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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.

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Skagit River Panorama

Skagit River

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

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Fantastic weather and a waning moon brought me to the coast on Saturday in another attempt to capture some decent nighttime images.

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Sunset comes before starlight.

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This image is facing north along Shi Shi Beach. There were probably 30 people camping along its arc. Several campfires interspersed…The orange glare is from the settlement of Neah Bay.

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Here are the sea stacks of Point of the Arches with a starry crown.

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Morning presented some sumptuous lighting…
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Skagit County Sunsets

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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. sunset 1

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Early Morning, Skagit Valley Tulip Fields1em

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Skagit Valley Tulip Festival 17 rev.

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Sunset Jan 5 2012 3

Sunset Oct. 16th rev2

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Orange sky, pink tulips

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Skagit Valley Daffodil Festival!

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Skagit Valley Daffodils
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.
Skagit Valley Daffodils
Spring also brings dramatic skies which change very rapidly. Sunbreaks provide not only a feeling of hope but fantastic illumination on the fields.
Skagit Valley Daffodils
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…
Skagit Valley Daffodils
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…