Evening Clouds

I found the clouds to the east, just before sunset, to be striking. This photo was taken from the west side of Oak Harbor. The North Cascade Mountains can be seen on the horizon.

Super Moonrise

This is a photo from the "super" moonrise on June 22, 2013. I was at Ft. Ebey State Park on Whidbey Island and this was about an hour after the moon had risen.

Flying by the Olympics

This view of the Olympic Peninsula is from Ft. Ebey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.

A Boat So Small

This view of a lone sailboat near the Olympic Peninsula reminds me of the Breton Fisherman's Prayer:

"Oh God, thy sea is so great, and my boat is so small."

I took this photo at Ft. Ebey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.

Whidbey Island Sunset

Perhaps no scene offers a sense of peace like a sunset from the west side of Whidbey Island.

Crowd for a Sunset

The first full day of summer was wonderful on Whidbey Island. I went to one of my favorite spots, Ft. Ebey State Park, to capture the sunset. Lots of other people had the same idea.

My favorite place has been discovered! It is hard to beat Ft. Ebey State Park for beauty. The vista goes all the way from Mr. Rainier, to the Olympics, to the San Juan Islands. I am happy to share the view.

(Not so) Super Moonrise

The moon was rising quite a bit to the south last night (around 120 degrees) so I went to Ft. Ebey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island. I wanted to have something in the foreground that would be interesting. There was a cloud bank and it was nearly a half hour after the actual moonrise before I saw the moon. In the foreground is Perego's Lake. To the right are buildings at the Casey Conference Center.

Deception Pass Bridge

This photo of the Deception Pass Bridge was taken from the point on the east side of Lottie Bay on Fidalgo Island. This is the first time I have been on this point. Usually photos are taken from the point to the west of the bay. It was an overcast day and the photo was rather dull so I have added some interest by making it look like an old photo.

San Juan Sunset

We photographers try to remember to look around when there is an amazing scene in front of us. To the north of the sunset pillar was this view of the San Juan Islands.

This telephoto view shows one of the Canadian Cascade Mountains showing above the ground fog.
These photos were taken at Joseph Whidbey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.

Sun Pillar Sunset

The Whidbey Island sunset a couple of nights ago offered an unusual view. Sun pillars are often seen at sunrise or sunset and are caused by sunlight reflecting off of hexagonal, plate like ice crystals associated with high clouds. The ice crystals fall in a generally horizontal orientation, rocking from side to side, and the pillar forms as the sunlight is reflected off the ice crystal surfaces.

The pillar was visible well before the sun set over Vancouver Island.

It remained visible for some time after the sun set. These photos were taken at the Joseph Whidbey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.                         In the first photo above, the islands to the right are the San Juan Islands.

Sugar Loaf Trail, Fidalgo Island

Sugar Loaf, on Fidalgo Island, is right next to Mt. Erie but offers views to the northeast not visible from its taller companion.

I decided to hike the trail that starts on Mt. Erie Road, about 0.7 miles from where the road originates at Heart Lake Road. The trail is well marked and there is parking across the road.

This is a view to the southwest from near the top of Sugar Loaf.

There are also views to the south east and east, toward Skagit County.

The wild flowers were in bloom.
















The trail was about 0.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 320 feet. If you really want a workout, you can begin your hike at the parking lot where Mt. Erie Road originates. That hike is 2.5 miles with an elevation gain of over 800 feet. I preferred the shorter and easier hike and got the same views.

Don't forget your walking stick. While the path was not particularly steep, some of it is over rocks and a walking stick would provide extra stability. 

Chuckanut Mountain Views

Chuckanut Mountain offers fine views. From Chuckanut Drive (Highway 11), turn east on Hiline Road and continue as it turns into Cleator Road. This is a dirt road and, as of early June, was very rough with many large potholes. It would not be suitable for a sedan with low clearance.
The views are wonderful, even if trimming a few trees would make them even better. This view is to the north west with the Lummi Peninsula and then the Canadian Cascades.

This view is to the south west, showing the San Juans and Olympic Peninsula in the distance.




To the west, below Chuckanut, is Pleasant Bay.






There is a trail near the crest of the mountain that gives views to the east and the North Cascade Mountains.

I followed that trail for a short distance but I was frustrated with the number of trees blocking any clear view. The possibility of more views on that trail will have to wait for another day.

Hope Slide

Just a few miles east of Hope, B.C., is the location of the 1965 slide. It was the largest landslide ever recorded in Canada and killed four people.

Othello Tunnels

The Othello Tunnels are near Hope, B.C. at the Coquihalla Canyon Provincial Park.

There are five tunnels and a series of bridges connecting them that run along an old railroad grade. The tunnels were made between 1911 and 1916, without modern machines. 











Several movies have been filmed here, including Rambo: First Blood.












The relatively short and very level trail to the tunnels runs beside the Coquihalla River.

Hope, B.C.

We took a day trip to Hope recently. The town is nestled in the towering mountains of the Canadian Cascades.

It borders the con-fluence of the Coquihalla and Fraser Rivers.


The town is known for its chainsaw carvings, located at intersections and in the park.

A chainsaw carving competition will be held in late summer.

Mt. Baker from Semiahmoo

Mt. Baker and Lynden Area Farmland

If I were that farmer, I think I would be staring at the mountain so much I'd never get any work done. This photo was take from the Guide Meridian (Highway 539) just south of Lynden.

Sunset Picnic

This was the sunset last night. The sun is setting over Vancouver Island in this view from Joseph Whidbey State Park on the west side of Whidbey Island.

Mt. Baker from Lummi Reservation

This is the view from the Lummi Shore Road on the Lummi Indian Reservation. In the foreground is Bellingham Bay with historic Fairhaven at the base of the foothills. In the distance is Mt. Baker on the left with North Twin and South Twin to the right. The Reservation is on a peninsula to the west of Bellingham, so this view is looking east. Bellingham is to the left, out of view.

Red Hot Poker (Fire Dance Kniphofia hirsuta)

California Poppy

I do like capturing this colorful flower.

Iris (Flags)

I saw these backlit iris when I was on my walk the other morning.

The blossoms were in front a huge (decorative) rock that was in the sun's shadow. It was a perfect opportunity for making a contrast in light and dark.

Mushroom

I'm still having fun with my add on close up lens.

Rhododendron

Chive Blossom