Cascade Mountains Ebey Reserve

On rainy days I like to remind myself that spring is coming. This photo from April of 2013 was taken on the Ebey Bluff Trail. On this trail one can see the North Cascades (shown here), Mt. Baker, Mt. Rainier, and the Olympics.

Olympic Mountains 2010

These photos were taken December 31, 2010. This is before sunrise at Sunset Beach on the west side of Whidbey Island.

These are from the Hastie Lake boat ramp parking area.

This last view is a little farther south on West Beach Road.

Yes, the Olympics actually had snow that winter.

Stay after the sunset

This was the view about a half hour after sunset a few days ago. Oak Harbor Bay is in the foreground with the Olympic Mountains on the horizon.

This was the view the same day, right at sunset. A mediocre sunset turned into a colorful one. It always pays to stay a while after sunset. This photo was taken at the entrance to Joseph Whidbey State Park.

Sun Rays

It's been foggy days on end. At least we know spring is coming.

I'm thankful the sun breaks through on many days.

Cascade Sunrise

This was the last sunrise of 2010. The North Cascade Mountains are on the horizon.
I'm going through my old files, my thousands of images. Like cleaning out the junk drawer, many go but some stay.

Mt. Rainier and Fog

I took this photo back in February of 2009 but never blogged it. I was on Barrington Drive in Oak Harbor, Whidbey Island.

Moss

This is at Rasar State Park where there is plenty of rainfall.

Solitude

An angler enjoys solitude on Pass Lake.

Fog

Day after day. Yes, that is the sun.

Mt. Rainier from Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve

This is one of my favorite places to hike. From this location one can see Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, the Cascades, and the Olympics. Yes, those are really the high rise buildings of Seattle near the right end of the horizon. This location is about a half a mile from the Prairie Overlook parking lot (near Coupeville) and the hike to the bluff is nearly level.

Fog and Fir

We've been experiencing an extended temperature inversion with foggy days. Everything is dripping in the morning.

SR20 Milepost 100

This is the view from the parking area at milepost 100 on SR20. It is a favorite eagle viewing location along the Skagit River. 

Eagle at Milepost 100

An eagle sunning itself at milepost 100 on SR20, the parking spot for eagle watching.

Bald Eagle Natural Area

This is the view from a small parking area (Discover Pass required) just south of Rockport. It borders the Skagit River and is at a curve of Martin Road off SR530. Called Bald Eagle Natural Area, I did see one eagle fly by.

Rasar State Park

Rasar State Park is off SR20 east of Concrete. This is the view from the short hike to the Skagit River trail. Sauk Mountain peeks out from the fog.

Olympic Sunset

This was the view last night from the Soundview Shopper parking lot. I was on my way home from the mainland and was driving. No taking photos from the bridge this time. So I stopped at the first place I knew I could get a decent shot. Two other cars pulled in behind me and we all admired the view.

Black and White

Sometimes I like to experiment with black and white.

These two photos are at the same location but give two very different concepts of the view. Which do you like better?

Cascade Mountains from Whidbey Island

This is the view from a home on the east side of Whidbey Island between Oak Harbor and Coupeville. Camano Island is in front of the Cascade Mountains.

Polarized Mt. Rainier

One of the first things I do when I get a new camera or lens is buy a circular polarizing filter. Just like your polarized sunglasses, it filters out a particular orientation of light. These two photos were taken within seconds of each other but with the polarizing filter turned 90 degrees.

The molecules of the polarizing material are long and narrow, like bars on a jail window. Light with waves oriented vertically go right through. Reflected light waves oriented horizontally are stopped. (Polarized sunglasses cut down on reflected light, such as light reflected on other cars or the road surface.) This is one way photographers can bring out definition that is just not possible with a point and shoot camera. 

Cascade Dawn

Oak Harbor people head off to work on a beautiful morning. The North Cascade Mountains are in the distance. (This photo was taken a few days ago.)

Hiking at Deception Pass State Park

There are several hikes within the Deception Pass State Park. These are some photos I took as I hiked from the amphitheater to the bridge. It was a nice winter hike.

Mt. Constitution

In the distance is Mt. Constitution on Orcas Island. This is a view from the Padilla Bay Shore Trail.

Olympic Dawn

Skagit Valley

A view from the Padilla Bay Shore Trail.

Cascade Mountains from Oak Harbor

A recent view of the North Cascades from Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. The Oak Harbor Marina is in the foreground.

Mt. Rainier Dusk

This is a recent view from Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island. I was at the park at the end of Dock Street, what locals affectionately call Flintstone Park.

Foggy Oak Harbor Bay

Deception Pass Sunset

This was the sunset last night from the Deception Pass Bridge. I'm glad I wasn't the driver so I could catch this photo.

Mt. Rainier Dusk from Oak Harbor, WA

Mt. Rainier is about 90 miles away from Oak Harbor so it has to be a clear day with low humidity for us to have this kind of view. December 26, 2013.

Padilla Bay Shore Trail

This is a wonderful flat trail with scenes of Padilla Bay.

You might see some wildlife - certainly shore birds.

I was there on a calm day and the sights were beautiful.

This barn is near the south end of the trail.

There are lots of S curves we photographers love. Also note how level the trail is. There were many people taking advantage of this trail the day I was there.

There are also lots of opportunities to photograph leading lines, something else photographers like. 
The hike is nearly five miles round trip but being so level, it just didn't seem that long.
You can find out more about the trail and driving directions here.

Olympic Mountain Snow

I took the first two photos three years ago and the last photo just a couple of days ago. I was surprised to see the fog again and to compare the amount of snow on the mountain tops.

All of the photos were taken from Whidbey Island.