Spring at Deception Pass

As promised, we're back to Washington photography! One of my favorite places to see wildflowers in western Washington is Deception Pass State Park, and I was able to make it again this year, visiting the Rosario Head, Bowman Bay, and Lighthouse Point areas. The abundant camas were past peak, but a few were still blooming, and there were plenty of other wildflowers out.

First, budding broad-leaved stonecrop (Sedum spathulifolium). I got a couple good pictures of emerging blossoms on these plants two years ago, so it was fun to get a composition with only buds. F/5.

Next, a species of larkspur (Delphinium) at Lighthouse Point. I'm not great at identifying larkspur species, but based on the location, my guess is that it's Menzies's larkspur (Delphinium menziesii). In the background is a species of desert parsley (genus Lomatium, probably Lomatium utriculatum). Both F/5.

I also found what looks to me like cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum). F/6.3.

Finally, camas (Camassia quamash) on Lighthouse Point. F/5.

Spring Break Part 3: Hidden Beach

One morning during my California trip, I did something a little different and, instead of heading to the redwood trails, hiked along the Coastal Trail to Hidden Beach. Clear skies were in the forecast, so I thought that coastal views were more promising than dealing with high contrast in dense forest. Hidden Beach is a great spot. It's in a sheltered cove, and a good distance from roads or any visible development. So while I was there, all I could see and hear were beach, rocks, sea stacks, green hillsides, and the ocean.

I didn't end up hiking a long distance - it's maybe a mile and a half to Hidden Beach, which was as far as I got. I spent at least a couple hours Hidden Beach; this, and not worrying about saving time for farther destinations, allowed me to notice scenes that I otherwise would have missed, and to experiment with the changing light on different sides of the beach.

First, some lupine blooming on Hidden Beach. I didn't notice these flowers until I had been there for a while, so this is a good example of why I'm glad I didn't rush myself. F/16.

Next, a view down to Hidden Beach from the Coastal Trail. F/14.

Here's one from right on the beach, with Hidden Beach's distinctive sea stack in the background. It was an interesting task finding a vantage point with the waves close enough to be a compelling foreground, but not so close that they would engulf my boots and tripod. Some trial, error, and running was involved. F/14, 1/40 of a second.

Finally, also from the beach, a view the other direction. It took a few attempts to time this one just right, with a wave splashing over the rock at center right, but I'm glad I was patient. It's a nice touch. F/14, 1/60 of a second.

That wraps up my California pictures. Stay tuned for a return to your regularly scheduled Washington programming!

Spring Break Part 2: Prairie Creek

While in California, I also visited Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, again on two separate days. I hiked the Prairie Creek Trail, portions of the Rhododendron Trail, and the Brown Creek trail. I chose routes that were on the shorter side (ca. 5-6 miles each day) so I would have plenty of time for photography stops. I had thought about hiking to the famous Fern Canyon and the Gold Bluffs Beach area via the James Irvine Trail, but ultimately decided against it due to the length of the hike, as I didn't want to rush my photography. (And, as you'll see in the next post, I was able to visit a nice coastal area on another occasion).

One of my favorite spots in the park was the Carl Schenck Memorial Grove, accessible via the Brown Creek Trail. The massive trees, open fern-covered glades, and creek make for a very picturesque environment. First, a view of some richly textured redwood trunks. F/16.

Here's another image from that spot, with Brown Creek itself just visible at lower right. F/16.

The Prairie Creek Trail was also captivating. The trail is frequently on the border of two distinct environments - imposing hillside redwood groves on one side, and dense streamside forests of maple and alder on the other. This combination, along with an understory that was generally denser than what I had seen at Jedediah Smith, added up to scenery that was more similar to creekside and riverside trails that I've hiked in Washington.

Below is an example of what I'm talking about: in the background is an old redwood, but it's framed by maple leaves (left) and blooming salmonberry (right). F/16.

Next, a series of images from lush redwood groves along the Prairie Creek Trail. I think the first is my favorite, due to the vividly colored ferns in the foreground, but I do like how the second one sets the redwood at right against the alders at left. It's very representative of the area. F/18, F/16, and F/18, respectively.

Lastly, a view of Prairie Creek itself, surrounded by spring foliage. The foreground leaves aren't as distinct as I'd like, so I don't think this image is all that exciting. F/14.

Thanks for reading another long post! Next up: a morning of wildflowers, sea stacks, and big waves along the California coast!

Spring Break Part 1: Jedediah Smith

Last month, I spent my spring break in California! Quite some time ago - last fall, if I recall correctly - I had stumbled on some pictures of the redwood parks in northern California, and I resolved to make the trip this spring if my work calendar allowed (and it did!). I stayed in Crescent City, and visited three locations for hiking and photography (some of them multiple times): Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, the Coastal Trail, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park. Despite the nasty spring weather we've been having here in the northwestern U.S., I had very good luck during my trip; the worst I had to contend with was occasional morning drizzle, and I saw a surprising amount of sunshine.

Today's post focuses on Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, the first park I visited, and the most unlike the scenery I'm used to in Washington. When you drive in via Howland Hill Road, you're suddenly surrounded by enormous redwood trees, contrasting with a surprisingly open and fern-carpeted forest floor. All of the scenery screams, "You're in the California redwoods now!"

Boy Scout Tree Trail

On my first full day in California, I hiked the Boy Scout Tree Trail, which is roughly five and a half miles round-trip. The redwood forest is gorgeous almost the entire way, and rolling terrain adds to the interest. The small waterfall at the end of the trail isn't particularly impressive or photogenic, but it makes for a satisfying turnaround point. Additionally, the sound of the creek is a fun surprise - most of the trail, far from any streams or major roads, is almost eerily quiet.

First, two images from a hillside about halfway into the hike. This isn't the site of the trail's biggest trees, but the views down into dense redwood forest were lovely, even mesmerizing. High clouds were filtering the sunlight just enough to make these work. Both F/14.

Next, redwood textures earlier in the hike. F/16.

Below, an example of what the forest looks like for about the first half of the hike. I tried this with and without ferns in the foreground, and since I'm not sure which version I prefer, I posted both. F/18 and F/16, respectively.

Lastly from Jedediah Smith, a more backlit scene, with rhododendron leaves in the foreground. There's a little bit of lens glare visible if you go looking for it, but I don't think it's too distracting, and there wasn't as much as I expected. F/14.

Nickerson Ranch and Mill Creek

The next day, I returned to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park for a different hike. I started at the Nickerson Ranch Trail, hiked it to the Mill Creek trail, and hiked that trail all the way to the Grove of the Titans. The redwood forest isn't as consistently stunning overall as it is along the Boy Scout Tree Trail, but it still makes for a great hike, and the periodic views of Mill Creek and surrounding streamside vegetation create some fun variety.

First, a nice grove of big redwoods along the Nickerson Ranch Trail. I liked how the filtered morning sunlight was accentuating the individual trees. F/16.

Next, a big tree from Grove of the Titans. I normally wouldn't attempt an image like this on a sunny day, but the trunk was light enough, and reflecting enough sunlight, that I think it worked. F/14. As a side note, I'm glad I visited the Grove, although I didn't enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the Boy Scout Tree and Nickerson Ranch areas. The Grove of the Titans has some of the largest individual trees, but the overall forest scenery isn't as continuously impressive, and the trail is more crowded. Furthermore, most of the hike is on an elevated metal grate. While I understand the purpose of this surface in such a popular area, it isn't as fun to hike on (or set up a tripod on).

Here's a shot of Mill Creek that I really like. I was expecting the sunlight to be too harsh, but I was pleasantly surprised by the final result. F/16, 1 second.

Finally, another view over Mill Creek. I like the look of the trees in this one, but am less happy with how the creek itself gets obscured. F/16.

Thanks for hanging in there with this longer post. Next up, wildflowers and ocean views along the Coastal Trail!