Olympic Beaches... (MAJOR DIAL-UP WARNING)

[regnaD kciN]

After the Ruby Beach fog fiasco, we spent Labor Day weekend on the northern Olympic Peninsula. As it turned out, we only got fogged-in part of the time.

However, all did not go according to plan. I had been expecting to shoot on Rialto and Second Beaches, but due to some incredibly brain-dead map reading, I spent the first evening and morning at what I thought was Rialto Beach, but turned out to be First Beach instead. Then, it turned out that the Quileute tribe, in the middle of a land dispute with Olympic National Park, had retaliated by closing Second Beach (the most scenic in the area) to non-tribal members. Oh, well...on to First Beach.

(All shots: Konica Minolta Maxxum 5D, Konica Minolta 18-70mm and Minolta 75-300mm lenses)

The main scenic feature of First Beach is James Island, a huge sea-stack just offshore. Here's my daughter Elizabeth (of A Girl and Her Cat fame) silhouetted against the island.


(1/60, f/25, 22mm)

The distant sea-stacks of Second Beach, framed by driftwood.


(1/60, f/36, 40mm)


(1/50, f/36, 60mm)

Four scenes from sunset.


(1/40, f/22, 18mm)


(1/60, f/22, 18mm)


(1/200, f/13, 70mm)


(1/30, f/22, 18mm)

The next morning, before the break of dawn, I was back on First-but-I-thought-it-was-Rialto-Beach for the sunrise.

Early morning mist


(1/50, f/32, 150mm)


(1/15, f/40, 230mm)

Rocks at base of seawall


(0.8, f/25, 35mm)

First light


(1/20, f/32, 28mm)


(1/30, f/29, 26mm)


(1/160, f/11, 75mm)


(1/40, f/25, 24mm)


(1/40, f/25, 24mm)

Shortly thereafter, on the drive back, I discovered my navigational error, and quickly drove to the real Rialto Beach.

James Island as seen from the Quileute River


(1/60, f/32, 30mm)

The view from Rialto


(1/30, f/22, 18mm)

At that point, I returned to the motel to pick up the family, grab some breakfast, and return to the beaches. Incredibly, when we returned two hours later, the fog had come in in the middle of the day, and remained until we left for home the next morning. :-(

That left me with little to shoot except some of the amazing driftwood along the beach/forest edge.


(1/100, f/16, 18mm)


(1/80, f/22, 40mm)


(1/80, f/16, 40mm)


(1/100, f/11, 35mm)


(1/100, f/16, 50mm)

"For those in peril on the sea..."


(1/160, f/16, 70mm)

[JeffR]

1. For all the incredible color and drama of these photographs

it's really the last one I'm most attracted to. That's a lovely image.

Not to take away from how great the rest of them are, of course!

[Blue_In_AK]

2. That driftwood beach looks really familiar

I think HullBoss and I might have been at that very spot in May 2003 when we were down there. I love that part of Washington. Your photos are really gorgeous.

[regnaD kciN]

4. It wouldn't surprise me...

I think every photographer in the Northwest has spent some time at Rialto Beach...

...once they figured out which one it is, of course... :banghead:

[uppityperson]

3. Very nice, thank you.

Great pictures of a wonderful spot

[NV Whino]

5. Just wow.

Wrong beach or not, wonderful photos. That third sunset is stunning. The detail of the birds gives it just the right finishing touch. Maybe you should take wrong turns more often. :)

[F.Gordon]

6. "I'm not lost. I know where I'm going.....

..and no, I'm not going to ask for directions."

:evilgrin:

You have to get up before sunset? (makes another 'note to self'...)

Hope I counted correctly, but # 5 is my fave. Also like the 2nd and 3rd fog photos. Again, if I'm counting correctly. Oops... just saw a few more I really really liked. Damn it!!!

I'll just go with these are all fantastic!!!! It's easier on my brain.
:crazy:

[intheflow]

7. Another gorgeous round of photos!

:applause:

My favorite of all the shots is the early morning mist shot. How lovely! You must have gotten up really early to get that kind of magical lighting. I also love the shot of your daughter, she has a very whimsical body posture that adds a lot to the photo.

The shots with the all the dead trees are really great, too. That's the first thing I thought when I visited Ruby Beach: this is the place where trees come to die, a horticultural equivalent to an elephant graveyard. From that perspective, the fog actually enhances the effect.

[CC]

8. If you get photos like this when you

get lost and end up at the wrong place you might want to get lost more often. Then find the right place and have twice as many gorgeous pictures. These are all beautiful. Not even going to try picking a favorite since I love them all. Having never been to that part of the country I love learning about it through your pictures.

[babylonsister]

9. Having never been to WA state, I now have thanks to you!

And your pics make me want to physically go and explore its beauty!

[Blue_In_AK]

10. You should get up there.

Washington is *almost* as pretty as Alaska. :evilgrin: Plus YOU can drive there without having to cross any borders. Washington is like "Alaska Lite."

(Just kidding, regnaDkciN. I really love Washington. It's one of my favorite states.)