Rialto Beach

Carol Freshley August 11, 2016

Rialto Beach is near the mouth of the Quillayute River. It is highly regarded as a great beach for sunset photography. However, the whole time we were camped in Forks, WA the cloud cover, especially on the horizon, was too dense to contribute to a nice sunset. The sea stacks are about a mile hike from the parking lot. Large tree trunks are washed up on the beach and can make for difficult hiking as one navigates around and over them.

I asked Tom if this guy was catching anything.  "Yep.  Seaweed!" — I asked Tom if this guy was catching anything. "Yep. Seaweed!"

Hoh Rain Forest

Carol Freshley August 10, 2016

The Hoh Rain Forest is the largest temperate rain forest in the United States. It is a key feature of the Olympic National Forest and its popularity is well deserved. We hiked the 0.8 mile Hall of Mosses Trail.

To access the Hall of Mosses Trail you must first cross a wooden bridge.  This image is to your left.  My first thought was, "Oh man, I am going to have to de-saturate that green.  No one will believe this intensity."  Well, I de… — To access the Hall of Mosses Trail you must first cross a wooden bridge. This image is to your left. My first thought was, "Oh man, I am going to have to de-saturate that green. No one will believe this intensity." Well, I decided to leave it alone. The rest of the hike would be surreal and the green became more believable by the cross back over the bridge.

Once I took a deep breath with the view on the left side of the bridge I turned to the right side.  Immediately I knew it was going to be an awesome hike. — Once I took a deep breath with the view on the left side of the bridge I turned to the right side. Immediately I knew it was going to be an awesome hike.

Light shows up and then disappears.  The overhead clouds play games with photographers.  'You want a ray of light?'  How much are you willing to pay?  LOL — Light shows up and then disappears. The overhead clouds play games with photographers. 'You want a ray of light?' How much are you willing to pay? LOL

Micro environments provide a relief from the over-stimulation that one gets when looking around and seeing the bigger picture!  Better to focus on something small, like me . . . . — Micro environments provide a relief from the over-stimulation that one gets when looking around and seeing the bigger picture! Better to focus on something small, like me . . . .

These trees may have started many, many years ago on a 'nursing log' and then extended their root down into the soil.  The nursing log is finally absorbed and the roots are exposed with nothing beneath them.  Just guessing here! — These trees may have started many, many years ago on a 'nursing log' and then extended their root down into the soil. The nursing log is finally absorbed and the roots are exposed with nothing beneath them. Just guessing here!

For the photographer . . . unlimited dynamic range . . . . backlit . . .

I felt small in this place.  I was. — I felt small in this place. I was.

The predominant tree in the Hoh rain forest is the Sitka Spruce.  Other trees are the Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Big Leaf Maple, Red Alder, Vine Maple and Black Cottonwood. — The predominant tree in the Hoh rain forest is the Sitka Spruce. Other trees are the Western Hemlock, Douglas Fir, Western Red Cedar, Big Leaf Maple, Red Alder, Vine Maple and Black Cottonwood.

Trees can grow to 312 feet in height and 23 feet in diameter.

As we left Highway 101 and headed to the Ranger Station for Hoh Rain Forest we drove along the Hoh River. One thing that stood out among the large tree stumps was the aquamarine color of the water.  We finally stopped to see if we could capture… — As we left Highway 101 and headed to the Ranger Station for Hoh Rain Forest we drove along the Hoh River. One thing that stood out among the large tree stumps was the aquamarine color of the water. We finally stopped to see if we could capture the color.

There are twenty shades of green in a large box of crayons. We saw every one of them as we hiked!

Ruby Beach

Carol Freshley August 9, 2016

Listed as a favorite among photographers, Ruby Beach was at the top of our list as a must go. As we emerged from the rain forest that is between the parking lot and the beach I must admit I had to scratch my head and wonder, "How do you photograph this?" I found dense fog, huge logs everywhere, and cold weather!" In the spirit of sharing we offer our best. Grab a light jacket and have the cup of hot cocoa I really wanted.

I loved this rock.  It reminded me of Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street.  Not really that close but I had to smile and remember my young daughters watching Sesame Street on Saturday morning!  Oh what photography can do to you! — I loved this rock. It reminded me of Snuffleupagus on Sesame Street. Not really that close but I had to smile and remember my young daughters watching Sesame Street on Saturday morning! Oh what photography can do to you!

A close up portrait showing green hair. Hope you are having fun with this too.

The couple above had arranged some time ago to have their photographs taken at this beach.  They had traveled some distance to meet up with their photographer.  I shiver just looking at them!  They seemed happy in spite of the cold an… — The couple above had arranged some time ago to have their photographs taken at this beach. They had traveled some distance to meet up with their photographer. I shiver just looking at them! They seemed happy in spite of the cold and fog.

Tom caught me speaking to a fellow traveler.  I did not get the man's name.  He was on vacation, visiting childhood places of meaning.  He had discovered a fire on the beach started by someone else and had returned to his car to get b… — Tom caught me speaking to a fellow traveler. I did not get the man's name. He was on vacation, visiting childhood places of meaning. He had discovered a fire on the beach started by someone else and had returned to his car to get breakfast to cook on the coals. We chatted for quite a while as his simple breakfast cooked. He listed the sites he wanted to see, his plans for the rest of his vacation and apologized for not offering me breakfast. He had just enough for one. When done, he put another log on the fire to keep me warm and headed out to the waves to wash his pan.

A different view of 'Snuffy'.  The rocks on the beach were awesome! — A different view of 'Snuffy'. The rocks on the beach were awesome!

The tide was ebbing and water from the higher part of the beach was seeping back into the ocean.

As we returned to the top of the ridge we looked back at the beach. Was it possible the fog was clearing? We decided not to return to the beach but instead head on to the Hoh Rain Forest before the overcast sky cleared and the sun came out. Photography in a rain forest with sunlight is a tough assignment as we learned at the Quinalt Rain Forest.