This is an entry about photographing birds, such at Bald Eagles, migratory birds, shore birds, Great Blue Herons and more.
Spring is coming! It is an amazing time along the Oregon coast, with thousands of seabirds coming to land to raise their young. I’m looking forward to visiting my favorite nesting colonies, and exploring new locations.
If you wish to join me, just leave a message. . .
Happy Shooting. . .Karen
As a photographer, specific places call to my spirit to visit. Iceland calls. It calls to the very core of my being. It’s all about the birds.
I’ve been watching the birds here on the Pacific Ocean shores, and it’s interesting to see their successes and slow disappearance. Iceland isn’t different. The largest colony of Atlantic Puffins have not had a successful breeding season in the past 5 years (from my online research). I want to see 500,000 birds before they disappear. I want to feel dwarfed by the amazing landscape, powerful sea, and the incredible bird colonies.
The water temperatures are changing, which is changing the food supply. This is a personal project for me. Those without voices look to those of us with words and photographs to speak for them.
I want to invite other photographers to join me in the isolated and breathe-taking landscape. I’m putting together lodging and guided trips to isolated areas. I’m hoping to connect with a biologist or two, and to experience the culture of Iceland.
Let me know if you’re in for the adventure. I’m going the end of May 2016.
The bird festival season begins! Here is the first article of the season, and please check it out. I’ll be speaking at the festival the afternoon of January 24th. Happy New Year!
This year’s Skagit Valley Eagle Festival started this weekend. The annual festival runs through the entire month of January, and each weekend is filled with fun activities. Each Saturday is scheduled with one-time workshops or activities.
This year, the eagle counts are up over 200 bald eagles between Sedro Woolley and Nehalem. These birds are feeding along the river on the spawning salmon. They congregate along the banks and sand-bars in the river or in the trees.
For the rest of the story, go here. . .
The Leavenworth Spring Bird Festival is happening May 15th through May 18th. I’ll be teaching a workshop on bird photography. Here is an article I wrote about the event, and visit the link for more information. Thank you. . .Spring is the Time for Bird Festivals – Part III.
In the spring and fall, thousands of migratory birds travel through Washington state on the Pacific Coast and the Puget Sound area. Communities celebrate these migrations with bird festivals, that give opportunities to participate in lectures, workshops, and bird outings. . .
For the rest of the article, click on the link Spring is the Time for Bird Festivals.
Note: I’ll be giving a Free Mini-Workshop at the Wings Over Water Bird Festival in Blaine on Saturday, March 15th at 2 pm to 4 pm.
It was a year of change, and it reflected in my photographic images. This first image is about community. I was experimenting with a new 2x tele-converter with my 100-400 mm lens, and this was the result. On a drifting log resting are harbor seals, cormorants, gulls, and sandpipers.
This next image is Oregon in hoarfrost with a redtail hawk at the top of the tree. I love the monochromatic of this image, and the color of the hawk.
Experimenting became one of the tools I used this past year. I love the peaceful feeling of this sunset, through the many layers of colors. This was done in the camera, then worked in the digital darkroom.
Next is the super moon of 2013. We missed most of the meteor showers and eclipses due to clouds. So, this was a fantastic opportunity.
Next is the power of a spring storm on the Oregon coast. The monochromatic nature of this image lends itself to the rain that is coming in off the Pacific Ocean. The bird is a cormorant, and the boat is a Coast Guard cutter.
I finish off with a pair of Peregrine Falcons. The female is on the cliff, and the male is flying in after she called him. It was a great event to photograph and experience.
For my annual video clip of my 2013 best, visit here.
Happy Shooting. . .Karen
It’s that time of the year again, and the bald eagles are back. The count last week was around 150 eagles in the Skagit Valley, feeding on the salmon run. This article give details about the events, and links to information. I will be giving a Free talk on bird photography on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 10 a.m. It will be held at the Historic Concrete Theatre. Here is a link to the complete story http://www.examiner.com/article/winter-festivals-northwestern-washington .
Happy Shooting. . .Karen
Happy Shooting. . .Karen
Leavenworth is a wonderful day or weekend adventure for all ages. The town schedules year-round festivals, and is located in the scenic eastern foothills of the Cascade Mountains. Highway 2 travels through the town, and is the easiest way to reach this beautiful destination.
On the way to Leavenworth, Stevens Pass is a beautiful area for photography. On the west side, there is Deception Falls, and it is well worth the stop. The trails lead to the falls (which can be seen on the south side of the highway), and along the river. Stevens Pass ski resort is at the top of the pass, and is a wonderful alpine area in the summer months. On the east side of the pass, Lake Wenatchee is about 5 +/- miles to the north, and the view looks into the Cascade Mountains. Highway 2 traverses through Tumwater Canyon, which has several pull-outs for safe observation of the scenery and wildlife.
In the opposite direction, the Olympic Peninsula offers incredible opportunities of photography. This area is home to a large temperate rainforest, Olympic National Park, beautiful waterfalls, Lake Crescent, and the Pacific Ocean. There are many hiking trails through-out the area, including the North-South trail through the heart of the Olympic National Park. Highway 101 travels through the area, and signs show the directions to the scenic areas.
Lake Crescent sits just west of Port Angeles, and has both a campground and cabins/lodge on its shores. It is part of the Olympic National Park, and the highway follows the shoreline of the lake. It’s nestled between tall foothills, and surrounded by forest. There are many pull-outs along the lake to view the area, or hike a trail. The light is incredible during the early or late hours of the day, and it is not uncommon to have overcast/foggy conditions in the area.
Further on, Highway 101 travels through the town of Forks, and onto the Pacific Ocean Beaches. There are several beach back-packing trails in this area, and Third Beach is one of the longest. It is a great way to see parts of the coastline that most people don’t see. There is a lot of wildlife in the area, and incredible landscape photography opportunities.
For more information, visit http://seattle.cbslocal.com/top-lists/best-weekend-getaways-in-the-seattle-area/.
Every September, the Puget Sound Bird Fest is held in Edmonds at the Frances Anderson Center, and surrounding area. This year, the festival is being held Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September 8. The festival is put on by the City of Edmonds. Each year, the festival is an opportunity to attend a workshop, participate in a guided birding tour, kayak to observe birds, meet professionals in the birding field, and learn about birding. For more information, visit the article at September is the time for the Puget Sound Bird Fest.
Note: I will be giving a Free lecture on Bird Photography.