Capturing the Skagit Valley

[jeeperman]

I went north yesterday and met up with Mike {Dizzy} Heck of a good guy. Anyway, we jumped in his truck and off into the valley and hills we went.
We were hoping to find some birds but with it getting to mid day and rather warm they were finding cover. We headed up some of the hills to catch some views.

We did get to see a coyote, wolf, several deer and a heard of elk. The Coyote and wolf were to quick and the deer and Elk were after sundown. Maybe next time.

Ok Mike here are a couple to get started from me. Your turn. And thanks again for the hospitality. It was a good time.

[jjbacoomba]

Love them!

[jeeperman]

Thanks Joe, making ya home sick a little I bet. Check back....between Mike and I there will be more in this thread.

[Jack R Mann]

Reminds me of the many years i spent in North Bend, nice shot Paul. Haven't gone to the tulip fields this year?

[jeeperman]

Thanks Jack and no way I am going anywhere near those fields in the Tulip season. lol Made the mistake last year just going through Mt.Vernon...took me better than 3 hours to go less than 10 miles.

[Dizzy]

First off, I want to thank Paul for taking the time (and fuel!) to drive all the way up here
for the day. A finer gentleman you'll never meet, and a hellofa lot of fun to spend a day
collecting photons with in the high country. Also need to mention he's skilled at getting
a truck unstuck when it's buried in the snow (there's a first time for everything..lol..).

As Paul has mentioned, keep checking back on this thread as we both shot many frames
of a huge variety of subjects. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the wolf or coyote to pose
long enough for a portrait, however we'll be prepared on the next trip to bring the wolf
in to us rather than us chasing him!

I was a bit late getting to processing the pics of the day, but here are the first two
(of many) that I'd like to share.

North Cascade "Bowl" - tallest (shown) is El Dorado Peak which tops out at 8868':

1/640s f/11.0 at 52.0mm iso200

Later in the morning we hiked into a heavily wooded area containing several ponds
known to hold variety of birds. This was the first one we came across, and I took this
shot at about 100' from the bird. Not sure what it is (Paul?), but it's certainly packing
some bold color. Wish it was a bit sharper, but at that distance and light conditions
I'm pleased with it enough to want to go back and get a better shot!

1/400s f/8.0 at 300.0mm iso400

I've still got over 90 images to process, and no doubt Paul has just a few as well,
so be sure to follow the thread as the best is yet to come!

Mike

[jeeperman]

Mike that would be a Red breasted Sapsucker. One of our more colorful Woodpeckers.

[Dizzy]

Mike that would be a Red breasted Sapsucker. One of our more colorful Woodpeckers.

Thanks Paul. I thought that was what you said it was, but the Queen thought it was something else...so I took the 5th, and decided to let you confirm what it was...

Hope you got a good shot of the ducks, as none of my are really fit for publication.
Apparently I was asking too much of the 300mm to reach out that far and still capture a sharp image, as they are just too soft to gain much detail. Hopefully next time I'm up there they will be a bit closer.

Your turn...

[jeeperman]

They were a ways off.

[dje]

Guys can I come too next time ?

You certainly have some nice country up that way and you've given us some nice shots of it.

Dave

[jeeperman]

Absolutely Dave! We would welcome anyone to come out with us....seriously come one come all. Let one of us know and we'll set something up! Would be quite the jaunt for you Dave, but hey....never now where business or such may take ya.

The one thing about Washington.....it is diverse. We have everything from ocean beaches to dessert plains and huge snow covered peaks between. It is a fairly beautiful place to live.

[Dizzy]

Paul, your gear did a much better job of capturing those Goldeneye. I've got much the
same composition, but not near the sharpness.

Here's a couple more from the day. First is the "Government Bridge", a single lane
affair that crosses the Sauk River. Quite sturdy, but *No Passing*!



Don't know the formal name of this little chap, but locally we call them "Dippers",
as they hang out along the shoreline in shallow water, bouncing about stirring
up bugs and other edibles:



Paul has got a MUCH better version of this bird, as he was close enough to it
to shake hands......claws?...appendages?..(whatever)

Mike

[jeeperman]

Mike, you got the name right...it's a dipper. However my shot is not better. lol Closer maybe but I caught that nasty chunck of metal sticking up off the rotted dock, in such a way I can't really crop it out. Oh well.

[Dizzy]

Mike, you got the name right...it's a dipper. However my shot is not better. lol Closer maybe but I caught that nasty chunk of metal sticking up off the rotted dock, in such a way I can't really crop it out. Oh well.

Had the same issue with 4 of the 5 shots I took of that little dude(ette?). Yep, fine shots
they are of the birds arse, with his head behind the pole while as he was looking for groceries.

[Bobobird]

Looks like you both had a really great time.

[jeeperman]

Yes we did Bobo, thanks.

Here is the best I got of the little Dipper just for laughs.



And a little different view of the same bridge.



Finishing off the day for me, I am sure Mike has a few more yet.

[Dizzy]

My apologies for not keeping current with this thread, but an old nemesis
has returned recently and daily life's just a bit more challenging now than it was
just a week ago.

Still, there are pictures to be taken and (eventually) processed,
and these are a few parting shots.

Introducing your hosts for this abridged tour: Jeeperman (Paul) is the handsome
chap on the right. I'm the one that still has some hair left..

Caught this one later in the day. For best view hit F11 and view large
image:

"Rains Comin' "

At our last stop for the day (it was getting near dark) we were trying to weasel
in closer to some feeding deer, somewhat unsuccessfully. As we were headed back to the truck we noticed that nice Moon hanging out overhead, so out came the tripods and we snapped a few quick ones before heading home to a baked chicken dinner my wife was keeping warm..



Thanks to all who took the time to look and/or comment. Overall, it was unquestionably
the most enjoyable way a couple of photogeeks could have spent a day.

Mike