Olympic Spring

Deep in the valleys of the Olympic peninsula lay enchanted forests where towering trees stand stalwarts to a rich emerald green undergrowth. These forests, which enjoy abundant rainfall, are home to a labyrinth of winding paths that invited hikers to explore serene beauty of nature's untouched splendor. Moss drapes over fallen logs like velvet, ferns unfurl in the cool mist, and the filtered light weaves a dreamscape of greens. Every step into this realm feels like crossing into a timeless sanctuary of an ancient land.

I got to explore this enchanted land earlier this year during its peak spring growth. Decades ago, this campground was a more developed establishment that has since then been slowly taken over by nature.

Olympic National Park
WA USA

Spring in the Palouse

The Palouse region of eastern Washington is a striking landscape of rolling hills, shaped by a unique climate in the rain shadow of the Cascades. While the western Pacific Northwest stays lush and green, this drier area is ideal for growing legumes, grains, and oilseeds.

From higher vantage points, you can see the vast farmland stretching out, marked by silos, barns, and intersecting roads. On a clear spring day, the blue sky is filled with white clouds, creating a strong contrast with the green fields below.

Much of the native vegetation has been replaced by agriculture, but small pockets remain along creeks and atop the buttes that rise above the region. If you visit now, you’ll get to experience this seasonal transformation firsthand.
Palouse, WA, USA

After the Storm

The Pacific Northwest region of the US is slowly marching through spring and easing into the summer. The days are starting to get longer and warmer. Flowers are starting to bloom everywhere, adding a dash of color to the already lush green landscape. In a span of about 6 weeks, summer would officially begin out here, and would last for 3 months.

However, in the mountains, the duration of each season and the transition between each is much shorter. Above 6000ft, winter conditions last for more than half a year, and the other seasons of spring, summer and autumn cycle through in rapid succession in the remaining 5 months. It is this condensed cycle that makes the summer in the Pacific Northwest ever so precious - because there are just ever so few days to get out and enjoy the best of what the mountains have to offer.

Here are a few reminders of the dramatic mountain landscape that one can witness in its summer that barely lasts 8 weeks.

Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA

Vortex in the Sky

The night of May 11, 2024 was one for the books. One of the strongest train of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) events hit the magnetosphere of the Earth, repeatedly plucking the planet's magnetic field like guitar strings. This resulting release of energy led to one of the strongest and longest shows, with the aurora visible all the way down to the low latitudes.

Out in the Pacific Northwest, we were blessed to have it coincide with excellent viewing conditions. As dusk turned to twilight, the anticipation in the crowd gathered around grew. Soon, the faint glow became visible above us, a green band extending east to west. The glow was still dim thanks to the moonlight. But once the moon set, the substorms started hitting, and all the graphs started spiking. And the sky glowed with the brilliance of the lights.

Curtains of light twirled above the horizon. But up above, the aurora danced like a vortex of celestial energy, ribbons of light unfurling in the cold night sky. The ribbons pulsed and weaved, forming and reforming a thousand different shapes with every sub-storm that day

I will never forget the exhilaration I felt in that moment. I hope these memories will last a lifetime.

Baker Lake
WA USA

Trails over Baker

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This was one memorable night up on a ridge overlooking the grand vista of Mt Baker. Under the moonlit sky that summer night, I reflected on a grand day wandering through vibrant forests, along wildflower-filled meadows, and scrambling by melting glaciers. Despite being a popular trail, it never felt crowded. And at night, the stillness of the peaks under the shimmering stars made me feel deeply connected to that extraordinary landscape.

Mount Baker Wilderness
WA USA

Back to the Tulips

Been a bit late in posting some of my recent photos.

The tulip fields of Skagit Valley are a photographer’s dream—a mesmerizing canvas of vibrant reds, soothing pastels, and dazzling yellows stretching endlessly across the horizon. Every spring, as the Pacific Northwest shakes off the last remnants of winter, these blossoms burst into life, transforming the valley into a breathtaking spectacle.

Capturing the tulip blossoms through a camera lens is more than just photography; it’s an immersive experience. The interplay of light and shadow, the delicate textures of each petal, and the contrast between the orderly rows of flowers and the wild beauty of nature make for stunning compositions. Whether it’s the golden glow of sunrise casting a warm embrace over the fields or the dramatic hues of sunset painting the sky, every moment offers a unique opportunity to create art.

For photographers like me, the challenge lies in finding fresh perspectives—experimenting with angles, playing with depth of field, and embracing the unpredictable beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s spring weather. The joy of photographing these blossoms isn’t just in the final image but in the process itself—the quiet moments spent among the flowers, the thrill of chasing the perfect light, and the satisfaction of capturing a fleeting masterpiece.

Hope you get a chance to catch these colorful blossoms. The Tulip festival in Skagit county ends on April 30, and the fields are in full bloom now.

Skagit County
WA USA

Winter Escapes

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From gray to glorious! The Pacific Northwest has been delivering some serious winter weather lately, but today, we were gifted with a bluebird day for the books. It's a reminder that even in the depths of winter, beauty and light can always be found. Feeling so grateful for this stunning landscape and the chance to experience it in all its forms.

Mt. Baker Snoqualmie National Forest
WA USA

Amber silhouettes

Bathed in the fiery hues of a summer sunset, the Olympic coast puts on a breathtaking display. Amber clouds paint the sky, casting dramatic silhouettes of rugged cliffs and stoic pines against the vibrant backdrop. Waves gently lap the shore, completing this serene coastal scene.

Witnessing this spectacle in what was initially just a casual summer backpack with friends was a truly unforgettable experience. This was one of the many spectacular stills I captured during the two nights on the peninsula.

Olympic National Park
WA USA

Seeking sunlight

The western coast of Washington state has been pounded by storm after storm for the last 25 days. As a result, a full day, or even a few hours of sunlight has been a rarity in Seattle. This effect, compounded by the incredibly short days of winter here, has certainly impacted my mood during what is meant to be the most joyous time of the year.

Here is to hoping that this will change over the next few weeks, both from the increasing length of day, and from a change in weather patterns.

Meanwhile, here is an image from a prior winter in Seattle during a remarkably crisp winter day.

Seattle
WA USA

End of an year

At first glance, it just seems like a regular sunset view over the Puget Sound by Seattle in the Pacific northwest. But observe closely and you can spot the telltale signs of high altitude winds from the layers of undulating cloud patterns in the sky. These high altitude cloud patterns are the result of layers of wind blowing over mountain ranges that dot the western coast of Washington state. And these layers will often catch the colorful sunset light, adding to extra drama in the image.

A Washington State Ferry departing to Bainbridge island from Seattle adds to the visual interest in this scene overlooking the sound.

Here is to a closure on 2024, a tumultuous year for many in this world.

Seattle
WA USA