Posted by Curtis Knight on February 6, 2008 at 1:31 PM
Hey folks, I know it's early, but you know me, I like to start planning early.
Do you want to do the Tulips this year, or try something different for a spring group outing?
I won't nag this time. Just post here if you have some input to offer. I'll start another thread around the first of March. This is just to get everyone thinking about it.
I love winter, but I think I'm about ready for the color to come back to the landscape.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on February 6, 2008 at 1:53 PM
I can't wait!!! Especially since we are taking our first family vacation from CO to OR this Spring (May). I hope we get to see some wildflowers in the some of coastal areas. I realize the mtns. won't have any by that time. But thats ok. This is going to be a coastal trip for us. I haven't seen the ocean in 2 years and I am dying for some salt air!
I asked Byran Swan about his killer shot of Cape Perpetua here: http://bryanswan.smugmug.com/gallery/3892055#225606063
He mentioned it was taken in late April. And Marc A. took that really nice shot (OCEAN BLOOMS) last year of the Orchids in Ecola SP. But I don't remember the month? So who knows, maybe there will be a few wildflowers left along the coast in May.
Derek, the best place near the coast for wildflowers in May is Saddle Mountain in Clatsop County. To find spectacular blooms nearer the surf, it doesn't get any better than some of the displays I have seen at Samuel Boardman State Park near Brookings. Boardman is not real reliable and can be hit or miss, but often peaks in June. The weather and light may not be what you want-luck of the draw again. It might also be worth your while to drive inland to Table Rocks near Medford. This locale offers both interesting birds and a plethora of wildflower meadows. A trip up the Columbia River in May might prove rewarding as well for flowers. In addition, we get more than two springs here. You should see the alpine wildflowers in the Cascades during August.
Curtis, I live fairly near to Vernonia. What group are you talking about? and which tulips?
Posted by Erik Lundh on February 6, 2008 at 11:53 PM
Wow Curtis, what cool vibrant shot. It almost pops off the screen. I'm also looking forward to spring. I would really like to catch up with the folks on this forum and get some shooting in.
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on February 7, 2008 at 12:29 AM
I'm totally down for an outing to the tulip fields..... say when and I will try to make it !! Nice shot, Curtis.
Oh, man! Your shot is just killin' me, Curtis! Would love to do tulips with the gang. Where and when?? Give me flowers and COLOR! I've had it with gray!
Posted by John Williams on February 7, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I'd love to meet everyone, so I'd try hard to join up with whatever you plan.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on February 7, 2008 at 3:08 PM
Since you guys have 2+ Springs do you usually do an earlier/lower elevation Spring outing or a later/higher elevation one? Just curious.
In Colorado July is really the month to be out shooting wildflowers in the mountains (San Juans, Crested Butte, etc...). This is mostly above 8500'.
Posted by Curtis Knight on February 8, 2008 at 1:36 PM
Well Derek, around here we usually consider there to be two seasons. Rain, and Less Rain.
Seriously though, yes we have a summer mountain wildflower season that lasts as long as three weeks between late July and mid-August. PNWNP traditionally has a group event at Mt Rainier the first week of August. That is usually at, or very near the peak bloom. We pretty much missed the event last year, because there was no one to plan it, but I plan to make sure it happens this year. Also the summer wildflowers were a pretty dismal display last year.
Western edge of the Cascades of Washington and Northern Oregon is a great climate for Tulips, Daffodils, etc. so that is also a favorite spring subject for local photog's.
Hope to see you this spring Derek, we'd love to have you join us!
As for scheduling, I try to go with the flowers, and less with photographers' schedules. sometimes I even have to schedule events when I can't make it, because It doesn't do a lot of good to schedule a flower shoot, if there ain't no flowers
Posted by Derek Sedillo on February 9, 2008 at 6:34 PM
I know what you mean about going with the flowers vs. schedules.
That is especially true out here for Fall Colors. Basically I keep my ear to the ground, listen to field reports and watch weather patterns to try and combine interesting light/weather with good color. This is a *very* hard thing to schedule way in advance and actually stick to the schedule. I would rather catch one or two days out in Colorado's San Juans during good/prime conditions than a week when things are just so/so.
That is really cool that you will probably have two+ outings. I don't know if I'll be able to do this one. But thanks for the invite. This will also be a scouting trip for us to check out areas we may want to live in.
Posted by Curtis Knight on February 11, 2008 at 12:53 PM
well let us know when exactly you'll be in the area. I'm sure at least one of us would be able to meet up with you and show you around a little. I know I've only been out shooting once in the last couple months and I'm getting really antsy. too many home improvement projects... and I mean that in the Tim Taylor sense... I always screw something up!
Discussion
11 repliesDo you want to do the Tulips this year, or try something different for a spring group outing?
I won't nag this time. Just post here if you have some input to offer. I'll start another thread around the first of March. This is just to get everyone thinking about it.
I love winter, but I think I'm about ready for the color to come back to the landscape.
I asked Byran Swan about his killer shot of Cape Perpetua here:
http://bryanswan.smugmug.com/gallery/3892055#225606063
He mentioned it was taken in late April. And Marc A. took that really nice shot (OCEAN BLOOMS) last year of the Orchids in Ecola SP. But I don't remember the month? So who knows, maybe there will be a few wildflowers left along the coast in May.
You guys actually get 'two' Springs in the PNW!
I was dying last year when I saw this post from Darren White.
http://www.naturephotographers.net/imagecritique/bbs.cgi?a=vm&mr=17062&b=vf15&st=0&la=1779&ph=3&sid=453&u=453
We still had a good three month in Colorado before we could see anything like this.
Any other lower elevation suggestions for mid May would be appreciated. We will be driving the entire coast.
Thanks,
Curtis, I live fairly near to Vernonia. What group are you talking about? and which tulips?
Kevin
In Colorado July is really the month to be out shooting wildflowers in the mountains (San Juans, Crested Butte, etc...). This is mostly above 8500'.
Seriously though, yes we have a summer mountain wildflower season that lasts as long as three weeks between late July and mid-August. PNWNP traditionally has a group event at Mt Rainier the first week of August. That is usually at, or very near the peak bloom. We pretty much missed the event last year, because there was no one to plan it, but I plan to make sure it happens this year. Also the summer wildflowers were a pretty dismal display last year.
Western edge of the Cascades of Washington and Northern Oregon is a great climate for Tulips, Daffodils, etc. so that is also a favorite spring subject for local photog's.
Hope to see you this spring Derek, we'd love to have you join us!
As for scheduling, I try to go with the flowers, and less with photographers' schedules. sometimes I even have to schedule events when I can't make it, because It doesn't do a lot of good to schedule a flower shoot, if there ain't no flowers
That is especially true out here for Fall Colors. Basically I keep my ear to the ground, listen to field reports and watch weather patterns to try and combine interesting light/weather with good color. This is a *very* hard thing to schedule way in advance and actually stick to the schedule. I would rather catch one or two days out in Colorado's San Juans during good/prime conditions than a week when things are just so/so.
That is really cool that you will probably have two+ outings. I don't know if I'll be able to do this one. But thanks for the invite. This will also be a scouting trip for us to check out areas we may want to live in.