A Puffin takes a running start with a mouthful of fish.
What a difference just a few months can make. All the adventures, the things seen, experiences had, and decisions made. Good things are happening on the HIWalkerPhoto front.
Had an amazing experience photographing puffins from a boat. So much fun that for my birthday, my credit card bought me the 200-600mm lens. The desire to be a wildlife photographer was re-awakened as my friends and I explored the wetlands in the Skagit Valley then hopped on a boat captained by a naturalist and photographer. My only issue is that I am a bit attention deficit so sitting and waiting for wildlife is difficult. Something I need to work on. Don’t worry though, my love of the forest and wildflowers has not changed one bit and I will still be exploring and photographing the woods and meadows of the Pacific Northwest.
Both of my long backpacks went off without a hitch or a fall. They weren’t perfect. We were turned around before reaching Honeymoon Meadows over the 4th of July. The August trip was hot, buggy, and my tent broke. However, on both trips I was able to explore parts of Olympic National Park I hadn’t yet visited - and I loved it. I’m looking at the possibility of doing 1 backpacking trip per month in 2023. Winter months will likely be spent on the wilderness beaches.
I am way behind on editing videos, but I do have some new ones up on my channel. You can check them out here. I realized the other week that there are a couple of videos from last year that I never put together. Plus all the videos from my trip to Utah in March. Not to mention that big backpacking trip - 11 days in the Olympic Wilderness. Speaking of that long trip, we hiked past the area where I fell last year. I am so thankful that I survived. The dropoff and terrain are a lot scarier than I remembered. My essay about the experience was published in the Mountaineer Magazine and well worth the read - if I do say so myself.
Now, summer has faded into fall and the leaves are turning gold. They sparkle on trees and scatter across trails. It’s a wonderful time to pull out your camera and photograph everything that is luscious about the season. I put together a quick blog to help you get out and photograph the colors and activities. I’m sorry to see summer and its adventures go, but there are so many adventures ahead.
Oct 1-2: Backpacking with my friend Ushani to Chain Lakes in the Mt Baker Wilderness
Oct 9-15 : I’ll be in Oregon for the Out of Oregon photo workshop and spending time with my good friend Barb Livieri - she’s from Florida and has never experienced the Oregon Coast. What an amazing time she’ll have.
Over Thanksgiving weekend, I’m heading to Montana to visit good friends.
I’m also planning a few field trips and workshops for the Mountaineers.
I’m working on updating my website. While I have added new work in recent months, I still need to add a workshops page and a products page.
Speaking of products, I am currently working on my 2023 calendar and still have plenty of notecards available. Message me for more information until I get the products page up and running.
One last bit of news. When I hike, or walk, ideas percolate in my brain. Hold onto your hats folks. The new idea that came up while hiking through the Olympic Wilderness is … get ready for it … The Hiking Photographer’s Podcast. Yep, this girl with a speech impediment is starting a podcast! I’ll explore gear, trails, ethics, stewardship, and becoming the hiker and photographer you want to be. Episode 1 will be coming to you soon.
Until the next adventure, bye!
