Rain pattering against the rainfly - a staccato beat to accompany robin-song in the nearby trees. As I write this, I’m camping at Dosewallips State Park and enjoying the start of spring. My walk earlier in the day saw Indian Plum and Salmonberry blooms next to fresh green leaves budding out of dormancy. The Alder and Maple are still bare waiting for one last push before they stretch their leaves like fingers after a long sleep. I love the light of spring that begins to warm the earth and awaken nature. As sun rays filter through clouds, I’m reminded to clean my camera and charge the batteries - I’m ready to photograph lush forests and brilliant flowers.
A look back at winter.
The new year started off with a bag full of mixed emotions. On the one hand I was able to hike with family and friends and on the other hand, well, I feel as if I’m watching my 20+ year career get dismantled by current policies. It’s difficult to watch the absolute disregard of the current administration to understand that our public spaces bring in so much more wealth than their destruction would bring. Good people are being pushed out of their careers which threatens the welfare of all of us. While in Las Vegas for a trade conference, I reminded myself and others who also feel the threat to careers and organizations they love that we have today. We can do what we can today. And when tomorrow comes, then we do what we can tomorrow. Somehow, those thoughts brightened the attitudes of those I chatted with.
Speaking of Vegas, I never thought I’d ever go to “Sin City.” I had no interest in the place - the lights, the noise, the crowds; all seemed too much for me. But a friend took me around to check out “her” city and at times I felt like a yokel from Hicksville, Washington - gawking at all the sites and people. Oh and the people. I’m from Washington, the land of fleece and hiking boots. We wear our best fleece and jeans to the ballet. To see so many people walking around in expensive suits and dresses was a bit mind-boggling (again, yokel). Then my friend took me on a hike in Red Rocks Canyon - I do enjoy hiking in the southwest and it was made better by having a local tour guide to talk about the area. No photos except for my cell phone. I wasn’t in Vegas to photograph, but maybe I should have been - the scenery was spectacular.
The rest of winter has been filled with hikes, a couple of snowshoes, planning adventures, and trying to find peace in the trees. To help combat some of the stresses, I started writing happy stories about times I’ve spent exploring nature that have a positive spin on them. Anything to remind us how valuable our natural spaces are. I also have a few recorded to be edited and shared. Make sure you’re following my youtube channel for the latest videos and shorts: https://www.youtube.com/@HIWalkerPhoto/videos
What are some of my future plans you ask? There are a couple of upcoming backpacks. I’m also excited to hike with the Seattle Mountaineers Conditioning Hiking Series this year. It’s been several years since I had the confidence to lead hikes for the course - I think I can do it this year. I’ve got a backpack coming up, also with the Mountaineers - heading back to the Ozette Triangle. This was a solo backpack I completed last March. I had so much fun, even with the ugly crying on the beach, that I wanted to lead a trip there. May is filled with opportunity (a trip to the Columbia River Gorge and a backpack back to Diamond Meadows) and June will find me back on the road as I plan a trip to Idaho and Montana to visit friends and family - oh and to get some photography in and maybe a hike or two. (Note to self: pick up bear spray, it is brown bear territory after all.)
A Simple Photo Lesson
I’m heading to Oregon soon for a writing class soon and on my way, I’m planning to stop by the Oregon Gardens for a quiet respite on my drive. Which means, I will be able to photograph early season flowers. What will I see? I have no idea, but I will remain open to any possibility.
For the lesson or thought this season, it is to remain open to possibility. The above photo is of a spent tulip - only one petal remains, clinging to the stem. While we often think of photographing flowers in all their glory, we often turn our cameras away from imperfection. But imperfection can be beautiful too. The gentle sweep of this lone petal caught my attention and I knew a photo needed to be made. While processing it, I decided the simplicity of black and white would bring out the solitary beauty of the subject.
It was being open to the possibility of finding beauty in anything that made this photo possible. I encourage you to photograph something that isn’t perfect, you never know where beauty will find you.
Enjoy your spring … and I will see you on the next adventure.