Barred owl, Olympic NP, Washington
My previous two posts focused on autumn color on the Olympic Peninsula, but it’s a diverse and beautiful area, and I made many photographs that didn’t involve fall color. The forests are quite photogenic even without fall leaves, plus some of my favorite images from the trip were made along the coast. And one of the highlights of our trip was photographing a barred owl.
We found this owl while driving along a back road early one morning. The owl took off from a log next to the road and flew into a nearby tree. I didn’t have my camera out, so we backed up to where the owl couldn’t see us. Then I stepped out of the car, grabbed my camera and 100-400mm lens, climbed into the passenger seat (the owl was on the right), and got everything set.
We knew the bird would be more tolerant of a car than a person on foot, so Claudia drove toward the owl, slowly, and stopped at a spot with a good view. I snapped off a few frames, but I wasn’t wild about the background, as there were spots of bright sky behind the bird. So I asked Claudia to back up about 20 feet. That was better; I could position the owl against a tree-covered hillside, without those bright spots. The lichen hanging from the branches surrounding the owl was softly, beautifully backlit. I snapped more frames as the bird looked at me. The owl seemed relatively unfazed by our presence, but eventually flew deeper into the forest and disappeared.
Later that morning I explored a foggy riverside meadow, where I found lots of elk tracks and scat – and tracks from two mountain lions (probably a mother and nearly-grown cub). A little later the sun broke through the fog, spreading spectacular sunbeams above the trees bordering the meadow.
We also had a great time photographing the rocks and sea stacks along this stretch of coastline – including a wonderful sunset during the Visionary Wild workshop. But this coast also has miles and miles and miles of wide, sandy, beaches, without any rocks or sea stacks. At first I thought these beaches were rather featureless and uninteresting. But then I kept finding great foregrounds. During a receding tide those wide, flat areas stayed wet, with wonderful reflections and often-interesting patterns in the sand. Add some clouds to the sky, reflecting their sunset glow onto the wet sand, and a seemingly ordinary beach could be be quite beautiful.
So here’s another selection of photographs from our time on the Olympic Peninsula. This group is an eclectic mix – forests, coastal scenes, and random other stuff. It’s all fun for me.
— Michael Frye
Sunbeams through hemlocks, Olympic NP, Washington
Lichen-draped spruce trees, Olympic NP, Washington
Sunlit spruce, Olympic NP, Washington
Waterfall and lichen-draped trees, Olympic NP, Washington
Arch and sea stack at sunset, Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Sunset and sea stacks, Olympic NP, Washington
Rocks and waves, Olympic Peninsula, Washington
Misty ridges, Lake Crescent, Washington
Sunset and creature burrows (possibly shrimp or worms) on a Washington beach, USA
Related Posts: Olympic Autumn: Part One; Olympic Autumn: Part Two
Michael Frye is a professional photographer specializing in landscapes and nature. He is the author or principal photographer of The Photographer’s Guide to Yosemite, Yosemite Meditations, Yosemite Meditations for Women, Yosemite Meditations for Adventurers, and Digital Landscape Photography: In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams and the Great Masters. He has also written three eBooks: Light & Land: Landscapes in the Digital Darkroom, Exposure for Outdoor Photography, and Landscapes in Lightroom: The Essential Step-by-Step Guide. Michael has written numerous magazine articles on the art and technique of photography, and his images have been published in over thirty countries around the world. Michael has lived either in or near Yosemite National Park since 1983, currently residing just outside the park in Mariposa, California.
Beautiful images—many thanks, Michael. It looks like a diverse and beautiful area. I love the atmospheric sunset photo with the creature burrows! The forest photo with lichen is lovely, too.
Thanks very much Bob!
Beautiful images. The Barred Owl is gorgeous. Lovely colors that create a wonderful feel. Great story too.
Thanks so much Gina!
Wonderful images Michael and thank you for sharing your process as to how you photographed the beautiful Barred Owl. Very helpful tips and much appreciated!
Thanks so much Hank!
I had the pleasure to live in a tiny village where the school children often have to share their school yard with a roaming band of Roosevelt Elk. The tiny village/town of Brinnon is located along the Hood Canal (eastern edge of the Olympic Oeninsula), the only natural occurring fjord in the Continental United States. As gorgeous as that area is, it was only my third favorite location in my extensive places I have taken up residence in. I spent 11 of my first 21 years living in, then, West Germany. The last 6 months was spent working at an American military resort on the the southwest shore of Lake Chiemsee just outside of the town of Bernau. Just a couple miles south of Bernau the majestic Alps jutted straight for heaven itself. I also had the joy of spending 4 years of my youth living in Denver, CO.
I envy you and admire you in every breath Michael. You perfected a craft that so many today take for granted because their phones and AI programs will turn their 5 second cell phone photograph into a masterpiece. I quickly lost the faith and now that my body is slowly failing me I regret that I let my anger at people and their lack of understanding the love and dedication us photographers put into our work take me away from it all.
Keep up the great work, I would truly love to see your photography of Zion, Grand Reef, Vermillion Cliffs. I have been there myself but even with a great mid range DSLR and really fabulous lens I could not capture the true majesty before my mere human eyes…
Thanks for the kind words Christopher. It sounds like you’ve been to many beautiful places – lucky you!
I have really enjoyed your photos and stories from your time in Olympic NP. It is so great that you were able to see the owl! What a treat.
That was a treat, for sure – thanks Sarah!
Hi Michael. I learned so much from you during your Yosemite Workshop back in May 2014 and from your Landscapes in Lightroom book. It was truly a pivotal point for me in my development as a photographer and your postings continue to inspire me.
I had signed up for another of your workshops in the Sierras a few years later but had to cancel – I hope to join you again sometime in the near future as I’ve since moved from Atlanta to Carlsbad, California.
Back in mid-September I too was in Olympic NP so I particularly enjoyed seeing your work there and especially took note of your capture of the light on the moss & lichen in the rainforest. Loved the angle of view & composition on Merriman Falls.
Best Wishes
John Razza
Thanks John! I’m glad you still remember the workshop and learned a lot.