March is a great time to head to the Skagit Flats. One of my favorite subjects is the tens of thousands of snow geese that have migrated from Siberia and the North Slope down to the rich fields of the Skagit River Valley. There are also thousands of trumpeter and tundra swans. An interesting note, over the decades that I’ve been going to photograph in Skagit Valley, the population of trumpeter swans has mushroomed. Climate change has affected the spring melt in Alaska at earlier times in the spring which opens up more lakes. A couple of trumpeter swans need a lake to themselves, with no other swans, to raise their brood. More lakes means more swans. Skagit Valley’s tilled fields offer a feast to these migrating birds, and you can see thousands of geese just a few feet away. In the late afternoon on a clear day it is magical as the birds light off the ground and swirl in the air all the while Mt. Baker, a volcanic mountain in the Cascades that boasts an elevation over 10,000 feet, looms in the background. As the sun sets, everything goes pink. It is one of my favorite places to go in Washington State, and March is the perfect time to go.
After another successful Art of Composition seminar in Portland, Oregon, Art led a group of workshop participants out to the blustery Oregon coast—Cannon Beach, to be exact.
Art is now off to Australia and South Africa for five weeks of field workshops, presentations, and seminars. >>Australia Info >>Africa Info
(http://denisglennon.com/art-wolfe-in-australia-2012/ & http://www.c4images-safaris.co.za/index.php?page=artwolfe2012), as well as some much anticipated shooting for his new Seattle gallery! Look here for new photos soon.
It is important to pay attention to foreground and background elements when trying to compose an effective surreal landscape image. Shot on location in Glacier Bay National Park.
I just finished my weekend workshop called “Composing Effective Images – Field Edition”. I love teaching and inspiring others. In the process of the workshop, I get inspired, too.
I just had to make one more trek up to the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in British Columbia yesterday.
I know I am indulging a bit with the Snowy Owls, but in all fairness, they are magnificent creatures and this event happens so infrequently, that I just can’t resist.
Thank you to all the students this weekend for your participation, enthusiasm and inspiration. Enjoy this days shooting.
We had a few days of fairly clear weather in the Pacific Northwest, so I decided to head back up to Canada to photograph snowy owls. The light did not disappoint & I was able to get much better shots than I got in December. This large gathering of migrating Snowy Owls happens about every ten years.
Wood Ducks and Sand Hill Cranes are year-round residents of the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in British Columbia. They can’t help but get my attention when I visit.
