Mountains, Lakes and Valleys

Carol Freshley August 2, 2016

There are lots of photo opportunities beyond waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge region. There are two mountains that show up, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, although certainly Mt. Hood is the better known and every photographer wants at least one good photograph to add to their collection. There are two lakes(Trillium and Clear) that are recommended for getting photographs of Mt. Hood as part of the composition (hopefully reflections). Plus, there are lots of wineries, orchards, a couple of lavender fields and an alpaca farm to keep any healthy photographer on vacation very happy. Enjoy the variety!

Love the black sign.  Yes, the USDA recommends washing before eating any U-Pick fruit (and paying for it)! — Love the black sign. Yes, the USDA recommends washing before eating any U-Pick fruit (and paying for it)!

The alpaca were shorn in May.  There is a full service yarn shop on the farm where my fiber addiction was satisfied with the purchase of lots of yarn. A couple of skeins came from several alpacas at the farm! — The alpaca were shorn in May. There is a full service yarn shop on the farm where my fiber addiction was satisfied with the purchase of lots of yarn. A couple of skeins came from several alpacas at the farm!

We picked wild blackberries and raspberries.  Store berries will never quite be acceptable from now on.  The blueberries were huge and sweet. I have never had such good cherries.  Santa Rosa plums are my new favorite. Peaches were eas… — We picked wild blackberries and raspberries. Store berries will never quite be acceptable from now on. The blueberries were huge and sweet. I have never had such good cherries. Santa Rosa plums are my new favorite. Peaches were easy to peel and even easier to eat. The pears were scheduled be harvested over the next several weeks.

Oh my, the smell!  Oh my, the bees! — Oh my, the smell! Oh my, the bees!

These older bridges are narrow.  It costs a buck to cross.  Very scary driving Mellie across! — These older bridges are narrow. It costs a buck to cross. Very scary driving Mellie across!

Every time we drove down I-84 we mentioned this prominent protruding rock.  But, it was not a photo one can get from the road.  Ann took a hike. . . now we have it.  Thanks Ann. — Every time we drove down I-84 we mentioned this prominent protruding rock. But, it was not a photo one can get from the road. Ann took a hike. . . now we have it. Thanks Ann.

Mt. Hood from Japanese Gardens in Portland

Trillium Lake where Ann was 'outed' as a real photographer when she radioed that she would be late getting back to the car because she was 'stopping to take pictures'!!!  We all raised high fives and gave a hoot hoot!  You rock Ann. — Trillium Lake where Ann was 'outed' as a real photographer when she radioed that she would be late getting back to the car because she was 'stopping to take pictures'!!! We all raised high fives and gave a hoot hoot! You rock Ann.

Mt. Adams from the small town of Hood River

Fruit stands are such fun.  You can pick your own, get fresh cider and packaged fruit and take tons of photos of flowers, goats and old gas pumps! — Fruit stands are such fun. You can pick your own, get fresh cider and packaged fruit and take tons of photos of flowers, goats and old gas pumps!

On a path along Clear Lake.  Rain was eminent.  There were to be no photos of Mt. Hood (not visible) and too much wind for reflections of any kind.  We did not hang around there long. — On a path along Clear Lake. Rain was eminent. There were to be no photos of Mt. Hood (not visible) and too much wind for reflections of any kind. We did not hang around there long.

I was driving too fast for Tom to get the top of Mt. Hood!  LOL — I was driving too fast for Tom to get the top of Mt. Hood! LOL

David offers up something to think about.  He sent me two photos.  They were the same in every regard except where he chose to focus.  Here we see the flowers in sharp focus. — David offers up something to think about. He sent me two photos. They were the same in every regard except where he chose to focus. Here we see the flowers in sharp focus.

In this image David has focused on the mountain.  We often have discussions on focus, how much is needed, where should it be and how to get the point in focus that we want.  Good photos either way.  This trip certainly offered us lots… — In this image David has focused on the mountain. We often have discussions on focus, how much is needed, where should it be and how to get the point in focus that we want. Good photos either way. This trip certainly offered us lots of opportunities to play around with depth of field and mastering sharp (if desired) focus.

Yes!  Lefty was with us.  I am surprised he does not have a red stained mouth from all those cherries!  We know what Ann focused on! — Yes! Lefty was with us. I am surprised he does not have a red stained mouth from all those cherries! We know what Ann focused on!

Thanks so much to the friends who made this post possible. It is a blessing to have good friends 'show up' with enthusiasm, excitement and cameras! Certainly, shooting with them and with Cory in Redmond has added a richness to our travels that will be treasured for years to come. If my mother were alive she would go over this post again and again. She would call about mid-morning and chuckle that she was not done yet. She had the privilege of meeting everyone except David. She would remind me how lucky I was to have friends such as these. She would be right, of course! Thank you.

One Day, Two Hikes and One Mountain

Carol Freshley September 27, 2013

Super day! We started off hiking Gorton Creek. It is reputed to have a gorgeous waterfall but we took one path and it dead ended without the fall. It was meant to be as this site has the reputation as 'difficult to access'. Intsead we slowly wandered along a path that was exquisite, so very green and full of growth. There were several waterfall wannabes that were photo lovely.

Notice the pipe showing in the next photo. It was spooky! First, I had no idea where the other end was. I assume it was put in for drainage purposes at some point. Second, it was the source of this low, almost dijeridoo sound that I heard once in a while on the hike.

Taken with Nikon D800 and processed in Final Cut.

Wahclella Falls was up next. To reach it was a 1 mile hike from the trail head. For us, with our gear, it was quite strenuous but we stopped along the way to take pictures. We were treated early on with a water stream that we could touch.

Photographically, this waterfall is a challenge. It is so strong and compact that it is easily blown out, even in the subdued light of the canyon. This next shot was taken before you can actually see the whole waterfall. Notice the small thin waterfall above the big one.

Can't say that I like the DOF. There are still some parts that are soft. Really need at least 1/750 to stop a waterfall as strong as this one and the light just would not get me there. Neither would my flash!!! When I got home and looked at my metadata I realized that I had not changed my ISO!! GRRRRR . . . . That could have saved this image. I missed it. And, I am not hiking back for it either! Mantra: Check ALL settings. Check ALL settings. Repeat.

Tom caught me. Now I realize that when I slide my camera belt to one side I create a bulge. But, it gets the gear out of the way so I can operate the camera. Adding me to the shot gives you a better idea of just how big this fall is.

This video is for my mom. A whole minute!! Two views. Love ya mom!

Taken with Nikon D800 and processed in Final Cut.

In hopes of getting Mt. Hood in an evening 'glo' we drove 40 miles out of the way in getting back to our hotel. Clouds! It was not until we got almost to the end of the drive that we could see any part of the mountain. This is not the best shot I could have hoped for, but am sharing it nonetheless.

A pretty good storm is expected for the area this weekend. We are headed to Portland.

Have a great weekend.

Mount Hood

Carol Freshley September 26, 2013

When it rains in the morning, mountains beckon. So off to Mt. Hood! The ski resorts are getting ready. Some plants showing fall colors. Every once in a while the sun peeked through clouds. What a teaser that Mr. Sun is!! .

Along the road we saw many signs for fruit stands. It is harvest time here and the choices are abundant. We spotted one stand with a huge flower garden. That is where we stopped on the way back. Could have spent the whole day there! We each have hundreds of great photos of flowers, pumpkins, old stuff, the fruit stands, and even a few of baby goats.

Here is my observation. If I am busy photographing flowers (I could have stayed in this garden all day), Tom will find something to capture when he tires of flowers, which will not take long. He will capture something I did not even see. "Did you get the gas pump?" he inquires as we drive back to the hotel. "What gas pump?" I reply. This one.

The garden was just the perfect place to try out the 24mm prime. In some ways, this specialty lens is loads of fun. But to get the results I really want will take some practice. Am getting better at it.

This is my candy corn photo.

Then, there was this stylized cat that showed up disguised as a pumkin stem. Even has a scarf in prep for winter!

I mentioned the harvesting going on. We found one area where the harvesting had not started. We could not believe how laden down the trees were. My goodness, I can only imagine their 'trunk ache'.

Finally, we were able to capture a couple of "not so good, but it is Mt Hood" photos. We hope to get better ones before we leave the area.

We are still having fun. Wish you the best day ever!