A couple of weeks ago, we spent five days on Leighion Island (Orcas) in Washington. I've posted a few images already but here are the bulk of them.
It was great meeting Leigh and a couple of the other local photographers, but the real pleasure was the island itself, I'm not ashamed to say, "I fell in love with the place".
Consequently, I'm going to subject you to quite a few photographs.
As has become my habit, there are a high proportion of Black and White images, but I am also including some colour shots and also some that have been processed both ways.

I hope you enjoy them.

First on the agenda is the view from our hotel room, the Outlook Inn, Eastsound [url:fk7nqbc4]www.outlookinn.com/[/url]. We had one of the bay view rooms, and I've stayed in some mighty fine hotels around the world, but, dollar for dollar, it was probably the best room I've stayed in, especially having the baby, it was perfectly laid out for us.

That shot was at a wide angled 12mm, so bear in mind the legend on your side view mirror "objects are closer than they appear". You'll understand why I mention this in the subsequent shots.

Here's a closer glimpse of that offshore island in the centre of the previous frame. Although tiny and uninhabited, it does have a name - Indian Island


It's actually very close to shore, at low tide you can walk out to it. We were lucky, low tide was at just the right time for us to take a morning constitutional before breakfast.


Once on the island, I had the opportunity of shooting a couple of landscapes that were a combination of intimate and grand, a rare treat.


I told you there would be some colour. :)


There's also quite a photogenic rock on Indian Island

Next up, we'll meet some of the local wildlife that the shallow water between Indian Island and the shore
provides a home to.

One thing guaranteed to keep the children among us amused (I know I was, highly) are the scallops. They move around by sucking in water and then squirting it out like a miniature jet engine. Of course, at low tide, this means jets of water shooting several feet into the air. One cheeky scallop managed to get a jet of water up my shorts as I walked by, minding my own business. Guess who crouched down and waited patiently in an attempt to catch one in action?
Two versions, each has it's own appeal.



The other prolific aquatic species there exhibits a variety of personalities, very humanlike.
Some are downright rude.

Some like to be tickled.

Some are just, well, complimentary.

Some like to party.


I think you've probably had enough of scallops and starfish by now.

Of course, where there are small aquatic creatures, there are those who want to eat them.

This guy was hunkered down for a banquet. I'm sure you'll appreciate this one Jim. :)


It took me a few attempts before getting the 'beak open' shot.


I've never seen crows on the water before.

Although only a relatively small island (57.3 square miles), it boasts it's own mountain, Mount Constitution (2409 ft), on top of which is an old stone watch tower. From here one has superb views of Mount Baker on mainland Washington.




The island also has several lakes, two of them can be seen from the tower, with Mount Baker again in the background. Other lakes are less remote and can be reached easily by road.


As well as the lakes, many properties have their own, quite substantial ponds. A good place to be when the water wars begin I think.

Moving on, a few random shots.
This is one of the more secretive trees that Leigh mentioned in the self portrait thread.


On Saturdays there is a thriving farmers market.


This beautiful young lady was busking to pay for her tuition at the Royal Academy, I hope she makes enough, she played some sweet sounds. Serafin and I danced a jig before placing some money in her case.


The obligatory plant shot.


Some of the architecture on the island is quite colourful. I assume this structure gets a new paint job every year.


I'm not known as a food photographer, but the Outlook Inn served the best looking and best tasting crab cakes.

You really kept busy, Gary! Got views I never have too. Never really have been upstairs at the Outlook.

The shack does indeed get a painting from every year's graduating class, though I wonder how much longer its rotting frame will endure even the weight of teenagers. Wasn't young even at my graduation. That shot might be my favorite surprise out of your set, as it really sets off as this bright, man-made thing in the greenery. It's one of those things I've seen for countless years, but never really tried to get a picture of.

Back at the hotel, I took my tripod across the road to the waterfront. The quality of the early evening light produces exquisite colours.


I returned a couple of hours later to catch the light of the moon on the water when it was fully dark for a long exposure.


Sadly, all good things must end, and it was time to leave. The ferry gets full pretty quickly in the summer and sometimes you have to wait for the next one. There's a grassy area though, where one can enjoy a picnic in the sun. Serafin had fun exploring the trees.


I just enjoyed the view (can't decide which version I like best).



While Jess and Serafin had gone to get some lunch.


That just about wraps it up, I hope you enjoyed my little travelogue.

Leighgion wrote:

Thanks Leigh, glad you liked them. I added some more since your post, including one in the post prior to yours. If you go to the Outlook again, try those crab cakes.

Great series Gary! I know you were really impressed with the Island; it shows in your art. Good balance with the B&W and colour. The B&W scallops shots, for example, seems to emphasize the squirt better. Starfish are pretty cool looking characters! I'm reminded of 'Patrick' from the Sponge Bob cartoons. The secret tree looks like a Sycamore, but I can't be sure. The angle of that shot works for me, though. The landscapes are good too. Nice to show the wide angle and the telephoto shot; gives a good perspective. Nice to see some family shots, too. That puts a real personal touch to the trip. Serafin's face between the trees is a nice, tender shot.

Thanks for sharing. Very entertaining series. You've documented your trip well. :)

J.Scott wrote:
Glad you enjoyed them Jeff, and thanks for the comments. The secret tree was a madrona, they are natives and all over the island.

I've only been to Orcas Is. once in 1976 when my wife and I were backpacking our way around Puget Sound and Vancouver Island. We spent the night at a campground on the eastern side of the island. Unfortunately your images don't bring back any of those memories but do spur me to want to get some new ones. Very nice series Gary and narrative too. Your view from the top of the island showing the two ponds is reminiscent to me of the view from Cadillac Mountain on Mt. Desert Island in Maine.

I'm not going to pick a favorite because you are likely to have a few more to share and I like them all. Your choice of b&w for a lot of shots is quite effective. Nice.

Tim

Wow Gary! Those are some beautiful, beautiful photos. I think I like your landscapes best, especially the first one, the B&W seems to work very nicely, and the B&W scallops shot. As Jeff mentioned, it really emphasizes the squirt of water. Looks like you had a great time and thanks for sharing such wonderful memories.

Gary, what an enjoyable set of photos! Your narrative really helped me to re-live your visit, thank you.

I have been to Orcas some years ago before i ever had interest in shooting pictures. I was there for business, visiting the urgent care center and doctors on island. Funny, how whenever i travel for work, i keep the blinders on and only see the street signs and business locations. Now I wish I could go back and dig in to the natural wonders.

Hard to choose a favorite photo but among my top few are the first wide shot with the dramatic sky, the one of Serafin's little face poking between the trees, and that yummy plate of crab cakes which looks like something from a food magazine.

very beautifully captured!
Even the FPZ Village People love it: :heart: <:)

Gary, that a great series of pics. I particularly like the mix of color and B&W. One of my favorites is the B&W moonlight on the water shot. I like minimalist shots and yours is very good. That first shot is also excellent. Nice work, all around.