Its perhaps the last week for the blooming tulips out in the Skagit valley. It is a a bit earlier than other years, perhaps aided by a few warm days last month. But it was as colorful as ever.
Did you get to see the blooms this year?
Awaiting Tulips
The warmer temperatures and long sunny days of the upcoming spring in the Pacific Northwest have re-awakened memories of exploring the colorful blossoms that dot the fertile Skagit Valley. I long to see the uniform rows of colorful tulips layered against the foothills of the North Cascades. Especially in the early morning hours when the low angle of light adds a beautiful rimlight to the kaleidoscopic blossoms. And if I am lucky, I would be greeted by a soft fog that descended to ground level the prior night, and adds an ethereal dimension to the scene. Here is to hoping that this happens once again.
Skagit Valley
WA USA
Skagit blossoms
April has always been symbolic of tulips for me. From my very first visit to the tulip fields of Skagit Valley more than a decade ago, I have been fascinated by the vast carpets of vibrant reds and crimsons, bright whites and yellows, soothing rose, and vivid blues and purples. Being blessed to live less than an hour away, I try to seize every opportunity to explore the ever-changing spring patterns out here.
Earlier this year, I was lucky to capture the beginnings of a storm-front rising above the tulip fields during the late afternoon hours. I found these bright red tulips a perfect contrast to the grey and yellow clouds.
As before, you can buy this calendar at this link.
Skagit Valley
WA USA
2023 Photography Calendar
My 2023 landscape and nature photography calendar is now available for sale through Lulu
This calendar showcases a wide variety of landscapes from the frozen slopes of the Arctic and the Pacific Northwest to the sun-drenched cities of Italy. With the pandemic easing, we have been blessed to be able to travel and explore the different corners of the country and the world. And this calendar has captured my favorite memories and experiences.
And remember, this calendar is for a good cause - all proceeds will get donated to Sierra Club Foundation. We are gifted to have such amazing public lands, and having visited 54 National Parks and many more wilderness areas, I have come to realize the vital importance of our public lands system in protecting and preserving nature, culture, wildlife, and landscapes for the future. The Sierra Club Foundation helps secure protections for public lands and waters, promote healthy ecosystems and communities, and fight for clean air and water, and build a diverse, inclusive environmental movement that reflects and represents today’s American public, and prioritizes important connections between environmental health and social justice.
Seattle WA
USA
Spring in the step
Even though the tulip blooms only last a couple of weeks, they put on a kaleidoscopic show of color that draws in tourists in record numbers. Perhaps it is their fleeting nature that makes them so special - they certainly would lose their charm if their blooms last the entire year.
Which one do you like the most?
Skagit Valley
WA USA
Tulip Star
It pays occasionally to dip below the line of flowers to capture a photo of the one
I was looking to capture unique compositions of the tulip fields when I noticed that the sun was very low on the horizon. I realized that I could use the dense rows of tulips to block the sun, and capture a sunstar when the tulips swayed with the wind. After a few trials, this was the final composition
Skagit Valley
WA USA
Odd one out
One of my classic takes with the spring tulip blossoms of the Pacific Northwest is photographing the odd ones out. I seek out the oddball misfits and the mis-colored ones amongst the uniform rows of neatly planted tulips. I presumed that these bulbs were planted either intentionally or they just crept it. Regardless, they form a great subject to add contrast when shooting tulips
Skagit Valley
WA USA
Spring in the Skagit Valley
Perhaps the best sign of the warming temperatures of spring is the bounteous availability of a kaleidoscope of flowers: roses, tulips, daffodils, balsamroot, orchids and much more. And in the well drained soils of the Skagit region of Washington, colorful fields of tulips and daffodils grow profusely, attracting tourists and florists from all over the world. While not in the scale of the tulip fields of Holland, the flat fields and fake windmills give the impression of a dutch countryside, except for the towering mountains of the Cascades just to the west.
Wandering around the fields one evening, I found one particularly bright patch of daffodils in peak bloom. I tried to frame the dense patch of flowers against the tall cypress trees.
Skagit Valley
WA USA
Spring in the Skagit Valley
Every year, the blooming of the daffodils heralds the arrival of spring in Washington. Tiny bursts of yellow color dot the streets and villages of the Pacific Northwest, its characteristic trumpet and bell shape swaying in unison in the wind.
Out in the pastoral landscape of Skagit valley, vast fields of yellow daffodils carpet the landscape in early spring, ready to be picked and shipped to the neighborhood florist. Photos don't do justice to the scale of the farms that cover the area here.
I spotted this one out in the distance as I set out for a breath of fresh air and sunshine. The skeletons of the tall aspen, yet to regrow foliage for the year, towered over the carpet of yellow on this late evening.
Skagit Valley
WA USA
An Ode to my parents
The blooms of Skagit Valley, are still a major attraction in the spring. Every year, thousands make their way to the wet and muddy fields of the various flower gardens to admire rows and rows of neatly planted tulips and daffodils.
It may be trite and banal, but I do visit it every year. But my last visit was a special one, as I got to take my parents to this beautiful location. Ever since they first saw photos of this array of flowers, they had expressed their desire to come here. And in the spring of 2019, I got to satisfy one of their many dreams. It is not easy, for they live on the other side of this planet, but in doing so, I felt more elated that I could have ever felt in simply taking photographs of this oft-visited destination in the Pacific Northwest.
To my parents, I thank you for all you have done to make me who I am, and for setting me on a amazing journey. I hope I get to meet many more of your dreams.
Skagit Valley
WA USA