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
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
Leaning Away
Visiting tulip fields is aboud admiring the the rows and rows of neatly planted tulips, in all shades from brilliant whites to deep purple. But not all end up blooming successfully, and add a bit of variety to the monotony of the parallel lines of tulips
Wooden Shoe Tulip Farm
OR USA
Delicate Delights
It was more than a decade ago that I had heard of the kaleidoscopic displays of tulips in Holland. I pictured long undisturbed rows of variegated blossoms stretching endlessly to the horizon, adorned by silhouettes of iconic farmsteads and slowly rotating Dutch windmills under a hazy morning light. That vision spurred a last minute trip to the Skagit valley of Washington, the tulip capital of the Pacific Northwest. While it lacked the beautiful haziness of an atmospheric Dutch landscape, it was replete with the endless varieties of Tulips that I had come to expect. This collection was but a small sampling of the rich displays I witnessed.
This was the year I was supposed to be ensconced in the vast tulip fields, chasing sunrises and sunsets amidst the vast beds of colorful blooms, and exploring the idyllic Dutch countryside in all its glory. Sadly, that was not meant to be. But in light of the challenges this pandemic has placed on society, I am glad to be where I am.
This too, shall pass.
Skagit Valley
WA USA
Hello Sun Day
... and the sun finally peeks out in the Pacific Northwest....
In Search of Tulips
Spring has arrived, but the Pacific Northwest hasn't been informed of it. Cold damp conditions continue to persist, and sunlight barely manages to peek out through the dense cloud cover. The long halcyon days of warm sunshine that took over a few weeks ago seems to have gone back to hibernation mode, a cue that up in the mountainous Northwest, cold unpredictable weather is always around the corner.
I went around in search of colorful tulip fields of Skagit Valley opening up their buds to the embracing grace of morning light, but that was not to be. The reversal of the weather fortunes seem to have delayed the opening by a few more days. This image from last year was what I was hoping to find this year, but I never made it.
Skagit County
WA USA