[Slugman]

Tanja, Daisy and I spent Easter Sunday touring the Skagit valley and Deception pass areas. We drove Chuckanut drive, stopped at a little park right on the waterfront in Bellingham, then we went to the Samish overlook, right on the Pacific NW Trail at 1,400 ft, where the hang gliders take off from. It was way too hot, though, and the view spots had no shade, so we headed over to the water for cooler temps. We crossed the Deception pass bridges onto Whidby island, and turned left on Cornet bay road, which leads into the state park. The road prallels the beach for a while, then ends. We hiked up to Hoypus point and then on towards Albo (or something) spit, but we didn't want to tresspass, and there were some houses there, so we went back. The sunset was amazing, so we headed back across the highway and past the Deception st park camping areas to the day-use beach, stopping along the way to get the reflection picture. I am posting four pictures, of the various stages of the sunset. All are completely unretouched, unenhanced and unaltered except for re-sizing.

Early stage sunet

Right at sunset

Mid stage sunset

late stage sunset

[kiliki]

You know, I normally avoid the state parks but I had a great time hiking at Deception pass last month. Even on a nice Saturday there were few people on the trails, which all seem to connect so you can make a big loop. And, there was a nice viewpoint from which to soak up the sun.

[MooseAndSquirrel]

Really sweet photos Sluggo! The one with the couple silhouleted is definitely a keeper. Deception Pass (heck lots of Whidbey like Ebey's Landing, etc) is just marvelous. A perfect destination anytime of the year, so many pockets of fun.

[Slugman]

Kiliki, I know what you mean about the lack of crowds. When we got to the end of Cornet bay road, there was no one else there, and just one couple fishing when we got back. M&S, thanks! There were some good photo ops at Cornet bay as well, but I wanted to show those sunset shots because of the radical colors.

[MooseAndSquirrel]

Did you use a tripod for the sunset shots? That one with the two people in it is just fantastic, you must be thrilled how it came out.

[Slugman]

No tripod, just the old fashioned "hold really still and take several backup shots" method. Yes, I am pleased. But God did the hard part, I just photographed it.