Photography
Related: About this forumTo Helen back...
My only previous visit to Mount St. Helens took place in late summer five years ago, and my reaction at the time was that the area surrounding the volcano was still oppressively dead. At the time, I found myself wishing I could return during the early-summer wildflower bloom, in the hopes that their color would transform the landscape. Hearing that the bloom was taking place early this year, I made the journey there on the solstice, a blue-sky day in which there was only significant cloudiness over one small part of the Pacific Northwest. Anyone care to guess which place that was?
For awhile, I thought I might have to outfit my camera with a "My photographer went to Mount St. Helens, and all I got was this lousy photograph of an Indian Paintbrush" shirt.
But, as I waited (and debated with myself whether, if I left now, I'd be able to make it to the coast before sunset), the cloud cover began to transform itself -- first, into a display I could only describe as "Cloud Eruption."
Gradually, the clouds began to dissipate...
...and, soon enough, were gone altogether...
...giving me some great photo opportunities along the Boundary Trail.
On my way out of the park as evening fell, I stopped at Loowit Viewpoint for a closeup of Paintbrush "under the volcano."
I understand that, while the past winter's weather meant the wildflowers are early this year, it also means they aren't as plentiful as in years of a spectacular bloom such as 2012. Needless to say, if that's the case, I'm looking forward to returning in future years!
CaliforniaPeggy
(149,181 posts)And of course, these are wonderful.
I'm so glad you stuck it out while Mother Nature got her show ready for you...
Johnny Noshoes
(1,977 posts)These are amazing. I love the cragginess of the mountain. The colors are wonderful.
ohheckyeah
(9,314 posts)The clouds turned into an asset.
ljm2002
(10,751 posts)My favorite is #4, as the clouds started to break. Just spectacular!!
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)And you certainly did end up with a gorgeous day! Talk about Wide Open Spaces!