Lessons Learned: Skagit Flats
January 27, 2007 marked my first visit northward, to Skagit Flats aka "The West 90", for a sunrise-to-sunset shooting session with fellow NWP members. For the last three years, I have lived just over an hour south of this location, yet I had not managed to get up there. This time, I got an early start, on account of my youngest daughter deciding that 3:49 AM was the right time to start her day. The drive along WA-520, I-405, I-5, and WA-20 passed by quickly. Leaving at 5:45 AM on a Saturday was the right decision. The 76 mile journey from my home in Redmond took about 1.5 hours. I arrived just in time for a 7:41 sunrise.
Skagit flats, "The West 90"... I had heard several names for the places in this area. By travelling with a group of photographers who were familiar with the turf, I learned about the various hot spots that make up this very large expanse of flat land. What one comes to realize is that you'll spend much of your day driving around the greater area, keeping an eye out on the well-known locations, and the roadways in between. During this particular trip, we had four or five vehicles in our group. By spreading out in smaller groups, we could keep tabs on the hot spots, while maintaining communication via cell phone or radio.
Lesson Learned: Go first with seasoned photographers who know the area.
The birds are EVERYWHERE. Honestly, they are hard to miss. Bald Eagles, hawks, falcons, harriers, ducks, geese, and owls were spotted throughout the day. January marks the end of hunting season for water fowl, so the ducks were a bit on edge. Hunters were plentiful, and nearby gunshot was common, but I never felt to be in danger. Snow geese numbered in the tens of thousands, forming a carpet of birds on the ground, and flocks above that rain down copious amount of "you know what"... keep your mouth closed while looking upwards.
Lesson Learned: So much to shoot, but take your time with the subject in front of your lens!
Equipment for this trip:
Canon EOS 20D
Canon 50mm f/1.4
Canon 24mm f/2.8
Canon 70-200mm f/4L
Sigma 500mm f/4.5
Equipment revised for next trip:
Canon EOS-1D Mark II N
Canon 70-200mm f/4L
Canon 300mm f/4L IS
Sigma 500mm f/4.5
Clothing for this trip:
Two Nike Dri-Fit t-shirts
One sweatshirt
One REI Windbreaker
Jeans
Sneakers & Hiking boots
Clothing revised for next trip:
Swap hiking boots for rubber wading boots & comfortable sneakers.
Lesson Learned: This place calls for longer focal lengths. Leave the extra weight of the wide-angles at home.
Lesson Learned: Bring rubber wading boots for swamp areas. Leave the crowds behind by going where they can't!
Food and drink can be found at local diners and gas stations. We found a particularly good little Teriyaki joint at a service station that had a decent little menu. I brought a litre of white tea and various high protein snacks, since we were moving around throughout the day. Nothing essential, including gas, is out of reach here. Locals are friendly, and accepting of photographers, with a few exceptions. Roads in the area have very little shoulder, so do your best not to obstruct traffic. Locals will let you know if you're in the way. Generally speaking, it's easy going if you are respectful of others.
I shot from sunrise until sunset, getting back on the road as darkness came. Traffic on I-5 can be a little hairy in the evening, but not horrible. The drive home took about two hours. Don't underestimate the drive home after hauling gear around all day. Pack a snack for the trip home; maybe some coffee from a local stop before heading out.
Overall Conclusion: Wow!
So much to see. So much to shoot. So little time. I'll be making that trip frequently.
Jamie, JFP
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