Our summer trip took us to the spectacular Wallowa Mountains of Eastern Oregon. It’s hard to describe the scale of the mountain range which rises directly out of Wallowa Lake, leaving a small plateau just large enough for the state campground and a seasonal village.
Lakeside Road - As the sun settles the shadows reveal trees hugging the shoreline road. Wallowa Lake, OR.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF18-55mm @55mm, f/11, 1/250s, ISO 200 ]
Early one morning I layered the cold gear and took the Fuji XE-1 out on the Hobie to watch the sunrise play across the mountains in spectacular fashion.
Twilight Stream - The mountains cast shadows across the tight valley and peaks on the opposite side as the sun comes up.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @56.3mm, f/11, 1/125s, ISO 800 ]
I found myself watching bald eagles fish around me, bringing their catch up to their young. A curious duckling swam out to me, his parent swimming out to re-fetch him multiple times. It seemed that just as the campers began to stroll along the shore after breakfast the animals were already finishing up their own chores and heading back for rest.
Weathered Trees - A bald eagle couple had their nest atop one of these weathered trees.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @56.3mm, f/11, 1/500s, ISO 800 ]
Hammock Hangout - The wildlife are very comfortable with campers at Wallowa State Park with deer wandering through the sites, birds resting close by on tables and hammocks, while squirrels and chipmunks alternate their scouting missions.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF50-140mm @140mm, f/2.8, 1/250s, ISO 800 ]
Over the remainder of the summer we camped and sailed on the Columbia, Lake Merwin, and a few points along the Willamette including Portland’s waterfront.
Red Eyes - I-205 crossing over the Columbia River, the Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge. Ladders lead to red beacons on every pedestal.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF18-55mm @55mm, f/4, 1/2000s, ISO 200 ]
Concrete Giants - I-205 crossing over the Columbia River, the Glenn L. Jackson Memorial Bridge.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF18-55mm @55mm, f/4, 1/2000s, ISO 200 ]
A fascinating Civil War reenactment at the Powerland Heritage Park in Brooks, Oregon provided good photo fodder.
Ready - Cannon crew at the ready.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF60mm , f/2.4, 1/4000s, ISO 200 ]
Black Powder - Cannon crew load for another shot as the captain of the company looks on.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF60mm , f/2.4, 1/2000s, ISO 200 ]
Final Stand - The cannon are quiet, position are overrun, those remaining take a final stand.
[ Fujifilm X-E1, XF18-55mm @55mm , f/4, 1/2000s, ISO 200 ]
I did happen to drown my iPhone SE in the Wallowas. It barely limped along for the rest of the summer, but with Apple’s iPhone announcement it became clear the first camera purchase in over five years was going to be an upgrade to an iPhone 11 Pro. It’s a bit incredible, having skipped directly over four generations of iPhones - my thoughts on Apple’s latest camera-in-my-pocket will be the next post!
Our Hobie Tandem Island in a cove on Lake Merwin
[ iPhone SE Pano ]