Washington Nature Photography


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Washington Nature Photography Book
Where, When and How 
Research Phase

I am in the 3-year research phase of my new book.  This is when I search out lots of potential photo locations from friends, acquaintances, internet sites, and other publications. 

I visit each of these locations at least once to see if they really are good photo locations.  If so, I take photographs and spend time exploring the location. I check mileages, where the best viewpoints are, what time of day you can get the best images, other tips to make your photography more successful, and other site logistics. I also do further research on the internet to find interesting facts and tips about the photo location, including what season is best. 
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Help

I welcome any input you may have as to good locations to photograph any of the subjects listed below: birds, mammals, wildflowers, fall color, or scenics.

You can email me at: sunny@sunnywalter.com
with suggestions for good nature photo locations.

I would also enjoy company on some of my photo research trips if you have some time to spare.  I travel with a small A-frame tent trailer behind my Subaru. I usually leave the trailer in one place for a few days and explore from there. 

If you want to visit me in the field, 
go to my tentative Spring/Summer 
Travel Schedule.

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Potential Book Content
  • A series of nature photography books may be required to cover all the wonderful nature photo locations in Washington State; potential major subject areas include:
    • FLORA

      • Spring Green
      Wildflowers 
      Trees and Forests
      Fall Foliage 
    • SCENICS

      • Desert, Shrub Steppe, and Dunes
      Mountain, Glaciers, and Alpine Lakes
      Seascapes and Tidepools
      Waterfalls, Rivers, and Wetlands
    • BIRDS

      • Birds of the Spring and Fall Migrations
      Courting and Nesting Birds
      • Bluebirds, Sandhill Cranes, Osprey, etc.
      • Winter Visitors to WA
    • MAMMALS

      • Deer Family
      Little Critters
      Marine Mammals
      Predators
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Recent Contributors
  • Ken Knittle, Washington Birder Newsletter, met with Gary Luhm and me for 10 hours in December to map out good bird photography locations. 

    • Email: washingtonbirder@hotmail.com
  • Gary Luhm has contributed valuable marine bird locations.
  • Tim Alling sent me news on 1/8/02 of the 1st annual Grand Coulee "Balde" Eagle Festival. 
  • There are many contributors to my first book "Washington Nature Weekends" that I'm sure will also be mentioned here eventually.
I should add that I will give credit in the book to anyone that shows me a new nature photo location.  It's more fun to share than pretend I know everything.

 
Book Publishing for Profit (ho, ho,ho!)
If you are thinking about taking my brief outline above and doing a similar book, you probably should:
  • be retired with lots of time to do internet research and to travel to every location at least once
    • (that includes all the locations that don't make it into the book), 
  • have a second income to support all your travel and film expenses, 
    • (and be willing to camp so you don't incur more expenses than you can ever pay back), and
  • be prepared to accept meager royalties so that will take several years to break even.
I do this out of love, not for profit (although I do love the recognition from being a published author and photographer).  As with my first book, Washington Nature Weekends, I feel that if I can help people get out in nature and have wonderful experiences, they will come to love birds, animals and the environment.  It is just a short step then to want to protect our precious wildlife and their habitat.  And, together, we can work miracles.  MIssion accomplished!
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Alternate Contents:
Where and When to See Nature in Washington State
(With special tips on good photo opportunities) 
1st Book in Series

BIRDS

  • Bald Eagles - Winter Feeding, Mating and Nesting
  • Bluebirds - Migration, Spring and Summer Nesting, Staging
  • Burrowing Owls - Migration, Courtship, Babies
  • Curlews - Spring Courtship (including N. Oregon)
  • Loons and Grebes - Courtship, Babies
  • Osprey - Nesting and Hunting
  • Owls - Nesting
  • Pelicans (White and Brown)  - Migration, Summer Dispersal, Fall Staging (no nesting that we know of)
  • Raptors - Migration, Winter
  • Sandhill Cranes - Migration, Courtship, and Nesting (rare) - Central and West (including Reifel Island)
  • Tundra Swans - Migration
  • Yellow-headed and Red-winged Blackbirds - Courtship Displays, Nesting, Staging, Winter

    Each of these chapters will have sections on:
    • Natural history
    • Where and when these birds are found in Washington State
    • Best places and times to see them
      • Person who suggested that place
      • Other nature attrractions in the area (for some of the places)
    • Special photo opportunities and tips 


FLORA

  • Shrub Steppe Wildflowers

    • March
    • Umptanum Ridge (Selah)
    • Columbia Gorge (eastern)
    April
    • Red Mountain (Tri Cities)

    May
    • Umptanum Canyon (Ellensburg)
    • Hayward Hill (Ellensburg)
    • Quilomene WA (Ellensburg) ???
    • Colockum WA (Wenatchee) ???

    • Beezley Hills (Quincy)
    June

AMPHIBIANS AND REPTILES (Eastern WA)
  • Crab Creek
  • Gingko Petrified Forest SP
  • Rock Canyon
H

MAMMALS

  • Deer (Winter, Summer Fawns, Fall Courting)
    • Mule
    • White-tailed
  • Elk (Rocky Mountain)
  • Moose
  • Marmots
  • Ground Squirrels
FALL FOLIAGE
  • Larches
  • Deciduous Trees
  • Vines
  • Huckleberries and Other Bushes
MUSHROOMS
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URL: http://www.sunnywalter.com/WNPhoto.html
Links checked and updated on:  April 29, 2002
Photos are copyright © 2000, 2001 Sunny Walter  (unless otherwise noted) 
For more information, contact sunny@sunnywalter.com