Winter in the PNW
p.1 #1Winter in the PNW
I recently moved to the Pacific Northwest and finally feel like I’m getting my footing with a camera in a totally new landscape. This season has been a fun mix of exploration, learning new light, and chasing weather systems instead of fighting them, and I wanted to share a few images that stood out to me along the way. These were taken on short hikes, refuge walks, and quick evening outings as I got to know the area.
Mount Hood at Sunrise
Bald Eagles with Meal
Frozen Morning
Short Eared Owl in Flight
American Kestral
PNW Sunset
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Mount Hood at Sunrise
OM-1MarkII OLYMPUS M.60mm F2.8 Macro lens 60mm f/8.0 1/500s 1000 ISO +1.0 EV
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Bald Eagles with Meal
Canon EOS R10 RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM lens 400mm f/8.0 1/640s 6400 ISO 0.0 EV
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 © Brian Kersey 2026 |
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Frozen Morning
OM-1MarkII OLYMPUS M.100-400mm F5.0-6.3 lens 400mm f/8.0 1/800s 8000 ISO +0.7 EV
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 © Brian Kersey 2026 |
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Short Eared Owl in Flight
Canon EOS R10 RF800mm F11 IS STM lens 800mm f/11.0 1/2000s 10000 ISO 0.0 EV
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American Kestral
OM-1MarkII OLYMPUS M.100-400mm F5.0-6.3 lens 400mm f/7.1 1/2500s 3200 ISO 0.0 EV
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 © Brian Kersey 2026 |
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PNW Sunset
Canon EOS R10 RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM lens 135mm f/6.3 1/60s 320 ISO -1.0 EV
Jan 24, 2026 at 12:53 PM
p.1 #6Winter in the PNW
those are the type of pictures that keep you going back out and taking more. i really like #3. thanks for sharing, brian.
Jan 24, 2026 at 03:41 PM
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p.1 #7Winter in the PNW
Beautiful images Brian, I live in Tacoma, moving to Idaho Falls, Idaho next week after 50 years living here. Here are a few hints for you from my experience living and photographing here.
1. Go to Cape Disappointment for huge waves . It is in Ilwaco waves can rise 200 feet when they crash into to rock wall. Look for days after winter storms with big winds. Parking is at a place called Wikiki Beach.
2. Skagit Valley Exit 221 on I-5. Now until March is the time to go. Start at Conway and work you way to an area called Edison/Bow and ask where the east 90 where you will find eagles, short eared owls snow geese and swans. Morning and evening times are best.
3. May through June you will find many eagles feeding on spawning fish caught on oyster beds during low tide. Go past Bremerton to Newberry hill exit an to big beef creek and you will see the cars parked along the road . You will not be disappointed.
4. May through June for Mountain and Western bluebirds near Ellensburg Exit 110 or 111 Canyon RD. Go through town to McDonalds and turn left onto Umtanum RD and follow it up the hill about 4 miles and the nests will start going on for about five miles.
5. San Juan Island in late March - June you will find foxes during denning season.
Washington state has been a wonderful place for my nature photography and hope these might give you some idea of some of the best it has to offer.
I am moving next week but if you would like more information, you can always PM me and will be happy to give you more detailed info. I can also hook you up with some of my photography partners to guide you. Bruce
1. Go to Cape Disappointment for huge waves . It is in Ilwaco waves can rise 200 feet when they crash into to rock wall. Look for days after winter storms with big winds. Parking is at a place called Wikiki Beach.
2. Skagit Valley Exit 221 on I-5. Now until March is the time to go. Start at Conway and work you way to an area called Edison/Bow and ask where the east 90 where you will find eagles, short eared owls snow geese and swans. Morning and evening times are best.
3. May through June you will find many eagles feeding on spawning fish caught on oyster beds during low tide. Go past Bremerton to Newberry hill exit an to big beef creek and you will see the cars parked along the road . You will not be disappointed.
4. May through June for Mountain and Western bluebirds near Ellensburg Exit 110 or 111 Canyon RD. Go through town to McDonalds and turn left onto Umtanum RD and follow it up the hill about 4 miles and the nests will start going on for about five miles.
5. San Juan Island in late March - June you will find foxes during denning season.
Washington state has been a wonderful place for my nature photography and hope these might give you some idea of some of the best it has to offer.
I am moving next week but if you would like more information, you can always PM me and will be happy to give you more detailed info. I can also hook you up with some of my photography partners to guide you. Bruce
Jan 24, 2026 at 10:47 PM
p.1 #8Winter in the PNW
Ted ellis wrote:
A beautiful series Brian.
I think you and Ted both nailed it.
John
A beautiful series Brian.
I think you and Ted both nailed it.
John
Jan 25, 2026 at 02:14 AM
p.1 #9Winter in the PNW
Nice work, I esp. like "frozen morning" with the beavers holding hands. Welcome to the PNW!
Jan 25, 2026 at 09:38 AM
p.1 #11Winter in the PNW
Thanks everyone for the kind words, much appreciated. I’m glad the images connected. They may look like beavers in #3, but they’re actually nutria. It’s been fun getting out to shoot and explore the area, and it’s great to be posting here again.
Jan 25, 2026 at 07:25 PM
p.1 #12Winter in the PNW
Hey Brian, here is an example of what you get at Cape Disappointment. Good luck, Bruce
Jan 25, 2026 at 10:21 PM