Einreb92 Loc: Philadelphia

We are going out west in August. We are flying into Portland for two days, then going to a wedding in McMinville, Or., and will travel up to take the ferry from Anacortes to Orcas, where we will be staying for three days. True to my birding interest, we are booking a half day birding tour on Orcas and the rest is open. We then are going to spend two days in Seattle. I am asking for "must see" sites on the islands, or in any of the other locations, especially when it comes to taking photos. Thanks in advance!

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Ferries, whales, float planes, docks, sunsets, fishing boats, yachts, sailboats, sunrises, rippling waves and, potentially, rain drops.

In Seattle get to the South Lake Union area and do some street shooting of all the weird dressed executives walking their dogs to work in the high tech high rises. Don't get the $100,000 people confused with the homeless.

DanielB Loc: San Diego, Ca

My uncle lived on San Juan Island which is a nice island to visit and a great place to watch the Orca's swimming through the strait of San Juan. The fairy system will get you to just about any island you would want to visit up there. You really cant go wrong. If you have the time I would highly suggest the Olympic Peninsula and Olympic National Park it's absolutely beautiful and a must see. The wharf & downtown area of Seattle is allot of fun also. Have fun - wish I was going.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Laughing here, but those that work for Washington State Ferries might not all want them to be called fairies!

Stardust Loc: Central Illinois

Seattle: Pike Place Market area and Space Needle Observation deck near sunset. Take your rubber lens hood to hold against glass. May get view of My Rainier. Nice restaurant too but obviously a little expensive.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

Better might actually be going to Mt Rainier NP!

IDguy Loc: Idaho

Hang out at some boat harbors. You might see some enterprising otters and seals...especially if there is a fish kiosk on the dock.

The locks near Seattle can also have Sea Lions (eating Salmon).

Keep your long lens handy on the ferry: Orca likely.

sunsandwater

If you have a chance go up to Neah Bay. We went on a fishing trip there and saw whales, sea lions, puffin, etc. It's an amazing area.

Blaster34 Loc: Florida Treasure Coast

The Washington Ferry System is great and can get you anywhere you want to go, just need the time (schedules are on line). If you can and it might be too late, reserve a night on San Juan Island & Friday's Harbor, you'll absolutely love it. If nothing else take the ferry from Anacortes and then the Island Hop on/off bus and enjoy the short stay. Other charming islands are Orcas and Lopez. Just make sure you can make your ferry connections to return. Another charming town is Anacortes and there are plenty of whale watching trips available. As for Seattle (visited this past May), sorry, the entire center of town was torn up to make a new bike path and traffic/parking was horrendous, not to mention the increasing number of Homeless. Might consider taking a ferry to the peninsula and visiting Olympus NP and then over to the Hoh rain forest, both great sights.....ENJOY

saparoo Loc: Atlanta, GA

There is a man on San Juan Island that "feeds the Bald Eagles" everyday at 4pm. I don't remember the spot, but just about any local can tell you where. He has been doing this for over 4 years...unbelievable number of Eagles are circling waiting for him to arrive. These were shot with my Canon 60D and 18-135 lens and cropped a lot!! I didn't have my shutter speed fast enough to catch clear pictures of the Eagles picking up the food, they were so fast you could hardly see what happened with your eyes!!! Neat experience....

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lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

My thumb is bluish green, the color of grease. So when I tell you Butchart Gardens is a beautiful, must see place, believe it. I seriously want my wife to have the experience. The only problem is now you probably have to have a passport.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

My thumb is bluish green, the color of grease. So when I tell you Butchart Gardens is a beautiful, must see place, believe it. I seriously want my wife to have the experience. The only problem is now you probably have to have a passport.

Wanderer2 Loc: Colorado Rocky Mountains

On Orcas drive to the top of Mt. Constitution, the highest point in the San Juans with a fabulous 360 degree view. The paved road goes within a few feet of the top. On San Juan Island Lime Kiln Lighthouse on the west side of the island at sunset is one of my most favored photo sites. There are numerous sites on San Juan where Mt. Baker in the distance over the water can be photographed. A couple of these are in the village of Friday Harbor but I'm sorry I can't recall the street addresses - you might ask around. Getting a ferry leaving or arriving at Friday Harbor with Mt. Baker in the back ground is a very pleasing image. There can be some nice sites on the southern most end of San Juan also, looking across the strait to Canada, at a historical site called American Camp. Roche Harbor has a nice protected anchorage with a marina that's a nice place to visit.

Sorry don't know Orcas as well as I do San Juan Island (I spent a summer there two years ago). I would suggest getting good maps and thoroughly driving both islands. There are many little secluded bays worth shooting if you can find them. However, most land is privately owned and there isn't a lot of public access in some parts of the islands. Avoid trespassing of course - I accidentally did that once and had a most unpleasant encounter with the landowner!

Regarding the ferry's, it isn't correct that they service all of the islands worth visiting - they only service Lopez, Shaw, Orcas, and San Juan (there are well over 100 islands in the archipelago), in order of the outbound trip from Anacortes. Be sure to get a ferry schedule in advance. A few years back I did a week long sail boat tour of the islands - magical!

The San Juan Islands are one of my favorite places in this world. Its unfortunate you don't have more time but you are in for a real treat. Btw, it rains much less there, and is sunnier, than in most of mainland western Washington.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

Venture on over to Victoria BC if you have the time. Bucharest Gardens, their museum, the Empress Hotel, much much more.

Bill Newbe

If you like Alpine spring flowers you might want to think about going to Paradise on Mt Rainer. Spring is in July at that altitude!!