Kayaks at Deception Pass

Canon 70D, Sigma Art 18-35mm f/1.8
ISO 160 | f/4 | 1/800 sec

A few weeks back I visited Deception Pass State Park. It's a beautiful park that spans the strait between Fidalgo Island and Whidbey island. This photo was taken from the bridge between the two islands, which stands 180 feet (55 meters) above the surface of the water. The current is extremely strong so I don't think I would be daring enough to take it on in a kayak like these people.

This was my first time visiting the area since I was in a car accident returning home from the park about a year and a half ago, which has left me with chronic back and neck pain. It was wild driving past the place it happened, but very much worth it to reconnect with this beautiful park. I went here with my dad and his lifelong friends while I was up visiting my hometown. I really miss that part of Washington, being totally surrounded with beautiful coastline as well as wilderness. Unfortunately there are hundreds of wildfires across the state at the moment and many of the best wilderness areas are inaccessible due to the dangerous conditions.

Of course we had to bring our faithful pup Jessie! She loves getting out to explore all of the new smells of the ocean. She wasn't quite sure what to make of the narrow pathway on the bridge though. She was a rescue dog and unfortunately had some traumatic experiences in her past. It makes her a bit jumpy when she's in close quarters with people and dogs she doesn't know. She behaved very well though, as she usually does :)