When Bears Hide, Sunsets Shine: An Evening Adventure Above Port Angeles
This evening after work, I loaded up my camera gear and headed up toward Hurricane Ridge with high hopes. Word had been spreading around town about a mother black bear and her cubs making regular appearances in the area. Like many local photographers, I was eager to catch a glimpse of this wildlife family. My plan was simple and safe: stay in the car, keep a respectful distance, and let the telephoto lens do the work.
As I wound my way up the familiar mountain roads, anticipation built with each switchback. The recent bear sightings had created quite a buzz in our photography community, and I imagined the gentle moments I might witness between the mother and her cubs foraging in the alpine meadows.
But sometimes, nature has different plans.
Despite driving slowly and scanning the treelines and meadows, the bears remained elusive. Perhaps they were deeper in the forest, or maybe they had moved on to quieter territory away from the growing number of visitors hoping for a sighting. While disappointing, the experience reminded me of something important about wildlife photography: the animals don’t show up on our schedule.
The evening wasn’t without its rewards, though. I encountered several deer grazing peacefully in the fading light, their ears alert but calm as they went about their evening routine. A family of marmots also made an appearance, darting between hillside rocks and putting on quite a show with their playful energy.
As I began my descent from Hurricane Ridge, I chose the scenic route home. Instead of retracing my path, I turned left at Lake Dawn and followed the winding river road toward Black Diamond, eventually looping back into Port Angeles from the west side. Some of the best discoveries happen when we take the long way.
The sun had begun its descent behind the Olympic Mountains, painting the sky in rich golds and soft amber. The layered silhouettes of the ridgelines and the evergreens created a scene too beautiful to pass by. I pulled over, grabbed my tripod, and set up quickly. Golden hour light doesn’t wait.
The sky was clear, and each ridge stood out with perfect definition, creating that layered depth that makes the Olympic Peninsula such a dream to photograph. The evergreens in the foreground formed a natural frame, their dark shapes contrasting beautifully with the soft, glowing sky.
This was one of those moments that reminded me why I love living here in Port Angeles. We’re surrounded by wild beauty that offers something new each time we head outside. Today, it wasn’t the bears I hoped to see, but instead a quiet sunset that captured the true essence of this place.
Sometimes the photographs we don’t expect end up meaning the most. I’ll keep trying for those bear photos, always with care and respect, but I’m thankful for the unexpected gift this evening gave me.
The Olympic Mountains have a way of surprising us. All we have to do is stay open to what they offer, rather than focusing only on what we set out to find. Tonight was the perfect reminder of that.
