The Spit Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

The first settlers couldn't possibly have envisioned the lively colorful scene that the end of the Homer Spit has become. Back then, shortly before the turn of the century, the 4.5 mile long finger was a grassy, flower-carpeted stretch with a grove of spruce, considerably higher, wider and drier than it is now. The massive 1964 earthquake reduced the Spit to 508 acres, about 350 of which are submerged at mean high tide.

Larry labeled the Homer Spit, ‘Quartzite-by-the-Sea.’ Barren, dusty rocks covered with a sea of RVs and a multitude of shops lining the street. However the Glacier-capped Aleutian Range across the Cook Inlet belied that opinion. While Pat picked up a free wireless connection at the Salty Dog Saloon, Larry chatted with the waitress, a girl from El Centro, who’d spent nine years in New Zealand and then the past year in Homer.

We pulled into the municipal Campground to see “The Fishing Hole” in the spit. The “Hole” was excavated leaving a short tidal river-like entrance and now hatchery salmon are released, from floating pens in the fishing hole so they return here to spawn after going to sea for a year or two and growing large. Everyone then comes down and fishes. It is obviously a big attraction and brings in a lot of business to the area.

I'll post additional views of the spit in the WS.

rafelito, ahmetgedikli, pablominto, cherryripe, weswang, singuanti, dziki_rysio_997, xuaxo, Henryk_Bilor, gunbud has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

rafelito (3645) 2006-05-10 2:17

Pat
This shot look like panoramic vew...great POV and perspective, the blue color is nice.Many regards,Rafa

pablominto (40488) 2006-05-10 3:23

Hi Patricia,
With an exception for the earthquake this could be Norway too, you know!
Very well composed, and the colours are so vivid, I will think the latter is also due to the northern location...
Superb flyffy clouds, and I like the way you position the red roof!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Soon back with greenie! OK-

ahmetgedikli (21823) 2006-05-10 3:50

Hi Patricia,
Wonderful panoramic picture. Perfect natural colours, contrast and good point of view.
Congratulations.
Ahmet

cherryripe (18931) 2006-05-10 5:34

Hi Patricia
Very pretty scenery. I like the sense of depth and height from where you've taken it. The clouds animate the sky and I like the little red roof which adds a touch of colour.
Regards Nikki

pastadog (12821) 2006-05-10 11:47

Hi Patricia - a very pretty shot in two distinct halves, the top in light blue and white (water, mountains, sky) and the bottom in deep green; they combine wonderfully. And that red roof is so special - someone lives there! Thanks and regards, Daniel

weswang (18223) 2006-05-10 14:43

Hi Pat, I enjoy this open view scenery from the top. You have well captured the clear air, beautiful landscape in the unspoiled Alaska. Good to include the foreground plants to show the depth. Well done.

singuanti (15240) 2006-05-10 23:19

Hi Patricia. You know sometimes a horizon that's close to center works out ok and I think this is one of those times. Judging from the brightness of the sky it looks like a good thing you had the grad ND filter. I also like the amount of contrast you have. Beautiful shot!

dziki_rysio_997 (425) 2006-05-12 5:42

Hello,
What a beautiful place and how nicely presented! I like everything from colour tonation to perspective. I also find it interesting for another reason: when I concentrate on water and mountain range it appears peaceful but when I rise my sight to the sky with clouds it's quite dynamic! Well done.
Regards,
Damian

kebek (5434) 2006-05-12 10:10

Serwus Pat !
Delightful wide and distant view. The ridge looks amazing from such a perspective. Skilfully framed, in fresh and pleasent colours. Clear and sharp. Wonderful.
M.

Angshu (33585) 2006-05-13 3:28

Fascinating indeed Pat..both your photo & the note. Excellent colours & good that you had the ND Grad filter. Great panoraminc shot
Regards
Angshu

anesugur (16818) 2006-05-13 15:46

Hi Patricia,
Good sharpness, good light, original composition and very beautiful colors.
Thanks for sharing. Uğur

xuaxo (5703) 2006-05-13 18:54

Nice greens, whites, blues. What to say more? Another of your great Alaska pictures.

feather (49858) 2006-06-05 6:58

I had to go back a way to find one I hadn't seen before. This is a very interesting place and looks as if it could be a precarious existence living there. An excellent wide angle view with the distant mountains and the lovely sky. The other view in the WS is good for showing how easily you could get cut off by the tide. I laughed at the other WS, how someone has turned a motor home into a more permenant residence. Very good presentation
Kath

Henryk_Bilor (20365) 2006-08-08 15:21

Oh, what a view! I love it. Great perspective, amazing mountains. I missed that image, but luck I found it when you show portraits ;).
Kisses

gunbud (27787) 2007-01-19 18:13

Hi Pat,
Beautiful blue sky that works so well with the stunning green valley. I was watching the National Geographic Channel just yesterday and they said that was one of the worst earthquakes ever and it was a good thing it happened in a low population area. Anyway this photo is stunning.
Regards, Tom

capthaddock (28640) 2007-03-01 15:59

Superlative view Pat, I drive up there everytime I go to Homer (3 times so far), usually I end up with too much blank sky, the high clouds cure that problem in this case. Maybe I will add one of mine to workshop later.