While on assignment, I rarely leave my camera behind in the car. You just don’t know when the action will happen or what the light will be like. On the very first day of travel, while filming, our crew was waiting for the ferry to come in (the right of passage for the San Juan Islands is waiting for the ferry). So, I went on a little nature walk with our sound professional, Doug. When we exited the creaking planks of the boardwalk leading us through a small forest, the light was getting really nice on the distant mountains. I wanted to capture the feel of the area more than just a shot of the snow-capped peaks, so I looked for other elements to include. I found these wooden pillars extending out of the ocean with a cormorant on top and a few other sea birds keeping it company. The combination of Mount Baker in the background, seabirds, and the sunset made the exact shot I was looking for. I can still hear the Pacific songs of the birds in my memory when I look at this image. Always an adventure. Copyright Derek Nielsen Photography.