Sunset Photography Hike

When the sun begins to edge closer to its evening resting place, a picture perfect scene develops over the Pacific Ocean. A great opportunity to shoot those graphic images is offered this Saturday evening at the Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the coast.

The refuge is north of Neskowin along Highway 101.

“It smack in between Pacific City and Neskowin,” said Dawn Grafe, visitor services manager at the refuge, which is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

She said the Sunset Photography Hike in a deal for hikers and photographers of all ages and levels of photography skills. People can bring their own cameras but if they don’t have them, it isn’t a problem. “We will have cameras. They will just be point and shoot though,” Grafe said.

Point and shoot is not a problem, she added, because the class is led by Karen White, a skilled photographer of landscapes and macro images.

“White points out angles and images you haven’t thought about taking before,” Grafe said. After the sun sets, the evening isn’t over. Hikers can listen to the birds and wildlife as they hunker down for the evening in the refuge.

Grafe said the hike is for all ages and abilities. Hikers meet at 6:30 in the lower parking lot of the refuge. Registration is not required. If people feel they may not be up for the entire hike, they can work with the instructor and arrange to drive to the upper parking lot, and walk them to meet the group at an accessible point.

The hike has no official ending time. “(White) will stay until people want to go. When it’s darker, the wind is calmer and the lighting is good,” Grafe added.