Photographing the Green Flash: Ecola State Park

We're gonna go big game hunting and I'm an excellent shot...with a camera. Our quarry is one of the most elusive and coveted meteorological optical phenomena on the planet: the green flash.

I stalked this fascinating experience unsuccessfully for decades but once I figured out the trick to finding it, I see it. Every. Single. Time. Once, I witnessed a dozen flashes in one sunset! There is even a mystical cornflower blue and lavender purple shade available, but you have to be good.

Conditions must be just right and it looks like we're gonna have them for another week: clear, calm, and cold. The ocean should ideally be so still, it looks laser cut into the horizon, and we're gonna have that, too. The sun will set next Tuesday at 5:14 PM at 244 degrees azimuth, which makes Ecola State Park's Viewpoint the ideal spot to set up the tripods.

We'll meet in the Indian Beach parking lot and head down the stairs to the sand for about 1 mile and 1.5 hours of tidepooling, beachcombing, and macrophotography in the sharp afternoon light as the tide recedes. Restroom on site. Park fee $5.

Then, we'll drive the lovely forested road back to Ecola Point Viewpoint, change out our lenses for telephoto, and settle in for the evening show. I'll give you a rundown on how the flash occurs, when and how to view it safely with the naked eye, and how to position for the best shots. Dress extra warm for this one because when the sun dips, the mercury goes with it. Restrooms on site.

PHOTOGRAPHERS: Bring the good tripod, you'll be setting up on uneven gravel. Be prepared to shoot RAW in burst mode at a high shutter speed. The flash happens in a fraction of a second and you'll only get a green smear, otherwise. Shooting video works, just make sure you have a spectacular zoom and a smooth swivel tripod because the sun will move from left to right as it sets. The best view of all is through a good pair of binoculars or a spotting scope, I'll bring mine. Sorry, smartphone users, you're not going to capture this one, stick to the binocs.

You can linger for the rest of the sunset or to do a little star gazing, the park gates don't close until 10 PM. Cannon Beach is just a few minutes away and Tom's Fish and Chips comes highly recommended, open until 8 PM.

Bring $5 cash, debit/credit card to pay $5 state park fee, headlamp, sturdy hiking boots, weather appropriate clothing, trekking poles/walking stick, water, snacks, binoculars, and camera equipment. All locations are fully exposed to sun and wind. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.

DRIVING CAUTION: At mile marker 13 on Highway 26 there is a jarring bump from a sunken grade, slow down to 25 mph or lower if you don't want axle damage.