LONG BEACH PENINSULA, Wash. - With the summer crowds gone, now is the best time of year to take a tour of the Long Beach Peninsula with a camera in hand.

Whether you're a highly experienced photographer or an amateur (like me), you'll find plenty of photo opportunities. 

Listed here are some of the best spots to get fantastic photos, along with some of the images I was able to capture while touring the Long Beach Peninsula this week.  For more images, view the photo gallery under 'related content.'

Leadbetter Point

You'll want to take your time along the hiking trails.  Look carefully and you'll find some great close-up shots.  Note: The signs warn that from October through May there is deep flooding along most of the trails.  However, one loop does stay open during that time.

And the trails lead to the sandy beaches of Willapa Bay and the Pacific Ocean where you can sit back on a log, enjoy the view and do a little bird watching.

• Click here to learn more about Leadbetter Point.

Loomis Lake

You can get some really gorgeous lake shots here and if you're lucky, you might catch a dragonfly in action.

• Click here to learn more about Loomis Lake.

Black Lake

Black Lake is located right next to Highway 103 in Ilwaco.  Just look for the sign - you can't miss it.  It's a small, scenic lake with a fishing dock.

• Click here to learn more about Black Lake.

Port of Ilwaco

This is a great spot to capture pictures of sea-faring boats.  Hundreds of them are moored there.

• Click here to learn more about the Port of Ilwaco.

Fort Columbia State Park

This is one of the few intact coastal defense sites in the U.S. and one of the cooler places to visit on the peninsula.

• Click here to learn more about Fort Columbia State Park.

Lighthouses

Lighthouses always make for good pictures and there are two of them on the Long Beach Peninsula.

• Click here to learn more about the North Head Lighthouse.
• Click here to learn more about the Cape Disappointment Lighthouse.

The Beaches

There are several beach access points along the Long Beach Peninsula for those coastal shots.  And it's easy access - beach driving is allowed on the peninsula in most areas.

• Click here for a map showing where (and when) you can drive on the beaches.