The Winter Forest

I once frequented a particular river valley on the west side of the Cascade Mountains. Then I moved further north and mostly stopped coming here until some years later I was pulled to revisit this old friend. I immediately saw the beauty with new eyes and excitement and was overjoyed to be standing among gorgeous mossy trees dripping with lushness. My own temperate rainforest…

I walked in, inhaling the sweetness of decaying leaves, running my hands on the soft and wet moss seemingly covering all surfaces. I felt like a kid who just walked into a chocolate store for the first time. The rest of the world vanished as I became lost in creation’s magnificence. I paused on a small hill overlooking it all and just allowed myself to take it all in before focusing on my first composition. The drive to set up the camera was getting more intense, and so with much excitement, I entered deeper into the forest and walked among the trees and ferns on the soft leaf-covered ground. And all this time the sound of the river, just out of sight, gently filled the air as it washed over rounded boulders.

I took my time studying the scenes in front of me, examining the delicate mosses and lush ferns. All the moisture that winter rains bring, and occasional snow, allow for this forest to thrive and bring sustenance and shelter for its dwellers. As I walked ever deeper into this forest I found large padded down areas and piles of recent elk droppings. How exciting is that?! To know that it isn’t just small animals and birds that enjoy this place but also the powerful elk…and perhaps an occasional black bear passes through here as well.

And so this is a glimpse of a beautiful place, a winter forest that is filled with beauty and life. I will look very much forward to returning here in the spring to see what new secrets may be revealed….