The Hoh

Some much welcome rain fell today in NW Washington, and with the thick clouds, a serene light developed.  This happens often in this part of the country.  I find it peaceful and serene.  This is on the shore of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, west of Port Angeles.

The vine maples are turning color already due to the warm, dry weather.  May and June were epically dry hereabouts.

This was one of the largest Sitka spruces in Olympic National Park until December 9, 2014.  Then a windstorm snapped off most of it.  

The Hoh Valley is not named after somebody's Mamma.  The Hoh Indian tribe lives in the vicinity.  138 inches of rain falls here each year...around 20 inches a month in winter, three in summer.  Moss, ferns, and clover abound, growing on almost every available surface.

The forest floor, growing on an old log.

The Hoh is an empire of biomass.

The Hoh river courses through the forest and the mist.

A massive Sitka spruce.  This tree grows almost as tall as the redwoods.  It's found along the immediate coast from far northern Callifornia into southern Alaska.

This spruce seems to have a thing for growing branches.  Not a good tree to stand under during a windstorm.

An abstract scene of moss and The Old Sloat's walking stick.  Found in Big Sur about 20 years ago, it has ranged from Key West to Prince Rupert.

Moss forms a growth base for ferns, clover, even small trees.

Another fine vine maple.

Fern empire on the forest floor.

Moss empire!

Is this some kind of creature?  

Moss even grows underwater here.  This stuff is in a stream in the Hoh rainforest.