I really should have been a park ranger.
When I started to think of pics for this post, I immediately thought of the images I captured at Olympic National Park (ONP) in 2013. It truly is an amazing place. It doesn’t get much more “natural” than in a rain forest.
The hallmark of ONP is its diversity. It covers nearly a million acres and includes several very distinct ecosystems: wild coastline, temperate rain forest, and glacier-capped mountains.
Of the three, I think I enjoyed roaming among the rain forests best. It was just so green, and was teeming with life.
Even the slugs are interesting.
Annelies hit the nail on the head when she said she’d never seen so many different shades of green. And look at all of the different shapes textures.
The beaches were amazing, too. There are lots of tide pools.
I could wander a beach looking in tide pools all day.
That shot was taken from Hurricane Ridge. That’s a glacier below the peaks of that mountain.
it wasn’t as cold as you’d think.
I captured the butterfly shot at Hurricane Ridge, too.
I’m not sure if large, freshwater lakes are their own ecosystem, but there are several of those in the park, too. Not to mention rivers. That picture was taken from the shore of Crescent Lake.
The next day, we went back into the rain forest. The Hoh Rain Forest to be exact.
That’s a stream you’re looking at. The water was crystal-clear!
Doesn’t that look calm and peaceful?
One of many waterfalls in the park.
A lovely little spot, right?
We ended that day with a picnic on the beach.
Cities have their advantages, but nothing beats a natural setting when it comes to walking for relaxation.
Only one more day left in this year’s challenge. Take a look at how others did…