Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Botanical Beach




In spring, the temperate rain forest abounds in water. Paths are often muddy and water pools in boot prints. Everywhere is the sound of running water, trickling, rushing, dripping.

During the mile hike to the beach (if you take the loop trail), the sound changes dramatically. Fresh water sounds are subsumed in the pounding of the surf as it crashes against the rocks. Anticipation builds as the booming crashes become louder.



Emerging from the forest onto the beach is like walking from twilight into full sun, especially on a day like today. This beach is strewn with rocks and tidal pools both deep and shallow. In the far distance sits Cape Flattery, the northwestern most point of the contiguous United States.



On this blue sky, marshmallow cloud day the colours are intense. Green waves of sea plants are harmoniously juxtaposed with frothy seas. 



Wave after wave forms in the blue, piles up energy, then smashes against the rocks, disintegrating into a million pieces of nothing.



My gaze swivels between the larger landscape of wave-struck rocks and the abundance of life in the tidal pools. A Glove Sponge clutches tightly to a rock, but even that weighty grip has not prevented it from being tossed like a pebble into a shallow pool.




The ceaseless waves rise and fall in unending rhythm. I think of ee cummings' words - "i thank You, God for this most amazing day: for the leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes"



A lone Blood Star sprawls in a shallow pool partially obscured by the fine bars created by waving eel grass shadows.



I try to capture the curl of the wave as it falls over upon itself before collapsing in a sea of foam on a less rocky part of the beach.

Finally, as the shadows barely begin to lengthen, we turn our backs on the sea and climb once again through the forest. How quickly the sound is deadened. 



I've uploaded a 20 second video that will give an idea of the sound. We'll see if it actually works!

Linking to Thoughts of Home on Thursday, hosted by Laura of Decor to Adore. 

22 comments:

  1. The video did work and I find the sound of the sea soothing. I actually live a short walk away from the sea too and whilst it is windy most of the time, I do love it.

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  2. Anonymous4:09 AM

    Lovely shots. We had a beautiful day last week and went to the beach ourselves. There is something about the water that refreshes the soul. :-)

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  3. I would love to live near the ocean so those beautiful sounds would lull me to sleep at night! It sounds like you have wonderful places to walk. Good for the body and good for the soul.

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  4. The video works!!! :) I LOVE the image that is 3rd down. The blues and greens are stunning. You should share this wonderful post at Thoughts of Home on Thursday. Have a very Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  5. I think that's the best thing, walking out of a dense forest and into the bright clear sunshine and ocean waves! You've written all of this beautifully, and I love the images you have portrayed both in words and in photos. The clip is a special treat and it worked! Thank you for sharing a piece of your heaven today ;)
    Wendy

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  6. What lovely photographs. Any one of them would look lovely printed and framed.

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  7. You took me on your walk with you!! Your pictures and descriptions of sights and sounds (without the video) are wonderful!! Have a great day...we have some light snow flurries here today. Will take it though, we really need the moisture!!

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  8. Beautiful photos and descriptions of the view. I enjoyed the video as I love to hear the waves crashing on the shore. Have a lovely day!

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  9. The video works but your descriptive writing had me hearing it anyway ....what a lovely part of the world ! :)

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  10. It worked! Oh gosh, the power. The power of the ocean. You get to see and feel it when you want, what a gift! And, we get to share through your blog, a gift to me!

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  11. What a beautiful place!!! Your photos are stunning!!! So glad you took us along, thank you. xx

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  12. Lorrie, I've seen many beautiful pictures today for Thoughts of Home on Thursday but none can compare with your photos of the ocean. Love the video too. Thank you so much for sharing with us today. :)

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  13. Wow Lorrie, these photos are AMAZING!!! I like them all -- really love the fourth one from the top. I've never seen a blood star before; I never knew there was such a creature. Thanks for sharing this with us.

    I can tell that you and your husband really have some wonderful places to walk in your area. Your landscape seems much more dramatic than ours here (although I do love North Carolina). :)

    I enjoyed your post -- hope you have a great weekend.

    Hugs,

    Denise at Forest Manor

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  14. Fabulous shots. Those waves were awesome. I loved hearing them on the video too. That red star fish was so pretty.

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  15. what great shots...i love the waves and water and sand....

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  16. Amazing...everyday would e breathtaking for me.

    Jane

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  17. Oh, this was lovely! Gorgeous scenery and a wonderful prose. A beautiful day. x Karen

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  18. Love your video. Oh the sounds of the sea. We will take a drive tomorrow just for that sound and sights. Love your eggs in the bowl. Really love the moss wreath. How clever you are!!!

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  19. What is it about waves crashing on rocks that we all seem to like. Before we moved to France we had the joy of having both coast and country all within such a short distance . I love to get to the coast which is not very often these days. We have a short trip planned for April to get my coastal fix ! The video worked well, thanks for sharing your great photos. I enjoyed them

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  20. I like the winter warmth here in Florida, but the Pacific is by far the best ocean. Thanks for the beauty and the memories!

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  21. Anonymous10:31 AM

    Fabulous action shots of those waves crashing. Love it. All the photos are beautiful reminders of a great creator!

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