Hamma Hamma River, Olympic Peninsula, January 2025
Tributary to the Hamma Hamma River. I am always surprised at how soft and harsh it can be at the same time.
Falling water, frozen in time
Ice crystals on ferns -- every single leaf outlined in a series of geometric explosions. Magnificent!
The trail to Lena Lake climbs up through the forest. It is much greener at higher elevations than in the frosty lowlands down by the river.
Frozen mushroom in January. When it thaws, will it melt into the leaves and moss?
Walk quietly. This magic won't last long!
Long ice frost crystals on plant stems. Now imagine every blade of grass, stem, seed head, naked tree branch and twig all covered in ice crystals ... on the shores of a river. Winter wonderland!
Sunburst in forest. Moments of magic!
A cliché photo, perhaps, but I never get tired of looking up into the trees
Frosty ferns, softly outlined in white, drape over the forest floor.
Everything around us is frozen - but then here is this bright green fern, boldly reaching for the sun amidst all this frosty moss! Little miracles are everywhere!
Sasquatch siting through forest at twilight. He disappeared quickly and silently through the trees. I was lucky to get this shot.
Moss-covered spire of the forest. What is it growing on? And why is it standing so tall? And how can it be so green when everything else is brown and dormant?