A Walk in the Woods

Yesterday, I had a nice walk in the woods on the Baker Lake trail (starting from the north end, along the Baker River). I didn't make it very far, as there was so much to photograph! The Baker River valley reminds me a bit of the Olympic rainforest, particularly the Hoh River valley that I visited last year. One wouldn't mistake one for the other - the Baker River area doesn't have much if any Sitka spruce, is colder, and has different surrounding topography. But they both offer scenic river valleys, luxuriant old-growth forest, stands of mossy maples, and opportunities to see wildlife.

First, a view of some red elderberry bushes (Sambucus racemosa) blooming with bigleaf maple trees in the background. F/25.

Next, a forest view with some hillside boulders in the background. F/22.

This next one is similar in composition to some other old-growth images I've made, but the difference here is that the featured trunk is not alive; rather, it belongs to a standing snag. Snags are an important part of old forests, providing food and shelter for insects, birds, and animals. F/18.

Now a wider forest perspective. This one is actually fairly representative, if you're wondering what the forest in this area tends to look like. Floods and other disturbances often result in younger patches of forest near the river, hence the alder and maple in the background here. F/16.

Next, a cool closeup - a berry just beginning to emerge on a salmonberry bush. F/6.3.

The last three images are some wider views, taken while a bit of rain was falling. Rain makes it challenging to operate photo equipment, particularly out in the open, but can also make for interesting views by pulling the clouds down and softening background shapes. This first one looks across the Baker River itself. Due to a persistent breeze, the motion isn't perfectly frozen in all the branches, but I think it still works. F/22.

The net one looks down the valley; I'd like to work on this one in Lightroom a bit to make the greens more vivid, like they were in person. F/20.

Finally, a view of Blum Creek and the hills beyond in the rain. F/22.