Rainfall in the Hoh Rainforest reveals the deep colors and renews its luscious understory.

On my first visit to Washington State I made a concerted effort to see the Hoh Rainforest and Ruby Beach, two landscapes I felt symbolized the diversity of Olympic National Park.  After a day and a half eating seafood and drinking coffee in Seattle, I set out early to secure a campground, luckily snagging a site by the lake deserted by a couple also getting a head start on their day.  By the time I made it to the Rainforest direct sunlight had already pierced through the canopy.  I knew no photography would occur but spent the early afternoon hiking the Hall of Mosses and Spruce Nature Trail.  A few scenes caught my eye but none so more than this one.  At the time, the sun cast a harsh highlight upon the log in the back, the scene was highly contrasted, and the lucious colors appeared washed out as a result.  With clouds and rain on the forecast the following day, I decided to wait it out and see if lighting conditions would improve.

I woke prior to sunrise the next day, under a cloud filled sky and soft rain falling upon the ground.  There would be no chance of a majestic sunrise, but these conditions were perfect for the shot I had in mind.  After making the hour long drive I hiked immediately to this spot and everything was pristine.  Perhaps it was all in my head, but the rain painted the scene with vibrant greens and seemed to accentuate the chaotic twists of the many branches of the nurse log.  Hiking in an actual rainforest, in the rain, was a surreal experience and will forever be imbued in my memory of this photo.