The Peacefulness of Rain

Yesterday I was determined to take advantage of the minus tides caused by our pending full moon and see what creatures I could spot in the tidal zone. I might even get the opportunity to see a young seal pup and her mother as the Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina) are entering their birthing season.

Sailboat moored at the Steilacoom Marina. (Photograph by Steve Weileman)

The temperature was pleasant but the skies were dark and overcast with showers moving in from the southwest. However, the rain was far from unpleasant as it gave the water and shoreline an ethereal quality as I slowly made my way along Ketron Island. It also had a sound damping effect to it, and all I could hear was the occasional cry of a gull and the rhythmic dipping of my paddle. I was able to glide undetected to within a few yards on some foraging raccoons also taking advantage of the banquet the minus tides provided. The whole experience was akin to being wrapped in a blanket on a stormy afternoon.

Wildflowers on Ketron Island. (Photograph by Steve Weileman)

Of course, there was an abundance of marine creatures in the inter-tidal zone, but what really impressed me was the huge armada of Lion’s Main Jellyfish (Cyanea capillata) floating underneath me. They are the largest known species of jellyfish and are rarely found further south then 42º N latitude. I’ve never seen them in quite such larges numbers but they completed the picture as they silently gilded by, a ghost fleet.

I ended my paddle wet but in a very relaxed state of mind.