“There is nothing new in the world except the history you do not know.” – Harry S Truman
Imagine walking up to place so unexpected that you don’t know what to say or even think. You walk on a path expected to see a shore with a view of the sea. You expect to see nothing else, but a great view. As you get closer to the shore, the ground is dotted with marine life. It takes you by surprise. You look down, and you see several clams, some jellyfish, an octopus, and several starfish. The tide was low when we approached the shore that day. The low tide revealed several treasures that live under the sea. We were careful not to disturb the life that was there. We only observed, and stared in amazement. These are the types of moments I live for when I travel. I love the moments when I encounter something unexpected. When I encounter something that wasn’t in the plans, but is something that I will never forget.
I captured these photos and many more when we visited Icy Strait Point. When we planned the trip, I didn’t realize I would be visiting a rainforest. Alaska is home to the largest temperate rainforest in the world, the Tongass National Forest. This vast rainforest stretches along the coast of Southeast and Southcentral Alaska. It receives significant rainfall and boasts a unique, mild climate compared to other parts of the state. On average, the area gets around 200 inches of rain per year. Compare that to where I live in Charlotte, North Carolina, which gets 42 inches of rain a year. This area is home to the Sitka spruce trees that can grow over 200 feet tall. The rainforest supports a wide array of wildlife. These include brown bears, wolves, salmon, and bald eagles.
Through Griffin's Lens 