Look up from the tide pools to the forest above. If your gaze turns landward, you’ll probably be staring into a spruce forest. No other conifer is as closely associated, in our minds, and in reality, with the Pacific Northwest’s misty wind-buffeted headlands.
Below are three spruce forest perspectives. They frame the shoreline forest of my daydreams.
Sitka doesn’t mind the kiss of salt air
Above the beach the spruce forest looms, brooding
At home on the headlands
Even on distant beaches, not quite so much under Sitka’s spell, you’ll find reminders.
Seed cone, a driftline connection to the maritime forest
Spruce calling card
Whether I’m on my belly in the tide pools or walking the beaches, I’m grateful for the connections between exposed shores and the maritime forests above. If you feel like connecting with an individual Sitka spruce tree, take a moment to look at Octopus Tree, an iconic Oregon spruce and an ally worth knowing.
theoutershores 
Been there, seen that, agree wholeheartedly!!
First time I’ve featured a tree.
Sitka spruce capture the foggy mist on the billions and billions of needles . The water then drips from their sharp tips to the forest floor, adding water to the rich soil, enabling the wild riot of mosses, giant ferns, huckleberry, salal, salmonberry, and other plants.
You sum it up well Bob. Thank you!
Just amazingly beautiful! Wonderful shots from the shore and forest. Thank you for the link as well!
Thank you. We share a love of trees.
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Simply lovely.
I take your words as a special complement because you know these habitats and forests well. Thank you much.
Breathtaking captures.
Thank you Amy. I can’t wait for your challenge next week!
Great photos. Very well done.
The greens make such a nice complement to the blue of the skies and water. Lovely images.