South of the Clinton ferry is a long bluff over an empty beach above beds of vital eelgrass. Possession Sound Preserve is a half-mile of natural shoreline permanently protected by the Whidbey Camano Land Trust. What might have been a development for estates is now a place for nature to live, naturally.
A path leads from a high point inland, down a windy way through 45 acres of upload forest with wetlands and meadows. Soon, views can be seen through the trees to the Salish Sea. At the bottom, find a beach with the remains of plans being reclaimed by nature, with some help from humans.
The hillside faces east, and acts as a canvas as sunrise light bounces of the still waters of early morning to paint shimmering lights on the near-vertical stand of sand.
At high tide, storm waves try to shrink cliffs. At low tide, marine green blankets rocks, eelgrass and other aquatic foliage that are hints of the fertile spawning grounds for the fish salmon rely on. Wild birds hover, dive, scavenge, rest. Seals, otters, and occasional whales cruise by on their commute or meal run.
Look north, east, and south to see ferries, newly-built jumbo jets, and deep-sea craft from carriers to cargo ships to yachts.
All around are the reminders that the things of our civilization are fragile and fleeting, their seeming permanence proved temporary by sufficient time.
A quiet place to put things in perspective from the sights of volcanoes the nature of Nature and us.
My few visits spread across twelve months are one small slice of a very long story, yet more than a single Saturday visit and therefore tell more of a tale.
Twelve Months at Possession Preserve is the eighth installment of a five year photo essay of Whidbey Island's nature. (Do the math.)