Site Entry 1:
4/4/17
4:15 pm
On the Magnoila Bluffs in Discovery Park
45-50 degrees farenheit
100% overcast

I’m currently atop an enormous, tree-size horizontal route that I have a feeling was a standing tree itself at one point, however it is firmly connected to a tree that remains upright. I believe it is a red alder. I am situated on a slope in between the Puget Sound and the exposed bluffs of the southern part of Discovery park. In view is Bainbridge and Vashon Island across the water, and just a glimpse of the Olympics through the clouds and the trees. The large majority of the trees that surround me almost  all lack leaves and appear to be the same kind, which I propose, is red alder. There are just a handful of conifers: in view I see about four western hemlocks and perhaps 2 western redcedars. A few trees are completely enveloped in some kind of ivy or leafy vine. A stream trickles below me, and even further away I can see where it levels out before reaching the Sound. Unlike the pine smells of the other areas of the park, the aroma around me is mostly like that of a wooded beach—salty but earthy. There are many kinds of small plants, the only ones I can recognize at this time though are ferns. One is a small grassy plant, while others look like nettles but I doubt they are. There is a larger shrub that is abundant in the area that is a vibrant green with many branches. I have seen about 4 extrodinary birds, one medium sized blue one, a woodpecker with its characteristic red flair, a tiny bird with a beautiful call, a brownish red bird with an erect tail, and an enormous bird that was flying above the beach but was hard to see clearly. I’ve also seen plenty crows and seagulls. The air tastes like the beach, and reminds me of the days I would spend on the tide flats of Bainbridge harassing gooey ducks and capturing skulpin. Airplanes fly overhead: an unavoidable reality that comes with living in the Boeing capital of the world and are near multiple international airports. The bluffs are remarkable: layers of sediment are outlined and appear to be a soft, impressionable sand. Roots just out of the top as trees hang on by their limbs (haha). A grassy shrub grows on top of them. Unfortunately there is a good deal of trash around, but I can understand why as this is a truly beautiful place to relax. The lush ground, leafless trees, and sky create an interesting but dreary green-grey-white color pattern. The sight of water is simply pleasing and reassuring.

At my feet, the soil is dark like a forest’s but also clearly saturated with sand and feels indistinguishable to it aside from the high concentration of small roots. Walking to this spot was quite a sandy venture, with eroded bluffs filling my shoes. A black beetle hopped up on my log and I also witnessed a rolly-poly bug passerby. Unlike the more wooded areas of the park, the soil is not very concentrated with decomposing trees that gave it a reddish, fertile color. However, many dry leaves, twigs, and vines cover the ground. Little bugs bounce around as I move, but it’s hard to get a good look at them. A miniscule bug is crossing my computer screen as I jot these notes!

I can only imagine how beautiful this spot will be when the sun and mountains are out, and the leaved trees create a verdant canopy.

Here are a few photos from my site, unfortuantely my camera died before I had decided definiteively where I'd like to take 'repeat' photos:

The Sound

Looking uphill at the bluff.

The log (root?) where I sat.
Close-up shot of the sandy soil.

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