The backstory here: tide tables

Not having grown up near an ocean, I fail to consider the impact of tides when I'm near the coast. Basically, I've always relied on common sense to gauge where the water is at. Not the smartest approach when photographing along the ocean alone.

Along the stretches of so many sections of the coast of Olympic National Park, enormous logs are strewn on the shore, making for dangerous conditions even at low tide. But when the tides rise, navigating this area is flat out dangerous and potentially deadly. I noticed that the water levels were rising and made it back safely, but I've read of accounts of people getting into serious trouble here. I had all but given up on a persistently rainy day when the clouds broke just before sunset revealing beautiful post-storm skies.

Following this outing, I've learned how to read tide tables and make sure I do my homework ahead of time to stay safe!

Canon EOS 10D, Canon 35-105mm f/4 @35mm, 1/60sec @ f/8, ISO equiv 100, Gitzo G1349 Mountaineer Carbon Fiber Tripod, Gitzo 1576M Ball Head