McLane Creek Nature Trail
McLane Creek Nature Trail is a short boardwalk loop through mossy Pacific Northwest forest just west of Olympia, and it packs a surprising amount of variety into 1.5 miles. The star attraction is the salmon run from mid November through mid December, when thousands of fish push through shallow water right below you. Three elevated platforms and a bridge over the creek put you directly above the action, close enough to fill the frame with salmon if you are lucky. It is genuinely impressive to watch, and the shallow, clear water makes for sharp, detailed shots you would not expect from a creek this small. The rest of the year the trail is still worth the visit. The beaver pond along the loop is full of wood ducks, newts, and lily pads, and the boardwalk gets you right to the water's edge without disturbing anything. The surrounding forest is classic Pacific lowland, with big leaf maples draped in moss, cedar stumps from old logging days, and ferns growing out of everything. Overcast or light rain is your best friend here. The greens pop when the light is soft, and you will not run out of macro subjects between the fungi, lichen, and bark textures. Try to get there before 10:00 AM, especially during salmon season, because school groups and families fill the boardwalks quickly after that. A Washington State Discover Pass is required for parking. (Olympia, Washington, USA)
