Writer in the Woods

The western foothills and valleys of the Olympic Mountains are home to the Rain Forest of the Olympic Peninsula. A wide variety of animals, birds, and insects make their home here - it is the inspiration for the animal fantasy middle grade novel I'm trying to finish!

This week's featured plant is the Sword Fern. Although this fern is prevalent throughout Washington State - it grows like a carpet across the floor of the Rain Forest; in some places it literally covers acres!
The stems of the Sword Fern are often six feet long, and the tips are a favorite food for elk and deer.