Rising 235 feet above water level, Haystack Rock is a sight to behold. This monolith was formed around 17 million years ago when a volcanic eruption produced a continuous flow of lava that traveled along the Columbia River valley and settled atop the soft marine sediments of the coast. The fine-grain sand of this region has black undertones—the unique characteristics of the sand, the tide, and currents, produce mesmerizing high-contrast patterns at low tide.

Read my blog post on the psychological effects of viewing forms, textures, and patterns of tidal landscapes here.