In sensuous prose that evokes the mist and mystery of the Pacific Northwest, noted nature writer Brenda Peterson chronicles 20 years of living on Puget Sound, allowing a range of marine creatures the full light of her powerful observations and asking readers to look at land, waters, and wildlife in new ways.In a major essay, Peterson takes readers behind the scenes of the controversial Makah whale hunt, where she served as mediator between environmentalists and tribal whaling families. Other essays cover a dramatic river-rafting journey down the Colorado River, the ongoing war against wolves, the impending extinction of salmon, and the healing powers of animal play.