We learned recently that the time around the full moon closest to summer solstice is ideal for harvesting dulse. According to experienced dulsers, it is the most tender dulse to eat. The “stuff people harvest in October” is apparently “tough and chewy like a latex glove”. We joined several friends on an impromptu beach outing to evaluate the 2021 dulse situation.
Thanks to our friends and their buggies, Colin was able to join the excursion. It was his first time to Wasson’s Bluff and viewing Two Islands from this level. What a great time of day to explore!
The tide was at its lowest level and the ocean floor stretched out before us.
I immediately homed in on the red mud dotted with barnacle covered rocks. I had explored this beach before but never at such low tide levels. I usually walk in the opposite direction, so this was a real treat for the eyes!
I started to walk out with my friends and suddenly realized why everyone else was wearing shorts and most importantly… water shoes!
When the water reached the top of my hiking boots I decided to turn around and wait this one out. Silly me! The former prairie girl is coming to the surface… “Looking for dulse” is synonymous for “getting your legs and feet wet”! I will remember this when I return for the harvest.
A trip to the beach is never wasted. I turned my attention to the treasures at my feet. Colours, patterns and textures unfolded and called out to be explored. What a great environment we live in. Taking a deep breath of the salty air, feeling the sun on my shoulders and splashing through the standing water washes away the stresses of the day.
Hope you enjoyed out short excursion! Check back soon for more pictures and the actual dulse harvest experience. Warm wishes, Anna
This, my friends, is a close up image of a particularly interesting rock. I don’t really like the word “interesting”. Instead, I could call it a colourful rock, a rock with unusual indentations and diagonal lines, or I could just call it a beach rock.
I spent some time exploring it using my 70 mm Sigma macro lens. I recently reclaimed this lens (it was resting in Colin’s camera case). I have 105 mm and 150 mm macro lenses but I must be honest: I have owned the 70 mm macro lens the longest and it is the one that produces images I am extremely partial to.
During the last half dozen beach excursions I have carried my full-frame Nikon D610 with the Sigma 70 mm macro lens. The challenge I have set for myself is to move in close to discover the most amazing details. I have a feeling that you agree with my view: Looking closely the world unfolds its many layers to help us get lost for a moment in time…
At another beach I came across these circular markings in the rocks. They reminded me of rings made by evaporated salt water on smooth rocks. These circles however, are not made by the salt water.They are found on sedimentary rocks and look like they were drawn free-hand by countless ancient humans leaving their mark.
Why not make it your mission today to explore the world up close and personal? If you don’t like making pictures with your camera just move into the subject matter and explore it with your eyes. Perhaps your garden is in full bloom. The colours evoke joy and the scents are intoxicating. Appreciate the flower as a whole entity, then move in close and explore its many parts:
Enjoy your excursion! Have a fantastic summer day filled with colour, texture and line. Warm wishes, Anna
“If you never let anything unexpected happen, nothing unexpected will happen. The creative process is about discovering the answer, not knowing it in advance. If you want to have amazing creative experiences, you need to open up to risk and cross your own 4th wall. Creativity demands it.”
– David Usher, “Let the Elephants Run”
Last Sunday our “bubble” went back to Horse Shoe Cove near Cape d’Or. We spent hours exploring with and without the camera but when we came across some driftwood with hidden gems… I could not resist.
I would like to thank the generous person who took the time to hide these marbles. They provided a great opportunity to shift my focus from searching for sand dollars and walking in the surf to something completely unexpected!
Self-portrait… pondering dreams and expectations… regarding our backyard.
Over the last week my focus has shifted a little from exploring beaches and tide levels to spending time closer to home, to be exact my thoughts have circled around the backyard. It is in great need of attention!
When we moved in January I marveled at the great view to enjoy any time of the day and at night. I sipped my coffee watching tide levels and the light conditions change. I could not get enough.
Backyard Winter Views…
While it was wonderful to move into a house with a brand-new septic system, the mess that presented itself after the snow melted is less than appealing. We put the word out in the community that we are looking for someone who would like to earn some extra income and assist with the landscaping of our backyard. That call for help has yielded no response.
Enough is enough, I could not bear the overgrown weedy mess any longer. Rocks, dandelions on steroids, wild strawberries and a multitude of other fast growing weeds have finally got the better of me. We found a decent new-to-us lawn mower at a garage sale last Friday. It was like Christmas when I finished mowing the front yard!
I just wish the backyard was as easy to transform as this! I started pulling weeds but every time I take an armful to the large pile…
…one afternoon of pulling weeds. The pile has grown to a mountain!
… I turn around and feel as if a new dandelion plant sprouted right next to where I pulled the last. The yard is vast and at times feel overwhelming. I won’t even mention the sneaky blackflies that have had a hay day sucking my blood. You don’t feel them at work but you know they have been enjoying themselves when you wake up the next morning and your eye has swollen shut, turning blue and your chin looks like you had a tooth extraction the day before. Oh the joys of gardening… I have never really been passionate about yard work in the past but things are changing. Feeling particularly frustrated and almost defeated I sank to the rocky ground I spotted a tiny red dot a few inches away.
The tiny wild strawberry provided me with new hope! If a strawberry can grow here competing for sunshine and nourishment then I can make a difference in how this backyard with be transformed. It will take time, it will take even more energy and perseverance and a whole lot of elbow grease, but I am determined to make the space as inviting as I can.
Just like any creative exploration I need to start somewhere. The reality of creative life is that there is never enough time and space, and conditions are never perfect. Our lives are always full of never-ending lists of things to do that fill our time and separate us from the work we know we should be doing… I do need to invest in some decent gardening tools… the household scissors I was using for trimming around the edges, cutting back the tall grass and even help me dig into the rocky soil to extract a particularly stubborn dandelion root just don’t cut it. Somehow our old gardening tools didn’t make it into the moving container last September. I think I will get myself a trimmer when I go to town next time. Meanwhile I am dreaming of the view and the oasis I want to create.
Send me some energy as I trim grass, pull weeds and battle the blood-thirsty flies!
Best wishes! May your summer months be filled with warm sunshine and colour, Anna
The definition of “abundance”: (noun) A very large quantity of something.
Spiritual definition: Abundance simply means having more than enough of everything you want all the time. The spiritual meaning of abundance is that your higher self (that what you really are) is intricately connected to the abundant universe which is the Source if everything you may desire.
Nearing sunset I slowly walk from the water’s edge to the driftwood littered area of the beach I am exploring. Grateful for the rich offerings the sea has presented me with I breathe deeply and make my way along the shaded terrain.
A profusion of colour beckons me closer. It fills me with determination to climb over the driftwood pieces to lush green bushes forming a natural wall. Bright pink flowers spread their most intoxicating scent. From emerging and tightly folded leaves at the end of branches I explore green leaves, tightly wrapped buds with only a hint of pink showing to full blooms. My camera adjusts to the low light conditions and I move slowly along the rich subject matter before me. All the while the scent is heavenly!
I have been exposed to wild roses all my life. From Germany to Western Canada, the wild rose is an integral part of the landscape. But never have I experienced these thorny bushes so rich in colour or scent! These wild roses are touted to be native to Nova Scotia but upon a bit more research I found this Saltscape article that explains in more detail how cultivated roses have escaped and evolved over the centuries. The rose encountered at sunset on the beach is classified as Rosa rugosa and is native to eastern Asia, northeastern China, Japan, Korea and southeastern Siberia. It was introduced to America from Japan in the mid-19th century; it was valued because it can tolerate salt water spray.
The fragrant leaves were used to make jelly, jams and desserts in China. Later in the summer the large hips ripen to the size of cherry tomatoes. These can be harvested for preserves or eaten fresh. In years gone by the hips were a vital source of Vitamin C to ward off scurvy.
When I contemplated this post the word “abundance” came to mind. I was struck by the prolific offerings of land and sea, the fact that every time I turn just a few degrees the scenery changes, the colours intensify or pale and tides bring with them new treasures to discover. Layers of rocks and a long natural history of the region provide never-ending opportunities to explore and add to an abundance of new opportunities to explore…
Thanks for stopping by today and your continued interest in some of the same topics I find fascinating. The more I discover the more I come back to the basics… we are surrounded by an abundance of beauty and history.
May your Sunday be filled with small moments to deeply appreciate and celebrate. Warm wishes, Anna
“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”
– Mother Theresa
This quote was a great reminder when an unexpected road closure prevented us from reaching our initial destination. Not far from where we turned the car around the road sign pointed us to Partridge Island, a popular destination close to the Parrsboro town center and adjacent to Ottawa House by the Sea.
The sun was brightly illuminating the beach as the tide was nearing its lowest level and with a brisk wind blowing in our backs we headed for the Eco-path leading us to the top of Partridge Island. The first 200 meters is probably the hardest part as our bodies adjust to the steady incline while we modify our breathing. Once we reached “Second Wind Bench” the official hiking path began to level out and soon smaller paths led to look off points that have never disappointed!
I declined the invitation to climb down to the beach as it involved a rope and some very steep terrain. I don’t do well when it comes to heights but I am always game to find another great look off to capture the view.
Back in the densely wooded areas along the path there was more to discover. Remember, I love to stay in the moment and practice that “flash of perception” no matter where I spend time. A shaded ancient tree with wonderful bark patterns caught our attention.
And then there are always the little surprises like weathered ragged branches that fell victim to strong winds some time ago…
…and are impossible to resist when it comes to capturing just one more image.
The hiking path around Partridge Island is only about 1.5 km long and it is always great to return to the beach as we navigate the final stretch. As we arrived back near the water we took note of the low level of the tide and as always we gravitated toward the area where sand meets rocks and pebbles.
From afar it never looks that inspiring but when we refocus and pay attention to the subtleties under foot we make awe-inspiring discoveries.
I never tire of the sculptural presentations nature has to offer. It’s ours for the taking and getting up close and personal often requires good balance as we manage our cameras, a heavy backpack as well as the challenges posed by wet and slippery beach sections. We have left with clothing dripping wet from the knees down and chilly, damp toes. Those inconveniences will not deter us from exploring another beach tomorrow. As we immerse ourselves into the moment, the experience of discovery and fully appreciating what we are seeing and framing with our cameras tops any discomfort due to wet clothing or biting flies buzzing around our heads.
Wishing you “happiness in the moment”! Where is your happy place in nature? Please do share in the comments below!
“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her. “ – William Wordsworth
This quote really sums it up… no additional commentary necessary! As I walked onto Phinney Green Beach a few nights ago the feeling of the weight of the world sliding off my shoulders effortlessly came over me. A deep inhaling breath was all I needed to be transported into the moment. That moment where nothing matters, deadlines are set aside and worries no longer crowd the thoughts.
It is that exact moment where you recognize and appreciate the perfect light and at the same time realize how quickly it will dissipate if you don’t respond to it now! The sea grass-covered rocks in the temporary pool of stagnant water only required a few steps to reach. I have quickly learned not to dismiss these ordinary looking patches on the beach, left behind by the last high tide.
It never ceases to amaze me what treasures I can glean from getting close, kneeling down to examine the standing water. Strands of sea grass gently moving with the water stirred by the breeze, tiny snails hiding between the shaded sanctuary of rocks and the lush green hairlike strings. In the background waves slowly rolling in for the next high tide.
I am not feeling rushed. The sandy beach now spreading in front of me as far as I can see, I focus my attention on the kelp lying in wait for the cooling waves to wash away the grains of sand and eventually sweep it back into the open waters. The sun is at the perfect angle to create captivating patterns of light and shadow. It is a mesmerizing time as I switch back and forth between the macro lens on my camera and my iPhone framing individual images.
I move into the shaded parts of the beach, closer to a cliff overhang near accumulated driftwood when I come upon these paper-thin bleached kelp remnants. With such diversity in the way they shriveled up while drying I am drawn in and can’t help myself capturing what nature is presenting to me. All I need to do is be receptive and look. I find kelp and seaweed a constant source of inspiration for colour, texture, line and its sculptural properties. This inspiration is spilling over into my studio practice where I am dreaming up new concepts on how to integrate this malleable material into my work. I am just at the sketching stage right now…
So much to explore, discover and ponder! The richness of my environment has no bounds. When the sun sets at the end of the day I let me thoughts come to rest slowly as I find that in sleep I discover countless new ideas.
Thanks for coming along on another contemplative walk on the beach. Anna
“…For life is tangential and circulatory like the veins on a leaf or in a chamber of the heart. Or like the web of tributaries feeding water to a continent.” by Mark Nepo, Seven Thousand Ways to Listen
What captured my interest and why? A sunset excursion to a nearby beach presented us with a vast beach area ranging again from pebbles, to rocks, boulders and sand. The vegetation at various stages of drying I was pulled into exploring these feather-like lines in the sand created by the retreating tide influenced by rocks and shells to reveal each “drawing” as a unique way to communicate with the world.
Sometimes we focus on the smallest changes to bring us profound insights. This was one such moment…
“Being an artist is not an occupation; it is your life, your whole being.”
“There is such a thing as unconditional expression that does not come from self or other. It manifests out of nowhere like mushrooms in a meadow, like hailstones, line thundershowers.”
by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche, “True Perception – The Path of the Dharma”, Shambhala Publications, 2008. ISBN 978-1-59030-588-1
One never knows when one come across a a great discovery! A large mud puddle with pollen floating on the rust-coloured water in the middle of a dirt road became a point of extreme interest at the beginning of our hike. Approaching the puddle from all angles, observing the ever-changing patterns and lines moved by the wind held great attraction for us.
The space between was a 2 km walk through the muggy, biting fly infested woods presenting their own limitless beauty.
At the mouth of the Rams Head River overlooking the Bay of Fundy in Diligent River, NS
The ultimate reward was the discovery of algae covered rock on the rocky beach. We arrived in time to witness the incoming tide slowly rolling over the smooth rocks. Our time of exploration was limited but the sense of urgency heightened our senses in response to nature’s transformation.
I will let the Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche quotes speak for themselves. Nature is the greatest artist, we are her witness capturing the ever-changing gifts…
May your day be filled with colour and beauty, Anna
The beach at Glooscap Campground looking toward Parrsboro, NS.
Yes, the first hike with new boots was very exciting. My old runners just didn’t cut it any more. I can’t even count the many times I came home after a beach excursion with my feet cold and wet, my runners soaked and never really drying out between excursions. I finally took the time to check out a pair of hiking boots advertising that they were breathable for extra comfort and best of all, they were supposed to be water-proof. As soon as I slipped them on in the store I knew they would give me the comfort and dryness I was after.
I was not going to wait for the next day to break them in! That evening we ventured out to Glooscap Campground, cameras in tow. The beach at Glooscap is the best place to try out a new pair of hikers! It has varying terrain, anything from sand to small pebbles to larger rocks and boulders. I climbed wet boulders without slipping on seaweed, I walked without twisting my ankle and best of all, my feet stayed dry.
With the sun about to set in the west we walked as far as the first rocky outcropping where the tide was still high on the beach. These images I could not have captured was it not for my wonderful new foot wear. The hole in the rock measures about 2.5 meters at its greatest height but climbing through would not suffice as the other side was also under water due to the level of tide.
We soon turned back to ensure we would leave the park by sunset, worried we might not be able to leave with the gates closing. Another great beach outing made even better with the perfect boots. Thanks for reliving the experience with me. The boots are holding up well! More excursions to come!
“I have no power of miracle other than the attainment of quiet happiness, I have no tact except the exercise of gentleness.”
Oracle of Sumiyoshi, Shinto sage
These words came to mind the day a friend and I stopped at a beach neither of us had visited before. We had just finished a power shopping excursion for essentials, grabbed a to-go coffee and decided to enjoy it at the nearby beach.
We climbed over the little berm separating Cottage Lane and the turn-around where we parked the car. We literally exhaled in unison and with that a sound of delight escaped into the wind! How different this stretch of beach was to any of the others we had explored previously. The lush green expanse of grass before us was steadily swallowed by the sandy waters of the approaching tide.
We moved closer to the edge of the grass just beyond the rocky part of the beach. Our coffee securely placed in the sand and protected by a large driftwood log our phones came out and we made every effort to capture our surprise discovery from various angles.
Aware that the area would soon be under water with the rising tide we could not get enough of the cracked sandy soil. Such rich colour despite the overcast conditions and flat light. What a fantastic discovery! Forgotten was the coffee and the frozen foods we had picked up a few miles back. Our focus completely shifted and influenced by the calmness all around we lost all sense of time. We walked the beach, rugged on the inland side, and ever so gentle toward the water’s edge… Rocks of all sizes under foot we soon reached the historic dyke responsible for the lush farmland we had just navigated across by car to reach the shore. Immersed in nature with the absence of noise it is easy to lose track of time and forget every day responsibilities.
When I returned to the studio later that day I caught up on my daily inspirational reading and it was as if the author was at the beach with me. This passage from The Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo holds the words I was searching for: “In beautiful mystery, the extraordinary edge to everything is covered over with a current of speed and noise, the way beautiful stones are not quite seeable under the rush of the river’s face. Only when we can still the river of the world and the river in our face do things become extraordinary and clear.” We stilled the river of life for the moments at Debert Beach!
I will leave you pondering this gentle quote. Let it envelope you and bring you comfort. Warm wishes, Anna
“…when touched by our calling, it doesn’t matter if we’ve been prepared or trained or certified or if we have been delayed for years. What matters is if we can listen to our own unmitigated possibility with our whole being. This will enable us to begin, the way one day of rain and one day of sun will start the flower in its destiny to bloom. In deep and unexpected ways, saying yes is a form of listening that brings who we are and what we experience into true meeting. Saying yes is the beginning of all flowering. ” “Seven Thousand Ways to Listen” by Mark Nepo
When DID it start, my interest in photography and examination of the landscape? I asked myself that question recently and I can’t remember exactly when my preteen infatuation with my mother’s old Brownie camera turned into passion.
I remember the day I received that old camera and happily proceeded to fill the roll of 12 images during an outing to one of King Ludwig’s castles in Bavaria. I still have one of the original black and white images of a deer through a chain link fence.
As a young adult moving to Canada I felt the need to capture impressions as I explored my new country. Focused on work and raising a family I put the camera aside for a while. Eventually I embarked on a new path and studied art, design and textile techniques. Through this training I realized how important it is to document one’s work and that slides and photographs are vital in securing exhibitions.
When I graduated from the art programme a friend presented me with this little book:
“Nature’s Chaos”, text by James Gleick, photography by Eliot Porter ISBN 0-349-10801-3
The book opened my eyes to a completely different approach of photography! I realized that it was acceptable to make images of scattered rocks, a clump of grass, cracks in the soil, a distorted reflection of the sun and clouds… I felt as if I had received a permission slip to go and follow my intuition to make the images I have always made but was unsure of sharing.
Since then I have gained experience with a Diploma in Photography, invaluable when it comes to the technical aspects of the camera and some basic principles of photography. In early 2013 I discovered Miksang Contemplative Photography, in 2016 I took my first formal class in Miksang Photography which eventually lead to teacher training. These days I prefer to explore the world without rules and guidelines set by others. I follow the beat of my own drum. This blog is the vehicle I have chosen to share my images and writing… and it all started when I was 9 years old…
My interest started so long ago when I didn’t know how to listen. It took time to learn and to listen to what was calling me. May your heart be open to listen and act.
Welcome back to Moose River Beach. Yesterday’s post was inspired by the many cracks I came across, today’s images and experiences touch on colour and the emotions it evoked in me.
The shale cliffs along the river bank are very brittle and therefore present us with so many awe-inspiring and ever-changing discoveries. Every high tide transforms these cliffs around the base and each time my curiosity is piqued when I step on the beach.
When we arrived mid-afternoon the sun was illuminating the ocre-coloured layers, beckoning closer inspection. Our cameras were the perfect tools helping us to focus on specific areas, each slight shift in position presenting us with another exciting composition. I find myself holding my breath regularly, admiring nature’s art and boundless variety while trying to capture the essence of my impressions.
I gradually made my way along the deteriorating cliff, moving slowly and with great care as the sloped terrain was unstable with loose layers of shale under foot. At the same time I was surveying an area where layers were firmly in place and jutting outward. I noticed a definite change in colour and texture and could not hold back my excitement!
These are the discoveries where I want to pick up a brush or palette knife, load them with thick paints and begin layering these on a canvas to render my impressions. Instead, I reach for the camera, adjust settings and find myself lost in time. The experience is visceral: I not only see but feel and hear the colours, I might even taste them! My initial reaction to the the colours and shapes on the rock face reminded me vaguely of Wassily Kandinsky’s 1913 popular colour study of squares with concentric circles. I realize the colours are completely different but that first fraction of a second when my eyes fell upon the coloured cliff face conjured up the ubiquitous colour study.
I have been to this beach twice before but this rock face eluded me in the past. What a wonderful discovery, an experience that will be with me for weeks to come, beckoning me to return on a gray and rainy day, a bright sunny day, any day!
I will leave you with a quote by Kandinsky that sums up my discovery: “Each colour lives by its mysterious life. Colour is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul. Colour is a power which directly influences the soul.“
That is exactly what the colour on the rock face did, it directly influenced my soul…
Thank you for stopping by. May today’s impressions touch your senses and your soul. Best wishes, Anna
On a warm and humid afternoon we decided to chase the tide out at the mouth of Moose River and the adjoining beach. The rocky terrain promised solitude but this time we passed two other visitors enjoying the sunny afternoon.
We waved and called a greeting to the couple. Before too long we found ourselves at the foot of a deteriorating cliff. We fell silent. Between shutters clicking and the occasional shifting of feet on the brittle shale rock slope the earth around us receded.
Completely absorbed by the natural offerings three hours passed quickly. My thoughts circled around the one line from Leonard Cohen’s “Anthem” : “There is a crack, a crack in everything – That’s how the light gets in…”
There are so many more images from this outing but they demand another post. Enjoy today’s crack-inspired post and don’t forget to listen to the Leonard Cohen song. Just click on the link provided (skip the ads) while viewing the images… perhaps it transports you to the place I am sharing.
“In order to thrive as artists – and, one could argue, as people – we need to be available to the universal flow. When we put a stopper on our capacity for joy by anorectically (def.: using analysis or logical reasoning) declining the small gifts of life, we turn aside the larger gifts as well. “
from “Inspirations – Meditations from the Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron
Several days ago my friend I returned to a beach we had first explored on a cold day in February. I will even go as far as calling it a “very icy day”, in more ways than one. We had arrived on a vast beach covered with multiple layers of ice trapping seaweed, dry grasses, red sand and shells. Much of our time was spent on our knees and bellies angling cameras to capture this or that. We were so excited about our discoveries that day. The possibilities were endless and we would have spent many more hours had it not been so windy and cold!
Fast forward to early June. We left early in the day and drove into a landscape with overcast skies, mist in the distance and all around flat light conditions. When we arrived at the beach on Blue Sac Road 20 minutes later we were immediately assaulted by humid air when we opened the car doors. And our enthusiasm was low, I would even describe it as non-existent. This is so unlike us. Usually we feed off each other, but that day began on a slow note.
Our focus turned to the tide as we surveyed the beach which lacked the contrasting colours and textures from February. Neither one of us wanted to admit that perhaps returning this time of the year was a disappointment. We are not too quick in giving up or admitting disappointment too early…
We turned west at the bottom of the road and followed the cliffs on a rocky shoreline that offered some new geological formations as well as driftwood, nature’s most amazing sculptures. Soon we were concentrating on these natural offering through the lenses of our cameras. This was not the first time that we realized that if we just focused on the “gifts” presented expectations would adjust. Witnessing the retreat of the tide to our left, swatting away and doing our utmost to ignore pesky blackflies close to the cliff while constantly adjusting our camera settings, we walked on.
And there it was… a grouping of smooth rocks, covered in the bright green of thick algae and seaweed made us take note and immediately move toward the water’s edge. Ah, finally! Some variety! Our collective mood lifted instantly and the focus shifted to examining the tidal rocks and all they had to offer.
I loved these rocks and what they presented to us up close. At the same time I appreciated what they could contribute to my landscape compositions. My friend and I quietly explored what was offered to us and just about at the same time turned to one another to decide to head back. We had walked nearly 5 km along the beach and both of us were ready to get back to the car.
To state that we were a little underwhelmed at that point would be the correct observation. We walked back close to the water. We didn’t need a particular reason to hug the water’s edge but soon realized that the beach here was devoid of blackflies. It also presented us with a spectacular view of the Five Islands as they appeared closer to us with their bases exposed and the light changing to reveal a little blue sky and better definition in the clouds overhead. Even the contrasting colours on the islands was stronger, rich red clay against the green of trees and algae.
And then we stopped at the same time. We had arrived at a sandy area littered with barnacle-covered rocks, sea weed, kelp, coral and shells. A loon was making its presence known with its haunting call not far from us. Delighted, we continued to give our cameras a good workout. Minutes later I turned toward Five Islands once more and the next discovery nearly made us sprint toward it.
There, stretched out before us was a formation reminiscent of a sandbank. As we approached it quickly we realized that we were looking at sandstone rock. I wish I could share the sound of the water ever so gently lapping against it, the seagulls soaring overhead calling to each other. I will not mention the piercing sound of a couple ATVs with fishermen on their way to the weir to harvest their most recent catch… it’s a sound that signifies productivity… and it soon disappeared into the distance.
I have made a conscientious effort to share my sensory impressions with you in today’s post. The most important realization on that day was that we were richly rewarded once again for practicing patience and perseverance. Had we turned around soon after our arrival we would have missed out on so much. Battling the blackflies and high humidity was worthwhile when I think of the natural riches presented to us just for “hanging around” and taking our time. Photography has become a form of meditation for me and with that I have gained great insights. I regularly head out with my friend. We are both independent and contemplative explorers of nature in the Bay of Fundy.
In closing I want to share something that I have said to my photography students many times: “If you don’t think the environment you are exploring has much interest, slow down, seat yourself and listen. The opportunities will present themselves. You just need to stay receptive, keep an open mind, listen and watch. Close your eyes, observe your breathing for a minute or two and let go of preconceived ideas. Now open your eyes and take note of the first thing you see…” This advice held true for me during my outing to Blue Sac Beach once again. It’s always great to revisit and apply old knowledge.
May your day be filled with unexpected discoveries! Best wishes, Anna
One of my favourite books gifted by a dear West Coast friend many years ago Is small, a real treasure and one I could never get myself to give away, place into the box deemed for the second hand book store or the little free library around the corner. Instead, it made its way across our vast country not long ago and it keeps “jumping” off the shelf into my hands regularly.
Pantheon Books, New York, 1955, 1975. ISBN 0-679-40683-2
“Gift from the Sea” by Anne Morrow Lindbergh fits perfectly into my beach bag to bring along and get lost in for the afternoon. I would like to share one of my favourite passages with you here today:
“…some morning … the mind wakes, comes to life again. Not in a city sense -no- but beach-wise It begins to drift, to play, to turn over in gentle careless rolls like those lazy waves on the beach. One never knows what chance treasures these easy unconscious rollers may toss up, on the smooth white sand of the conscious mind, what perfectly rounded stone, what rare shell from the ocean floor. Perhaps a Channeled Whelk, a moon shell or even an Argonaut. But it must not be sought for or -heaven forbid- dug for. No, no dredging of the sea bottom here. That would defeat one’s purpose. The sea does not reward those who are too anxious, too greedy, or too impatient. To dig for treasures shown not only impatience and greed, but lack of faith. Patience, patience, patience, is what the sea teaches. Patience and faith. One should lie empty, open, choice-less as a beach – waiting for a gift from the sea.”
Anne Morrow Lindbergh‘s small book contains countless wonderful passages like the one I shared above. It is the perfect companion for a day I just want to spend time in one place near the water’s edge. Each time I let it fall open and let myself be pulled into the metaphors that serve as a starting point for my own contemplations.
May today offer new starting points for a week full of creativity and reflection. Best wishes, Anna
Inspired by the Poet Wallace Stevens and his poem “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” I dive deep into a study of kelp… Stevens’ poem is instructive in two ways: it teaches us how to see AND how to try. This way of gathering understanding applies to everything, including the many ways to listen and love.
I never imagined myself so fascinated by the low-tide offerings, especially kelp. When I first ventured out with my friend I tossed the idea of photographing kelp aside, not expecting to get so pulled in by the lush green of recently pulled-from-the-ocean-depths, supple lengths of kelp. These days I delight in discovering kelp: all stages, from green, still immersed in shallow pools of salt water, to cream coloured, almost translucent sheets, with droplets of water clinging to the underside evoking images of silky wedding gown folds to rich brown, butterscotch-like creations aided by wind, waves and rain.
I have found more than 13 ways of looking… when I get down on my knees to capture the light on the folds just so, I stop thinking, I listen to that innermost voice. My intuition guides me.
Do you experience such moments? Perhaps a newly opened blossom in your garden… the first carrot of the season pulled from the rich soil,with tiny hair roots extending and desperately holding on to the last crumbs of nourishing earth… maybe it is the joyful chirp of a bird in the tree or simply the buzz of a bee as it busily gathers pollen to carry back to the hive that transports you to the purest form of listening with your whole being. These are moments to add to our memory bank to help us get through the darker days.
If you can, find yourself a quiet spot today and ignore the work that is calling you. Close your eyes, even just for ten seconds, and take in the sounds of nature.
Add these impressions and experiences to your memory vault and visit them often to brighten your days! Enjoy your Sunday, Anna
Tide Rollers & Mudlarkers... 