Goose Spit. I had been struggling through the dark days of winter so I took a couple of days off from school and headed to the island, by myself, for myself. I have been going to Goose Spit since I was 14. It is a place where I have contemplated many things in life and while I seldom find answers when I am there, I always find peace. On this particular day I was sitting up against a log facing the other direction (how I wish I had taken a shot of that). The bay side of the spit was hunkering down under some serious storm clouds. It was dark and moody and I love that feeling. I was simply sitting there breathing and watching the clouds move across the stormy sky. And then I turned around. At my back was the most stunning double rainbow I have ever seen. And the light! The light was breaking through the clouds as if to confirm for me that life is full of dark clouds and amazing bright spots. If I had given all of my attention to the dark I would have missed the light. It was an important reminder for me.
Goose Spit photos once again. These two images were taken while sitting with my back against a log and a good friend by my side. Joan and I go back to junior high school and renewing my friendship with her has been one of the gifts of 'moving home'. During the summer months we often shoot a text and say, "Want to share a sunset?" Sunsets at Goose Spit are a community event. When the sun is shining and the day starts to wind down you want to get to the spit early enough to get a parking spot. By the time the day is waning there is often not a parking spot to be found. People are playing music, enjoying meals, kayaking, swimming, wading and just enjoying the warmth and the beauty that surrounds them.
The picture on the left was taken at Green Point. It was a "Layla Day' and, as usual, she wanted to be outside. We were walking the beach and she ran ahead to let sticks float down the stream. There was a bit of a step down to the water and when I got there she was crouched down, still, watching the water move. I squatted down beside her and noticed the unusual pattern in the water. Two streams were converging and where the two streams met the water had woven together. If I had not stopped to see the world through a child's eyes I would have simply walked right by. Every time I see streams converging I look for this pattern but I have never seen it again. Mother Nature is amazing, as are little children.
The lacy pattern on the left was a rotting leaf, simply a rotting leaf. But look at the amazing beauty of that leaf! This was a walk you and the boys were on with us at Seal Bay. We had taken the path down to the beach and were coming up the other side. The kids had all run ahead, looking for shortcuts up the steep hillside. I had stopped to catch my breath and this leaf, in all of its beauty caught my eye. I am learning about a process in art called Neurographica and this leaf pattern could have been created using this process. So beautiful!
I could not write about photography without sharing a few amazing experiences I have had while out with my 'big lens'. The whale's tale was taken at Port Alice. Peggy Street, a photographer friend, had invited me to go out with her. We spent the day with Anthony Bucci (check out HIS photos). He does photography tours in a zodiac which only fits two photographers and himself. It was a great experience not having to try to get a shot between other people which often happens on these photography trips. We saw many humpbacks that day but this photo, taken near the end of the day as the light was turning golden, is a favourite of mine. The eagles were shot along the dyke road between Comox and Courtenay. I was coming home and happened to have my camera with me when I noticed them landing on a piling close to the shore. They had a piece of salmon which you can see on the piling and spent quite a bit of time sharing that carcass. It is not the sharpest picture I have taken but I can still feel the sun on my face and the gratitude I felt for having had my camera in the car that day. This otter family looks so cute but in fact they were running from danger. They had been feeding on a salmon carcass at the edge of the water out at Point Holmes when a vulture landed close by. The mama otter hurried her babies into the water. They swam parallel to the beach quite a ways from the vulture and then cautiously crossed the rocks to the river nearby. You could sense the worry as she stopped often to check out the landscape before they moved on. The last picture was taken along the dyke road as well. Often when the salmon are running there is quite a crowd of otters and sea lions in that area. These otters were diving and coming up with salmon in their mouths. I got a few good pictures of the feeding otters but this 'almost great shot' is still my favourite from that day.
There are times when a scene just catches my eye and in both of these cases it was the light and the simplicity of the composition that appealed to me. On the left is a float with a long piece of kelp attached to it. The day was very warm, the tide at Kye Bay was WAY out and Baxter and I were just wandering. I love the blue and orange and the leading line which takes your eye out to sea. On the right was a lone boat, caught in a tidal pool just off Mayne Island. I was with Janet and Erin and Glenda, again a hot summer day. We were all in our own space enjoying a quiet saunter to the beach before dinner. I have always loved boats and again, this is one of my faves. When I look at both of these pictures I am reminded how much I love quiet walks on the beach in the summer sun.
Our trip to Haida Gwaii was amazing from start to finish. One of the most rewarding things about travelling is the opportunity to learn about the history and the culture of areas you travel to. While Haida Gwaii is in BC/Canada it felt like a journey back in time. A highlight of this trip for me was a boat ride to Skedans. The Haida Watchmen of Skedans protect the historical village and the remaining poles. There was a spiritual presence from the time we got off the boat until we returned. Emily Carr spent a lot of time based in Skedans writing and painting. Her totem pole pictures from this area are quite famous and capture the spiritual sense of the place. We also spent the good part of a day at the Haida Heritage Center. We have travelled to many parts of the world but if you ever get the chance I highly recommend the Haida Gwaii experience. This photo was taken just outside of the Haida Heritage Center. The walking tour was presented by a young Haida girl and she was terrific. Her quiet demeanor and wonderful presentation reflected a deep understanding and sense of pride in her culture.
And Bali! How we loved Bali! These boys, celebrating Galungan, a Hindu holiday that celebrates the victory of good over evil, show the ever present smiles of all Balinese people. This photo was taken in Ubud where we spent 8 days enjoying the rice paddies, the food, the people, and not so much - the monkeys. We visited a temple which could have been the background for Raiders of the Lost Ark. Like the feeling in Haida Gwaii, there was a very spiritual presence in the temple. The feeling is hard to describe but in both cases it was an actual physical response to the history, the culture, and the spirituality of the place.
You were with me when this photo was taken. We had travelled to Oregon for a scrapbooking retreat with Liz Lamoruex and had headed out to the lake for some photography assignments. While I was trying to take a shot of someone's beautiful red shoes this dad and his son walked by. Fortunately I was able to capture the moment and this remains one of my all time favourite photos. When I look at it I remember the power of the women, a wonderful time away with you and the freedom of a whole weekend to create.
And lastly, this beautiful watery image of a sand dollar taken at Airforce Beach. For me this is the symbol of 'coming home'. I walk this beach several times a week and I NEVER take it for granted that I get to be here. With retirement and older age comes the ability to slow down and just see and feel and enjoy the freedom to saunter and to be present. I know you experience this feeling in the forest but for me it has always been the sea.
Mom, this is beautiful. I love getting a glimpse into what makes you feel like you. Thank you for sharing this.
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