I‘m not sure how long I was here looking at the delicate trails (snails or other invertebrates?) in the sand around my feet before I realized someone had come to join me…
From one the last few days of September.
All images © Karen McRae, 2012
draw and shoot 
Flowers do have a way of sneaking up on people . . .
Yes, indeed!
I do love those trails. I will have to keep an eye out for them when I’m somewhere wet.
Hi Karen, You continue to be one of my most favorite photographers. Your work is excellent!
Well, thank you so much! That is very nice to hear. 🙂
ces traces sont extraordinaires. Merci d’être à l’affut de ces beautés
Ils font des sentiers fascinants, n’est-ce pas? Je suis heureux de les partager avec vous, je vous remercie.
Your pictures are the enigma. Or nature is the enigma ?
On the conclusion, you are the source of the enigma 🙂
Yes, nature is endlessly fascinating I think!
I am merely an observer.
Beautiful!
Thank you, Emily.
Beautiful!
Much thanks, Chillbrook.
Those snail trails almost look like ancient writing of some type. Very cool!
Nice GBH in B&W too!
They do look like some sort of ancient writing – I should have called this post Sand Script.
The heron was just a lucky happening, and I only had a 24-120mm lens on my camera. Thanks, Phil.
“Sand Script” would have been a great title! 😀
The drawing of snails looks like an art of Paul Klee…great wriggle in the natural world!
You are right, there is a Paul Klee sensibility to these drawings.
I hadn’t really thought of that.
I like this sequence – a lot!!
Thanks, Louis.
Karen, I really like it that when i look at your photographs, so often I wonder (jealously) how you do it. I know it’s all to do with the way you look at the world, but sometimes it would be nice to be able to steal it. Love the first shot.
Why, thanks so very much, Richard. I’m not sure what to say – that’s exceptionally kind of you.
There is music in that sand..lovely..
I wonder what snail music sounds like? A bit on the slow side I’m thinking… Thanks, Cath.
Stunning. -kate
Thank you, Kate!
I really enjoyed this post!
Thanks Madoqua.
The tracings are so beautiful especially the spirals – isn’t it a wonderful world when you just have eyes to see. The heron was curious to see if you had found lunch! Wonderful photos as always, Karen. So happy that you share them with us! K
Thanks, Kathleen. The heron was indeed looking for food. The spirals are cool aren’t they? I wonder how they decide on a path. I was reading somewhere that they sometimes follow the trails of other snails.
I do love your work Karen! So much sensibility and a great eye for beauty in the subtle
Sincere thanks to you, Mimo. It is a mutual admiration.
I see their silvery trails crossing sidewalks here…never witnessed such a thing in Arizona…took me a while to figure out what they were…I came upon a couple of them in transit…gentle, simple life…. Beautiful photos, Karen….
Thank you, Scott. They are very gentle little creatures.
You’re welcome….
Nice that the bird came along to join you, Karen. Love the spiral trails.
It was nice to be so close to a heron, and it didn’t seem to be bothered by me at all. Thanks, Simon.
It’s the fine details which make all the difference, and you are such an expert!
🙂
Thanks, Marina. I am merely observing the details. 🙂
Exquisite.
Thank you, Alessandro.
I wouldn’t have known what these were. They’re lovely! Thanks for introducing me to a new kind of beauty. Your friend is pretty regal.
Thank you, I’m glad you find them interesting. The heron is regal for sure.
Next time I’m at the beach, I will be searching for snail trails. Lovely images!
You must have stood very still for that heron shot, Karen. I only seem to get photos of such birds when they are flying away!
Graham, the heron was strangely comfortable with me. It was maybe 15-20 ft away, across a small inlet and I followed it up and down the inlet for about half and hour while it was feeding. It didn’t fly away until 2 dogs came along and sprinted towards it.
Lovely. I especially enjoyed the image with the heron.
Thank you, much appreciated.
miro-esque sand lines! well seen. and I do love herons, how one came past you is a minor miracle!
Yes the sand drawings are Miro-esque – someone had mentioned Paul Klee, also.
I think the heron and I were both so intent on what we were doing, we hardly noticed each other at first.
you’ve told us a beautiful story here Karen. the first shot is beautiful – japanese art 🙂 And the snail trails are artworks in themselves 🙂
Thanks, Marina. Japanese art – I like that!
The snail drawings are cool, aren’t they?
Your work always seems to me to have a sereneness about it… so restful. Thank you
Well I’m glad you find it restful, Helen. It was certainly a serene morning. Thank you.
Your photographs are both elegant and delicate. Just lovely.
Thank you Ellie, for your kind words.
Wow. Snail trails. I didn’t realize snails were such wonderful writers and artists.
They do very cool sand script, don’t they?
Those trails are amazing. Beautiful bird too.
I was happy to find those delicate trails. Thank you, Trish.
Oh so sweet! The squiggles are like drawings, doodles. 🙂
Small artists… 🙂
profound images and simple yet profound writing.
Much thanks for all your nice comments.