There are several different kinds of mussel shells in the river each with their own subtleties that I find intriguing. (okay, I don’t get bored easily…) As the outer layers of the shells are abraded away over the seasons it’s as though tiny luminous landscapes develop on the surfaces. This is what catches my eye.
A bit of trickery: I’ve photographed some of these shells on a mirror while reflecting a white surface onto the mirror at the same time.
All images © Karen McRae
I had a chance to visit with the wrapped trees today. I thought they might be released from their winter trappings, but no. Surely, it must be well past time. The little trees are trying to fight their way out with the aid of the prevailing winds. They are ready to feel the sun and the rain on their restrained boughs. There are bits of green popping out.
I brought a little sun-shower with me but it’s not enough. The earth is cracked and dry.
Some of them are looking rather defeated. Who will come and start the unraveling?
*All these trees are as I have found them, along the highway and wrapped for the harsh winter. I have been documenting them through the seasons and you can find the whole series here.
All images © Karen McRae
I have a lot of love for the forms and colours of these beautiful rock dwellers. A little lichen spring green.
All images © Karen McRae
Another small collection of things from the river shoreline. Yes, more dead stuff…
Starting with a duck skull.
Fierce.
Comparisons.
Shadow-play.
All images © Karen McRae
All images © Karen McRae
I have photographed this freshwater mussel shell every way I could think of to bring out the pure beauty of the subtle pearly colour shifts and the worn layers, but until you pull it out of the shallow icy water at the shore and hold it in your hand under a luminously overcast sky you won’t be able to see just how exquisite it really is.
A good-sized bird skull, I don’t know what kind it is. Perhaps the size of a seagull. Found along one of the breakwaters, over wintered and broken beaked.
All images © Karen McRae
I will be moving to land soon. I’m starting on a new project that is very land based.
But like anything that is land based it flows back to the rivers, lakes and oceans in some way. Connections.
I was thinking about this as I was walking along the shoreline early this morning, garbage bag in one hand and a delicate bird skull in the other. It is rare that I don’t pick something up, even if it’s just to examine it. After 3 hrs I had a full bag of garbage and remembered I hadn’t had breakfast yet. Priorities.
It is the first day of spring but it is like we have skipped spring and moved directly into summer. We are entering our 3rd day of +25° c and the next 2 days are to be the same. It feels very strange, in the same way that it was odd when the robins stayed all this past winter. Like they knew what was ahead. Nature adapts so quickly and responds so intuitively. Instinct.
I’m still on river time, but things are flowing gently and the fog is burning off.
All images © Karen McRae
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Parting shot: Two geese in a fog…need I say more…?
All images © Karen McRae
In my mind I am here, on the breakwater. The lonesome sound of seagulls overhead, thick fog and the early promise of a warm day. Shades of grey enveloping me like an old friend. A thermos of coffee beside me and ancient boulders beneath. Connected.
All images © Karen McRae
draw and shoot 