Sunday, May 5, 2013

Whale Song




I went to the beach late this afternoon, seeking a little quiet after a whirlwind week. As I often do, I took pictures of stones...silent beings they are... the best sort of companions when you are craving silence.  I was thinking to myself, there is a finite number of stones on this planet. What would the final tally be if we had a way to count them? Do we have a word for a number that immense?

I went to the far stretches of the beach, and perched upon a high cluster of rocks so I could look down and feel somewhat surrounded by the water. Amongst the steady drone of boats passing by and the rhythmical lapping of the little waves upon the shore, I heard something else. I heard the distinctive song of a blow hole in the distance.... a whale breathing..... A few minutes later, I heard it again, and then again... so I searched all that rolling water until I finally saw her. Three times I saw the smooth dark shadow of her back come just slightly above the surface, and then slowly slip back under as she made her way along the horizon line.

Those slow deep breaths. It was almost as though her heart was in synch with the heavy ocean swells that enveloped and supported her. What a gift, and a gentle reminder to take time to slow down and breathe when the world begins to spin a little quicker than normal. Inhale... Exhale... Repeat.
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14 comments:

  1. sarahMay 5, 2013 at 10:43 PM

    your photographs always touch my very soul. you must be a truly beautiful person to see and reproduce such beauty in the world.

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  2. CatherineMay 6, 2013 at 5:20 AM

    The lovely things about rocks and stones is they sit very still for you to take a photo. :)

    Lovely colors. Oh I look forward to visiting Victoria in September. Still watching flights. We will hopefully book something soon.

    xo Catherine

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  3. UnknownMay 8, 2013 at 5:06 AM

    When we were along the coast of Oregon last year, my husband and I saw a whale come above the water line. It was amazing to know that huge creature was out there. We, too, were alone and the moment was spectacular.

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  4. AnonymousMay 10, 2013 at 8:14 AM

    these are all such great shots. really love your photography!

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  5. d smith kaich jonesMay 12, 2013 at 9:56 AM

    there are people on the internet, photographers, writers, who lead such lives as i cannot imagine. or i can only imagine - they seem like fairy tales. you are one of those people. this just makes me so happy. thank you.

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  6. KyraMay 13, 2013 at 11:27 PM

    Each breath holds within it a lifetime, from the moment we inhale till we exhale completing a circle of life.

    Found your blog through Relyn, enjoyed going through, shall be dropping by often. Kudos for your lovely effort :)

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  7. Relyn LawsonMay 15, 2013 at 7:37 AM

    This makes me happy-sad. Do you know what I mean? Happy that you experienced it. Happy to think that each day in the world there are people who experience these things.

    Sad because I am not one of those people. Sad to be so far from the ocean I love.

    Happy-sad because I do love my life. Just as it is. No time to be wistful, really. I have too many blessings to count.

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  8. SueMay 15, 2013 at 1:57 PM

    I would give anything to be able to go to the water to relax and regroup. My visits require long drives and there are never enough of them! Your photos are perfect and your words carried me away from my chair in the Midwest, to the shore.

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  9. Kathryn DycheMay 18, 2013 at 2:14 AM

    Your images and words captivate me, god I miss the ocean. At least I had a chance to visit a couple of beaches while I was in the UK. Even got my socks and shoes off and dipped a toe in the cold water. :0)

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  10. gkgirlMay 18, 2013 at 9:33 AM

    ohhhhh...i adored this...
    both the photos and the words.

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  11. ChristineMay 19, 2013 at 6:22 AM

    As I read your words and saw you and her in my mind eye, I felt like we were all breathing together <3

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  12. DixieMay 20, 2013 at 11:48 AM

    I first stumbled upon your blog a couple of years ago and please forgive me for rarely commenting, but I must tell you how moving and magical your photography is. The memory of the moss covered gate, I believe that was it, just took me away to another place. Absolutely beautiful work.

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  13. ChrisJune 15, 2013 at 3:10 AM

    I need to stop by your blog much more often! Like every day or every other day at least! Yes, we do need to stop and take deep breaths and often especially in this day and age. I know what you mean about stones. I envy you, only in a good way, that you have a beach so close to you. I wish I did because it's where I go to de-stress. It's my favorite place to be . . . when summer is over and the tourists have left.

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  14. MeggJuly 23, 2013 at 2:15 PM

    What a gift. Your post and for you to be able to see her - to know her. As always, you've healed me a little more! xoox

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