Posted on by Louella Lester

At the Surface

We often only see what’s at the surface, whether it’s with people, nature, photos, or writing. Sometimes we’re scared or too busy to take the time to look more deeply. Also, things get in the way and camouflage what’s underneath. Other times, like in the featured photo above, life pokes its way through and can’t be ignored.

Last summer, I took a bunch of photos out at Oak Hammock Marsh in Manitoba. I’ve shared many of them in other posts and on other social media. Here, I’m sharing some taken from the docks, looking out at the marshy water where there’s so much going on—so much at and just below the surface. 

Plants like these break right out and reach way up for the sky.

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Sometimes we have to ignore waves or the reflected sky and peer through the water to see what’s down below.

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Other refections can’t help but catch our eyes and it’s okay to linger.

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Dead plants can be as beautiful as the living.

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And a combination is good, too.

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Creating relationships takes time and energy. The same holds true for taking photos that go deeper or to produce written pieces that get down below the surface.

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10 Replies to “At the Surface”

  1. Hi Louella and Alisdair, I’ve been out-of-touch for quite sometime. So far I’m not a big fan of grieving. It’s not just the death of our son Sean, but other things like maybe Ian is going to die soon too. Certain frightening thoughts, or more like marbles roll around in my head and  re-depress me. I imagine it’s like another PTSD episode.  Actually, Ian is moving along quite well. Way back when he was in high school, he began flying, and he has picked it up again since Sean’s death. He’s now working on his second certified flight instructor (CFI-II) rating (teaching instrument flying and instrument flight rules). There are many other levels also. So he is now certified to do most anything except he needs to build up more flying hours to try for the airlines. One thing about Ian, he experiences less fear in the air than he does on the ground. For an Asperger type (or as he says someone with a Touch of Aspergers), it’s the socializing, especially with Trumpsters particularly, that drives him nuts, and most pilots appear to lean that way). But the aviation industry hear in the US has lost many pilots, and there are less new ones applying from the general aviation pool because they have, in the past, depended upon retired military pilots. I hope life is treating you two well! I’ll try to post more often. Louella, I loved your photographs and your thoughts about the the marsh land in Manitoba. And Alistair, what has happened with your novel? Sincerely, Cylia

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    1. Cylia, I’m so sorry that it has been so difficult for you. I hope things get easier to deal with soon. Thanks for the comment about the photos. I have a book coming out in the spring. I never see Alisdair on here. I sent you both an email a while back but got no response. Is it the gmail address that works for you?

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  2. I love marshes, swamps and wetlands, was out taking my own wetland photos here in south-eastern New Brunswick yesterday evening. And I really love your photos here and accompanying text — such beauty in the light and the details!

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