Part Four – Where I am

The images that follow were all taken on Sable Island, Nova Scotia. This is a 52km long wind-swept sand bar in the Atlantic Ocean, about 300km east-south-east of Halifax.  The island is fascinating in that it has a long history including numerous ship wrecks and is home to a wild population of horses as well as other wildflife.  I work on the island as a seal biologist and have been visiting annually  since 1997. 

The images here were all taken before I discovered Miksang, so prior to April 2006. Next week (4th May) I will post images from Sable Island after I took training in Miksang and hopefully you will notice a difference in my style. 

Sable Island horses

Trunk in sand

After strong wind, various stuff is exposed from beneath the sand. This photograph is very simple and yet very appealing to my eye.

Old man and the sea

When I came across this male grey seal, there was a strong connection happening between it and the sea; a connection of home.

 Sand, sea, sky

A sunset on South Beach. The colour of the sea, reflections on the wet sand and the break in the clouds inspired this photograph.

Sable Island mare

This mare stood still for several minutes while I photographer her.

Sanderlings and surf

This was taken at the end of a strong storm when the surf on South Beach was very impressive. The curvature of the sanderlings flying reminds me of a wave crashing on the beach.

Horses and seals, North Beach

This photograph sums up Sable Island. Seals on the beach, wild horses, dunes in the background and big surf. I was sitting on the beach photographing a pair of male grey seals fighting in the surf when this group of horses strolled down the beach toward me.

Sunset on South Beach

I have seen many sunrises and sunsets on Sable so one has to be very striking for me to photograph it. This one was because the colours in the wet sand were hues of brown rather than typical sunset colours of blue and reds.

Next week will be the end of this series when I will continue posting images but from the period after my Miksang training.