The Edge of Day 6-9-10

Richmond Beach, Virginia

The recent disaster in the Gulf of Mexico has brought to national consciousness the importance, beauty, and fragility of marshlands, salt water bays, and the diversity of life to be found in these brackish coastal areas. Virginia has been endowed with extensive coastal wetlands. At sunset last night I landed in the small town of Tappahannock where I expected to have a very different kind of life experience – far from the gird. And so it has been. The brackish marshlands and Rappahannock River here define the topography.

Barbara Streisand’s direction of the 1991 film Price of Tides, based on Pat Conroy’s book of the same title included astonishing opening cinematography of South Carolina’s coastal wetlands at sunset. The film was nominated for best cinematography because of Stephen Goldblatt’s fine work. I have ever since wanted to photograph wet lands at sunset. A journey down to Richmond Beach just now allowed me opportunity to explore the astounding palette of orange, gold, yellow, and alizarin that cascades across life at dusk. Beauty was everywhere around me.

After spending the day tearing out the insides of a 72 year old house and de-nailing all the materials for re-use, going down to the shore to capture the amazing images of the Virginia wetlands was a grand reward. Somehow, rebuilding an old house in Virginia seems congruent with 'collecting' the natural beauty of the shore. Being able to salvage a bit of fine craftsmanship from builders now passed on, seemed congruent with capturing the beauty of a day about to pass on. Being able to capture the glory of the wetlands here in Virginia reminds me of the struggles those in the Gulf States are now facing as their worst nightmare unfolds.

These images are here for those in the Gulf States – a gift from Virginia.