18 November 2008

Stone at Flounder Bay

Stone on stone
I don't know how the holes formed. Possibly some kind of invertebrate, or perhaps the action of the sea grinding tiny pebbles around and inexorably wearing away at the rock. Some holes seem too deliberate and regular, though — like tunnels (hence the suspicion of invertebrates). To give you a scale, this stone fitted comfortably in my hand. Stones similar to this littered the small cove, along with the remains of countless shells, driftwood ranging from old planks and bleached branches to a great, partly buried pine, and the usual scraps of plastic, old drink bottles, and faded jandals.

All content © 2008 Pete McGregor

7 comments:

Ruahines said...

Kia ora Pete,
I love the texture and the B&w captures the grains very well. Those holes have really captured my imagination. Eyes to the soul. Did you keep the stone?
Cheers,
Robb

pohanginapete said...

Robb, no, I left it there. I've become increasingly reluctant to take anything other than photos and memories, and in any case, I like to think of it still out there somewhere, a little more worn, perhaps now on the seabed, or buried. I like the thought that maybe one day, when the stone has turned to grains of sand, this photo will still survive.

michael.offworld said...

Very nice. I think they are bubble tracks. Some earth fart long-ago dissipated.

Leaves me with two thoughts:
1. did you take this stone home?
2. did you write about the fullness of empty?

michael.offworld said...

I should have read your answer to the previous question before posting. You answered like I thought you would. I would have struggled deciding whether to take it or leave it.

pohanginapete said...

Michael, I do remember a remark by a woodturner who said a bowl contained the space it surrounded. That struck me as a wonderful insight.

herhimnbryn said...

Holes in stones... a favourite thing for me. Glad you told us the scale, can imagine it now sitting in the palm of my hand.

I would have struggled to leave it there, if I'm honest. I must try and improve the use of my camera macro setting.

pohanginapete said...

HHnB, strictly, photos can only be visual, but some evoke other senses with particular vividness. It seems, from your comment and some of the others, that this photo does just that for the tactile sense. That pleases me greatly :^)