JPG Magazine: Photos: "Dangerous Circumstances Beneath an All Natural Sunset" by seanie blue

Dangerous Circumstances Beneath an All Natural Sunset

By seanie blue

On 16 April 2008

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Dangerous Circumstances Beneath an All Natural Sunset

This picture, like all my pictures here, was run through Lightroom. It was cropped from the bottom and sides, but otherwise untouched. No saturation correction, no clarity, no contrast. Zilch. This is the sunset as I saw it, the same sunset I thought for a minute might cause me some major damage.

Like a moth I fluttered beyond the sands to the rocks in the picture, to try to get the soft smooth flows of the Pacific over stone. As the light dwindled, I clambered over the surface and picked up my camera whenever the waves shot up to my shins, until I realized with a shock that the waves weren’t going away. When I looked at the beach, I saw a gulf between me and the sand. I had a flashlight, thankfully, but when I shined it on the stream between rock and beach I saw a river snapping and hissing with muscular intent. The light was red and dull now, and I couldn’t make out the depth or form of anything beneath my feet; in water up to my knees, I tried to find some sort of passage back to shore, a hump of sand, a bridge of small rocks, but being barefoot meant the stepping was rough. What would I do when I got to the edge? My camera would be toast, at the very least.

I found what I thought was the edge of the bluff, and prepared to lower myself into the swirling rush. I would sink to all fours and use my hands and feet to claw myself along the sand and rock for the fifty yards to where I knew the water would be shallow enough for me to stand in. No way to swim through without being carried into the waves south.

But then I stopped to think for one last second. Why not let nature tell you what to do?

:::::::

I just got off the phone with a scientist who is making headlines by saying the north polar ice cap will be completely gone by the year 2013. That’s in five years. Open water, every summer, over the North Pole. Your children might still be in high school, your dog still chasing butterflies. I asked the scientist the only question of importance I ask scientists: How does it feel to see the subject of your studies disappear in the middle of your studying? They hate this question. Their shoulders droop, tones fall. The oceanographer says to me, only minutes ago: When the ice is gone, I will feel as if I have lost a member of my family.

::::::

And on that edge of rock in the red sunset, foaming current growling at my feet, I had the only question I ask of Nature: “What the f--- should I do?”

Well, I can walk around like a chimpanzee on a combat patrol, ready to be the snarling male for the benefit of friend and foe, or I can be the baby Nature made me, and fall into her lap with a whine: “Mama, save me!”

In the story My Secret Nicaragua.

34 Responses

On 16 April 2008 Audrey Kanekoa-Madrid gave props:
Gorgeous photo, wonderful description!
On 16 April 2008 Jayne Logan gave props:
Brilliant
On 16 April 2008 brian christopher said:
oh my gosh
On 16 April 2008 Frédéric Frognier gave props:
Fantastic colors
On 17 April 2008 Mr. T gave props:
Beautiful!!!
On 17 April 2008 Kiwi ana gave props:
Seanie, I love your words, this story is phenomenal as are your photographs.
On 17 April 2008 Vicenç Alcaraz i Coll said:
Wellcome back Seanie.I'm happy enjoy your pictures again!!!!
On 17 April 2008 Gary Fudge gave props:
Great story. I don't know which I like more, that or the wonderful image. Both! they compliment each other so well.
On 18 April 2008 "Peggy.Sue" Harrington said:
Whenever Isabella and I see a red sky we in unison say the little rhyme, “Red skies at night, sailors delight. Red skies at morning, sailors take warning.” As someone who has sailed my entire life, both leisurely and in the racing circuit, this photo brings me much delight. It floods my mind with memories of fast winds and full sails and the sounds of the ocean smacking against the hull of my boat. Isabella likes to sail with me, but she doesn’t enjoy racing. The last time she raced with me as we were putting the boat away she walked up to me, gently asked if she could please “express herself” and said, “Mommy, I’m sorry but I’m going to have to crush your lifelong dreams of me becoming a sailor.” I smiled and giggled and replied, “Darling, with you in my life and by my side all my lifelong dreams have been fulfilled.” Thank you for bringing that memory forward through this amazing photograph Seanie. The powers you have never cease to amaze me.
On 18 April 2008 Rachel McKinnie gave props:
"The powers you have never cease to amaze me. " Well put Peggy Sue.
On 18 April 2008 Joseph Rotindo said:
you know, seanie, the first time I saw the pacific was on the western coast of Panama...and the contrast between the relatively peaceful Atlantic with its 5 to 7 foot swell and the Pacific with its roaring 10-20 footers...was simply something to behold. within a day, we had gone from rolling to rocking and rolling...
this is an amazing photo...
On 19 April 2008 Kathi Moore gave props:
I am always in awe of your work and talent! The colors are absolutely amazing. I am glad that you are posting photos again! Even though you have your own site, I am glad that you are willing to come back here as I truly believe that your work, like others adds something amazing to this site!! Plus, I love reading the stories behind the shots.
On 19 April 2008 Laura Boston-Thek gave props:
Another cup of coffee cold....as I sit here and absorb once again those telling words. WONDERFUL!! The whole dang package! Thanks for jump starting another day for me...
On 19 April 2008 Pilar Coll i Gatells said:
PADRE
Padre,
decidme qué
le han hecho al río
que ya no canta.
Resbala como un barbo
muerto bajo un palmo
de espuma blanca.
Padre,
que el río ya no es el río.
Padre,
antes de que vuelva el verano
esconda todo lo que tiene vida.
Padre,
decidme qué
le han hecho al bosque
que no hay árboles.
En invierno
no tendremos fuego
ni en verano sitio
donde resguardarnos.
Padre,
que el bosque ya no es el bosque.
Padre,
antes de que oscurezca
llenad de vida la despensa.
Sin leña y sin peces, padre
tendremos que quemar la barca,
labrar el trigo entre las ruinas, padre,
y cerrar con tres cerraduras la casa
y decía usted,
padre,
si no hay pinos
no se hacen piñones,
ni gusanos, ni pájaros.
Padre,
donde no hay flores
no hay abejas,
ni cera, ni miel.
Padre,
que el campo ya no es el campo.
Padre,
mañana del cielo lloverá sangre.
El viento lo canta llorando.
Padre,
ya están aquí...
Monstruos de carne
con gusanos de hierro.
Padre,
no tengáis miedo,
decid que no,
que yo os espero.
Padre,
que están matando la tierra.
Padre,
dejad de llorar
que nos han declarado la guerra.
On 19 April 2008 Pilar Coll i Gatells added a link:
Te lo explico a mi manera! (es.youtube.com)
On 19 April 2008 Yasmina Baggili gave props:
Absolutely amazing shot! Great work.
On 20 April 2008 Reese M. gave props:
like usual, awesome work!
On 21 April 2008 Nakoami Stallard gave props:
Gorgeous! This shot is so striking!
On 22 April 2008 Michele Randell gave props:
Wonderful story as usual. Amazing shot!
On 24 April 2008 Konrad Ragnarsson gave props:
Wow,great pic,and thank you for your comment on my finger nails
On 24 April 2008 Photo Girl said:
I am so happy that you are here.... I am also happy to know that there is someone else in this great big world that sees far beyond what the eye can see and find the most eloquent words for expressing what he sees. It is an honor to see and read what you see and feel in a world that most are blind to....
welcome back Seanie! You've given me much to think about in my own direction or lack thereof recently! Thank you thank you thank you....
Rebecca
On 25 April 2008 Melissa Olsen gave props:
More beautiful words and stunning image Seanie.
On 26 April 2008 Anne McGinn gave props:
Heartbreaking and beautiful - we are living on a planet with a chronic disease, but hopefully not a fatal one. Works like this are heroic, Seanie. I salute you and admire how you put your talents to a good cause.
On 26 April 2008 Rain Arnau gave props:
i read the story and it captivates me. your wordings are very true. and i love the scientist part :D and the very last part :D and oh, this picture is breath taking. love it.
On 26 April 2008 Rain Arnau gave props:
no wonder this photo is hot! :D
On 27 April 2008 judy fouse gave props:
Your stories always compel me to think beyond what I know, and they always leave me with a smile no matter the content--just to appreciate the talent of the author. Welcome back to our world. Judy
On 28 April 2008 Jason Watt gave props:
Another fine serman from my favourite preacher. Oh and the picture's a floozy too!
On 4 May 2008 michel vaqué gave props:
beautiful!love the light.
On 10 May 2008 John Linton gave props:
What da ya know, Seanie Blue is in the pink.
On 12 May 2008 adniloj gave props:
Amazing; yes, the whole package! well done seanie
On 16 May 2008 Farras Abdelnour gave props:
So beautiful, so gorgeous!
On 18 May 2008 Andrew Lorimer gave props:
Beautiful
On 26 June 2008 Tesha Farlow gave props:
stunning love it
On 29 June 2008 Tiphaera Chiara gave props:
love the colour!! great shot...