Trees in the Sand


I love going to the beach on the day after a big storm.  I’ve noticed that after strong weather, there are often magical surprises to discover such as shimmery shells, driftwood nuggets, and sand-worn rocks and pebbles.  However, what I found on our last trip to the beach really blew me away.

Below are some unexpected masterpieces that I discovered in the sand. I loved them so much that I wanted to carve out each scene and cart it home, but of course I couldn’t, so I took these photos instead.  I think that these trees in the sand are nothing short of miraculous…thank you mother nature!

Here’s a look at the first tree that I spotted.  The branch details are so incredible.

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And look at these little trees, all standing in a row like a forest meeting the edge of a field.

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Notice how the trunks and limbs of these trees appear to be so strong – they just kept on growing despite the rock obstacles.   Looking at these trees, thoughts of resilience and the human experience occupied my mind.  We all know that life can be difficult and that there will always be obstacles.  And since it’s impossible to completely avoid these obstacles, we must learn to deal with them.  Like these trees in the sand, when things get in our way we need to figure out how to keep going…how to keep growing.  We must grow stronger no matter what, reaching determinantly towards the sky with roots planted deeply into the soil.

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The image below looks less like a tree and more like a burning flame.   This robust flame conjures thoughts of passion and the intense desire to create.  I believe that a flame burns inside of each of us and in order for it to keep burning brightly and powerfully, we must allow it some air…to breathe.  And at the same time this fire needs fuel.   It needs to be stoked and constantly tended to.  This is similar to my need to nurture the artist in me.  Because if I slack off, the flame will inevitably die down, become weak and less vibrant…less full of life. 

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To keep the flame burning strong I need to create things, anything, many things…all of the time.  What about you, what makes you feel most alive?

This week I’ll be sharing my personal Art Saves story at Crescendoh.   While writing this story I had a chance to dig underneath the surface, uncover some roots and for the first time recognized exactly how art helped me get through an especially challenging period earlier in my life.



19 Comments, Comment or Ping

  1. it certainly is magical. i think they were waiting for you to give them a story.

    June 21st, 2010

  2. These are truly amazing! How exciting to have discovered them and captured even just a simple reflection of them with your camera! Beautiful!

    June 21st, 2010

  3. Hi Becky!

    Ay yi yi! I’m so sorry, I only just saw that you had so sweetly sent me an email. D’oh. I just sent you one back. 🙂 Thank you for being so dear and a sweetheart!

    I love this post! It’s a great reminder to me that I live too much in my own head and I really need to look around me at the wonders there are in this life.

    I look forward to reading your Art Saves story!

    Happy Monday,
    Sally

    June 21st, 2010

  4. what gorgeous photos…..i don’t remember ever seeing images like these on our beach here. they are breathtaking, and i always love reading your interpretations! and how true it is about the roots and flames……and how they almost rely on each other…….xoxox

    June 21st, 2010

  5. Vicki

    These really are amazing and a great reminder of the beauty and art that exists naturally all around us. You know there will be folks that walk along that beach and don’t notice a thing. This is a great reminder to open our eyes and be in the moment, take in everything around you with all of your senses. I love those moments of solitude when my sense awaken! Thanks for sharing and for the email today!

    June 21st, 2010

  6. Hi Becky – absolutely amazing – I’m so glad you shared this with us – when you look nature is absolutely the most amazing thing – I often say when I see things like this that you have to believe there is a god and that he is an artist when I see things like this – do you know what created the shapes

    June 21st, 2010

  7. Cathy, these shapes were created so simply – just water trickling down the gentle slope of the beach, inching its way back towards the ocean (this happened after it had rained.) When I saw these images, I thought of god too…he is a wondrous creator.

    June 22nd, 2010

  8. These are so unique and profound. So, happy you snapped some photos of them and shared! Art works in mysterious ways… I love the idea of flames and how we need to feed it. We need air and fuel to keep the inspiration coming! Great metaphors for passion and the creative spirit~

    I am so glad you dug through and exposed your roots and where you passion was ignited and born!
    xXx

    June 22nd, 2010

  9. Cathy, how absolutely gorgeous. i love how you caught the magic with your photos.

    June 22nd, 2010

  10. dearest becky…
    this particular post really hit home with me.
    your photographs are AMAZING. i love that you took the time to notice what most would have walked over…a miraculous wonder.
    i couldnt help but notice the comment above about God and how He is the ultimate creator and i always feel that as His children…we are inherently creators as well. i haven.t thought about this for awhile, so thank you dear friend for reminding me and for urging me to be resilient and keep stretching upward.
    you touch me.
    c

    June 22nd, 2010

  11. Doreen Carscadden

    Hi Becky, this post is so nice – the trees in the sand are magic! Wow, how does that happen?! Thanks for sharing! Doreen

    June 22nd, 2010

  12. Suz

    Becky,
    Those are such peaceful pictures. They really make me pause and take a breath, which is just what I need at the beginning of a busy day.

    I will look to see you story on Crescendoh. I love that site (and Jenny Doh) and congratulate you on being chosen. I think it is quite an honor.

    Suz

    June 23rd, 2010

  13. wow, becky, what amazing shots. and it takes such a keen eye to spot beauty in the ordinary like this. i’m a beach girl myself and love to go out the after storms too. on our back porch, we have a large piece of driftwood we found after hurricane floyd. we lovely can him, “Floyd”. yes, we name our driftwood around here. 🙂

    June 24th, 2010

  14. Becky, I have never seen anything like this before! Now I see what you were speaking about. Utterly amazing. God’s handiwork is evident in all of nature, no? I will add to your story….these were carved out on the beach, just for your eyes that day. Because you had your camera, you captured them, but once they were gone, they were gone. It was a masterstroke of providence that you were watching with a keen eye, to see a message meant only for you. Thanks for sharing it with all of us!

    June 25th, 2010

  15. WOW I haven’t noticed those in sand in the way that you have portrayed it.. Now that I think about they are there and as a photographer I am really excited to take a trip to a beach in NH. Just perhaps something magical will be there too. Very nice! Thanks so very much for sharing this!

    June 26th, 2010

  16. Becky,

    these images are nothing short of miraculous…..and something not everyone would notice!!

    but YOU did…
    you took the time to SEE
    the creations carved out in the sand
    after the big storm, the winds, the rains…

    this is such a beautiful, heartfelt post. i love your views on what each of these “trees” represent in our everyday lives….how we must continue to keep growing in spite of obstacles and what it is we need to do in our lives to keep the flames burning.

    thank YOU becky.

    xxoo
    k

    June 26th, 2010

  17. Hi Becky,

    I stopped by the other day but didn’t have time to post. The pictures must have made an impression because they were in my dream that night.
    I love how you captured these magical trees. Beautiful! I’ll keep a closer eye the next time I venture to the beach. Thank you for sharing. 🙂

    ♥Jenny

    June 27th, 2010

  18. chrissy

    becky…
    i am in utah on my dads computer about to leave for jackson hole, wyoming with my family…so i don.t have your email with me, so forgive me for sending this via…your blog.
    i just wanted to thank you so much for honoring my post about my mom.
    i am still in awe that it spoke to you.
    it makes me feel so good to know that.
    i LOVED reading all about you last week on crescendoh.
    that was so wonderful to see you there.
    i look forward to growing our friendship, but just wanted to quickly say
    thank you!
    you are a dear!
    loves,
    c

    June 27th, 2010

  19. elk

    what a gift you discovered and shared here today … really strong

    June 28th, 2010

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