Friday, June 06, 2008

Who Can Resist a Shell?



Wonder and Beauty..........




Perfection of Design...............




The Spiral of Life...................




The Rage of the Sea offers them to me.... tosses them to me... as a gift...




Who can resist a shell?...................Not me....






.... from the Fundy Shore....

Green Sea Urchin... Strongylocentrotus droebachiensis, an Echinoderm... grows up to 4"

Stimpson's Colus... Colus stimpsoni, Mollusca... grows up to 4½"

Ten Ridged Whelk... Neptunea decemostata... Mollusca, grows to 4", ...lying on a Deep Sea Scallop... Placopecten magellanicus... grows up to 8"

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17 comments:

Ruth said...

Not me either. It's as if the story told by each one is so complex and delicate, we want them to tell us. These shells, and the photos you took, speak to me.

Anet said...

Wow.... How wonderful, to take a walk and find these treasures! You must have so many. If I were you, I wouldn't be able to leave one behind on the beach! Lovely post!!

Sharon said...

Oh to have a protective exoskeleton to retreat to at will......how cool would that be?!
Beautiful images!!!!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Oh how I relate to what each of you has said...
Ruth...the stories these shells could tell. who used to live their.. their journeys... most were predators even though only beauty remains
Anet... It is really difficult to pass by and not gather them up... some could still be homes for other sea creatures but for others their life is done except for our time now to ponder them...
Sharon...Oh yes a little invisible shield to bounce things off that we feel would injure our souls or just to keep us enclosed and safe ...

sandy said...

I love seashells. Have you ever done a painting of them? Beautiful photos Gwen.

ArtPropelled said...

Not me! I particularly like the shell skeletons and broken bits that have been smoothed by the waves and the sand.

William Evertson said...

I love shells - what can compete with nature in the art department? White breasted nuthatch? Wow - don't think I've ever seen one. We feed year round with seed and suet and have a great bird collection nesting nearby. Your rendering was great. I try off and on to capture birds and find it difficult. I've got a wren and a rooster down but thats about it. By the way - My friend Teri (of Red Barn Studios) was over last night and we were all gushing about your blog - Beautiful Gwen!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks Sandy, I was thinking of trying some more shells ... the ones I have done so far are staying hidden...


Hi Robyn! you are right... every little piece is always smoothed by the pounding waves and buffed with the sand... they feel so good...


Thank you Bill, I am very humbled by your so thoughtful comments.. The way you handle a brush and ink really inspires me.. it looks as if it came with great ease and as you seem a natural to it... Really hope your show is a good experience!!

Don said...

I love being outdoors to walk in places like your Bay, where there are probably few people around. You get a chance to gather not just the shells, but also the smells in the air, the sounds around you and the thoughts such times generate. I find it interesting to listen to what my brain wants to talk about when I am just being in nature.

That is a nice collection, and I especially like the factoids about each one.

rivergardenstudio said...

You have been tagged! See my blog for details...Roxanne

Gwen Buchanan said...

Hi Roxanne, here's mine...
"I Learn So Much From Others"

Anyone who comes here is welcome to give it a try!!!!

Gwen Buchanan said...

Don, you are right about the way an area smells... and the ocean.. sometimes I forget that I am smelling it... and I only notice it on my return, after I have been away for a while.. When I smell it it feels like home!

Jazz said...

I can't resist them either. If I'm by the ocean I always return with pockets full of shells...

Gwen Buchanan said...

oh yes Jazz, and feathers and pretty stones and driftwood and seaglass and...

rivergardenstudio said...

These shells are so beautiful, each so unique and graceful. I love shells too!

flyinamber said...

I just adore shells!These are really beautiful!My home is decorated with lot of shells and corals..I will show some pieces from my collection on my blog this summer..

Gwen Buchanan said...

Thanks Roxanne and Dada, I'd love to see your collections...