Shape Shifters in Sandstone (click to enlarge)
Maybe my imagination was running rampant that day, but when I stepped out of my kayak onto a beautiful little pocket beach, I saw what seemed like a trio of quirky faces at the head of the bay. When I looked back a bit later, they’d morphed into a large prehistoric fish looking out to sea – and by the time I left, I saw something else entirely.
But of course, that’s the shape shifting nature of the sandstone rock that dominates our shorelines here in BC’s Gulf Islands. Over thousands of years, the soft surfaces have been eroded by wind, rain, waves, sun and salt, forming an endless variety of curves, contours, patterns and textures that can launch your imagination on a wide-ranging flight of fancy. What you see in any given stretch of shoreline one day can be utterly different the next day – or even just the next minute – making the journey all the more fascinating.
Eye on Environment 
[…] The Shape Shifters – photographer Laurie MacBride captures a great abstract shot featuring the natural weathering of sandstone on the shores of the ocean on the west coast of Canada. Depending on your state of mind and your eye, this shot reveals different subjects to each viewer, illustrating the power and creativity produced by nature and observed by people. […]
[…] The Shape Shifters – photographer Laurie MacBride captures a great abstract shot featuring the natural weathering of sandstone on the shores of the ocean on the west coast of Canada. Depending on your state of mind and your eye, this shot reveals different subjects to each viewer, illustrating the power and creativity produced by nature and observed by people. […]
hi laurie the one onthe left looks like a mournful hound dog face to me and the one on the right definitely is a ghost with two hollow eye sockets, that’s my story and i’m sticking to it hugs leona
And it’s a good story too! Thanks for the comment, Leona, and here’s a hug back to you.
I love how your imagination works. I saw the faces right away too. How cool to see them and than watch them change entirely into something different.
Thanks, Ida – it is fun to watch them shift their shapes, isn’t it? I could happily look at these kind of shorelines all day long…
I saw faces when the images came up. They are beautiful. 🙂
Thanks, Robin – lovely to hear you share my crazy imagination. 🙂
I do love how the wind and the tides shape the physical beautify of our world.
Thanks for the comment, Charlie – I certainly agree.