Strike

Amidst the ever-changing tides of a Pacific shoal, where the ocean breathed its rhythmic incantations, stood the Great Blue Heron—a solitary sentinel against the canvas of water and sky. The scene, touched by the soft hues of early dawn, was one of serene anticipation, a perfect interplay of gentle hues and tidal whispers. Upon this tranquil stage, the water was a mirror, providing a chiaroscuro effect with its flickering ribbons of light and shadow. It captured every nuance of the heron’s form—a double image cast in the glassy depths, undisturbed except by the occasional verso ripple of the pulling tide. Then, as swift as the darting fish from its view, its beak—a swift strike of precision engineering—descended. An unbroken sweep of movement merged the predator with its surrounding scene. Subtle ripples spread outward, concentric motion signatures upon the shoal.

This image was juried into the Art Gallery of Northumberland's 44th Juried Exhibition.