Tag: Numbers

Eight & Eight Is

by Ebb Then Flood

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Today’s mystery pic is a view upwards in a chamber in the Scottish National Gallery.

Eight segments in the skylight; eight Grecian-inspired plinths .

Symmetry of numbers.

It always gets me, to show that there is some sense of order in our crazy, supposedly random world.

(The title to this blog is an unashamed pilfering of the name of a 1966 song by psychedelic rock mavens Love, “Seven & Seven Is”. I love Love!)

Together In Precarious Places

by Ebb Then Flood

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   Gannet Colony, Muriwai Beach, NZ

Back to the beach and birds.

Previously: Return Of The Gannets

Where, and how, they gather together in this place is a marvel.

It’s not easy.

The migration route across the Tasman Sea to this very location, for some of the gannets at least, is a miracle of sorts.

But even the smallest things are difficult.

On a recent trip out to Muriwai, I observed one gannet make a dozen unsuccessful passes  trying to deposit twigs as nesting material to its partner. Landing in the small nest space (indentations in the soft rock and dirt , which they create) was prevented time and again by the swirling gusts of wind. I watched for minutes and the creature persevered, but still hadn’t completed the task by the time I left (it was way worse than any airline delays and technical issues I have suffered through!).

The bird was working so hard for its mate and family.

The entire flock of gannets pull together to survive in this precarious place of wind, sea and clifftops.

So too, vulnerable people need each other just to get by.

Immigrants in strange lands. Struggling sports teams. Addicts in recovery. The destitute and homeless.

Communities formed by necessity and nurtured by mutual reliance. Strength in numbers, for sure.

When the odds are stacked against you, there are no prizes for being a f**king lone ranger…