Salt Marsh in Fall

Today was spent on the salt marsh south of Portsmouth. The delicate estuaries that make up our coastal landscapes are truly miraculous. Deborah Paris’ painting of the salt marsh moonrise captures the wonderful sense of mystery and constant change in these habitats. I have been very home sick for Florida the last few weeks, but today’s afternoon in the burnt sienna grasses and tidal water seemed to suspend all longing and bring me to the peaceful present. It was as if nothing mattered but the tide surging up the mud flat bringing little fishes and wheeling birds. The great brackish smells, clean air…so salty it abrades your skin, wonderful autumn color made it completely absorbing. When I look at Deborah’s painting time suspends in the same way. The moon rises, the water carries us through…