Moment of Syn . . . is home to those sublime moments that remind us of the subtle harmonies at work in nature. Synergy in motion.

 

03.01.12

Island Waves. “I had a false belief: I thought I came here to stay. We’re all just visiting, all just breaking like waves…”

I liked Jeff’s use of a Pearl Jam lyric on the previous MoS, and this one works great for the current installment. This Moment is a bit revealing. It is an amazing setting on the shore of Orcas Island in the San Juans as the sun sets over another of the islands in the chain. And, little defines a moment like a sunset, with the rapid change in colors from warm to cool and the brief but drastic effect is has on the surround. Here, Vega and I do what we often do during these kind of moments: we shoot video and take a bunch of pics, as reflected by all the beeps and clicks you hear in the video. I suppose there is a good argument that we should sit back and take in this quiet moment, just be for a few minutes without regard to the image capture devices. We did a little of both that night…dwelled a while in the moment and also embraced our role as visitors here, taking a few snapshots along the way. Hope you enjoy.

The laughter in the background from some folks camping nearby (and literally running amok in what can only be described as one of the coolest campsites I have ever seen) compels me to finish the Pearl Jam lyric: “…the oceans made me, but who came up with love? Push me, pull me; push me, or pull me out.”

01.26.12

Synset. “Is this just another day of earthquakes making waves…”

For some reason that line from one of my favorite Pearl Jam songs permeated my brain while I was shooting this sunset outside my home. I was sitting in the kitchen playing cars with my son and noticed these brilliant colors cascading through the window. I quickly rounded up my gear and went outside to try to capture the moment. When I returned my son asked, as he so often does, “What are you doing, Dad?” I tried my best to explain to him the importance of recognizing and taking the time to appreciate the beauty that often surrounds us, such as by spending a silent moment in the glow of a particularly beautiful sunset. That evening was more than just another sunset . . . it felt more like another great gift from nature, and I chose to share it in hopes that the moment pulls us all a bit closer together. That’s what the Moment of Syn is all about.

01.15.12

Tadpoles is the original inspiration for the “Moment of Syn,” a place where we will regularly post short videos that capture the sublime in ordinary and extraordinary moments. As we sat silently at the edge of this small lake on Orca’s Island among the San Juans, these tadpoles drifted lazily out from one shallow cove to stretch their newly formed legs. We spent several hours by this lake, mostly in silence, just watching and listening, and it is one of my favorite afternoons I can recall. Enjoy this and be on the lookout for our new work!

Disclaimer: We have heard from the first fan of the Moment of Syn that these may, in fact, not be tadpoles. What we may have here is a Rough Skinned Newt or a Northwestern Salamander. So, anybody know for sure? Have we discovered a unique species of Newtadamander?