Morning Spirit

On a frigid December morning, I stood shivering behind my tripod at 8 a.m. on the East Coast. My fingers, frozen and stiff, struggled to adjust the camera settings. Although the brutal winter chill threatened to distract me, the beauty before me quickly quelled my discomfort. The sky was a canvas, with small gray clouds resembling watch-keepers ready to vanish as the sun began its ascent.

Suddenly, an orange glow emerged on the horizon, signalling the transition from night to day. This light gently brushed the landscape, revealing subtle reds and greens in the forest to my left. Nearby, a yellow boat bobbed gently in the harbor. Additionally, a bright red fishing house stood close by, resembling a quirky quasi-lighthouse. In fact, the scene was infused with the colors of autumn, despite the late season.

I had driven across Nova Scotia, determined to capture a unique image of this hard-working fishing village. Therefore, I envisioned “Morning Spirit” as part of a Coast to Coast collection. I wanted to juxtapose this sunrise with a West Coast sunset. As a result, I sought to present a fresh perspective, one that would stand out among the many East Coast scenes captured by other photographers.

As I stood in awe, time seemed to freeze. However, just moments after I pressed the shutter, the world transformed before my eyes. One by one, the boats began to motor out of the harbour. Each fisherman offered a friendly wave as they embarked on their frigid commute into the North Atlantic.

Ultimately, “Morning Spirit” became a reminder of the rich fishing history here. It reflects the blood and sweat of generations of fishermen. Moreover, the tranquil reflection of the landscape in the water left me tasting marine salt and feeling the crisp air of an East Coast morning.