The White Line by Chipka
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Description
I wasn’t on land when I took this picture. I was well beyond the waterline, well into what would have been the rocky rim of Lake Michigan, if the weather was warmer. Thankfully, the weather was cold. There was snow. There was ice. Sand had blown from the beach and swirled strange, ice-embedded patterns. I’d just taken a number of shots in what was to become my “Onion Series” and I was struck by the manner in which sand and ice formed layers, much like those found in the very onions so sacred to fictional guys like Hej, his brother-husband, and their two wives. I didn’t even know who Hej was, or that his people worshipped onions and cherished their dry husks. I didn’t know that there is an entire ritual behind onion-husking, and I still don’t know the complexities of it. Hej knows, but he’s a bit reticent on the topic.
I was very far away from Ůtef when I took this picture. I didn’t even know that there was a place with that name: spelled in a way that blurs languages I’ve heard…or at least seen. The “Ů” in Ůtef is Czech in origin; the overall sound of that city-name is derived from a reconstructed sound native to the ancient Egyptian language. Ůtef, Hej, and all other elements of that world have no real bearing on the Czech Republic or Ancient Egypt, but it’s amusing to me that those two cultures would come together, because of snow, ice, and the fact that I was dangerously far into the body of Lake Michigan. I looked down, immediately after I took this photo and noticed that I stood well within a thick dusting of undisturbed snow. Such a thing is dangerous as the snow itself could conceivably cover a deep rift in the ice itself. Human weight is sufficient to break the crust of snow…and…well…getting wet in cold lake-water isn’t fun, especially if you’re far, far, far away from dry clothes to change into.
I looked down. I muttered, “oh frak!” and immediately lay, belly-flat to the ice. That was when I noticed it was solid ice, and not confabulating snow. I relaxed. I took another shot: the first shot in this snow-bunch that I’d already posted.
My Onion Series is nearly finished. The onionskin I’d used is now fragmented and dead. The onion itself remains. It’s starting to grow roots, and it’s only a matter of time before it begins to sprout, but I’m sure Corey will have eaten an onion-rich salad by then. If not, I might go over to Corey’s and make onion rings to eat in honor of Hej. I’m sure he would be pleased since the cosmology of his people states that gods are best when they also act as food for their worshippers.
This isn’t a part of my Onion Series…It’s something else: it’s moody and strangely alien, and I’m quite pleased that I spent one particular Sunday with Corey and Kate, snapped pictures along the lakefront in Evanston, Illinois…and then gorged myself on Pot Roast a bit later on. This image, if anything, is a marker of that day and the inspiration for a world and characters I couldn’t yet name. It’s funny how inspiration works. I saw snow. I saw ice. I saw the horizon: a frozen and misty white line (more ice far out in the lake) and within a day, a dry, dusty desert world blossomed in my mind. I have a strange muse. But I like him.
As always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week—and a warmer week than Chicago must now endure.
Comments (25)
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend.
NefariousDrO
wow, it looks like the weather was quite "active" that day, too. I love the way the ice and snow builds up along the great lakes shorelines, you get layers of ice from the spray of the waves, sand swirling in the wind, snow, sun-triggered melt and re-freeze, it makes such fascinating and truly byzantine formations sometimes. I like this shot because you can see that, and the crazy ice buildup on the rock or wood pylon (Or whatever it is) seemingly hovering over the water. Great shot!
durleybeachbum
I just can't believe that it is SO cold where you live, and then again so HOT in summer. Well, I can believe it but don't understand why anyone lives there!
jmb007
superbe photo
auntietk
Undisturbed snow is bad when walking on a frozen lake. I must remember that. Well ... of course I'll probably never have to know that, since the chances of me vacationing in a place where the lakes are frozen is slim! LOL! I prefer a more temperate clime. We so rarely get ice here, and when we do it's measured in fractions of inches if its measured at all! Half an inch seems pretty thick to me! This is an amazing image ... Wow!
sandra46
excellent as usual!!!
Orinoor
I really like your photo, it reminds me so much of the thin cake frosting that we would drizzle on top of a bundt cake. It does look cold though, brrr!
CarolSassy
Wow! This is an awesome pic! Excellent work! (:
MrsRatbag
Fantastic stormy scene, I love it!
MrsLubner
Hey, My daughter's nickname is Hej. LOL Anywho... I remember seeing this sort of sight as I stood on the rise overlooking Lake Erie at the end of my street as a kid. I loved the lake in all seasons. This is a brooding shot and very alive.
stolta
This can by in Iceland, great image!!!!!!!!!!
lick.a.witch
What a absolutely wonderful place to be alone! Surrounded by ice, looking out on that view, one could contemplate one's navel to one's heart content! This is fabulous! ^=^
debbielove
Very cool shot.. Ultra peaceful, cold.. A lonely feel to the place.. Really good shot.. Rob
helanker
YIKES! it looks so freeeeezing cold. Yes, take care out there, because I would like to read more narratives of yours ;-)
flavia49
wondderful capture!
marybelgium
splendide !
flora-crassella
FANTASTIC picture!!!!!!
aksirp
is it snow there?? beautiful background with the white line ...
bmac62
Hmmm, I see definite evidence of a flat earth. Look it is just beyond the white line. Columbus heard about it from scholars of his day...he just wasn't convinced. I wasn't either until seeing your photo. Amazing what the mind sees that the eye only thinks it sees. Love this image...stark but very attractive.
RodS
Excellent photo, Chip! Wonderful dark and wintery mood - love the semi-threatening looks of the clouds. Nice one!
beachzz
This could be a moonscape; it's that desolate and devoid of any color. Knowing it's ice and that you were really far too far from shore makes it scary and ominous. But I'm so glad you this shot--it really shows how cold it gets there. I simply have no reference to that kind of weather.
evielouise
Yikes I skated on a lake once as a kid and fell in my friend god bless him came after me yes it can be an awful exprience however, a great experience is your photo it is awesome and beautiful
bimm3d
great place, wonderful capture!!
danapommet
I think that this projects the cold and desolate shoreline very nicely. Dana
elisheba
I first thought you had travelled to Iceland or even to South Pole when I saw this capture. Something in the light and something in the sky that makes it look like a snapshot from some white hell kingdom... This is how they call Antartica: The White Hell with temperatures below -85° Celsius... This is the very first freezing and moody feeling I get when looking at this photograph. I knew America could be cold... I didn't know it could be THAT cold. Anyway, impressive capture and an instant favorite for me.