The musical voice of the sea is forever calling me to its shores. Sandstone, washed and shaped by the tidal chorus, seems to hold the notes of the sea in rhythmic response. The small holes in the stones are called “tafoni” – such a beautiful smiling kind of word.
(image is available for purchase HERE)
SPROUT: What are you listening to singing its sweet natural song today?
SEED: Have you ever wondered about what makes these fascinating holes in the sandstone and other rock formations? They can be found in many places in the world not just here on the southwest Coast of Canada. I didn’t the formation of the holes had a name until quite recently. I am not sure if it has been decided just exactly how or why the holes exist in the patterns that they do. Here is a link to a lengthy explanation by Nick Doe http://www.nickdoe.ca/pdfs/Webp26c.pdf Whatever the reason or the means by which the rocks are as they are – I love them!
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From Mayne Island, British Columbia, Canada
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Thanks for teaching me the new word of the day, Tafoni! It is a beautiful word. I never knew what those holes were called… I just imagined that they contained some secret code that only the animals of the sea could understand… and I often have looked for some meaning in the design. One day I may print some Tafoni images and connect the dots, like we do with the stars to get the Big Dipper, etc.
You are most welcome and this sounds like a fantastic idea Sherwin. I look forward to your posting of the results.
Actually I think those holes are there to be used as foot holds for people like me who like to climb around on rocks like those. . . at least that’s what I always figured:)
Well, you never know Alison it may be the answer to this mystery 😉 I know I sure take advantage of a well placed tafone now and again.
I hear that same musical voice and your image makes it call louder. Lovely!
Winsomebella it is a lovely thing to share with others – this music of the sea 🙂
Terrill – I very much like the idea of a “tidal chorus.” Just saying it makes me smile 🙂
SPROUT: What are you listening to singing its sweet natural song today?
I haven’t “heard” them (because the windows are closed against the cold), but I’ve been watching two squirrels brave the cold and “discuss” who should have the treasure they’ve found (from a distance it looks to be a walnut, but I can’t imagine where it would have come from)…
Somethings a person can hear by only seeing and squirrels “discussing” would be one of them.
Here is another word-picture for us —-> Jazz playing softly in time to a light rain on the tin roof as I pick up my brush to paint…
yes, Yes, YES!
And I’m absolutely confident that you’re barefoot as you work 🙂
I was for barefoot for awhile Laurie and then my feet got chilly and on went a pair of woolly socks. Painting went well today. Shall likely have something to share by the end of the week.
And I see that you’ve gone well over 50,000 hits! CONGRATULATIONS! I hope that you and David opened a bottle of bubblie to celebrate the wonderful milestone!
I did Laurie go over the 50,000 hits… it was a slow crawl this last bit with the shifts from twitter to G+ for many of my followers but it seems to be picking up steam again now.
Thank you for explaining the crater-like formations. That word tafoni is melodious.
I thought you would like that Maureen 🙂 You are most welcome.
The music of the sea … the music of the trees … the music of poetry. A lovely thought for the new year, Terrill. Wishing you wonderful music from all realms in 2012. Love and light, Daisy
Ahhh such beautiful words Daisy and the same to you. By the way, I really, really liked your guest post over on Writing Your Way Home today… excellent perspective shifting questions http://www.writingourwayhome.com/2012/01/river-in-wilderness-by-daisy-hickman.html