This is one of my favorite pictures from my recent trip to the Outer Banks here in North Carolina.  I stood nearby and took at least 100 photos of wave after wave striking this jetty near the old Cape Hatteras Lighthouse location.  Several of these were installed to prevent erosion and, thereby, protect the Cape Hatteras light (until it was moved in 1999). 

They jettys have endured so much and continue to do so even now.  You can see how this man-made shield has worn.  You can imagine the forces it has endured from powerful hurricanes to the daily tidal changes.  You can see the spray on this side of the structure after impact.  The imagery is evocative!

I am not going to tell you the story of this modern-day shipwreck, but google "Ocean Pursuit shipwreck" and you'll find it.  The ship ran aground in March 2020 and has been left to the elements.  This photo, taken April 2021, shows the condition of the vessel - buried under tons of sand.

As I photographed and researched the ship, my thoughts turned to how this happened.  When the vessel ran aground, it was allowed to remain there and drift with the daily tides and ride the storms.  That tendency to drift instead of intentionally taking action resulted in it being buried. 

I love lighthouses and took so many pictures of Bodie, Ocracoke, and Hatteras.  This day produced child-like glee for me as I was trying to get a sunset with the Hatteras light in it.  Mother Nature did not cooperate with the clouds and I was disappointed.  Then, IT happened - for the first time in my life, I saw the Cape Hatteras light in action.  This photo was my favorite and it got me to thinking.

​​All my photos were of a structure - nothing wrong with that - but we, far too often, focus on structure.  Yes, that structure (much like the lighthouse) has withstood many storms BUT simply standing is not enough.  The purpose of a lighthouse only becomes clear in the dark.  To you I say this - know your purpose and shine when others need it.