Where do I begin? My annual homage to Winter? My current obsession with bridges, rivers, or with all things Design? Let’s practice Yes, and.
This winter of 2025/26, I’ve taken several hundred variations of this photo. From this view of my Swinging Bridge, the A-frame towers cast vertical shadows on the Androscoggin river.
The ice line, snow line, and Mallard foot prints are re-written every single day.
I doubt the ducks are intentionally designing anything here.
Downstream from ‘my’ bridge is the Brunswick Dam. A telephoto view from the new Frank J. Wood bridge allows me to feel the enormous power of water held back. That’s a 600 foot wide wall of water with a straight 42 foot (controlled) drop of our mighty Androscoggin river.
Dam size matters like dose when it comes to power and destruction. Today we are at maximum efficiency for creating energy compared to the quaint water wheel days.
I see ice slabs conferencing and puzzled, or angry eyes. But there is one other story I want to share.
A closer crop of the above photo and behold! A River Otter was here! Follow the tracks: belly slide and feet from top right and then to left of this picture.
I was lagging behind my companion Alisa taking pictures, puzzling at these not-duck tracks, when she actually saw the otter hop then belly-slide into the open water under the bridge!
Dams–by design–change a river from a dynamic, free-flowing system to a regulated one.
Most heartbreaking, ready and fertile, in-their-prime fish cannot realize their drive to return back home. In spring the poor fish swirl helplessly by the thousands the near the water wall, when life wants most to live.
Design is usually thought of as intentional, up-front planning and creating. Yet, imbedded into the process itself is improvisation; spontaneous and unplanned, it is the collaboration–not arguing–with what we know and see and feel. Improv is a result of close listening. Perhaps it is why we have amazing ideas after a shower. Pent-up non-action (listening) releases that part of us that wants action or needs an answer.
Then we design functional bridges and make water into power and, eventually, figure a way to address our stranded fish.
Improvisation. The duck tracks, the shore snow-lines, ice dams, the river otter, even how the winter sun slant pleases us, can we see the design?
How is it that in the darkest, light-starved season, we have water that turns white when the temperature is just right?
Lovely photos as always. I especially like the otter tracks. How lucky to see one!
Author
Thank you very much Jane. I really appreciate you commenting.
Such interesting photos, I’m joyfully envious of the sea otter you saw. What luck !!
Really enjoy your reelections.
Author
Seeing the otter was amazing luck. I’m very glad that you like my reflections.
Beautiful photos! And a sea otter, very cool.
Author
Thank you Nancy. It was cool! I bet there will be wildlife to be seen in your new ‘hood.