J’aime les grands espaces
English version below the picture .
Cette photo a été prise en décembre . Elle montre le commencement de l ‘ estuaire d ‘une rivière picarde , l ‘ Authie . Sur la photo le rivière vient de la gauche et commence à se frayer un passage dans les dépôts de boue laissés par les hautes marées pour s ‘ épanouir plus loin dans la mer.
Je frissonnais en contemplant ce paysage sans limites , fait d ‘ eau , de lumière , de boue et de végétation capable de résister au sel . Cependant je connais très bien cet estuaire puisque j ‘ ai fait en 1964 la carte de la végétation qu ‘il contient , formant des zonations selon le gradient de sel des amas de boue . Cela me prit deux mois à marcher de long en large à l ‘intérieur de l ‘ estuaire pour étudier la végétation et ses variations .
Mais je ne me lasse jamais de regarder cet espace infini dans lequel on se sent re – créé . Je vois là un paysage des origines avec cependant quelques traces humaines ( les petites barques collées à la boue ) , un paysage qui incite à la méditation et à la prière .

This photo was taken on December. It shows the beginning of the estuary of a Picardy river, the Authie. In the photo the river comes from the left and begins to make its way through the mud deposits left by the high tides to flow further out into the sea.
I shivered contemplating this limitless landscape, made of water, light, mud and vegetation capable of resisting the salt. However, I know this estuary very well since in 1964 I made the map of the vegetation it contains, forming zones according to the salt gradient of the mud deposit (shore ). It took me two months to walk up and down inside the estuary to study the vegetation and its variations.
But I never get tired of looking at this infinite space in which we feel re-created. I see there a landscape of the origins with however some human traces (the small boats stuck to the mud), a landscape which encourages meditation and pray
Lovely! It is indeed a beautiful spot Michel! You continue to surprise me – I didn’t know you were a limnologist!
Here is a French saying, Val: “To live happily, live in hiding” 🙂 ❤
…”un paysage qui incite à la méditation et à la prière”
Non posso aggiungere altro caro Michel.
Ti abbraccio forte forte 💚❤️🌹
Grazie per questo bel commento, Sherazade ❤
Bonne nuit mon Ami🌹💚
E domani mattina ti saluterò sul tuo blog, Sherazade ❤
What an inspiring place, Michel! Thank you for sharing your photo! Holiday greetings to you, Janine, and your wonderful family!
Love ❤
Cheryl
Walkind and studying this wonderful place make me dreaming, Cheryl . and inspired . ❤
I too feel the same when I see rivers in full flow and the infinite expanse of the sea. Thank you for sharing.
I know you love nature , Lakshmi . You speak of it in your posts . ❤
It looks beautiful Michel!!! ❤️❤️❤️
It’s so grand, Mary ! ❤
A beautiful spot for wonderful memories and outstanding writing. Cheers to the infinity you find here. Well done, Michel.
In this estuary we find a excetional flora and also a special fauna , Frank.
‘Finding infinity’ is the perfect term to describe the immersion I personally feel when I’m surrounded by my home state’s mountains. An estuary for you – I relate, Michel.
Being immersed in nature whatever it is brings us indefinable feelings, Laura. ❤
It is beautiful, Michel! I can picture you walking up and down the shoreline, studying the vegetation. You probably made drawings, too? I grew up near the sea, and know the feeling of looking at infinity, It does encourage meditation and prayer.
Much love to you, Janine and the family, ❤️
Lavinia
Glad you have the same feelings to share , Lavinia I took some photos of groupes of plantes . I discerned 250 points with differences in the species and their number . I reported those points on a map. And further I used colors to gather the points . And so the large groups of plants have been visible on the map and , with the color visualised their repartition in the space of estuary. ❤
Merry Christmas, Michel!
It is always good to have a place to go and contemplate life. Water has a calming effect, not only for the eyes, but the heart as well.
Peace to you, my friend!
Always!
Rachel ♥️
I am glad , Rachel, you get the same feelings than mines in the contemplation of the beautiful nature . ❤
C’est un paysage très large avec beaucoup de ciel. Intéressant d’entendre parler de certains de vos travaux scientifiques. Nous vous souhaitons de Joyeuses Fêtes. Tous nos voeux de bonheur.
Mes études scientifiques ou pédagogiques ont été nombreuses et diversifiéesont été abondantes mais avec l’âge j’ai oublié beaucoup!
Amitiés à toi, Stéphanie ❤
A beautiful scene Michel. So peaceful. ❤️
I know, Holly, you are strongly inspired by different aspects of the nature.
Love ❤
Very much so Michel. I love natures peaceful scenes, forests, rivers. I wrote a poem about estuaries, however I wove it as a tribute to those soldiers who perished at Normandy. Thank you for the lovely post. That you were there to experience and notate growth is another example of your Amazing experiences and knowledge! ❤️
I would like to re-read your poem about estuaries , Holly. During a stay in Normandy in the landing area I meditated in the American military cemeteries . I remember too listen the BBC radio to follow the landing with my father (I was 11 in 1944) ❤
Oui c est un superbe endroit avec une faune et flore merveilleuse…..on s y sera bien promène…on ne s en lasse pas
Bonne soirée à tous les deux je vous embrasse
Je sais, Carole, combien tu aimes te promener dans la nature dans ses différents aspects à cheval ou avec les chiens . Il y a tant de trésors à observer. ❤
So nice to hear about your work here Michel 🙂
Wide open spaces are contemplative as they remind us that our brief visit here is riddled with challenges that are a mere moment in the grander picture.
I would want to write with your words, Kate .
I remember your posts about your trip through the beautiful Australia and your interesting observations on the nature. ❤
yes, it sure works for me 🙂
Yes you are right,Kate , those moments are unforgettable
❤
I love how you are so in tune with nature or said better with God! Love, Nancy
Thank you Nancy. I remember how much you loved to look at the grand ocean with Bruce. ❤
Nicely lyrical, friend Michel
Thank you very much, Derrick. I know how much you like to be in full nature around you.
Doug G. Thomas said on Facebook.
This is a rich bio zone, much to discover and learn about! Often, rivers are sourced at small springs, another place that can be very interesting places to study
Sources areas are rich to study ( botanic, zoological and geological
Carol McKay Harper said on Facebook:
The mapping of this must. have been so interesting and personally fulfilling.
So true , Carol . I presented my study to a jury like for a thesis . And I never forgotten this time .<3
Stacie Kelsey said on Facebook:
Very cool
I am glad to read your comment, Livia. ❤
Beautiful photo! Beautiful memories!
I like wide open spaces, too! 🙂 We all need them! 🙂
What interesting and great work you did, Michel!
(((HUGS))) 🙂
I am not surprised you love wide open spaces like me, Carolyn.
About the work I did at this time I still keep good memories as you see.
❤
I thought of you today, and said a quick prayer for you and Janine. I like living in a small town and seeing the change of seasons, but the older I get the more I mind the cold. The only thing I miss about living in Calif. where I grew up is the ocean. Indiana ponds just can’t compare with the power and vastness, mystery and beauty of the ocean.
I am very touched , Gracia, by the prayer you said for us today. Thank you.
I like the way you love the grand ocean. ❤
houseofheartweb.wordpress.com/2020/05/25/estuary-of-flowers
Thank you Holly . An estuary of flowers make me dream too . ❤
❤️🤗
Michel, I find it so interesting that you have walked along this estuary back in the 60s to study the vegetation. I remember your vocation was that of a geologist. I am guessing that your profession has allowed you to visit many wonderful landscapes and cultivated your love of nature. Is that a fair assessment? I am glad you were able to revisit this “old place” and stood in awe of the limitless nature!
The geography of an estuaire is changing according time ad so for the vegetation . So my work was “true ” in 1964 and has changed since then. What is not changing is the methode used , Louisa. ❤
Bonjour, Michel. I feel the same as you. Our minds can wander when we are in open spaces. We can feel free there. Take care. Neil
Yes , we have a feeling of freedon in a large space . However wee have to take care of the hours of the tides !
Michel
I always love reading and seeing photos of your nature observations, Michel. ❤
Yes , Marion, it is interesting to know and let our friends kwow also. ❤
Quand j’étais aux Pays-Bas, j’ai eu une discussion avec un copain qui venait des Hautes Alpes, avec un horizon à 4000 mètres. Il me disait qu’on ne peut pas ressentir d’émotions aux Pays-Bas. Je lui ai répondu que le talent était justement d’aller chercher la beauté là où elle ne frappe pas. Sinon, je fais quoi de Soulage, Klein, Miro …
Une belle journée à Janine et à toi, Michel.
Tu as raison, Gilles, la beauté est partout quand on sait la discerner .
Amitié
It’s a beautiful photo, Michel. I like wide, open spaces too.
I guessed this, Suzy . Nature always is fascinating. ❤
It’s beautiful and looks peaceful. Nature has an amazing way of lifting our spirits. Stay safe and healthy, Uncle Michel. Sending my love to you and Janine❤️
What you say is so true, Isabel. In your country you find large and long seaside and estuaries probably. ❤
Lovely scene.
Lovely and also impressive, Angy. ❤
A peaceful spot.
This space gives a lot of examples of ecological features and I am sure you would like it . I remember your visits to the cliffs in your area . ❤
I would.
Yes you would like crossing this estuary with a lot of precautions !
Marie Madeleine Watteel says on Facebook:
Belle photo ! Bravo!
Yes, beautiful and also a strate of space offering matters to study, Marie-Madeleine <<3
Sharon White says on Facebook:
Merry Christmas from Texas and sad to tell you Rex passed in Oct of Covid.
What you say abour Rex is awful . I am choqued to read this
All of my condoleances , for you, Sharon. 😦 ❤
Frances Winslow said on Facebook :
I tried to comment on your blog but because I was on a different email program, it was taking too time. I did enjoy your entry and I imagine that you kept all of the research.
Thank you, Françoise . Happy to read you. ❤
This reminds me of the 1990 movie Mindwalk that was based on Fritjof Capra’s book The Turning Point. A politician, a writer, and a scientist, all experiencing midlife crises, spend a day off at Mont-St.-Michel where the scientist has been contemplating life, and she tries to convince the others of the ecological world view she has developed while living in isolation. At the end, they watch the tide come in on the mud flats outside the island:
Pascal, too, had similar thoughts to yours in the Pensées
I had to read and re-read this seriousy documented comment . I could only say meditation and prayer but you, Neil, you say this in a well documented way callling book and even” les pensées” de Pascal
I could only say “meditations and prayers ” . Is this what I feel or it is a cross back of old readings ?
Thanks Neil to bring more substaprnce to my post.
In friendship
Michel
I like wide open spaces as well , that is a wonderful photo. As you know my daughter lives in the Isle of Man , she lives in a apartment on the promenade so gets to see the beautiful Douglas bay every day. I am sorry that France lost yesterday in the World Cup
I have been sorry at watching the match. France team was not like usual in the first part of the match . But:) I find solace in thinking they go to the finale and the shoots after the match have been a necessity to design the winner!
Love ❤
Michel
Bonnes fêtes MIchel. Joyeux Noël et bonne année 2023 à toi “and yours”. Et surtout: bonne santé… (Nos grand-pères avaient bien raison n’est-ce pas quand ils disaient qu’il n’y avait que ça qui compte…)
Hugs.
🤗
Merci, ami, pour tes bons voeux et particulièrement une bonne santé. J’en ai bien besoin en ce moment .
Bonne santé à toi aussi!
👍🏻
Peggy Flora said on Facebook :
looks very similar to a place we like to visit in the winter ~
I understand what you mean , Peggy.
Nice picture. There’s a lot to explore I’m sure. I think rivers do move around a bit over time, carving new banks and filling old ones. I hope you are well.
Sea, sand , mud and halophile vegetation give a changing balance
Ruth Detwiler said on Facebook :
Merry Christmas from the Washington Coast
I don’ believe it is the same coast as the estuary , I DESCRIBE Ruth; ❤
Jude Karen said on Facebook:
Love and Joy, Michel ♥
It was a pleasure for me tO read you, Jude
Love ❤
Michel
Angy Perera said on Facebook:
What a beautiful place to visit!
A place for admiration and meditatioon , Angy.
Love ❤
Michel
wishing you and your entire family a joyous spiritual Christmas and may 2023 bring you improved health and more family gatherings 🙂
Thanks for your Christmas wishes spiritual ones of course but also about healh , Kate; We need theem.
Love ❤
Michel
Passer deux mois à explorer et à enregistrer la végétation ici vous a évidemment laissé une impression durable lorsque vous revisitez cet estuaire.
Je comprends pourquoi vous ne vous lassez jamais de regarder chaque paysage changeant d’eau, de sable et de boue…
Merci pour le partage…
Je vous envoie, à vous et à votre chère épouse, beaucoup d’amour et de bien Michel.
Merci pour toutes vos merveilleuses visites au Sanctuaire de Dreamwalker mon ami..
Passez un merveilleux et très joyeux Noël et bonne santé pour 2023 et au-delà… J’espère que vous vous sentez beaucoup mieux et plus mobile maintenant…
Envoi d’amour ❤
To spend two months exploring and recording vegetation here, obviously left a lasting impression upon you as you revisit this estuary ..
I can see why you never tire of looking at the every changing landscape of water, sand and mud….
Thank you for sharing…
Sending you and your dear wife, lots of love and well wishes Michel.
Thank you for all your wonderful visits over at Dreamwalker's Sanctuary my friend..
Have a wonderful and very Happy Christmas and all the very best of health for 2023 and beyond… I hope you are feeling much better and more mobile now ..
Sending Love ❤
Beautiful comment , Sue . May your wishes come true.
Thanks for your kindness.
Love ❤
Michel
Much love returned Michel, for a wonderful Christmas and beyond 💕✨️🎄✨️💕
Scenes like that are restful to the soul and can contain both memories and possibilities.
This scene talks to the soul, Kathy/ ❤
Chriss Hadley said on Facebook:
To Michel l and family!
Image: Christas pine tree
Je comprends Michel que cet espace infini et diversifié a vraiment beaucoup de sens et de valeur pour toi, et puis à chacun ses préférences !
bises et bonne semaine à toi et à ta famille !
Oui, Maidy, cet estuaire a pris beaucoup de place dans mon coeur et dans celui de la famille .<3
How are you all Michel? We wish you and your family good health and happiness in the new year. Regards, Lakshmi
We are well, Lakshmi and we hope new year will be better yet.
With love ❤
Michel
Cheri Herald said on Facebook.
Interesting post– as always. Merry Christmas, Michel!!
What a beautiful plsce!place!! Hugs
Bonne année, Michel! Love to you and Janine! ❤️
Thank you , a lot, Lynda . ❤
What a lovely place for a morning gallop. My horse used to love to lope along the shore on the firm sand. I’m thinking the Duchess thinks the same when she sees the unspoiled beach.
The duchess loves riding her horses on every landscape : fields , woods , fields, river and by the sea . And her horses love this too. ❤