And then - he'll turn me round and round -
To an admiring sky -
As One that bore her Master's name -
Sufficient Royalty!
                Emily Dickinson

What is it like at the centre of the centre?

Still life with geo-bag. The soul has fled yet the body remains.

There is something dense, united, settled in the depths,
repeating its number, its identical sign.
How it is noted that the stones have touched time
in their refined matter there is an odor of age,
of water brought by the sea, from salt and sleep.
Pablo Neruda

Inner Planetary Travels. All things work better out here when they're hydrated not oiled.

The Black Sea Bass is a gregarious fish, sometimes to the point of aggressiveness. They don't mind getting in your face. This one was over 12"/30cm and likely a male, which might account for all the dings. They can be hermaphroditic, starting life as females and and transforming into males when they are round 10"/25cm. This poses a bit of problem with size limits in NC at 12" minimum, limiting the catch exclusively to males. It always works better out here when things are hydrated, not oiled.

Inner Planetary Travel. Wanderings in the upper atmosphere

A Moon Jelly wanders through the undeveloped waters off South East North Carolina.

Inner Planetary Travels. All the creatures of the seas. All things work better when they are hydrated, not oiled.

Inner Planetary Travel. On a reef in the undeveloped waters off North Carolina. The reef systems are fairly hardy, but not when tooth and fossil hunters silt them over in pursuit of their take. Some run what amount to unrestricted mining operations, and seem to have little concern with the damage they cause. Things work better out here when we pay attention to the environment.

Inner Planetary Travels. The topic tonight is worms. A Christmas Tree Worm casts a glorious net on the wreck of the Normania. The colourful radioles provide for both respiration and collecting a meal. All things out here are better when hydrated, not oiled.
"I have heard about living at the centre. But what about living at the centre of the centre?" Rumi

Inner Planetary Travel. What a tangled web we weave. Apparently we are not the only creatures to tie ourselves in knots. The Basket Starfish wraps itself in a tight ball anchored to an available Sea Fan. With the onset of darkness, it will unravel and spread it's tentacles in the current to snag passing small creatures. It's better out here when things are hydrated not oiled.

Inner Planetary travel in the undeveloped waters of North Carolina. Two White Grunts discuss matters of individual space. The ledges off South East North Carolina are always better when hydrated, not oiled.

Inner Planetary Travels in the undeveloped waters off North Carolina. A black coral on the wreck of the John D Gill. It's better out here when things are hydrated, not oiled.

Inner Planetary travels in the undeveloped waters off North Carolina

Inner Planetary Travel. Off the coast of North Carolina. Schools of Tomtate Grunts and Atlantic Silversides fill the waters above the wreck of the John D Gill. All things out here are better hydrated, not oiled.