The Song of the Sirens

by Mary Kay

In Greek mythology, Sirens were part human, part bird. They lived on a rocky island in the middle of the sea, possibly near Italy. They sang melodies so beautiful that sailors passing by couldn't resist getting closer to them. Following their song, the sailors would steer their ships towards them or jump in the water to get closer. Either way, it always ended in disaster on the rocks. That is why the island where they lived was full of shipwrecks.

That was just to explain the title. The more down to earth facts say that the tanker Africa fell into a storm on a night of December 2003. The strong winds and powerful waves made sure that it was its last pass from the island of Milos. And frankly, standing there on an August morning with the wind trying to sweep us off our feet and the waves crashing all around us, constantly spraying us with seawater, this second version seemed much more plausible. But then again, looking back at the memory of that day through the filter of nostalgia I could swear there was a haunting song hidden in the howling of the wind…

This photo was taken at Sarakiniko Bay, Milos Island, Greece

Equipment: Nikon D300

Mary Kay

Born and raised on a little Greek island my earliest memories are of long days at rocky, isolated beaches and expeditions exploring the few woods of the island. A camera never accompanied me during those moments though. Photography came much later on in my life and changed it forever. In the summer of 2008 my companion taught me the basics of photography and in doing so he opened a door to a whole new way of seeing and appreciating the world around me, a new philosophy and way of life. I realized that up till then I merely glanced and never noticed, never fully grasped natures beauty and meaning and its healing effect. Sitting behind a camera you understand your true place and significance in the grand scale of things. A landscape is something timeless, persistent and enduring and we 're mere passengers on it. Measuring your worries and anxieties against that truth you realize how small and insignificant they are. Photography became for me the means to collect experiences and memories. Sometimes I’m able to transform these experiences and memories into a photograph. Other times they just remain as images in my mind. They are equally real to me either way.

Website: www.justeline.daportfolio.com/

The Song of the Sirens by Mary Kay was photo of the day on Monday, 2nd May 2011. It is tagged Greece, Sea, Shipwreck, Sunrise. You can leave a comment below.

19 Comments

Matt

2nd May 2011 at 4:16 am

amazing picture..i like how the boat is shuddered in the mist..makes it so mysterious.

Matt Hansen

2nd May 2011 at 6:47 am

powerful

Ian Pelly

2nd May 2011 at 8:18 am

lovely shot, the misty water around the ship wreck is really powerful.

Pauline Jones

2nd May 2011 at 9:57 am

A beautiful composition made more interesting by the story.

JimAtkin

2nd May 2011 at 11:35 am

I like it. Thank for the background.

Joyce

2nd May 2011 at 1:12 pm

I am mesmerized not only by your photo, but also your words…….you are very talented in both areas.

madeleine j

2nd May 2011 at 2:37 pm

a pictue dreams are made from………late into the night, the what ifs……

Lynne Padick

2nd May 2011 at 4:12 pm

Loved the story, love the photo! You captured it.

Marie Dunphy Harding

2nd May 2011 at 4:55 pm

Your story is as interesting as your photo! Where do I find more info on the Tanker Africa (Dec/03). I do like the title; It’s more mysterious than story #2!