A BRIDGE OVER UNTROUBLED WATERS

A favorite because the water seems to have been erased completely, while the trees might almost be, except for a few telltale signs, continuous from top to bottom. The vertical figure(s) vaguely resemble the Japanese temple guardians stationed at the ends of the long hall in the Freer Gallery of Asian Art in Washington, DC. Perhaps the creatures appearing in these photographs are Guardians of the Forest. If they exist, why are they not more persuasive? Northern Virginia has lost much woodland during the last 20 years, but so have many other places. In 1980, a passenger departing Dulles Airport would have seen mostly green interspersed with some browns and grays. Now it is just the opposite.