This dense aggregation of Mussels were photographed during an extreme minus tide at the Oregon coast. The Mussels cling to the basalt ocean rocks with an astonishing tenacity and grow incredibly close together. They happen to be edible and when I was growing up, we would pry them off the rocks and take them
back to my aunt's house, where we'd scrub them off and cook them up for dinner. Yum.
 
This is one of those images that relies on a "field of color" type of composition, rather than a single (or multiple) reference point(s). The composition requires a uniform medley of color, form, shape and weight for it to work properly and it is often not easy to put all the right elements together to have the image come together. This photograph has an interesting balance of white barnacles, deep black shadows and rich blue mussels with gold banding which provides considerable visual excitement.
 
Aside from the visual pleasure this image gives me, it reminds me of the fecundity of the earth and the richness and variety of living creatures which fill creation.