A winter storm strikes. Sands shift. A navigation channel is gone. It appears that a new or altered river delta has formed. "Delta" is the right geological and figurative term because so much changed. This is the nature of change. This is Narragansett. This is the Narrow River.



I walk to the end of Narragansett Beach and watch the water as it shifts and moves where it is not "supposed" to be. I make some quick hops and jumps to keep my feet dry. I am standing on what is now a part of the river bed. The existential feeling that I should not be here starts to creep in.



I stand observing this familiar place (I have hiked out here many times) that is no longer familiar. The sand has shifted to a geographic point that is foreign yet the same. Yet, like so many things foreign, it is also beautiful. The water is as clear as the air. Patterns and reflections surround us.



This is the nature of Narragansett. Will it change in the next storm? Will we need sounding leads to traverse the river entry?



As an aside, I did not know how to term or categorize these photos. The scenes observed were equal parts, documentation, shock, dismay, and scenic beauty.



Narrow River Delta





Standing on a part river bottom, partly shifted river delta where sands have shifted due to storms in Narragansett, Rhode Island.













Standing on a part river bottom, partly shifted river delta where sands have shifted due to storms in Narragansett, Rhode Island.



Sands Displaced





Sands DisplacedThe sand moved to new places and new and enhanced sand bars formed in the Narrow River after a storm in Narragansett, Rhode Island.









The sand moved to new places and new and enhanced sand bars formed in the Narrow River after a storm in Narragansett, Rhode Island.



River Channel No More





River Channel No MoreThere used to be a river channel in this place. Now the sands of a storm have created something new and different. On the Narrow River, Narragansett, Rhode Island.









There used to be a river channel in this place. Now the sands of a storm have created something new and different. On the Narrow River, Narragansett, Rhode Island.



Shifting Sands





Shifting SandsThe sands of Narragansett Beach become a feature of the Narrow River following a winter storm. Clear waters below and clear skies above in Narragansett, Rhode Island.









The sands of Narragansett Beach become a feature of the Narrow River following a winter storm. Clear waters below and clear skies above in Narragansett, Rhode Island.



© Keith R Wahl, Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery, 2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Keith R Wahl and Made From RI/Made From RI Gallery with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.



Photo from our Made From RI Gallery portfolio display "Seascapes/Shoreline" (all photos are available as prints, canvas wraps, framed works, cards, or many other formats).