Wazhashk (aka Muskrat) Love

It’s Complicated Series –  iPhone  2020

Muskrat, though a modest creature is quite complex. A main character in Ojibwe Creation story,  Muskrat or Earth Diver is portrayed as a quiet sacrificing hero. According to rumors Muskrat can be a trickster and is willing to stand up to others upon occasion. After the great flood Muskrat would the one to save the world by retrieving mud that would make Turtle Island, though tragically at the cost of her life. Some say she didn’t quite die. In any case Muskrat is honored in many Nations through stories. Sometimes different, sometimes similar the stories are always connected to the water.

These images were taken at a branch of the river early in the morning. The water was a clear mirror reflecting everything it could see. Along came muskrat traveling through. Sensing me near she took a dive and that is where the story changed. That decision transformed the trees into complex and bending forms. What grand work for such a little creature. I am not sure if I will be able to translate this complex language but it will keep me inspired.