Washed Up

Two ocean currents meet at the southern tip of Africa. The icy Benguela current flows north from Antarctica, while the warm Agulhas current flows south from Mozambique. At their confluence there are rich fishing grounds, but also stormy and turbulent conditions. Ships in these waters may well be tempted to stay close to shore where the currents are weaker, although this brings an increased risk from the dangerous coastline. Over 500 years since the opening of the first sea route to India, shipwrecks still occur around the Cape of Good Hope. Flotsam from passing trawlers and cargo ships is carried to shore by the prevailing South Easterly wind. Southern Africa's rivers, swollen by summer rains, pour out a mixture of debris which is then carried on the ocean current further south. I spent a year wandering with my camera along these beaches at the southern edge of Africa, gazing at empty sea horizons. Before long, I began to look down at my feet. This is what I found.