Nest met twee jonge zilvermeeuwen en een ei c. 1870 - 1940

This is a small, black and white photograph by Adolphe Burdet, depicting two young seagulls nestled in their grassy nest with an egg. I’m imagining Burdet, out there in the dunes, carefully composing this shot, maybe even holding his breath as he gets in close to capture the vulnerability of these fluffy chicks. The texture of the image is so soft, almost like it could be a painting, with these diffused light and subtle variations in tone. You can almost feel the softness of the downy feathers and the scratchy dryness of the surrounding grass. There's a tenderness in his approach, a quiet appreciation for the fragility of life, and it reminds me of other artists like Walton Ford who share that deep fascination with the natural world. It makes me think about how artists are forever trying to capture the fleeting moments of existence, like the first chirps of life, and the enduring power of nature.