A nice little stone I found today

Went to the river this morning to watch bald eagles fish and to hunt stones. I came home with several. This is one of the nice ones.

Let me know what you think.

The stone has a very flat, smooth underside and overall no chips or cracks that mar it. I think it looks like a little mountain..I can even see a couple little water ways in it.

Best regards,
Neil

Hello Neil. Productive day by the looks of things. First pic for me. Did you see any Fish Eagles?

No fish eagles.... but pelicans of all things. Never knew Oklahoma had pelicans. At first I thought some whitty smart alec would ask me if I "came home with several" eagles or several fish.

A very productive day...good for the soul & good to get my son outdoors for some fresh air!

I agree with Will. Definately the first pic.

That was also my first inclination. The third pic is the view from the top. The bottom is completely flat. More pics later!!

Hi Neil... Thanks for posting. There is a large scene (crevice & boulders) at the mountain ridge-line of your second photo, but the lower plainer face of this small stone does not support it particularly well. The stone material looks suitable for suiseki and it should be interesting to experience it aging with water increasingly held close to its surface.

Chris,
Interesting view point. I had not seen that view in this stone. I am not following you when you say "it should be interesting to experience it aging with water increasingly held close to its surface".

I have found in the last day or so it is taking on somewhat of a darker tone since I've been handling it.

Neil

Hello Neil,
(Please forgive this...It's really good to know that eagles hunt for stones as well... )

I like the texture of your stone! Regards, Todd

Hi Neil... A lot of enthusiasts choose to fondle stones or even add oils or wax (a form of oil) to deepen the color. I understand the choice. It gives an instant result.

For very hard & fine-grained stones which will only be displayed on daiza, some enthusiasts recommend hand-rubbing-- e.g., Jim Greaves invited a serpentine stone to be rubbed in his Beyond the Black Mountain exhibition. Many would assert that a stone never intended for placement on a tray (e.g., a figure or pattern stone as opposed to most landscape-view stones) is not constrained by appreciation for closely holding water on its surface.

Offering a guest to view water evaporating with nearly undiscernable slowness from the surface of a suiseki & sand in a tray is an elevated form of suiseki display. It requires that a stone to be trained to retain moisture thinnly & evenly on its surface rather than repel water, which can be indicated by beading on an oiled stone.

The slow process of creating a moisture-retentive surface encourages the stone's natural translucence to be seen as opposed to the opaque staining that builds near the stone's surface when oil binds debris. A once-oiled surface requires repeated oiling to recreate luster. The stone loses the depth of its original light/translucence.

From my limited experience, an absorbent landscape-view stone should not be fondled. You'll receive odd looks from those who think hand-rubbing appropriate, however. Some enthusiasts swear that hand-rubbing & or oiling are necessary for creating patina. It is completely your call for your stones.

Hope that helps.

Chris,
Interesting. I have heard of viewing the stones as water evaporates from them. Just never knew there was a certain technique for "training" the stone.

Thanks for explaining.
Neil