When I started this body of work, I first thought of how much I have fallen in love with this area. Despite the many drawbacks that we encounter living in the Bay Area, we are still some of the more fortunate of earth’s residents. We have such a plethora of diverse terrain available to us within a 2 hour driving range.

I am compelled to photograph the ways in which the surrounding bodies of water shape our lives. It is more than just the way water shapes our physical environment. It is more than just streams and creeks gravitating toward the sea in the shapes and sounds of waterfalls. My words cannot express the high degree of emotional satisfaction that it provides. I cannot even sum it up in a few terms; except to say that these waterscapes relate to my sense of identifying and belonging to my landscape.

The images in this show can be found within a less-than 2 hour drive from the Bay Area. They were taken in winter with the exception of the two waterfall images, which were taken in late spring. So, if you are waking up on your day off, or find yourself with a few free hours, you can visit so many surrounding areas with minimal cost and time. The sites here do not require any major hiking. Most are very close to parking. I encourage you to go out and experience your surrounding area. Usually one day out leads to another and another and...

Ginni Savalli, 2003