The North Carolina Estuarium is showing the works of Washington native Ernest Larkin as its featured artist of the month.
“The Color of Water” is a collection of nature scenes that were all taken “east of (U.S. Highway) 17,” Larkin said.
“I wanted to have water in all of them because water is so important in this region,” Larkin said.
He looked through a collection of images that have spanned decades and chose the ones that featured area waterways and nature.
One of Larkin’s favorites is called “Peaches and Joe.” It is a photo he took in Engelhard of shrimpers and their boats. He said the photo is filled with details and likes how much it relates to this area.
He included photos taken at the Outer Banks and throughout Beaufort County.
Larkin started taking photographs as a hobby.
“When I was in the Army in the 1970s, I just had access to pretty good equipment and have been taking them ever since,” Larkin said. “It’s a good excuse for me to get outdoors.”
Larkin said the featured-artist exhibit is a nice part of the Estuarium, but not the best part. He appreciates that the Estuarium exposes children to parts of the environment they might not otherwise see, whether it’s shells from the shores or native plants.
“The exhibits are good, but I think their programs are even more important. Getting people out on the water… is important,” he said.