A Modern Mermaid

 LOCATION: SUNSHINE COAST, BC

A glamorous photoshoot on Canada's western coastline with BC's most extraordinary native species.

Although I have yet to see a unicorn, British Columbia, Canada, has many fantastical native species that you won't find anywhere else; take a hike in the woods a bit to the north and you might come across a Spirit Bear (the proper name is Ursus americanus kermodei), or Kermode bear), our provincial mammal. You also could spot the two-headed Rubber Boa (I once found one in my yard) or the Jesus Shrew (Sorex bendirii), though admittedly, they can also be found in the northwestern coast of the US. Another native of the Pacific North West is the excruciatingly stylish Western Skink (Plestiodon skiltonianus), a lounge lizard frequently found in exquisitely tailored pinstriped suits with striking electric blue coattails. But the most breathtaking of all is, of course, the Semipuella marina (direct translation: demi-mademoiselle of the sea) – commonly known as the mermaid.

Astrid wears an emerald Gown, secondhand; thrifted black Pumps; and secondhand Earrings

Model: Astrid FIVERSON

Photography/Styling/Hair & Makeup: Annika JORDAN

It has been a lifelong ambition of mine to find such a creature, for although she is native here she is exceptionally shy and also very rare. The only reason I was able to observe this one is that she washed ashore after a storm, with minor injuries to her body but none to her beauty. After nursing her back to health she trusted me enough to allow me to photograph her in her natural habitat.

I discovered a remarkable fact that has been previously speculated upon by marine biologists and conspiracy theorists alike: the reason the mermaid is so rarely viewed on shore is that she has the ability to shift her exterior appearance to resemble that of a sophisticated female Homo sapiens. By doing this she successfully blends in with the environment around her, much like the Chamaeleonidae (Chameleon), the Thaumoctopus mimicus (Mimic Octopus), or the Kallima inachus (Orange Oakleaf Butterfly). I was able to capture the transformation period in which she cleverly uses human objects (for example, a pair of heeled shoes) to further disguise herself.

Such a dream I have had for so long that I can hardly believe I have finally come upon the Semipuella marina herself! And to have had my camera with me at the time of discovery is a further miracle that I now consider the height of my career as a wildlife researcher and photographer.