These photographs trace a personal journey sparked by a local myth: a single golden koi said to inhabit the Porter Howard Reservoir in Manchester, CT. When I first went searching, I found not only the hidden reservoir itself, but the fish - glimmering just beneath the surface, appearing as if summoned. I returned daily, bringing fruit to feed it, photographing our quiet encounters. Over time, the koi fish became a symbol of wonder in an otherwise ordinary landscape.

Then one day, the koi was gone. I continued visiting through changing seasons, hoping for a return, hearing rumors of the fish’s death but refusing to accept them. Eventually, I realized the search had shifted: I was no longer looking for the fish, but for a way to understand its absence.

This work documents that arc of discovery, companionship, loss, and acceptance. It reflects how meaning can take root in unexpected places, and how even a brief encounter with the extraordinary can shape the way we see the world around us.