The logo itself contains a fox positioned before a winding path or river (the Fox River, which runs through the middle of town?), a large tree, and a local landmark building. The words “St. Charles” and “Storm” circle the image at the center of the cover. Until that moment, I had never consciously noticed these logo-emblazoned
manhole covers throughout town. With parts of the design hidden beneath snow, I found myself studying the surface carefully, slowly deciphering the image of the fox. What drew me in was not simply the logo itself, but the transformation of an ordinary object into something visually enigmatic and unexpectedly beautiful.

A few minutes later, I encountered another fox manhole cover, also partially covered with snow. This one appeared to have lived a harsher life. Its surface was more worn, scattered with gritty debris and dark stains accumulated over years in the elements. Much of the fox’s head had nearly disappeared through erosion and
wear. I photographed this cover as well, struck by how different it felt from the first cover despite the same logo design. Each had the same starting point yet each was unique, reminding me of my monoprints body of work.

Continuing my walk, I came across a third cover that stopped me completely. Snow surrounded it, while dead winter grass pushed through the edges and crept across portions of the iron surface. The cover itself glowed with rusty oranges, deep
browns, and near blacks. A pale tan powder had settled into the etched grooves of the design, outlining the fox and winding river. Above the fox, a circular patch of the same powder resembled a full moon suspended in the composition.

At that moment, I realized there must be hundreds of these fox manhole covers scattered throughout town, each altered differently by weather, time, traffic, salt, rust, dirt, and human hands doing routine construction work. Too, the areas around the manhole covers must have varieties of materials and textures. I understood that I had discovered the beginning of a photographic series—one rooted in observation, chance, transformation, and the hidden visual poetry embedded within everyday public spaces.