The early morning beach activities are so interesting, yes there are the early risers, searching for interesting shells, even finding some type of
Sea Bean
coming from a distant jungle tree in a rain forest.
*“Always, then, in this flotsam and jetsam of the tide lines, we are reminded that a strange and different world lies offshore.”
But more interesting for me is the wildlife. The small sandpipers scurrying out into the surf, just behind a retreating wave. As quick as they are, the little burrowing crabs have little chance of escaping.
At this early hour, the Sea Gulls are working, flying low to scoop up a morsel, seldom fighting with the others in the flock.
When full and content, they all group on the wet sand, beaks into the wind. You can always tell at a glance which way the wind is blowing, by observing them at rest.
The Pelicans take up their fishing station a little further out in the sea, sometimes flying so low their wing tips brush the water, when they are higher, and they spot breakfast, they fold their wings and plunge into the ocean for their catch.
Later in the day, the beach umbrellas and large towels arrive, the Sea Gulls will fly low over you to see if you will feed them, they are smart, and pretty well know if you will or not. When fed by one of us humans, they fight each other, going for the scrap of bread, ignoring the seafood they should be eating. It is fun to feed them, especially when windy, they just hover above you, you can actually touch them, although I would not recommend it, as a fingertip looks a little like food to them at fast glance.
The warm water and wind bring the wind surfers from far, with their brightly colored sails, they have a community, with many vans full of boards and sails. I would like to try it, but would probably break a hip….
I took a few pictures at our nearby small marina, the pilot boat that guides the big ocean going ships up the channel to Brownsville is berthed here. Customs, Border Control, and Homeland Security are also here. I noticed a large yacht with the name ‘All in’, don’t know if it was named after a poker playing lifestyle, or referring to his debt on the boat.
Here is the slide show:
* From The Edge of the Sea by Rachel Carlson
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