June 14, 2009

Report Details

How I had Mile 134 to myself on a beautiful Sunday in June is a mystery. The two concentrations of dead crabs, about 1/4 mile apart, were another mystery. Eyes and innards intact.They were untouched by gulls. The tide was very low and had left ponds and "rivers" along the beach which gave it an almost moonscape appearance. Nature is quickly replacing the sand that she stole away last winter, making our tall dunes seem short and stubby. The beach was swept very clean, except for lightweight trash debris. Fancy, the horse, was able to pack out 3 sacks of the stuff, and a nylon rope. Shell "middens", which I take to be from sand dollars, were abundant and make the beach so interesting. Many scattered crab casings and parts. A sea lion zipping across a cresting wave, 2 pelicans in flight seemed to be playing or fighting. Huge logs remain on the beach regardless of time or tides...and probably will for other generations to admire. Only days after my last quarterly report I found my mile awash with jellies of all sizes, some as large as a foot across. Thousands! What had happened to them? This time there were only a few, and no dead birds or mammals. Shells, animal casings, kelp/algae, small rocks and wood pieces in driftline. Low human impact (4)-walking and sitting. Two dogs. My idea of a perfect day!