Yesterday I did a beach walk. These walks are not always possible in the winter months because of the extreme tides that can cover the beaches completely. The sky was overcast and the temperature was 7C.
As I stepped down onto the beach, floating in front of me was a sord of about 20 Mallard ducks, all male as indicated by their gorgeous green heads, white neck rings and purple breasts. As I walked, my feet sank into the wet sand, leaving my prints behind to be washed away by the next high tide.
Further along the beach was strewn with seaweed that had washed up during the night. The next fascinating attraction was a couple of otters, playing on a fishing float that was anchored quite away off shore. They were having a marvelous time, climbing onto the chairs then diving into the water.
As I walked along the curving beach, I came to the spit which divides the basin (where I live) from the harbour that opens to the Pacific Ocean. Along the harbour side, huge tree trunks have been washed up by previous winter storms and that beach is all pebbles, not soft sand, and can be quite slippery at times so one walks very carefully.
On that beach are two trees that are fascinating. The first is a huge old fir that started to grow up, then decided to grow out so all its branches overhang the beach. How it doesn’t topple over is a miracle but it has been there for many, many years.
The second is a tree that is absolutely covered in Spanish Moss – the only one on the beach – but it must be in its own little mini climate to have accumulated so much moss. Eventually, this beach is so cluttered with logs that you have to climb up to a little trail, walk through a small wooded area, and take the road to complete your journey, unless you want to walk the beaches in reverse.
The whole trip takes me about 35 minutes but I spend the rest of my day in awe of all I have seen. How can one not wonder at the power of the storms that deposited huge tree trunks on the beaches or the Creator/Omnipotent One who controls the tides and allows playful little creatures to frolic in the surf?
What marvellous things are in store for me when I learn to control my thoughts and open my mind to all that is possible!!
Great blog. The wonder of nature is also inside of us.
Oh my gosh Marguerite, what an awesome blog. I felt like I was right there with you. Thank you for taking me on this journey with you. It is great to be in amazement of the wonder that is around us every day that so many others miss as they hurry along in life.
Thanks so much for sharing your inspiring blog Marguerite. It was so easy for me to visualize everything that you described. I can easily see the otters playing, the male mallard ducks floating in front of you, the wet sandy and rocky beaches, and the wind carved tree and the moss covered tree you described. I could feel your sense of wonder with everything you saw on the beach. I feel at peace after reading your blog.