It's that time again...new beach pictures

Cllimbing!

Nope, can't look down yet but I did it...I climbed to the top of a few different courses if that's what they're called.  I lost some skin on my hands from hanging from the top of a cave.  I did it.  I'm way too excited to go to sleep.  Success!

Solstice

Around again,
The longest day.

Throwing stones

At concrete,

Splintering,

Dusting grass.

Shards.

Goddammnit.

Can you spot the mating horseshoe crabs?

Broken-tailed Momma on the move

Ohhh la blue! (and purple and brown)

Meet my family

My broken heart and how you can help: Show some love to the Horseshoe Crabs!

Their cracked shells and dangling legs have started appearing in the tide line at Bayview Beach and I've been wondering how long it would be before seeing one alive; it's horseshoe crab season.  Walking down the upstairs hallway earlier I noticed the colorful sunset and decided to take a walk with my camera down to the water.  Passing through the narrow alleyway entrance I noticed three boys standing on the last remaining sandbar of the night.  They were yelling and throwing rocks at something in the water and as I walked closer I saw their target clearly- two mating horseshoe crabs.  "Hey!" No one turned around, "Hey!" I yelled.  A boy in white swim trunks turned and walked to the edge of the sandbar to hear me better.  "Is that a horseshoe crab?" I asked.  "We don't know what it is," he said.  "Can you please not throw things at it?  Thank you" I added to be polite.

The boys were somewhat shaken, but not as much as I was.  It takes a lot for me to get loud but this instinctual outburst has happened before.  Since I was a child I've been enthralled by these creatures.  Their shells resemble a Klingon's forehead and they exude a peaceful vibe.  They are totally harmless to humans and really need our help if they are to survive.

Back when I lived on Silver Sands beach they showed up in droves.  The momma crab usually carting around a male on her back until finally burrowing into the wet sand.  I'd go to the beach every morning to find people holding them by their tails.  I'd kindly instruct these beach goers to not do that, just flip them over by the edges of their shells if you really want to help.  Some people took the information well while others just thought I was being intrusive.

Horseshoe crabs are not on the endangered species list but are listed as 'threatened' by the federal government.  Horseshoecrab.org has information and resources to satisfy any one's craving for more knowledge.  If you live near a beach on the east coast you can join in on the count.  They have a Just Flip 'Em program designed to educate people on what to do when you see a crab on its back:

Just flip 'em! Program

Our Just flip 'em! program is designed to bring attention to the hundreds of thousands of horseshoe crabs (Limulus polyphemus) who die each year from stranding (stuck upside down) during their yearly spawning ritual and to encourage individuals, through a simple act of compassion, to take the time to assist and appreciate these remarkable creatures, who will not survive public indifference.

The idea is simple: when you see a horseshoe crab that is stranded upside down on the beach, just flip them over. It's important not to flip them by their tail, however. Even though it looks scary, the tail is very delicate and can be easily damaged. The best way to turn them over is by the edge of their shell. No need to be cautious; the horseshoe crab doesn't bite or sting and it's claws are very gentle and won't hurt you.

There are also art contests for children, a theme song, poetry, drawings and so much more.  It breaks my heart to see them being abused.  If you see someone on the beach mistreating a horseshoe crab please let them know the proper way to handle one.  I'll love you forever!

Image courtesy of this great website: http://shltrip.com/Horseshoe_Crab.html

Hey- that rock stole my hairstyle!

Purchase the Print

Hoy a la playa

Purchase a Print

Teddy - fantastically whimsical

Last year:

Brian Gaynor - simply AMAZING

Three years ago:

The 'new' one

just everything

What to do?

     Earlier today, while surfing through Facebook status updates I noticed a comment about the oil spill: “I don't know how to feel. I don't know what to do. I just sit and shake. But that does no good. It's so big, it's so horrifying.” Since this happened, and every time a disaster happens I find myself wondering what to do. Besides donating money or supplies, I don't usually come up with anything too creative. Today the weather called me and so many others to the beach. It's the perfect day for it; the warm breeze cooling you off just enough to be able to bear the midday sun. 

     Walking along the edge of the water, giving my feet a little soak on my way down the shore, I stopped and looked out. Since I've lived on Long Island Sound for most of my life I learned early on that it is not the cleanest water. The Sound is a big inlet where much of the rivers that empty into it used to carry toxic chemicals from inland industrialization and even though that was stopped years ago, there is still caution about eating the fish and shellfish. Sometimes a pale foam cushions the water from the sand; not the most appealing sight or smell. This is to say that while I've always loved the beach, I only swim in it a few times a year and give it's cleanliness a middle score. 

     So today when I worked myself down the water's edge I grew more appreciative of it's state. The sea sparkled more brilliantly, each poke of a wave grabbing the sun into it to make rainbows; boaters yelling out in excitement while dragging jubilant children on over-sized inner tubes. There were actually people on the sand today soaking in the harmony of sun and cool water. The more I became present, the more I realized that this is what I can do to make a difference. I can appreciate this natural beauty that survives. I can notice what we have left and make it count toward enriching my own life. Don't these man made disasters happen because we have lost our reverence for nature, anyway?  

     Join me, if you'd like, in appreciating the abundance of beauty surrounding us all. I know that we are losing so many innocent creatures to this horror but we can still give love to the ones we have left.