Springing ahead this morning meant the day was already shorter…and who needs a shorter Sunday?  Luckily, the day was sunny and relatively warm…a perfect day to enjoy the negative tide promised this afternoon.

When the tide is low the sea pulls back and offers a wide walking beach.  New geography is on display: exposed tide pools, unexpected sandbars, and slippery algae covered reefs.

Egrets feast, using their bright yellow feet to stir up tiny fish.  As still as statues, they pose and wait…until the perfect moment arrives.  And then…mealtime!  The gentle sea breeze ruffles those pure white feathers, revealing the layers of texture.  As I crouch low we come eye to eye…and understand that we are not in competition.  The egret can hunt and I can take photos without disturbing one another.

Crabs scurry, hiding in the cracks and crevices of seaside rocks and hive like reef structures. Sensitive to the tiniest movement, I stand perfectly still and patiently watch until I get a glimpse of the sideways reach.  A fist fight between two thumbnail sized green crabs suggests that territory may be in dispute.

Anemones comes in a variety of shapes, sizes and varieties.  Some immersed in shallow pools, others exposed in the wet sand…all adapted for the harsh conditions of the tidal zone.

The beach is an ever-changing wonder that I explore endlessly.  For me it is my gym, my photo studio, my meditation space, my therapist.  And on days when the tide is low and my schedule is flexible, it is simply a playground filled with delight!