Beach Walk

It was a beautiful morning Sunday. A perfect day to walk the beach, take pictures and of course, indulge in one of my favorite pasttimes, collecting shells.

Sandy Hook, New Jersey, is one of my favorite beaches. I don't get there near as often as I would like but when I do I always walk the beach.

Due to the rough winter and recent storms, the contour of the beach has changed drastically and not necessarily for the better. Sadly, there was far more trash than ever before and it breaks my heart to see such a beautiful beach in such a state. While I realize a lot of the trash washed ashore, some of it is due to careless individuals who use the beach as their personal garbage disposal. You name it I've found it on the beach, seriously.

But this post isn't about the trash, it's about the sights and sounds of the ocean. So here are a few of the things I saw along my beach walk.

A clam shell spotted on a very large, storm tossed, sea sanded trunk of a tree. The clam shell looked out of place on the tree trunk. A seagull no doubt used it to get to the clam.

From the distance I could not tell what kind of fishing boat this was. As it passed by, I noticed the large cage on the back and thought maybe it was a crab boat.

Signs were posted and sections of the dunes were off-limits to people because of nesting sea birds. This particular nest, I think, is a plover's nest as two plovers seemed to be guarding it.

There was a flock of large seagulls standing at the edge of the water just hanging around. Since you can't get very close to them and I didn't have a long lens, I walked slowly up to them when they all took flight. Realizing a possible golden opportunity, I kept my camera clicking and this was one of the best shots.

My usual time to hit the beach is well before Memorial Day and several weeks after Labor Day, after all the tourists have gone. Yes, I know that's when the beach is deserted but that's the way I like it.

This is probably the latest I've ever gone to the beach and the dunes were covered with these beautiful white flowered bushes that I could not identify. It's also strange, at least to me, to see cactus on the beach, but they're there as well.

The last shot, below, was taken while sitting on an old, long abandoned observation post used during World War I, I think. It's a great place to sit and just look out over the bay. Wonderful sea breezes are almost a given. It was a perfect day to soak up this beautiful scene, listening to the waves roll in and out.



I've often wished I lived closer, much closer to the beach. But I know all too well the fury of Mother Nature and so choose to live further in land and visit whenever I can. The ocean is a very special place where I find peace and tranquility. It also brings back many happy childhood memories with my parents and younger brother.

Namaste
Chris