Shore Birds on the Sea Turtle Maternity Ward

We're still waiting on SR8061, a loggerhead nest with 136 eggs, to hatch. It's not even making noise yet, and it's almost 70 days since it was laid, which is not a good sign. It seems many of our nests got a little more flooding than we thought during Hurricanes Gustav and Ike!



We just want to see about 200 more of these little guys from this nest and the last Pensacola Beach nest...



That said, being out on the beach in the wee hours gives me a great opportunity to catch the sea oats in the light of the full moon...



the full moon as it dips behind a cloud,



and sea oats against the rising sun.

Yes, I know, I should have been out on a bird survey already since the nest was quiet, but I needed better light to tell all the plovers apart!



Today, we added some SEPLs (semi-palmated plovers)



and BBPLs (black bellied plovers) to the mix.



You'll notice many of the birds, including some sanderlings and piping plovers, appear to be one-legged... They're really just fine, but working to conserve a little heat. The flocks of mixed plovers, sanderlings and sand pipers help keep them warm in the cool east wind as well!



Even the Canada geese look lovely in the early morning sun,



though ever they are weary of the noisy ATV. Wish we could do a bird survey from a floating blind!

Another Day in Paradise

It was a stunning day in the park, cloudy in the morning and clearing by noon. Even the clouds were happy though... It was a great day to be a ranger.



The pelicans agreed. What a great life they have, floating on the thermals and hanging out on the beach, lazily reaching for a fish when they're hungry.




Barnacles had washed up on the west point, in sight of a pod of feeding dolphin.



Tellins and other clams dotted last night's high tide line.



Too bad most tourists don't walk this far in their quest for souvenirs.

Even the ghost crabs came out to play.



The only dark spot were the numerous tire tracks over the dunes west of the Ranger Station. I don't know who was driving in such sensitive areas, or if they're aware of how destructive that is for the beach. Without healthy dunes, there is no island, no defense for the mainland, and no place to play in the gulf.



I'd rather see the beautiful sea and sky on foot than destroy it with reckless behavior. This place is a gift for all of us. Maybe you'll come share it someday soon too.

A Full Moon Morning

I slept late today -- I didn't get up til 6! It's weird to say that... Once I did finally greet the chilly day, I regreted staying abed so long -- the stars and full moon in the crisp pre-dawn air were gorgeous. I really long for my cashmere collection though -- next month, when I'm back in Delaware, I know I'll wish I was still here... Strange how I can never fully appreciate the moment I'm in. I'll have to work on that.

Sun, Moon and Stars

In the light of recent events, I've been thinking a lot about who we are to each other, and how we see the world around us. Over the last few days, a policeman violently killed a group of young people at a party. Today, a 14 year old student shot five classmates and teachers in Ohio. It seems many among us now believe guns are a better alternative than words. How have we let this happen? Do we not notice when someone near us is in so much pain they would see shooting as a viable option? Have we become so self-involved, and blind to those around us? Are we bound by fear, too timid to try to help another? Why is this world spinning so out of control? Why isn't anyone working to fix this, instead of butting our heads into distant civil wars?

Every morning, I arrive at work an hour early. Nuts, I know, but that's another post. I like to be there, all alone, to stand in the open and look at the sky and park around me. Sometimes, the full moon is so bright that I can unlock all the gates by its light -- I think I may even be able to read if I wanted to strain my eyes a bit. With the current new moon, the abundant stars shine more brightly than normal. I walk through the woods to the office under a blanket of black velvet, pierced with starlight, and I stop to say thankyou. I try to pause, to truly see the world around me. I consider my role here and how I can improve myself enough to be worthy of all that has been given me, to be worthy of the very earth that surrounds and supports me. That, of course, isn't possible, but I can always strive to improve -- again, that's another post ;)

It makes me feel small to stand under the stars, thinking about all the energy and commotion in deep space. I know that my life, my issues, my worries are insignificant, and I try to think about the deeper meaning of life. In this life, all I can hope to be is a light of love and peace for those around me; a light I choose to reflect like the moon.

The stars shine from the heat of their own fire, the fusion of elements deep within their cores. Over great time spans, very large stars super nova, burn out and become black holes, consuming everything in the stellar neighborhood.

Our moon shines as well, but with reflected light from Solaris. The sun, which defines our days also lights our darkest nights. A medium-sized star, it will never supernova, though it may become a red giant, then a dim white dwarf. The less instense rays of this start bounce off our satellite moon and guide us through the night.

How much better to reflect the light of others than to be consumed with fire from within.

What does that mean in your life?