Salt Water up Elephant's Trunk

courtesy of Todd Unbehagen

Just as mini me was about to blog "you never know what you will see on the beach ..." she discovered . . . Mystery elephant, wading in the gulf.  Turns out this elephant paid a visit to a 60 year old's birthday party just up the beach from us last Saturday.

In addition to
an elephant, this week we had some giant floatables on the sea including an inflatable green turtle and a yellow hamster wheel (look closely).

It is a hot, steamy Memorial Day long weekend here in the States complete with rumbles of thunder; yesterday I finally succumbed and midday turned on the air conditioning (A/C) as temperatures reached 90 F/ 32C and humidity at 80%.   Everyone is out to play at the beach.

Here is the view to the South from my balcony complete with boaters, jet skiers, paddle boarders (you can also paddle board The Thames from Putney Pier), those hoping to make a buck from metal detecting in the shallow waters, and John's Pass in the background.

Glancing out the window I saw several micro lights & a sea bi-plane zoom past -- as they didn't give notice, I didn't have time to grab my camera -- rather like the pelicans swooping by so close I feel I could touch one .  Today our view includes many sand castles and a boat pulling a banner advertising free daiquiri drinks at the bar across the street including an abbreviation for our city - known fondly as Mad Beach (Madeira Beach).  And sauntering across the beach you never know what the sea might bring in for you ... these are whelk egg cases.

John's Pass is a big area for fishing and the Tarpon are now running turning the Gulf waters into a silver shimmering undulating sea.  The fishing boats are numerous, and you can also catch these giants from the shore in something called 'wade fishing.'  Other catch include Snook, Trout and Redfish.  Birds of all sizes ply the beach looking for food and occasionally walking with the tourists - my favourite is the Great Blue Heron.

We also have a lot of beach night-time activity - apparently party goers worse for wear, memorial hot air lanterns sent up at dusk, night fishing/netting for crabs, strangers with flashlights and the turtle patrol. 



At last -- after diligently looking out nightly during the full moon to see if there are any turtles about -- a nest has been found just north of us. Marked to help avoid disturbance sine the mother lays the eggs and then returns to the sea, leaving the eggs 'on their own.'  See the brown leaf on top of the nest indentation?

Trust the elephant didn't find a turtle's nest, as his big feet ...well doesn't warrant thinking about!


Mini me is watching a nearby osprey nest; the parents fish in the sea and fly closely past our window with the catch in their talons.   When they feed the chicks, the little ones whole head goes inside the momma osprey's mouth - amazing.

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The thunder is now rumbling like a giant's deep belly laugh and the sky is bright with lightning; a marvellous show.  Good night!