Sun Beach Mental Relief
Wind was slightly up, beach was calling loud and clear, a walk is needed on a beach once again, yes lockdown had closed the beaches, so lets pack a bottle of water and get the family down to a beach once again.
Woody did not recognize direction going down, yup it has been that long, once he was there two tails appeared, he managed not to break free in eagerness with his human family in tow. He got to swim in the river first time doggy paddle, not for long since the walk and excitement levels were excessively high.
Going back off from beach walk took a while longer with him sitting down deciding his next move. Perhaps we feel the same in life, moving into some scenarios too quickly when change in direction is considered we realize it all happened so quickly, let's go back for more!
Arriving on the beach first eye candy up is the Goat's foot or morning glory (Ipomoea pes-caprae subsp. Brasiliensis) in full bloom, with long tendril like rooting system above the ground covering the dunes.
A hardy plant with valuable medicinal properties, leaves are used as a tea to treat colds or flu, while seeds ( I have not heard of previously) is used to fight against some venereal diseases. Research always teaching us something new in nature, the leaves for colds a friend told me about when we first arrived at the coast.
Another flower being enjoyed by a bee is the Arctotherca populifolia part of the aster family with common names of dune arctotherca, dune cabbage, beach bum or South African beach daisy. With gray silver leaves an attractive plant used to restore sand dunes, also makes for ground cover in coastal properties for unusual colour of leaf more than the flower. Always a flower no matter where we wander, difficult life, a truly hardy flower will shower you with joy in the most unusual places, if you can't see the beauty go play among the thorns. Approaching the river in the middle of the estuary which was open to the sea, an island had formed this was packed full by what appeared to be Terns, unfortunately they never took flight nor was I able to get close enough to see who was in the mix, possibly Seagulls as well. Another little friend swooping over enjoying low flying skimming the water, eventually settled close to where I was is the White-throated swallow (Hirundo albigularis). This small intra-African breeding swallow builds mud nests under bridges normally, on dam walls or concrete structures over or very close to water. Another lesson learned today is the fledgelings are able to swim short distance should they fall into the water below the nest site. White-throated swallows eat exclusively on insects in flight. Finding places of safety to nest or rest, birds fascinate me in how they will arrive in great numbers knowing pecking order along the shoreline. Others find safe haven on man made structures, using whatever is available to protect the young and ensure feeding is adequate. A crab scurried off to it's underground home, Ghost crab (Ocypode ryderi), crustaceans along the coastline are varied, always something interesting to see around the rocks or on beaches. I watched a young family where the boys were having a wonderful time, smaller one had just finished a short lesson in fishing, Oh Dad's can be fun on the beach when not casting out, passing on knowledge on how to catch fish when tide is pushing up into river. Hope you enjoyed the beach walk with me, found something of interest to read about, life has many surprises going outdoors, I have yet to experience 'the nothing' some find. Even the movement of wind across the dunes creating never ending patterns have a life of their own, so get out and enjoy whatever is on offer in your region. Take stress out of the equation and let nature in... On a closing note; the dunes are showing signs of more plants establishing themselves, sadly a lot of plastic still evident washed down the river after heavy rains inland. Now that beaches and rivers are open to people, many teams will arrange removing refuse once again, this has become an on-going task for coastal dwellers who take pride in nature around them, this includes going into coastal bush to remove snares along with plastic pollution found in the undergrowth. All photography my own using Canon Powershot SX730 HS camera . Any queries or requests please drop a comment below or make contact with me, have a wonderful day! Photography without tripod, go with the flow wherever life takes you. NB: Amateur photographer and bird watcher, keep smiling! Thought for Today: "Sunshine always follows a dark night." - African Proverb !pinmapple -30.0836005 lat 30.8678566 long Sapphire Coast South Africa D3SCR Communities to Enjoy On Hive: #lifestylelounge hive-114105, #qurator hive-102880, #featheredfriends hive-106444, #wednesdaywalk hive-155530, #amazingnature hive-127788, #alwaysaflower hive-154065, #feelgood hive-19093, #theterminal hive-101265, #ladiesofhive hive-124452
