Instead of a pot of gold, the sun on the ocean looked like a pot of silver. It was striking to say the least as it shot through the clouds like a laser beam.
The riches were not just the silver on the ocean though. I saw that the Least Terns had returned with their darling faces and uniquely raucous calls. These little birds are on the endangered list and I'm always thrilled to see them each spring. See "Terns Return" in April 2009 for photos. I also came across two Yellow-Crowned Night Herons absent from the beach since last fall. I wrote about these unique and stealthy birds in the post called "Bird or Cat" back in May 2009.
My beach walk would have been complete with just that but there were also several of the beach regulars I hadn't seen all winter. Strange that we don't know each other by name but always ready with a friendly wave, a smile or cheerful good morning. All this gave me a feeling of connectedness (is that really a word?) with the world around me. When you add in the visit a few days ago from a cousin I hadn't seen or been in contact with for over 50 years and the photos of other long forgotten family members... well, connected is just too mild a word. I felt at home, complete and completely filled up with being an integral part of the universe. What a day!
Some early-morning sailors enjoyed the sunrise. Wonder if they realized the cloud behind them looked like a shadow puppet?
It was a little cloudy when I left my house but what a surprise when I got to the beach. The skies to the North were a solid wall of dark clouds and right before me there was a patch of rain. The surfer was already wet so I suppose the oncoming rain was no bother to him. 
Though the dog days of summer aren't here yet, this morning I was enthralled watching one dog's day on the beach. I have always been a cat person, have never owned a dog but over the years have been privileged to know and love many dogs. This pooch was having such fun playing with his human. Chasing a ball, chasing sea gulls (which he will never be able to catch) and romping in the surf, this delightful four-legged ball of energy was having the time of his life. Truly a happy dog and his enthusiasm was contagious.
The winds from the West made for a calm ocean and the light clouds made the sun cast an almost lavender glow on everything. It was really quite serene and lovely. 
Turtle season, when the giant sea turtles come ashore to lay their eggs, began the first of May and I've been eagerly looking for evidence of a new nest. Today it happened. In fact I was the first human to come across this first nest of 2010. It wasn't long before some of the regular beach walkers joined me and we were all looking forward to this exciting season where several times a week we will encounter evidence that this ancient pattern of existence continues.
It has been years and years since I have played in the sand but I used to love to make drip castles on the beach. How delightful it was this morning when I came across this wonderful forest of drips that was so reminiscent of a forest of blue spruce trees. 
After seeing a TV ad for a very sleek, very slim little digital camera that takes panorama photos, I was wishing I had one just like it. Since that wasn't the case, I decided to try to make my own panoramic shot. 