Sunday, January 06, 2008

More beach-type scenes...

...because there was more to see than crashing waves and a photographer stalking a bird.

There was, for example, this sign, warning fisherfolk to avoid eating a sea critter I've never even heard of, and wouldn't eat if I had...



I usually don't bother with rocks on the beach, but hey, you learn something new every day. The patterns around them left by the waves interested me...



Sadly, those feathery enhancements in the sand are the result of all the Chinese container ships passing not far away. It is their recklessly spilled oil that stains the beach...



This beach is also home to a feral cat colony. I saw two, but only one would pose. They wouldn't let me close enough to find out I'm a soft touch for the felines...



This father and son had a great time, it seemed. The young'un was delighted to run in and out of the surf. Wet feet -- cold wet feet, that is -- didn't bother him at all...



It was a rare and blessed day. I kept my feet dry and felt energized by the experience. Beauty -- of all varieties -- does that to me. As the Navajos say, there was beauty all around me....

13 comments:

Doug said...

So, that is oil in the sand?

To quote what you said to me a long time ago, "You can't have too many cat pictures!"

Nice reflections in the last one, Scribbs.

Anonymous said...

Very nice photos Scribby.

Anonymous said...

Funny how usually people who live in the mountains don't like the mountains, and people who live by the sea don't like the sea. They take what's nearby for granted. I'd love to go for a walk on the beach. Glad to see you appreciate what you're blessed to have. Nice pics. :)

S

MrScribbler said...

dal -- Nothin' but heavyweight diesel. I was in such a good mood I didn't bother shooting the nasty places.

It's nice when people pick the perfect location to walk in...all I did was push the button on that last shot.

l&s -- Sometimes, you have to have your eyelids peeled back to see what's around you. I had never been on this beach (in six years) until today.

Anonymous said...

Nice work! Your photos tell a story! And, what great news to read that you moved out of your comfort zone! hip, hip, hoooooray!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Great pictures.

Betty

Anonymous said...

"White croaker is by far the most heavily contaminated fish in the Palos Verdes area," said Keith Takata, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's regional Superfund director. "We want people to know that the white croaker caught in this area shouldn't be eaten because of potential health risks."

The warning signs are based on fish advisories issued by the Cal/EPA Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA). Sediments off White's Point on the Palos Verdes peninsula contain high levels of DDT and PCBs. While many fish are contaminated,
white croaker, also known as kingfish or tomcod, is the only fish in the area that OEHHA advises people not to eat.

Eating white croaker from this area could pose significant cancer risks to adults. Also, nursing infants whose mothers regularly consume the fish, as well as both children and adults, may be at risk for effects to the liver and nervous system.

They're bottom feeders and in some areas, eating fish that eats off the bottom can be - hazardous to your health.

MrScribbler said...

Ben -- Guess the opinion is that if you eat White Croaker, you're gonna croak?

Couldn't resist.

And I try to avoid bottom-feeders of all kinds. Except for a few I have to work for....

John0 Juanderlust said...

I thought that sign was a racist slur about white people in a coma. Or suggesting a coma was too good for them.

John0 Juanderlust said...

oh...I guess that says croaker, not cracker.
Too long in this hostile city.

MrScribbler said...

John -- I have to admit that when I first looked at that sign, I imagined a comma after the word "eat."

I know. I'm a sick puppy.

Anonymous said...

Croaked on Croaker would make a sad obituary :). I like the oil streak photo very much.

MrScribbler said...

Joan -- I've used up all the sidewalk-scrapings around here....