Seal Sighting & MERR

Only 24 hours after my 5 hour MERR volunteer orientation and Seal Stranding Workshop did I sight my first Delaware Seal! If it was not for the workshop I still would have wondered what peered at me from Neptune's Depth. Was it human? Alive or dead? Lewes is rich with the Sea-Witch tales. Was this the Sea Witch herself greeting me?

I was at Cape Henlopen State Park, halfway between the Hawk Watch platform and Herring Point, walking along a calm shore-line, drinking in the sunshine. Then out of the corner of my eye, a dark watery and glistening face appeared. Only off ~ 30 feet, I saw a "wet-suited" head, with wide set eyes, and a pug-nose with chubby whiskered cheeks. The creature, stared me in the eyes, opened his mouth, and sniffed!

My training says: A Harbor Seal, and most likely a young'un.

Beach Blessings,

Beach-time with the Birds Goes for Fall

A dear friend calls the tourists: Tourons. He said it, not me. But you get the idea and now I too look forward to having the place once again "all to ourselves". My commute to and from Cape Henlopen will be back to less than 15 minutes rather than 45 minutes.

Labor Day Weekend Cape Henlopen State Park was packed until Monday when it was near to deserted.

My Piping Plover Bird Police gig Bay-side is now given over to Hawk Watch. Now I can wake up late, get to Hawk Watch by 11:00 AM and be certain of getting into the park and my favorite parking spots.

No longer am I sitting low near the water, wearing my big straw hat, sweating, and sometimes fighting off green-head flies, staring at mostly loafing and foraging Shorebirds.

Now I am standing on a platform high above the ocean, wearing my waxed-cloth Brit-style hat trying to stay warm, occasionally bit by ladybugs, counting the Nascar-like Raptor Migrating Show.

Watching the Shorebirds was a movie in slow-motion, my heart beat slow and steady. Hawk Watch is a participatory "sports event" with an adrenaline-rush racing heart: spotting the incoming racing-raptors and cheering them on!

Fall is when I adjust my heart, and my eyes.

Piping Plover: The Bird Stories 2011.

Cape Henlopen State Park Piping Plover ( aka PIPL) Bird Police Duty-gig 2011 ended this week with the youngest chick fledging; flying the required 50 yards. The Piping Plovers having done their job are ready to party Southward, many to call the Bahamas their Winter Resort.

Time for me to Party TOO! Time to celebrate the PIPL success and the 125 hours of "Bird Stories".

Finding the PIPL Story Line was what kept me glued to my " At The Ropes ( actually it is twine) Spot". In my third year of duty: I had a clue! Amazing to me, this season I recognized individual PIPL-s.

This was the year our Bahama-Banded PIPL Male, having successfully nested on The Point just for fun would fly in ~ one mile to The Ropes just to duke it out with PIPL glamour couple, Beckham and Posh! One witnessed fight lasted a little over one hour.

Beckham and Posh nested early and failed and then nested late and succeeded; chick mentioned above. The late nesting cost them their nearest foraging cove which was claimed in the interim by the Parents of Sturdy Chick.

Sturdy Chick as a baby was hilarious-fun; loving to rest in upturned Horseshoe Crab Shells and loving water. Once this baby was swamped by wave action, came out fine and a bit stunned. The Parent was FLIPPED-OUT and instructed the chick to not repeat the incident. One week later Sturdy Chick was Wise To The World. Another week later the Sturdy Chick showed out-right teen-age aggression towards The Parents!

Bird Police duty is keeping the public OUT of the Federally protected area. This year I cultivated my own little fleet of "GOOD Kayakers" to yell at "BAD Kayakers" who disdain to enter the closed areas. Good Work, Kayak Team!

PIPL: Hope one day I see you in The Bahamas!

Havadalah Service: Beach-Side

My Beach-life takes place at Cape Henlopen State Park a.k.a CHSP @ The Point and @ the Beach Pavillion/Hawk Watch. It's my spot. Thus when my community life joins me there; Life is Sweet! The occasion was to celebrate the end of Shabbat.

Our Seaside Jewish Community took over the Picnic Pavillion; we ate leisurely, timing the meal to end just before sundown, 8:15PM for the Havdalah Service.

Full of grilled steak, tabbuleh, and too many desserts we climbed over the now sand-dune covered WW11 Bunker to the Ocean Beach! A tight circle we became, with the children centered on their beach blankets....... thus the service began and ended with lots of singing.

Havdalah celebrates the senses: visuals of the lighted twisted candle and the coast-line, tastes of wine and salt air, the smell of the spice box and the salty-sea, hearing our voices in song and prayer and the waves crashing!

Afterwards, we had just enough time to see the Common Night Hawks catching their dinner above the pines and then take in the sunset over the Fishing Pier!

http://www.seasidejewishcommunity.com/

Shalom,

Hanging "At the Ropes" : Sweet and Bitter

Hang Time @ " The Ropes" @ The Point @ Cape Henlopen State Park ( aka CHSP) is my theater where the scene can be ultimately sweet or bitter as can be.

Setting the stage with my telescope I turned to see a SWEET Hip-Hop performance "just for me and the birds"! I thanked the performer and asked "What is Goin' On?"

The 49'ers were taping a music video and CHSP provided the visuals.

Sweet! My day was made!

Yet, the rope hang-time can be BITTER: when the Bad-Bad-BAD Birder/Kayaker knowingly and defiantly entered and cruised the Federally Protected Bird Nesting Reserve just to get a bit closer with his binos and camera.

I called the intruder description into the "system" who next time will be met by the Park Police.

Sweet!

Piping Plover Volunteer Meeting: Announcement

NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

For more information, contact Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Training offered on May 14 for volunteer piping plover, beachnester monitors

LEWES (April 6, 2011) – Volunteers who would like to learn more about Delaware’s endangered piping plovers and other beachnesters and find out how they can join DNREC’s monitoring team are invited to a free training session from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Biden Center at Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes.

The session will begin with refreshments and a slideshow, followed by a discussion on the monitoring program and how volunteers can help to ensure that our beachnesting shorebirds are given the peace and quiet they need to successfully rear their chicks.

Weather permitting, the group will finish out the session by going out to the Point at Cape Henlopen to look for piping plovers and other shorebirds that will likely be out on the tidal flats feeding. A few birding scopes and pairs of binoculars will be available for use, but volunteers are encouraged to bring their own optics if they have them.

Wildlife Biologist Matthew Bailey hopes the session will draw both new and seasoned volunteers – and plenty of them – to help DNREC staff in their efforts to protect beachnesters and educate the public.

“Volunteers are a critical component of our protection efforts. When posted at the boundaries of the nesting areas, they can help explain to the public facts about the breeding birds and the importance of keeping closed areas free of human disturbance. Without having volunteers to supplement the coverage that our staff can provide, many people might never have the chance to better understand how humans can make a difference in the breeding success of beachnesting birds,” Bailey said.

Preregistration is encouraged, but attendees also will be accepted at the door. Park entrance fees will be waived for volunteers attending the training by notifying the fee booth attendant. For more information, please contact Wildlife Biologist Matt Bailey at 302-382-4151 or email matthew.bailey@state.de.us.

Vol. 41, No. X

-30-

Yom Kippur: Sermon on Hawk Watch!

My Dear Sweet ILDB Blog Reader,

Please read the prior post on Rosh Ha Shonah and Hawk Watch to truly appreciate this post.

I wanted to be at Yom Kippur's Morning Service more than I wanted to be at Hawk Watch, but it did not stop my mind from it's wandering desires! I knew that day would be a record day for raptors counted: a front moved in the night before, Kol Nidre, with excellent NW winds and clear skies. Indeed ~ 1,500 raptors were counted; a record day.

A visiting Rabbi was introduced for the Sermon; he took the podium with a stack of papers and a magazine, his topic for the first five minutes or more was devoted to: Hawk Watch!!!

Bursting out laughing, I looked to my fellow Cape Henlopen Volunteers who were also doing the same. We gave high fives each time the Rabbi said the words, "Hawk Watch"!

The Rabbi reminisced about his "Mother The Naturalist" who would never let him walk a step without doing bird and plant identifications. Then, the Rabbi gave kudos to the local Hawk Watch , held up for validation his own birding magazine, and then the "official" Hawk Silhouette Identification Chart!

Having just the week before blogged about the marvels of combining High Holidays and Hawk Watch: I was amazed with the coincidence and beyond giddy.

Giddy is not a term normally described for Yom Kippur emotions...... but there it was.

Later I thanked the Rabbi and learned that he resides at Cape Shores with easy access to witness the daily Miracle of Fall Migration.

La Shanah Tova,

My Beach Version: Eat, Pray, Love

At an airport bookstore I scanned the book: Eat, Pray, Love. I passed on the purchase. Yet, the Trifecta Search mode is what I have been doing these past five beach seasons!

My version?

Buy a Beach Shack:

*****EAT****SWIM****VOLUNTEER (for Endangered Species Birds and Plants)*****

EAT:

Upon arrival my very first stop in Dewey Beach is to purchase local fish, produce and baked goods! This past weekend I purchased Fifer's Roast Chicken and Baked Corn Salad which I threw together to make the weekend's salad!

SWIM:

For four seasons running my reason TO LIVE was TO SWIM in the ocean! I LIVED for my daily beach time with at least 2-3 swims. I was bereft if I could not swim because of the surf, my schedule or the weather.

I knew I had to find my "dry land swim time".

VOLUNTEER:

My dry-land time found me at Cape Henlopen State Park ( CHSP). I fell into several volunteer events before I found my gig projects for DNREC's Endangered Species ( Shorebirds and Plants).

At a volunteer event DNREC thanked me for my service.

Oh, no. Thank YOU, DNREC!

My volunteering is self-serving and self-fulfillment.

*****EAT****SWIM****VOLUNTEER ********************************

Beach Blessings,

The Point, Lunch in Lewes and Beach Time in Dewey

As a kid my day was made if I made it in one day to more than one beach! Same for me as an adult!

If low tide is in the morning, Cape Henlopen's Point is my first destination. I wandered the tidal flats, found birds, and socialized with a birding group.

The most fun was watching a Father with two small daughters use a casting net to catch Mullet minnows. His daughter, "Maya The Brave" caught the squiggling fish and dumped then in the bucket. Her delighted squeals fought off the Laughing and Herring Gulls!

For once I did not pack a lunch and off I went to the Lewes to the "The Barbeque/Church Pavillion". My box lunch and I then went to Lightship Overfalls Park for a picnic.

Back in Dewey, the afternoon was for socializing and swimming too!

A Non-Beach Day in Lewes

Friday was not gonna be a "beachy-day" so we headed to Lewes. I wanted a " Local Lewes Day" ...... not totally going touristy.

First on the list was the Lewes Library for a computer hit to check email. The Lewes Library makes my heart sing for joy! Varnished wood shines with big glass windows looking out on Stango Park. I adore the pie-shaped glassed-in room for the Historic Lewes collection.

We wound our way to the Lightship Overfalls Park which was in full volunteer mode: putting in brick pavers. After a history lesson at the Life Guard Station, I found locals fishing and chicken-necking for crabs off the park's pier.

What a set-up! The fishing pier is more "gazebo" and has running fresh water to keep the deck, crabs, fish and children sparkling clean!

Off past University of DE's Windmill we went to MERR where we viewed the whale skulls and talked to a Professor of Aquaculture in charge of the "Oyster Garden Project".

We were getting hungry, so with our packed lunch in hand I thought to picnic at the Lewes Ferry while viewing the Kalmar Nykal! Afterwards we chatted with crew members. I shook the hand of the Steersman: 14 years old!

My last planned spot was Cape Henlopen State Park's The Point. It was low tide! Time to walk the flats and find some birds. Although we were losing light, and it was "spitting" tiny rain drops this spot never fails to touch my heart.

Beach Blessings,

Zany Bandz Camo Backpack: Thank you DNREC!

The first time I showed up for DNREC's Fish and Wildlife's Red Knot Duty I sported a beach bag. WRONG!

The second time I showed up for Red Knot Duty I proudly sported a hot PINK backpack! WRONG.

I quickly learned that black, brown and camo were the accepted colors.

( Also at Hawk Watch my girly pink backpack got wide-eyed stares ).

I missed out on attending the Volunteer Reward Party. I thought my reward might be a coffee mug???

At the Friends of Cape Henlopen Meeting, I was astounded when my "reward" showed up and it was a CAMO-color Back Pack with the Delware Park's Logo!!!

I was stunned! Beautiful and appropriate for all my "true Volunteer" duties.

Certainly someone suggested that I needed to lose the Pink Backpack!

I love this backpack, but like a new kid returning to Middle School: I just had to make it my own.

Off I went to purchase a set of neon-colored Zany Bandz!

I put the Zany Bandz thru each pull tag and then as decoration the remaining went into the outside mesh pocket.

Perfection!

Thank you, DNREC!!!!

Greenhead Flies: Frantic

Sunday morning when I arrived at Cape Henlopen State Park for "Bird Police", the temperature was already very humid, near 90 and climbing. My first stop is at the dorm to pickup my borrowed scope where I ran into Karli and Adam, the Beach Nester seasonal team. I promised them both that a 4 hour gig was all my body would allow.

Once in place at The Point the Greenhead Fly attack started. Despite slathering myself in bug repellent I was a yummy-to-a fly attraction. Bloody-bites dripped down my ankles.

Hanging out in the water helped but then I'd have to re-apply the useless bug spray.

I felt like a horse frantic for relief.

Finally I applied my horse-blanket....... a beloved swath of cotton homespun cloth brought back from India, circa ~1970's! I wound myself into it tight as can be, sat in my beach chair and wound the beach blanket around my ankles and feet.

Relief!

But only until I had to get up, put things away, and charge up the dune-pass to my vehicle.

Local lore says: if the West Wind Blows...... stay away from the Bay and the flies!

West Winds: see me at the Midway for a movie!

Believe it.

Beach Blessings,

We Are Family! Piping Plovers!

The anticipation was big! Promised from Summer 2009, we all awaited our "Piping Plover Watch" Tee-shirts!!! What would it look like? How would we feel with "VOLUNTEER" emblazoned on our backs? Would the public care???? Would it make our job easier??? And more importantly would my extra large size allow my cute beach skirt to poke thru???

We tried on and purchased the shirts right in the Cape Henlopen State Park, The Point parking lot. I modeled and twirled on the runway.

I threatened to write on the front: BIRD POLICE.

As that is what we do.

There we all were now all looking alike in our sandy colored shirt: Piping Plover's Human Family!

After my five hour gig off I went to celebrate, show-off and cool-off at Lewes' King's Ice Cream for a Lemon Ice.

Beach Blessings,

Dogs Rule at Dewey Beach but not at Cape Henlopen State Park

Dogs and Dewey Beach is a match made in " Until Death-Dewey Part in Heaven" but not at Cape Henlopen State Park.

Dewey Beach dogs know the lifeguard warning and final whistle and many then just walk themselves up the street to the beach to meet up with their owner!

Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP) is not a dog destination.

Only the paved trails that parallel the paved roads, and the "Ocean Surf Fishing Beach" are allowed for leashed dogs. Nowhere are unleashed dogs allowed.

A doggie- day at CHSP destination thus is only the above and no dog should suffer time in a locked hot car while the owner plays elsewhere.

If your dog ducks into the Federally Protected Bird Preserve, "The Point" and a Park Watch Volunteer informs you that your dog is not allowed, and if a Federally Protected Endangered Species bird is killed earning you a $25,000 fine: follow the advice and leave the restricted area.

If you and your doggie want a fun time: Dewey Beach is the best choice.

Labra -Doodle play time groups and "Grey Hounds Reach The Beach " events are where the action is; later you can hang out at a cafe with a beer in hand while doggie slurps your icecream.

Spring Migration Hawk Watch

How is it that I do "Migration" backwards? 

In Fall I migrate North back to PA and in Spring I migrate South, returning to Delaware!

In fact, I reside the plutonian deep Winter months on a mountain-top only to return to sea-level in Spring, with Summer on my Birkenstock "Persephone"  heels. 

No wonder that I identify with the Raptors and attend their Spring and Fall Migrations!

I arrived at Cape Henlopen's Spring Hawk Watch with The Best Weather and Number Count of the Season's Watch!  Ah, a result of my Persephone credentials!

We had a total Merlin Festival with numbers ~ 80 for the day.  We also tallied 50 plus: Coopers, Sharpies, and Kestrels.

After the watch I could not resist to check out the Bayside at low tide!  Turkey Vultures happily picked at dead and dying Horseshoe Crabs.  Brants were looking for underwater eel grass eats.

Then I heard, over and over: "Day At Da Beach"!!!  I turned toward the excited calls to find not more than 10 feet in front of me a pair of American Oystercatchers! 

They were so excited, and obviously out on the town, on an important date.  One of the pair scored a juicy something-mollusk and continued their foraging.

Beach Blessings,

Piping Plover Volunteer Meeting: CHSP Biden Center

This is just in!  Take note if you want to join: Bird Police!  

 Be There or Be Eaten By an Osprey!

From:

Matthew Bailey
Wildlife Biologist
Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
(302) 735-8677 (office)
(302) 382-4151 (cell)

Beach-Nester Update April 12, 2010

The 2010 beach-nesting bird season has gotten off to a solid start.  The Point at Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP) was closed to the public on March 1st.  During the first week in March, fencing at CHSP’s Gordons Pond and at Delaware Seashore State Park was erected to protect potential and known nesting areas.

For the past two weeks piping plovers have been seen regularly at both the Point and Gordons Pond.  Most surveys have been conducted during or after times of high winds, so, it has not been possible to determine whether the plovers are making nest scrapes yet (the wind erases from the sand bird tracks and unmaintained nest scrapes).

American Oystercatchers have been seen regularly at the Point and also at Fowlers Beach on the Delaware Bay.  Unfortunately, the high winds have made it difficult to determine if the oystercatchers have progressed to the nest scrape stage of their breeding season.

A date has been set for the annual volunteer orientation.  Both new and experienced volunteers are invited to the orientation.  At the orientation Matthew Bailey, Division of Fish and Wildlife biologist who coordinates the beach-nester monitoring and protection program, will report on outcomes of the 2009 breeding season and will discuss the types of activities that beach-nester volunteers can assist with. Matt will use a slide show to illustrate the information covered.  Returning volunteers will be encouraged to share their impressions of their experiences working with the program and to offer advice to new volunteers.

The orientation will be held May 15 from 11am until 1pm at the CHSP Biden Center.  Refreshments will be served and, weather permitting, Matt will lead a field trip to search for piping plovers and other shorebirds on the tidal flats at the Point.

 

 Thanks,

Matthew Bailey
Wildlife Biologist
Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program
(302) 735-8677 (office)
(302) 382-4151 (cell)
matthew.bailey@state.de.us

2010 State Park Pass! Sign of Spring!

A certain sign of Spring and getting prepared for Beach Season is scraping off the old annual Delaware State Park Pass and putting on the new.

After five years, I now have the removal technique down-pat.

Soak the sticker with Citronella.

Go have lunch.  Have fruit and cheese for dessert.

Return to the vehicle with a small Italian-made cheese spreader knife.

Wipe the sticker with more Citronella until all ink is gone. :-)

Now use the spreader knife to scrape off the adhering clear film.

Wipe clean with more Citronella and then Windex.

    This year my DE State Park Pass is a DNREC and Cape Henlopen Volunteer "reward".

Every year when I went to buy my pass........ I admit to being annoyed to pay the "out of state fee" even though I own DE property!  The fees are based on your license plate place of registration.

I am so psyched by this show of gratitude amidst the economic stresses of "this economy".

Thank you, Delaware!!!!

Beach Blessings,

Dewey Beach is a Festival of Lights

Hannukha The Festival of Lights is this week.  At Sunset, in awe and wonder we light the Menorah, watch the candles dance, and then sputter.  Repeat for eight days.

The Light Show is yours daily at Dewey Beach.  We are a tiny strip of sand, a Barrier Island, we have Dawn over the ocean and Sunset over the Bay! 

In the morning the light is cool and opal-blue.  In the evening warm oranges and pinks paint the sky and reflect on the homes.

Sunset is when we walk our dogs.  Or walk the beach to Nalu's to take in the live music and Happy Hour.

Sunset is where we celebrate: on roof top decks, and Bay- side restaurants; Que Pasa, North Beach, and The Light House are favorites.

North Beach: the sunset "clock" hands point to the next days show-time.  We know how many days of Summer are left to us just by tracking the Sun's Bay-dipping point!

Que Pasa: When the glass garage doors are up, it is as if you pulled your pontoon up to the dock and got out for a drink!

The Light House's Friday Taco Toss is the "required" place to be.  The sunset backdrops the bar action and the Orange Crush drinks in hand.

At Sunset, Cape Henlopen State Park sees local romantic couples walking the Beach Pavilion Boardwalk, and Fishing Pier to survey the enchantment.  The breakwater and two Lighthouses set the scene along with sailing vessels.

Lewes's Roosevelt Inlet is " The Secret" local spot...... only a few fisherman are there to enjoy the end of the day.  The Bay flashes neon above and bounces off the sand beach.

July 4th Fireworks on the beach celebrates all above as it carries on the show just as Mother Nature's Nuclear Spectacle dozes, sleeps, and then..... repeats!

Beach Blessings,

The Big Sit and Hawk Wach

For the 2009 Cape Henlopen's "Big Sit" I promised myself I'd be a proper "Birder" and arrive on site for the 3:30 AM start.   Or I'd show for the 5:30 AM Dawn Watch. Or.... ? ;-)

  In the middle of the night I turned off my alarm.  I did awake at 8 AM and was at the Hawk Watch/Big Sit platform by 10:00AM! :-) So civilized!!!

I put off "Birding" for decades as I have no interest to be outside at DAWN!  But when I discovered the best Seashore Birding is at low tide..... say show up at noon...... or that Raptors do lift-off at ~ 10 AM....... then a Birder I became! 

Glorious beautiful weather with perfect-for-Raptors NNE winds graced us after the blustery front moved out making all Birders beyond gleeful.

The Hawk Watch platform was lush with glorious and delicious food offerings which added to the celebratory and record day of bird/raptor sightings.

This year, now having lost the opera glass optics and gained Nikon's Monarch 8 x 42,  I had the glass and knew enough "Birds" to appreciate fully the show! 

 I could not have asked for more fun "Birdy" companions! 

I copy below Forrest Rowland's official account which was posted on DE Birds List.

<<

Observation start time: 05:00:00

Observation end   time: 18:00:00

Total observation time: 13 hours

Official Counter: Forrest Rowland

Observers: Bruce Lantz, Jeff Gordon, Sharon Lynn, Susan Gruver

Visitors:

Over 70 visitors out to join in the Big Sit! with many of them staying for hours....so much fun today!!! Matt Sarver, Lauren Morgens, and Jeff Gordon were there from the 3:30am start. Sharon Lynn, Sally O'Byrne, and Michael and Diane Kane came up at 5:30am. From 8am on it was a fairly steady stream of people including Colin Campbell, Bruce Peterjohn, Bruze Lantz, Liz and Lew Dumont, Ruth Draper, Jim Leach, Rachel Shapiro, Rob Schroeder, Andy

Urdqhart....too many familiar names to list all, or fit into the observer column. A fantastic crowd, with our friends Melody and Martin from Maryland being the last visitors to close out the day with us.

Weather:

Clear and Sunny with high cirrus clouds much of the day, the light NNE

winds provided great weather for a hawk flight.

Raptor Observations:

More records broken! Bald Eagle single-day count record now stands at 36.

Single day Cooper's Hawk record is now 166. Another outstanding day, and

with so many people there to enjoy the spectacle! Many birds were right

overhead at varying heights.

Non-raptor Observations:

97 species recorded for the Big Sit! Best birds included Lark Sparrow

(which ended up coming 15 feet from us), White-winged Scoter, and

Orange-crowned Warbler. FOS birds for the platform yesterday were Brant,

Blue-headed Vireo, Orange-crowned Warbler, Lark Sparrow, Yellow-bellied

Sapsaucker, Brown Creeper, Swamp Sparrow, and White-throated Sparrow.>>

Beach Blessings,

 

Coastal Cleanup and Guarding The Wild Beach Amaranth

Coastal Clean Up Day ended up as " She Who Guards Endangered Species Plants".  

 Ah-Ha MOMENT of my life: there I am sitting on a dune, guarding a Federally Endangered Plant, from Coastal Clean Up volunteers..... the Wild Beach Amaranth plant once blue-ish green now yellowing, having been swamped by the past week's Nor' Easter high tides, no bigger than my thumb, utters to me: 

THIS IS YOUR LIFE.  SHE WHO GUARDS PLANTS.

Quite the moment.  Someone has to do it?  It is me. As it is a Federally Mandated Protected Species, located in a Federally Protected Area.

This gets better.  During a past Dune Survey, with two paid Professionals and another volunteer, I was the one that found the diminutive gem!

After Coastal Clean Up Day I was told, "It is the only one remaining in Delaware"!

( Not to worry as this is an annual..... so last remaining plant for the season ).

Oh, and the story gets even better.

When I went to locate and mark my tiny plant prisoner, to protect her from forthcoming enthusiastic Girl Scouts...... momentarily I could not find her!!!

 Had I stepped on her???  My PANIC was beyond HUGE!!!!!!

Would I have to report to DE's Fish and Wildlife I had killed her off ?

If I had, would I be fired from my Volunteer position: FIRED Dune Survey Wanderer Finder of Tiny-Tiny Endangered Species Plants??????

I very slowly, very carefully turned around: looked DOWN, and there she was!!!!!!

I marked the sucker with a brick and then hailed a DNREC vehicle outta there! 

It was time to pee and go to Hawk Watch!

PS: It is no fun finding a spot to pee-pee on the CHSP Dunes!  Like turn around and the Radio Tower can see you...... or the Lewes Ferry...... or the Hawk Watch volunteers!

Beach Blessings,