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

Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP) is one of my most favorite spots on Earth........... and I love dogs....... but if you plan to spend the day there..... best to leave doggie at home.

At CHSP dogs are limited to the "surf fishing beach" and a few paved roads/trails, and not much else.

  Dogs are not allowed at The Point, The Beach Pavilion, The Fishing Pier, nor the unpaved trails.

 An early morning or late afternoon doggie walk along the paved road/trail..... is very nice.  But not nice if doggie then has to spend the remainder of it's time in the vehicle :-(

 Wildlife abounds and dogs are not in the wildlife management program ;-(

 Thus it is a little too scary when a dog appears at The Point on the public beach but near enough to the Restricted Area to possibly do damage to a Piping Plover Adult or Chicks/Fledglings.

  Now Dewey Beach is a Dog's Play Ground!  During life-guard season dog o'clock is before guards are on duty, I think until ~ 8:30 AM......and then after 5:30 PM.  They will need a license from Town Hall.

  Dewey Doggies all know each other...... they wait to hear the life guard's whistle and some even walk themselves up to the beach....... where family awaits! 

 My favorite is Otis, The Mayor!  He RULES, but sweetly so.  Otis roamed the streets of Baltimore until he made it to the steps of Catholic Charities where he was promptly adopted.  Otis now lives beach-block....... .and when I see him gaze at the ocean...... in his eyes it is beyond apparent....  he KNOWS he is a LUCKY DOG!  

DNREC Release on the Minke Whale Stranding

Release:

Matthew Bailey

Wildlife Biologist

Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

An Eventful Weekend.  Thanks to all the volunteers who helped to make the best of a tough situation.

On Saturday, August 8 at about 10:45 a.m., staff of Cape Henlopen State Park (CHSP) reported to Matt Bailey, Wildlife Biologist with the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program (NHESP) in the Division o f Fish and Wildlife, that a whale had beached itself on the bayside of the Point in the protected nesting area for Piping Plovers, a species protected under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Volunteers and Division biologists familiar with the specific location of plover chicks at the Point assisted by monitoring chick movements, participating in response, rescue and recovery decisions in coordination with MERR Institute (Marine Education Research and Rehabilitation) and CHSP staff to avoid and minimize impacts to plovers, and by talking with the public and ensuring they kept a safe distance from both the rescue operation and plover chicks.   It was determined that the whale was a 22-foot long Minke that stranded on the tidal flats about 150 feet inside the closed area.  Several attempts were made to coax the whale back into deeper water, but each time the whale turned around and headed back into the shallows.  A veterinarian was called in to assess and ultimately to euthanize the whale.  Five volunteers with MERR also volunteer for the Plover Watch project, which greatly assisted with providing accurate information to the public about both the whale and the piping plovers.   The Division continued to assist with monitoring plovers and speaking with the public on Sunday, August 9 while MERR conducted a necropsy.  Under the circumstances, the Division appreciates the cooperative spirit among state agencies, MERR and all of the volunteers who assisted with this stranding event.

Matthew Bailey

Wildlife Biologist

Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program

Phone: (302) 382-4151

matthew.bailey@state.de.us

Piping Plover Watch and a Beached Minke Whale Named Opal

Part 1:
This is my Tale of Piping Plover Bird Police and a Beached, Dying Minke Whale, we named Opal.

On Saturday, despite battling a whopping case of food poisoning, I woke up early to make a nice early start for Cape Henlopen State Park ( CHSP) Bird Police and to snag parking at my gig, The Point.

I groaned as I entered the parking lot..... full to the gills.   I scooted into the slimmest of spots...... then looked around....... important DNREC vehicles loaded the lot.  I knew something important was happening.  I called out to a local who announced the news, a live beached whale.

 As I approached the bayside  beach, throngs of people were massed on the public side watching the wrenching story.

At ~ 6:45 AM a live Minke Whale beached on the sandbar while the tide was coming in.  The local MERR team went into action and so did many recruited beach-goers.

I arrived at 9:45AM, and noted immediately the tide.....almost high tide.  Only 2 safe working hours.  With this knowledge I was near to bawling.

The MERR team valiantly herded the whale out to deeper waters 4 times, only to watch the whale make that gloomy u-turn back to shore.  I witnessed 2 times.

The beach was also filled with an enormous back-hoe, nearly all of CHSP DNREC rangers and the CHSP Administrator.

There was no need for me to do much but my usual duty of making certain the restricted area stayed free and clear.   Although I did not see him present, I was certain Matt Bailey, the Director of Natural Heritage-Endangered Species-Beach Nesters knew the basic situation.  

The Whale tired of trying, and tired of the corralling by waders and kayakers..... then made her final dash for shore, 50 yards into the Restricted Area, "home" for the Piping Plovers and Least Terns!

The public almost dove into the restricted area........ the little kids were beyond themselves with excitement.

On the cell, I called Mat Bailey, and said he had a whale in the restricted area.

As we waited for Matt's arrival...... 20 minute drive which was one hour  and 20 minutes due to the weekend resort traffic...... the pace slowed.  Matt had to be there to start making the decisions involved.

Part 2:

Back at my Posted Fence Line Duty I quickly had to determine who was who.  Public crashing the gate or MERR Team or DNREC or????  I caught on to this easily and directed all to walk along the water's edge.

I was put in charge of holding a DNREC walky-talky.  Now that was fun hearing the insider's talk ;-)

MERR quickly set up a tent and ordered in Pizza and water.

Soaked towels and sheets covered the whale.  Buckets of water poured onto her to keep her skin from sun-burning.   Affectionate pats were given.  

As the tide went out, we could see her!  GORGEOUS, Beautiful, CREATURE!!!! 

Our whale was dying her lungs, carrying some water, and collapsing under her weight,  the choice was made to call the Vet for euthanasia.

The Vet arrived much later than anyone expected.  The CHSP lifeguards after their duty were asked to help the MERR Crew of virtually all women.  The lifeguards helped man-handle the whale for the injections.  Our whale passed on ~ 12 hours after her arrival.  Her struggle was heroic.

Non-stop until ~ 3 PM I was on Whale Learning Curve and educated  the public as to the goings-on, the restricted area, endangered birds!  Then my food poisoned body needed to get out the hot sun and humidity and recover.  I promised Matt Bailey I'd return Sunday to continue in my role.

Before I left, I was honored with the invitation to approach our Whale.  With many thank you-s for gracing our Oceans and blessings for her Passing, I placed my open hand on her nose.

It was near impossible to separate and return to my beach shack.

Part 3:

Why are we so drawn to our encounters with sea mammals?  My heart leaps when I see dolphin pods, my heart leaps even more when I am swimming and dolphins surface so near me I hear the blow holes!

When their world enters our world, and visa versa we are in awe.  Whales do not want to drown so they choose death on land..... which is our world. 

When I arrived for Sunday Duty it was an entirely different experience.  Our beautiful, shimmering Whale was just a dead fish, being clinically carved up...by the all female team for necropsy studies.

Our Whale was a Beautiful Girl, yes, a "teenager" female, at 22 feet, 4-5 tons. The closest on site clinical guess to the death was she recently gave birth...... most likely at the recent full Moon Lunar Eclipse.

A screen was set up to block the gruesome view, but the whale was so huge... it could not be hidden.  You could walk out at the low tide and get quite the view of the back-hoe lifting the severed head, mouth wide open to obtain samples.

My Bird Police/Whale Interpretation Role now became "Grief Counsellor" for the families with  little children who were both fascinated, awed, and deeply disturbed by the visuals.  I listened carefully to their questions.

A sweet little girl asked me, " Did you name the whale"?  " Oh, no", I answered.  She replied, " She is Black and White, so I named her Opal".  I was stunned!  I told her I loved the name,  and I would always refer to the Whale as Opal.  I promised her I would tell everyone involved, her name is Opal!

Many questions went as followed: "Why are you digging a hole for the whale"?  I would then put my hand on the child's head and answer that the whale was dead and needed burial.

Part: 4

Upon the invite of Matt Bailey, DNREC and MERR, I spent some time under the tent, in observation of the activities.  As I did I also had to watch my "fence post" duty for intruding public..... which they did.

MERR members showed me, the ear and the eyeball!  As my stomach did flip-flops, I thought it was time to return to my post.  My Opal was gone.  Not a bit of her remained with her cut and bloodied remains.

The remainder of the afternoon I hung at the fence line continuing my "Grief Counsellor Role", answering a zillion questions on life and death of birds and whales.

Finally my body still suffering with food poisioning called and demanded a cool down by swimming.  The beach was fairly empty of beach-goers, and I had put in a total of 9.25 hours for the weekend.

It was time to return to my world, my Dewey Beach- beach shack.  It was time to contemplate one of the most important encounters I've ever had with an Ocean Mammal, Our Opal, the Minke Whale.

 

Woody's Grill and James Otto

Since I mostly cook and eat-in, oh how happy I am when I find a new place to dine in Dewey Beach which fits the bill.  Woody's Grill is the place and one the locals have already dubbed their own.

Woody's is located in the former rather sketchy-looking "Mike's Frozen Tundra" at which I never-even took one look-see.

The outdoor seating area is actually cozy and comfy.... and fabulous for people watching those across the street at The Bottle and Cork....... my next destination.  Inside, the dining area does not appeal.  But the bar does.

Even better is the menu which is Dewey Beach Up-Scale-d!   Creative and fun menu with appetizers, sandwiches and entrees!  The prices are ever so mild.  I ordered a Cajun crusted Ahi tuna.... with a scary sounding but yummy side of seaweed salad with cucumber and melon.  Delicious.  Served on a cool square china dish, sprinkled with the Cajun spice.  This is dinner worth the price!  

Then it was off to the Bottle and Cork for James Otto! I started out feeling a bit miffed as the show started near to 11PM...... thus indicating it would be only one set.. which it was.

But, this 6'5" musician won me over in the first song! His good looks helped too!

James Otto must come from a long line of musicians, he plays with such confidence.  He can play anything, but his chosen style is very Pop/Country/Nashville.  Love-love-love his back up group, especially the steel-guitar player!!!!

Although I high-tailed it home near to 1 AM..... James Otto met the audience and gifted many with guitar picks and signed drumsticks!  

Saturday I was only good for beach time: swimming, reading, lounging!

Bonfire, Piping Plovers and Que Pasa! Typical!

Friday night was a fun Birthday Bonfire!  30 to 40 year olds, married with their first kid-lets and accompanying dogs.  Birthday Boy was surrounded by family and some single friends so a Yucca ( jug with water, sugar, vodka, lemon, limes) was passed round and round.

A father of two cute kids and a hot wife, decided to be Jack-Be-Nimble Jack-Be-Quick and he really did jump over the huge Fire Pit!!!!!  Nothing was scorched.  I squealed!  His wife and kids did not! 

Saturday I did Bird Police at Cape Henlopen State Park.  What a great session it was!  ~ 20 birders from a Baltimore club came to bird the spot and cross the Endangered Species Piping Plover off their Life List.  I was able to show them a chick..... and adults too. From their leader,  I learned much about Terns and Gulls.

I rushed back to the cottage for a quick snack and to spend the afternoon lounging and swimming on my beach.

Saturday evening I was off with friends to Que Pasa.

Que Pasa is wonderful because there ain't much there except a garage with glass doors! It is as if you docked with your boat and got out for drinks with chips and salsa.  We waited 30 minutes to get a table on "the Bay beach".  We talked past the sunset into the night.

The food is very curious and shows some invention.  As dinner, it is over priced...... as rental for the local real-estate ... worth every penny.   It is my favorite Sunday wind-down spot.

For not much more cash........ Rehoboth's Finn's buys you a cozy bar, with a fabulous beer menu, and the best fried ( lightly) oyster dinner I've had since????

Sunday it was back to Cape Henlopen State Park and more swimming!

July 4th Rehoboth Fireworks: Dewey Beach Style

Nothing is sweeter than July 4th Rehoboth Fireworks viewed and enjoyed from my Dewey Beach beach!  45 minutes prior to blast-off, just walk up the street with a beachy chair and a warm jacket.  Scan the scene and then crash the best block party bonfire ;-)

I love the moments before the fireworks start......children are loaded up  and zingy on too many treats and are lit up with those crazy neon rings.  Doggies run after the children.

One group let off wondrous colored paper balloons lit with candles which took off high against the sunset darkening sky.

This year the display was near to 45 minutes!!!!  I think the longest show that I remember!  The wind was coming our way, so it brought the boom-boom sounds too.

Afterwards the bonfire party got-going.  Kids to the right....doing smores and adults to the left doing their adult beverage thing.  Kids and doggies settled in for naps with toes and paws pointed towards the fire-pit.

~ 45 minutes after the fireworks ended........we saw more!  Lewes, Broadkill, Slaughter Beach firework displays danced just above the horizon. 

The midnight walk back to the cottage is just as sweet.  No fighting road traffic :-) and no desire to add more to the delicious-sundae sweetness of happiness by going out to a bar.

1 Day, 3 Beaches!

Summers as a child my day was made if got to visit "a new beach".  As an adult I am driven still to find, "a new beach"!  Lord knows how I love the Island of Kauai for spending a day wandering from one beach cove to the next!

Sunday I did my childhood dream of three beaches in one day!

I started off the day with a glorious hour's swim at DE's Seashore Park, Tower Road.  Then I tried out the West Street Beach for a quick dip and to check out the beach break, which is much improved since 2008.

Then as the sun started to dip, I raced off to Cape Henlopen's State Park at The Point for "Bird Police Duty" and to take in the feeding birds at low-tide and the  sunset.

1 Day, 3 Beaches: makes me happy!