Western Snowy Plovers

   I hadn't been out to the beach here in the western part of the city for a while when my friend Jim and I met nearby for a coffee, and took a walk there afterwards. Although slightly warmer than normal for this time of year, the beach was nearly empty (it was a Friday afternoon), save for me, Jim, one or two people jogging, a guy fishing, some Sandpipers, and lots of Western Snowy Plovers.
   I have always been very fond of these birds, primarily because of the way they move and forage, which they usually do in large groups. Although I do not consider myself much of a joiner when it comes to groups (or anything really), I do find watching these animals quite beautiful. I see nothing negative in their group mentality.
   While not all completely moving in unison, large portions of them do, and when the waves of the ocean subside, they quickly scamper to eat up what they fancy before the next waves comes in. These movements always make me smile, and remind me of the opening theme to The Monkees television show from the late sixties, which I loved watching as a child.

Although I've seen this occur perhaps hundreds of times, it always makes me feel better about the world and myself. It adds some brevity to my too often feeling of heaviness, and I find there is something about their seemingly frantic movements that I find comical, heroic and endearing.

Monkeying around