Santiago
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3531
Registered: 8-27-2003
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Thanks Mike....
For the last few years, around the end of October, I post one of Mike Humfreville's stories; this year things got out of hand and the time passed. I
particularly like this small missive as it captures the feelings, sights and smells of an early morning in the south bay area of BOLA.
PEACE, by Mike Humfreville
The sky is filled with white cirrus clouds this morning, just light white, allowing the thin layer of blue to pass through and turning the calm water
to a slick, almost oily shimmering silver.
Looking across the south end of Bahia de Los Angeles, the southernmost point, Punta Roja and the nearby islands, the two Gemelitos, little gems,
Cabesa de Cavallo, Horse's Head, La Ventana, the Window, and others are darkly silhouetted against the lighted water. Almost an illusion.
We slept a deep sleep until almost eight, and then woke to the sun's rays climbing through the thatched patches we have placed over our east- and
south-facing windows of the room where we sleep. It was dead calm; no sounds of water, or birds, or wind.
I got out of bed, dressed and stood on the balcony overlooking the sea and watched as three kayaks slipped silently through the water heading
north. The first sounds of the day were from the voices of the people in the kayaks. It was surprising to hear them through the distance and across
the varied surfaces of land and then water. But I could understand their conversation even at a distance of a half-mile. They were looking for whale
sharks.
These huge and yet tranquil sea beasts, whale sharks, are becoming an attraction here, bringing researchers and tourists to the bay. For many
years there has been no recognized etiquette, no protocol, to define the interaction between us two beasts, man and whale shark. The sharks are
friendly and have baleens rather than teeth and live by consuming small crustaceans and fishes. They must consume quite a few of these, as they can
grow up to 60 feet in length. They are friendly and often will approach a swimmer in an unthreatening manner just to inspect you. They almost
encourage you to touch them. As humans we feel a need to touch. Touch is one of our five perceived senses and we feel we need to use as many as
possible when we can.
The kayakers continue northward toward the village. Their conversation fades. My mind is obliged, in search of constant noise, to return to the
magnificence of morning, later now. A small breeze is beginning to stir the shore; gulls are cawking, crows croaking, pelicans silently skimming the
surface. A number of yards off shore there are dark patches in the water amongst the shimmering silver where bait is working to avoid some unknown
threat.
Life, and death, continue.
Morning has broken.
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 65278
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Very nice to post that Jim!
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