Saturday, October 10, 2009

Island Time - Pam Johnson Brickell




It was more than time to soak up the ocean air. While our quick trip to the beach was just a couple of hours long, it sure was a shot in the arm. We saw large pods of dolphin, 2 Osprey displaying stealth hunting tactics, a few Royal Terns, and my favorite..... Brown Pelicans. I so love how they skim the water when they glide.

I decided to decorate the corners of the illustration box with Sanderlings. We only saw four. There has been a dramatic decline of shorebirds on the island's beaches as Hilton Head has become a vacation mecca. Too, as dogs do not, during the fall/winter seasons, need to be leashed on the beaches, shore birds no longer have access to their once undisturbed habitat during this crowded time period. Although our local Audubon chapter does its level best to inform and educate, the vacationing masses seemingly don't give a hoot.

The above was my view to the right.  Reality to the left

4 comments:

  1. Looks like you had a WONDERFUL time, Pam...that's an evocative sketch, with lots of good info.

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  2. Lovely sketch Pam and the 5-10-mph wind must've just been enough to cool you off! It's a pity about the dogs on the beach and I know people like to take their dogs for a walk, but does it have to be to the beach? It's such a sensitive eco-system...

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  3. Love the addition of the sanderlings in the corners, Pam. So sorry so many humans take other species - and other humans' homes - for granted when they visit. I never understood the dogs on the beach idea...seems wrong to me...but then, I'm a cat owner and I know what my cat would think of all that sand!

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  4. Thank you, Kate, Maree and Rhonda!

    I do want to add that I love the playfulness of dogs on the beach. They have so much fun. I'm always hopeful that we humans will realize that it's our responsibility to care for all animals.

    We can let our dogs have short runs on the beach, and leash them if there are shorebirds....

    We can even make the effort, when strolling along the water's edge, to take a few extra steps and walk around feeding birds as not to disturb them. These two little things would make such a difference :)

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