Whats the Point?

When ever I can't decide where it is I want to bird I always have a pocket of favorites that I can pull out. Today like many others I chose Stone Harbor Point. Last time I walked the Point it was cold, windy, and snow covered. Winter was in control.

 Today was one of those gift days South Jersey can throw your way in the middle of February.

49 degrees, March Lion winds, and the up lifting angle of the shadows as the sun changes her arc across the sky.  I feel  the inevitable arrival of Spring all across the dunes, but it is quiet.

I have seen a Horned Lark poking in the flotsam between the dunes, but the Ipswich have gone probably taking with them my chance of finding an old friend....

The Point has changed. No surprise. The weather and tides constantly rearrange her surfaces, yet she withstands the passing times.

Today there are channels cutting between the dunes and I meander around the temporary water features.

Not expecting the American Bitterns to have stuck out Ole' Man Winter, I once again flushed both of them.

A couple I surmise. I feel bad.

I find myself following the edge of a new tide channel trying to work towards a gathering of shorebirds along the beach when I see a beautiful male Snowy Owl. He sees me but I have no choice but to continue parallel to the channel forcing me to walk past him.

I am walking slowly not making eye contact and I pass without spooking him.

He is looking for something. We all are I guess, but his focus is intense. I take a photo and turn away from him to head towards the beach.

Low tide has strewn all sorts of storm tossed sea stuff. Beach pickings. Lots of live whelks and clams. Dizzy from tumbling, but alive and waiting for the tide to return them to safety.

The sun warming my back soothes the aches I have from shovelling snow up home. 

And I remember Whats the Point.......

The price we pay for the Gift of Life, is in knowing it must be returned.

 h. tomlinson