Morning walk along the beach. Sandpipers, plovers, egrets, and surfers are the only ones here. I set my towel by the lifeguard shack and walk into the water.Taking my swim, I watch the surfers paddle and wait, then rise up and become part of the wave. The sun ripples across the ocean. Even with salt in my eyes, I can see Catalina. As I start to climb out, I see a Snowy Egret standing in the hard sand, eyeing the scene. She is a small white heron, with gleaming white feathers, long neck, black bill and legs, bright yellow feet. Stalking prey she ruffles the sand with one foot; her bill darts and she moves on.
I step from the water and dry off, and the egret and I go our separate ways.