31 Jan 2010 Estero el Barril, Bahia Magdalena
Turning of the Tide
Waders all, herons, mangroves, man – long lanky legs – yellow, dark, brown and tan stretch to meet mud. Seeking sustenance in the dark silty sand. Bridging terra-not-so-firma, and cielis, sky, clouds, oxygen. Pulsing exchange of energy and air, food and water, salt and pepper, clams for stew, scallops and garlic and delicious transformations of mud creatures to meal. Clam diggers, long legged, scanning, prodding, siting scooping. The full bucket can take a few more – clickety clack, the scallop snaps back. The heron snaps his own small fry. The mangrove drinks this tasty tea to satiate his thirst and cut the salty brine. The tide swells in, chasing off the hunting gatherers. Birds fly to roost, diggers, paddle home, soon the mangroves will rest their bright green chins on the overfull bay, building roots so they won t float away. Flooded pickle weed will hold it s breath, while the hunted let out theirs. Respite for the mud dwellers, the feasters soon will fast and all will snooze and wake and wait for the return of the low tide.