Saturday 22 November 2014

Stormy Waters

The recent stormy weather has had quite an impact on the beach.

There are dozens of mermaid’s purses washed up with the seaweed.

And last Sunday we saw a seal swimming just off the shore. He was too far out to get a good photo and every so often he’d bob under the water and reappear further along. There is a colony of seals not far from where we walk Dusty, but this is the first time we’ve seen one.

Sea foam blows off the sea and rolls along the beach in little fluffy clouds. That’s quite unusual too.





But most of all, there have been dozens of cuttlefish bones washing up. It’s never been unusual to see the odd one here and there, but right now they’re scattered all over the beach. And there are tiny ones too, which is sad, as they would be babies and it’s very unusual to see baby ones.

The bigger bones all have teeth marks.



Cuttlefish have several predators including sharks and seals. I think the teeth marks look as if they belong to seals.

A little further down the coast around Mersea Island and Brightlingsea, a pod of pilot whales has been spotted.

Sad sight though this morning of a Harbour Porpoise on the beach. I crossed the creek to check if there was any possibility of it being alive, hoping to be able to get it back into the water, but it was dead. Poor thing had injuries to its tail and fins.

Dusty will take his last antibiotic on Tuesday – then we wait and see if the infection has been beaten or whether it will be another trip to the vet.





28 comments:

  1. I love your beach natural history lessons - always so interesting and informative. How heartbreaking about the porpoise. Nature's so cruel isn't it?

    Everything crossed for Dusty that all is well now xx

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    1. It was a sad sight, Sue, but I had to go for a closer look just in case it was still alive. From the other side of the creek I wasn't even sure what it was, poor thing x

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  2. We forget, don't we, the terrible toll these storms take on the creatures from the sea. I suspect what you find on your beach, Teresa is sadly just the tip of the iceberg of what's going on out there.
    So sad about the little porpoise, but as Sue says, nature can be cruel. Big hugs to Dusty. Hope that infection clears up soon. xx

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    1. It has made me wonder more as I look out at the sea, Rena, just what is going on under the waves that we know nothing about. At least we haven't found any of the live grenades that have washed up this year! x

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  3. How knowledgeable you are, and what dramatic landscapes. Hope Dusty's infection clears up soon.

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    1. Thank you, Maggie - I am getting more nervous as the day of his last antibiotic approaches x

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  4. Poor Porpoise. They're so defenseless when it comes to predators.
    I'll keep my fingers crossed for Dusty.xx

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    1. It was so sad, Deb. Thank you for keeping your fingers crossed for Dusty :-) x

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  5. Aw, bless Dusty. Look at that wee face - what a cutie. I hope the antibiotics have done their job and he has no further problems.

    xx

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  6. Hi human, Teresa,

    It's really sad to read about that poor porpoise. It just shows what an impact the stormy weather can have on our beloved sea faring creatures.

    Here's hoping for lovely Dusty. Hi Dusty! See you, my kind human friend.

    Pawsitive wishes,

    Penny :) x

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  7. The natural life cycle can appear to be so cruel at times - and so sad.
    I am glad to hear Dusty is on the mend.

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  8. Fingers crossed Dusty will now be okay and not need any more antibiotics, Teresa.

    You get such a variety of scenes and experiences at the beach, whether fun or sad, thanks for sharing them with us.

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    1. Thanks, Carol. Not such good news from the vet today - he has to go for an MRI scan next week in Newmarket - very worrying x

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    2. Really sorry to hear that Dusty has to go for a scan, but try to stay positive. It may not be as bad as you think x

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  9. When I read your descriptions of the beach, Teresa, I can almost believe I'm there.

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  10. Hope Dusty will be alright, Teresa, such a cute picture, and lovely beach scenes. xx

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    1. Thanks, Susan - seems he isn't out of the woods yet unfortunatelyx

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  11. Beautiful pictures, Teresa, and your descriptions always make me able to smell the sea and feel the salty air. I especially love the clusters of sea foam.

    Hoping Dusty is fit and well at his next check. xxx

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    1. Thank you, Joanna.
      Dusty's got to have an MRI scan in Newmarket next week - hoping it will get to the bottom of the problem x

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  12. What a rich sea life you have down there, Teresa - love your photos!

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    1. Thank you, Rosemary - it never ceases to surprise me on that beach x

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  13. It must be lovely to live near a beach like that and to see what the ocean can dish up on a daily basis! Keep on posting the great pictures!

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    1. It is lovely, Pat. I'd like to do a post about the birds, but a certain small dog keeps chasing them away before I can get photos! :-) x

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