Purposely Porpoising Poleward - 01 January 2006

Bill Rogers

Link to Trip Photos

Ah such a boooful day !!! What could start my 24th Annual New Year’s Day Hike better than:

Being on the Back Bay beach at first light with good friends;

Watching the sky gradually lighten;

Watching dark gray stratocumulus becoming pink then red;

Watching cirrus turning burnt orange while white contrails drift overhead;

And seeing that giant orange-red orb gradually climb from the briny deep as

colorful reflections dance on the gently breaking surf and receding waves ?

Just before 8:00 o’clock we four (Myself, Kathy Kocher, Tom Reed, Mike McManus) saunter back to the parking lot to meet the rest of the gang (David Rogers (from TATC, not son David), Sue and Larry Channel for the hike. This year we trek through Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge into False Cape State Park. Enjoying bright sun on our faces, the tide recedes as we troop south. On this glorious winter day one daydreams of just lying up against the dune, in the sun, snoring contentedly. Just inches above the water, four brown pelicans, practicing a left echelon formation, glide by. A pod of a dozen dolphins, some 75-yards offshore, purposely porpoise poleward. Sanderling dance along wave edges probing for their breakfast. Out beyond the breakers a lovely lone loon patrols.

A dead gannet lies on the sand, as does part of some unknown marine dweller’s backbone. Sections of fishing net are seen here and there, as are two floats. Part of an old sailing ship protrudes from the sand dunes. A new-looking scoop net is found and relocated to a spot up against the dunes. Between wave sounds we occasionally hear babbling geese and swans in impoundments hidden by the dunes.

As we follow the ‘road’ to the Visitor Center, a flock of Tundra Swans wing their way overhead. Why are the sides of their ‘V’ formation unequal ? Chickadees and Yellow-Rump Warblers flit about in the roadside brush. Deer, dog, raccoon and people tracks festoon the course we follow. Feral pig rootings mar the countryside. ‘Road apples’ are carefully bypassed. We pause at the False Cape Visitor Center for a snack and a drink, and to use the ‘necessary.’

Further south we head, through the maritime forest of pine and live oaks - a beautiful scene, a pleasant walk. At False Cape Landing we choose picnic tables for our noontime repast. The food hangers there may be great for preventing possum or raccoon thievery, but would not deter a bear, if any lived there. Deer, raccoon, and pony tracks abound. Pony droppings have been deposited upon older leavings - were they marking their territory ?

As we munch, Chickadees, Yellow Rumps, a Mockingbird, and a Tufted Titmouse are seen or heard nearby. A brilliant male Cardinal decorates a live oak near our picnic table. Two flocks of Tundras pass overhead. Tho the sun is dimming slightly as high cirrus thickens a bit, the day is pleasant. There is virtually no wind.

All too soon the meal is over - some visit the ‘necessary’ before heading back north. A Carolina Wren is heard in the woods. The pace is brisk, but will slow when we reach waterfront sand once more. We take another short break at the closed Visitor Center. We admire (?) squirrel damage to the shingles. On the beach our group breaks into three little groups as folks pick their own pace. The tide is way out, the beach marvelously wide - hard-packed sand easy to walk upon. A mixed bag of gulls rest on the beach. Out over the water a pelican flies wingman with a black backed gull. On the way I look for the scoop net, finally spotting it. This flotsam, or jetsam, leaps into my hand for the rest of the hike and will be donated to a fishing friend. Now there’s a slight, very slight headwind. The sun has all but disappeared behind ever thickening cirrus. There remains only a dim spot behind the cloud cover. A few shells are gathered as we wander north.

Crossing the boardwalk back to the east Dike Road, we marvel at the accurateness with which a bicycle tire has crossed the exact center of a ‘pony poop’ deposit on the wooden planks. By 2:30 we are back in the parking lot to relax and chat for a bit before the group separates, heading home.

A nice day, a good day, a great way to start 2006. Fourteen miles, or thereabouts, have passed under our Vibrams. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed the company, the sunrise, the exercise, and the wildlife. Ah such a boooful day !!!

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