sand trees

Walking on the beach in Florida, I spied these unusual patterns in the damp sand. The tide had receded enough to see nature’s artwork. I walked over the area several times and then I saw it. See it you do.

They say art is in the eye of the beholder. What I saw walking over a large section of open beach were the trees like the ones I have seen in cartoons.

Do you remember the “tree” in Pocahontas, the 1995 Disney film? Pocahontas, along with her friends, the raccoon Meeko and hummingbird Flit, visit Grandmother Willow, a spiritual talking willow tree, and speaks of a dream involving a spinning arrow, and her confusion regarding what her path in life should be.

If I were going to try to draw a tree, I would use the same strokes and just add leaves or foliage to “green it up”. The other thing that caught my eye was loose seaweed tossed back and forth on the waves, with a few random pieces landing on the beach. That reminds me of how we are lost on a sea of uncertainty, but sooner or later we land on solid ground.

There were beautiful brown and black pelicans gliding just over the ocean. You had to pay close attention to see them. The darkness of the ocean and brightness of the sun helped camouflauged them. I saw a group of 7 fly by, then a pair, then 5, then 1, and I lost count. I wondered where they were all going. They were flying in the same direction. No one was headed south. They all were pointedly going north. They didn’t stop for a snack or buzz around in circles. Everyone was on course and in formation. That reminds me of single-mindedness and purpose in life.

The shore bird pecking at little sand creatures burrowing after the ocean waves had 7 miniature shore birds wandering along the same stretch of beach learning how to gather lunch. I didn’t see any other adult birds and this team stuck together except for one errant adventurous kiddie bird. He wandered off out of sight and rejoined them from time to time. None of the others seemed to care if he came or went. I assume it was a “he”, but who knows!! He may have left because he had too much competition for sea snacks, he was curious about the hunting down the beach or he lost sight of the family with his head down pecking at morsels. That reminds me of those who do not conform to set expectations but find their way to the same place on alternate paths.  In the movie, Book Club, Jane Fonda told Don Johnson, “There are no different paths- all paths lead to the same place.”

Finally, the colors of blue and variety of clouds overhead were striking. There was the dark blue sky directly overhead with cirrus wispy light clouds. There were the towering puff ball cumulus clouds over the land- starkly white with light blue sky. In the distance down the beach, there was a combination of light blue, pinkish gray sky with an amazing litany of white clouds. I don’t think I have ever seen so many clouds in one sky with such a variety of colors in one place.  That reminds me that you don’t see until you really look. I had my eyes on the sand, the beach, the shells and a couple in the water beyond the breaking waves lolling in a loose embrace. I looked up searching for more osprey and saw the unexpected sky. The most incredible beauty of the day was right above me. Looking at everything moving- sea life- ocean waves- sand art- people- dogs, I didn’t even see it. Be still and look.

That reminded me of the verse, “Be still, and know that I am God. “Psalm 46:10