A walk on the beach

 While the weather here in the Abacos has been relatively stable things are happening in the Northern Atlantic, and those situations have been propagating their large swells all the way down here. Since the ocean swell was out of the North and East while at the same time the wind was out of the West it made for some scenic views from the shore line. The waves were rolling in and their tops were being ripped off by the wind. Generally speaking the ocean didn't look too bad at first, but a circumspect examination of the horizon indicated the water was high out there. Whenever the horizon appears close in, it's because the wave height is extreme.

 In evidence of this notion people taking their boats around Whale Cay were reporting swells between 5 and 8 feet. Certainly this is beyond our comfort zone but a good sail boat with the sheets up would be relatively stable in spite of the water. I've been out fishing in a 26 footer in that kind of water and it all depends on the boat. And this was the sentiment we heard along with the wave heights. The reports generally indicated it was doable but that caution should be exercised. 

 However our interests at this point were simple. All we were interested in was getting a little exercise via a walk on the beach.  It just so happened we wound up at "On Da Beach" which is a conveniently located spot on the Atlantic side of Elbow Cay. It's convenient because it is a decent walk South from Hope Town. Not too far mind you, but enough to justify having a beverage before the return trip. 

 After stopping in at On Da Beach, we walked down on to the beach and headed North towards Hope Town. Along the way back North we watched as a Heron (?) landed on the beach and froze in its tracks. As we approached it was content to sit tight and not move a muscle so we wondered if it was on the hunt. The closer we got the more apparant that became. Right in front of this little guy was a crab hole and he was not going to give in and retreat thus losing out on the prospect of a tastey morsel. He let me get within maybe 10 feet and didn't flinch. We didn't get to see him pounce but I'm betting there was enough persistence there to capture the quarry. Usually a relatively small bird will not let a person get to close so I felt lucky to get a shot yet not disturb the hunt.

  Moving on it seemed like things were laying down as the afternoon wore on which is a good thing for the folks looking to head South from Green Turtle etc.. But the forecast is against them. A quick check of Windfinder.com for Green Turtle indicates some significant wave heights for the next several days. Hopefully things work out for them with regard to their destinations and the holidays.