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It's really easy to get caught up in the bad news about our Bay, as bad news gets more clicks and comments than good news it seems. I am 100% in agreement that conservation of the Bay and its resources should be a major priority and that we need to do better. But just for today I figured I'd dabble in some good signs I've noticed recently. Whether they are a random fluke, a change in pattern, or a sign of a healthy summer with minimal rainfall, I think it's worth sharing.
I've lived downtown for almost 7 years and been running the waterfront promenade path multiple times a week for all of those 7 years. My primary observations are from the Harbor View Tower (the tall, residential tower with lights on top that change colors) towards the Rusty Scupper and along the path by the Science Center. Occassionally, I see a swirl or a splash, and occassionally the water looks so wretched I'm not sure how birds are even sitting in it, but the last month I've seen things there that I've never seen before.
Twice this last month from the Rusty Scupper to the Science Center, I've seen dozens of medium to large blue crabs along the rocks, along with baitfish. The crabs themselves are not rare, but the numbers this year, at least from my near decade of observations, are unique. Yesterday was the "wow" moment that made me smile- As I was running, I heard a familiar splashy popping sound from out in the water. I stopped and looked, and wouldn't ya know it: working birds! About 50 yards from the Rusty Scupper! And bait galore. There were multiple pods of bait being picked at by what I'm assuming were schoolie rockfish, and some seagulls were happily taking advantage. I couldn't believe it. From time to time I'll notice a small pod of bait, but yesterday there were multiple basketball-court-sized bait pods and that was pretty darn cool to see up in the Harbor.
Again, not using this as a barometer of Bay health or passing any judgement at all on the condition of the bay, just for a moment taking some time to smile at the surprises this body of water gives us.
I've lived downtown for almost 7 years and been running the waterfront promenade path multiple times a week for all of those 7 years. My primary observations are from the Harbor View Tower (the tall, residential tower with lights on top that change colors) towards the Rusty Scupper and along the path by the Science Center. Occassionally, I see a swirl or a splash, and occassionally the water looks so wretched I'm not sure how birds are even sitting in it, but the last month I've seen things there that I've never seen before.
Twice this last month from the Rusty Scupper to the Science Center, I've seen dozens of medium to large blue crabs along the rocks, along with baitfish. The crabs themselves are not rare, but the numbers this year, at least from my near decade of observations, are unique. Yesterday was the "wow" moment that made me smile- As I was running, I heard a familiar splashy popping sound from out in the water. I stopped and looked, and wouldn't ya know it: working birds! About 50 yards from the Rusty Scupper! And bait galore. There were multiple pods of bait being picked at by what I'm assuming were schoolie rockfish, and some seagulls were happily taking advantage. I couldn't believe it. From time to time I'll notice a small pod of bait, but yesterday there were multiple basketball-court-sized bait pods and that was pretty darn cool to see up in the Harbor.
Again, not using this as a barometer of Bay health or passing any judgement at all on the condition of the bay, just for a moment taking some time to smile at the surprises this body of water gives us.
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