All Creatures, Great and Small
Even when I'm by myself, I never surf alone...
Another true story. Come surfing with me once again...
Photo courtesy of Jeremy Bishop and http://unsplash.com
In the morning when I am out riding the waves,
I frequently see a pelican flying nearby. As often as not, I'm in a euphoric mood -- Hey, I'm out surfing! -- So I call out to the pelican and say "Good morning, Creature of God!"
Pelicans in Flight - Photo courtesy of Gareth Davies and http://unsplash.com
One morning I was riding a nice clean left at Torrey Pines. Suddenly I saw a pelican flight headed straight toward me, skimming along the face of the wave from the opposite direction!
When the pelicans finally saw me, they pulled up and peeled off in all directions, much like the Blue Angels stunt flying team executing an aerobatic maneuver.
Pelicans or Blue Angels?
Photo courtesy of skeeze and https://imgsafe.org
On another evening at Torrey Pines I was delighted to see four dolphins embedded in a wave, backlit by the setting sun.
Photo courtesy of Talia Cohen and http://unsplash.com
In case you are unaware of this, dolphins are surfers. They ride a pressure layer inside and just below the surface of a breaking wave.
Once when my friend Robert and I were surfing at Torrey Pines, a dolphin leapt over his back.
Another time, the dolphins were showing me how to paddle out. I would ride a wave in, and so would they.
But then, while I was struggling to paddle back through the incoming surf, as if to say "This is how it’s done", the dolphins headed back out by simply leaping over the incoming waves!
Photo of dolphin leaping courtesy of Tim Lautensack and http://unsplash.com
I have surfed with harbor seals.
Photo courtesy of Robyn Budlender and http://unsplash.com
I have watched a barnacled whale swim by at Terramar.
Whale photo courtesy of Sho Hatakeyama and http://unsplash.com
I have had my ankle pierced by a stingray, something I hope never to repeat!
Photo of stingrays courtesy of Adam Wyman and http://unsplash.com
Getting nailed by that stingray reminded me of this verse of Scripture:
"The sting of death is sin." - I Corinthians 15:56a
From now on, when I am tempted to sin, I hope I'll remember that stingray!
Try These Other Surfing Adventures (can you tell I'm an addict?)
It's Here! Come Ride My Beautiful Magic Carpet
The First Wave
Eternity: A Mind-Numbingly Powerful Perspective
Making The Drop (A Poem of Sorts)
The Ocean; God's Finest Invention?
Paddling Out -- The Story
Colorful Art from a Personal Perspective; Introducing "Paddling Out"
The Humorous Truth; Willpower and Cold Water
Why Do Jerks Seem To Get the Best Waves?
Red Tide at Night
Do you like to surf? Did you enjoy this post?
You can find an index to my blog HERE
Thank you for posting @creatr and pointing to our Creator. Lovely well written piece with superb photographs. Beautiful creatures.
Hey, @bleujay - Thanks for your encouragement! :) ;)
Hey, a great big THANK YOU to all my vast crowd of up-voters! :) :) :)
Powerfully encouraging! ;)
Liked The Pics!
Steem On!
Ah, @anns !!!
Thanks so much for your frequent encouragement! ;)
:))