By Anthony Latora
Sometimes my days are shifted due to unexpected visitors. The strange part is – you only know they were there because of what’s left behind: a small impression, remnants of a meal, stems left shortened by someone browsing. So many clues – some subtle, some obvious. One track in the sand and your whole day changes, leaving you to wonder: Who’s come visiting? And where could they be now?
Just another Tuesday on the heights of the harbor, as I begin my descent toward the shore. A cool breeze greets me, and a raven’s call echoes as it flies west, following the sun’s path in search of warmth. A few winding steps later, the air grows thick with salt beneath the slanted bigleaf maples on the hillside.
As I step onto the sand, I pause to let the scene soak in. The tide is lower, and I follow my familiar route along the shoreline until something different catches my eye.
Whose dog got out? I wonder, leaning closer to the sand. A streamlined trail cuts a single direction – purposeful and clean. Intrigued, I follow it over and under logs, making a brief stop where a small trickle of water spills from the wall onto the sand.
Not much farther ahead, a flurry of scratches breaks the pattern. These marks are unlike any dog’s, at least to my eyes. This has to be more than one creature here – and what’s that there on the log? Remnants of sea vegetables and crustaceans! Oh, and another trail – its paws are wider-spread and asymmetrical compared to the canine. This time, the tracks slink away, hugging tighter to the hillside’s edge, and leading under even smaller cavities.
Eventually, these tracks lead me past washed-up trees and root balls along the coast. Once the area opens up, the new tracks take a quick turn, right into the Sound. My trailing endeavors end there. What kind of animal was that? Were the trails related to each other in some way? No way to know unless I sat and watched all day.
As I ponder, my gaze drifts north. Upon a rock just off shore, a great blue heron is backlit and silhouetted by the light reflecting off the water – still and poised for its next attempt at a meal.
I’m reminded of the patience needed to uncover the mysteries of nature. Indeed a mystery for now.
