The Water Garden

When I went down the Coast last weekend for Easter we had to do the usual things of a walk along the beach at some stage. It was only a brief walk, but I, of course, got enmeshed in taking quick photos of whatever was around. The lighting was a bit off but I found some interesting subjects. At the entrance of this part of the beach they have a sign about the leafy sea dragon. Apparently it lives in the seaweed in this part of the coast and is all part of the life cycle, with birds feeding off the ones that get washed up entangled in the seaweed and other such useful waste saving mechanisms of nature. I tried to find one of these guys who had washed up but I guess the birds had got to them first as a late afternoon snack. But I did find other things washed up on shore.

Lots of strange sponges and weeds (and a pair or shoes, but they were pretty much attached to my feet).


Shells, of course, plenty of those, but I looked for the more obscure ones amongst the millions of cockles.


Rocks, that seems as pretty as my garden, and probably contain as much life (we have an aphid problem at home at present)


Indeed this whole area seemed like an odd garden, not quite living, mostly debris, but within that supporting other life. I am sure a metre of two off the coast, under the chilly water there was a whole other garden micro system just waiting to be explored but without a wet suit, a snorkel, a speccy camera and forgetting that you cannot go in an hour after eating (and when you eat a 3 course gourmet lunch that limit probably should be extended beyond an hour) As for flora? Lots of pines, and this lovely Banksia. If only I could go there more often ...