As I sat watching the tide come in, I marveled at the seaweed's tenacity, clinging to the rocks. Seaweed takes a a real beating in the waves. Rumor has it that some of it makes good eating.

Silly joke (as told by the Vicar of Dibley):
Q.: Why did the lobster blush?
A.: Because the seaweed.

(I told you it was silly.)

York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

Incoming tide. York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

More fabulous waves. York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

More stunning waves. York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

I have a cousin named Russell, but this isn't his lobster shack. It is, however, quintessentially Maine. Cape Neddick, Maine. 17 April 2009.

I was able to enjoy a few days by the ocean last week, and for some reason was awed by some breaking waves. On the face of it, they weren't spectacularly huge, they were simply spectacular. York, Maine. 18 April 2009.

Easter sunrise, moon-set. Welcome, happy morning! Texas Corners, Michigan. 12 April 2009.

More evidence that the average last day for snowfall in southwest Michigan is well into April... Texas Corners, Michigan. 6 April, 2009.

As is somewhat predictable, the appearance of crocus and daffodils did not herald the end of winter in these parts! It seems like just about every year (and actually, the data suggests this is even true!) the crocus get wiped out by snow. Although I certainly didn't appreciate the return of winter, there were a few photo ops. My friend Bill says these are "Scilla siberica." And goes on to add that they are "beautiful little blue flowers that will spread a lovely carpet when they naturalize." Texas Corners, Michigan. 6 April 2009.

We saw this whale breach within 10 minutes of leaving shore. The baby that she was with breached at the exact same moment, but I only captured mom. Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

This is kind of sad-- the baby, in the foreground, got caught in a net at a young age, and as the whale grew the net tightened. It now has these ridges along its back. Mama, in the background, doesn't let Junior out of her sight. Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

I have a credit card with a company that lets you upload a photo to personalize your credit card, sio I know have this on my credit card. Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.

Perhaps she was waving to a long lost friend? Near Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico. 5 March 2009.