Went out to Old Airport Beach to supervise the sunrise this morning. There were lots of ghost crab tunnels. Didn’t have the correct gear to photograph the crabs.
Here is a picture from 2015. I got curious about ghost crabs. So, I did a little research. Turns out, the size of the tunnel opening indicates the size of the crab that lives in it. Reproductively mature male ghost crabs arrange the sand they’ve excavated from their burrow into a neat pyramid-shaped pile next to the entrance. Females and juveniles just scatter sand around. They are true marine creatures – so they don’t drown. But, they are able to spend most of their time above the reach of the ocean because they have a water-tight external skeleton that prevents water loss and keeps them from drying out. A special gill chamber lets them “breathe” air as long as their gills stay moist, either in the humid shelter of their tunnels by day or by periodically scampering into the ocean when out scavenging at night. More than you ever wanted to know about ghost crabs. Wonderful little critters.
Lunch today. I ordered fries and burger. Should have dialed 911. To die for. Hope I still fit into my traveling pants. I didn’t eat all the fries – but nothing else was left.
Gratitude
Grateful for everyone who works to be sure that I am well fed. From farmer to waitperson, and everyone else along the way.