Sunrise on the Sea of Cortez - A Special time of day

Being in the Baja has a feeling of timelessness, peace and tranquility. My favorite time of day is dawn. Every morning I am awakened by the early morning light flooding through my window. My little friend, Ali, a small black and white shitzu poodle nudges me to get up and take her for her morning walk.

We hear little birds chirping their songs, beckoning the sun to rise and a rooster on the hill crows to awaken the day. I slip on a pair of shorts, t-shirt and light jacket.

Barefoot I head down to the beach, little Ali at my side. The sky is alight with soft colors, yellow, orange, blue and fluffy white.

We stroll... along the waters edge, the sun slips out of the horizon, making the blue green water sparkle with shades of silver.

A flock of birds, flying in formation, are silhouetted against the bright yellow/orange sun. Waves pound against the sand, leaving it
damp and cool.

I enjoy wading in the water and watching the retreating waves leave ripples in the sand. On the beach are the occasional puffer fish washed ashore and at times a sea shell, a piece of coral or an interesting rock.

A fishing boat appears on the horizon, it's body
dark against the sky. Breathing the salt air smells sweet and fresh.

It awakens all my senses and little Ali has lots of things to sniff

We are not alone on the beach, fishermen cast and reel their lines, lovers embrace at the waters edge and sea gulls soar quietly in the sky.

I am given warm greetings, by both Mexicans, tourists and local gringoes, who like me, enjoy the wonder of walking on a quiet morning beach with an outstanding sunrise.

A pelican searching for food,
stops to ride the waves, Ali and I stop to watch.

One morning I heard barking and looked up to see a seal, very close to shore. Holes in the sand make me wonder what sea creature lives down there?

I have found a coral fan lying in the wet sand, a rare gift. Seeing whales splashing close to shore is a common occurrence, so are jumping ray fish. One morning I sighted something huge moving up the beach, a
large sea turtle seeking to lay its eggs.

This is a rare sight as the turtle was a leatherback. Fortunately folks called the turtle rescue
people and her eggs were taken to safety and she made it back to the sea. Many species of birds, fish and mammals thrive in the unusual mix of sand sea and desert, they are always a thrill to see.

It is indeed magic to find peace, tranquility and a sense of timelessness in the natural beauty of the Baja.