I slept to the sound of the sea out my window and woke before dawn to listen to the quiet, hopeful, rhythmic promise of a new day. And soon, I rose to see this day dawning on Ferry Beach, a day I knew would be, as sea views usually are, dramatic and spectacular, and in its own, particular quiet way, it certainly was. 

After crossing the driveway, descending the stairs, encountering the cool, soft sand on my bare feet, I saw a silvery shell on wet sand, broken open, two-tiered, washed in by the tide.

I saw driftwood and, taking a closer look at the yellow wildflowers blooming in the dunes, I saw evening primroses, still open from the night before, and a moth, pink and delicious as candy, resting quite still on the flower. I learned this is what primrose moths do - they fly at night, and rest on flowers during the day – every ordinary day of their lives. Today is my lucky day, to discover and experience this pure, distracting moment of delight in a country and world full of too much bad news.

All photos and text copyright Kelly DuMar 2017