Sunday, September 11, 2016

Beachcombing on Playa Las Viudas

Chronica Domus
Treasured souvenirs from the playa, resting upon an 1837 hand-colored engraving of
seashells drawn by Captain Brown and engraved by G. Cranston, from my personal collection
Photo: Chronica Domus


I've been fortunate enough to visit a fair number of beaches in my life.  My parents enjoyed traveling extensively when my sisters and I were children and our summer holidays would always include stints by the seaside.  The fine sandy beaches of the Aegean and Mediterranean became our summer playgrounds.  We spent many happy hours splashing about in the warm currents, a novelty as compared to the frigid waters of the English Channel.

Being a curious child, I always made a point of scouring the beach for interesting objects. Unearthing the odd dropped coin or fragment of polished colored glass was always an exciting prospect. However, my favorite objects always remained the natural treasures which appealed so greatly to my sense of delight, and fascination with natural history.  You may be amused to learn that this gentle author secretly harbored dreams of becoming the next Mary Anning.

Chronica Domus
An inspiring figure from my youth, Mary Anning and Tray her faithful canine companion, depicted with Dorset's Golden Cap outcrop as a fitting backdrop


It turns out that my love of beachcombing remains strong to this day.  While holidaying in Mexico recently, I took the opportunity of indulging in this pleasant pastime on one of the most secluded little beaches I have ever visited.

Chronica Domus
A view of Playa Las Viudas with its clear waters, pristine sandy beach, and rocky outcrops - we had the place to ourselves the afternoon we visited - it was heavenly!
Photo: Chronica Domus


Playa Las Viudas is a magical hidden cove that is tucked away off the main highway along the corridor between the towns of Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.  Volcanic rock outcrops abound and although the sand is quite coarse, I greatly enjoyed getting my feet wet as I waded along the shoreline within inches of the crashing waves.  

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


We spent an enjoyable hour or so absorbed in the hunt for treasure. With the sun's beating rays upon our backs, combined with the stirring sound of the Sea of Cortez, it really was quite the tonic for unwinding.

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


What we found was astonishing.  Remnants of sea life aplenty.

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


I was all agog at the variety of corals and seashells we espied with seemingly little effort.  Their colors - which ranged from brilliant orange, mauve, gray, and taupe - and their intricate shapes were utterly beguiling.

Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus


I was enchanted most especially by the little orange-speckled oval seashells.  I had never seen anything quite like it on any other beach and here I was with two in the palm of my hand (well three, actually, but the third example had faded in the strong Mexican sunlight).

Chronica Domus 
A dorsal and ventral view of Jenneria pustulata with its distinctive colors and pattern
Photo: Chronica Domus


Of course, this led me on a hunt down the electronic rabbit hole that is The Internet until I unearthed what exactly it was that had wholly captured my imagination.  Jenneria pustulata, it turns out, was first mentioned by the English botanist and conchologist John Lightfoot in 1786. Interestingly, Mr. Lightfoot was the curator of The Duchess of Portland's personal collection which in its day, was the most extensive and coveted natural collection in England.  I also discovered that aside from Western Mexico, Jenneria pustulata is found in such exotic locales as Costa Rica, Panama, and the Galapagos Islands, all places I have yet to enjoy the privilege of visiting.

Aside from a multitude of seashells, nuggets of lily-white coral litter Playa Las Viudas.  This stony coral happens to be the main food source of Jenneria pustulata which would explain why there was such a high concentration of it on one small stretch of beach.

Chronica Domus
A trio of coral nuggets rest upon another hand-colored engraving by C. Cranston, circa 1837, from my personal collection
Photo: Chronica Domus


These very special seashells, together with the other bits of unearthed natural treasure, make charming souvenirs of a place that has captured my heart.  I shall cherish them always as fond remembrances of a pleasant afternoon spent beachcombing in a spot that must surely be as close to paradise as one can imagine.

Chronica Domus
A lone boat sails past Playa Las Viudas
Photo: Chronica Domus


Tell me, do you have fond memories of visiting a favorite beach, or have you ever found anything of interest to capture your imagination that was laying about in the sand?

16 comments:

  1. If only there could be a Chronica Domus selfie in fetching Mary Anning bathing costume.
    GSL has been perfecting a late Georgian wolf whistle for just such an occasion.

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    Replies
    1. So sorry GSL, but you'll just have to content yourself with a shellfie of one's hand.

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  2. Hello CD, What a dramatic beach you discovered, with treasures to match! Freshwater beaches don't have such fanciful shells, but sometimes there are wonderful fossil shells to make up for it. I also like to examine the waterside plants, either looking for edible specimens, or just to enjoy their beauty.
    --Jim
    p.s. I am green with envy over your fantastic colored engraved natural history plates.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jim,

      I've yet to find a fossil shell, and I've been looking since my youth!

      Pleased you enjoyed viewing the hand-colored engravings which are among my favorites. I am amazed at the sheer amount of detail the drawer and engraver included in their work.

      Delete
  3. It does look beautiful on those beaches - last time i did this was a few years ago when we went to Hampshire and I picked up a triangular shape I found nice and i packed it in my suitcase and then my whole suitcase stunk of squid bc it was apparently the vertebrae of a cuttlefish! So I have no talent but hope to find some ambergris or something in my next venture to make up for that one!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you for the chuckle Naomi. I can only imagine the stench.

      If you ever find a piece of ambergris, well, lucky you. I recall seeing a substantial chunk at the Smithsonian's American History Museum in Washington D.C. and was utterly fascinated at both how it is formed and its value.

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  4. Sounds absolutely heavenly. When we were children, visiting my mom's family's house on Cape Cod, we'd hunt for angel's toenails. All shimmer and orange. I have no idea what their scientific name is, and I think I don't really want to know.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Lisa,

      What a charming name for a sea shell. I can only imagine what they look like.

      Delete
  5. That's the most beautiful and unusual Cowry shell I've ever seen! I used to beachcomb a lot as a child. My family had a beach shack about 2 hours drive away. It was right on the edge of the beach, and we would frequently go shell hunting with my Mother. Cowry shells were the prize - they were hard to find amongst the Jockey's Caps, Limpets, fan shells, spiral shells and cockles. Such a lovely way to while away an afternoon or morning. And what a lovely souvenir to bring home.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Heidi,

      I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought these beautiful orange-spotted shells were unusual. I was so excited to have spotted them and frankly, had no idea they were even considered Cowry shells so thank you for confirming that.

      A beach shack of one's own must have been an idyllic place to spent many happy hours with your family while on shell hunting expeditions.

      Delete
  6. CD,
    What a picturesque stretch of the coastline you've captured! I love collecting shells and stones on walks along the coast. Your collection is beautiful.
    Karen

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    Replies
    1. Hello Karen,

      Would love to know what you do with all of your shells and stones, and whether or not you display them or squirrel them away in a drawer. Perhaps a topic of a future blog post?

      Delete
  7. We were just speaking of our long, lovely evenings on the beach at Pensacola yesterday, whilst shopping for a metal detector for a grandson's birthday. Those were the evenings during the years we lived so close to the coast that we'd just look at each other after dinner, and say, "Wanna GO for a while?"

    The quiet and the privacy with none but us, the few guys scanning the sand with their detectors and a cut-down milk jug for digging in the other hand, and a few nocturnal, hopeful seagulls..

    We've neither ever been sun-and-sand people, but just the being there, with the moonlight and sussssshhhh of the neon waves coming in---that's a wonderful part of our life I'd live to relive over and over.

    r

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hello racheld,

      I never considered using a metal detector on a beach as I primarily enjoy finding natural treasure. However, I can well understand how beach goers could easily misplace coins, jewelry, and possibly watches and keys with regularity to the delight of those scouring the seashore with their detectors to hand.

      Delete
  8. Lovely, but much prefer G and Ts on your balcony.

    Mr P.

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    Replies
    1. Well hello Mr. P.,

      As lovely as this faraway beach is, there's not much lovelier than sharing Friday night cocktails with you on our balcony. Cheers!

      Delete

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