One With The Cove

The west coast of Costa Rica and I am waste deep in a warm, green body of seawater. I am enveloped by a spectacular mid-sized horseshoe cove that you see in those stunning pictures of impossibly beautiful destinations. The cove is punctuated by two high and rocky mountainous peninsulas framing each of its sides. Their terrain carpeted in shades of fading greens, emerging creams, browns and rocky greys.

It’s the beginning of the dry season and the vegetation is changing fast with the incoming dryness and heat.

Low tide and a serene onshore breeze is driving the green deep ocean waters forward. The cove feels alive as the nourishing waves make their way inward in their journey to high tide and the inevitable transformation of the beach.

The green water canvas appears to be breathing as the water gently rises and wanes with the attending winds and the soothing light from a fading horizon. The winds hug the surface of the sea leaving behind ripples birthing a calming shimmering sea for the senses to behold.

Multiple islands stand between the shore and the horizon adding a symphony of elements creating a loosely bounded aesthetic romance. Nearly the entire cove is vacant. Far in the distance, to my right, I see small bobbing heads from other souls perhaps in the same trance that I am about to enter. For the most part, the cove is all mine.

Except for the pelicans.

Three of them have taken ownership of the area around me and I am now a fascinated spectator to their activities. They repeatedly perform flyby’s barely millimeters from the water’s surface and but a couple of feet from where I am standing. Precise flying is an un understatement as the tip of their wings skim the surface with every pass. They go about diving all around me in pursuit of their evening meals. As they continue their frolicking, they become part of the evolving canvas of which I am now a part. They have become the leading protagonists, rejoicing in the bounty of this cove nourished by the Pacific Ocean. I feel like an intruder in the midst of their feeding fury. They don’t seem to mind my presence and cast not a glance my way. As they continue their dance, I let myself be lulled by the waves and slowly ride them up and down with each crest and trough.

Approximately 30 minutes to sunset and the timeless shades of yellows and oranges are crafting their final presence. Another day submitting to the rigors of the universe and coming to a close. I close my eyes and let myself be immersed with all my senses. I extend my arms sideways and carefully place my open palms on the surface of the water. I follow the rhythm of the ocean and raise my arms up and down in full synchronicity. I can feel its body. Its fullness. I am one with all that surrounds me. The setting lights. The warmth of the sun relaxing my face. The green ocean. The pelicans. The seductive breeze. The solitude. All united to form a perfect utopia for the senses and the mind.

I am one with the pelicans and all.