Thought I would share a couple of pictures that I took over the weekend at Wells-Next-The-Sea of a couple of starfish, the first is a common starfish and the second a sunstar.
I discovered afterwards that over 10,000 of these were washed up on the beach at nearby Holkham (See Gwyneth Paltrow and Stephen Fry), there were many scattered along the beach by the tide and were providing a meal for gulls and waders.
Apparently this is a natural event and such stranding happen every year or so as a result of high tides and storms.
Seeing starfish always reminds me of the famous story, which I will repeat for those who haven't heard it:-
A man is walking along a beach where many thousands of starfish have been washed up by the tide, as he is walking he sees a lady picking them up one by one and throwing them in the sea. The man approaches the lady and says 'What are you doing, it will not make a difference', the lady just bends down and pick ups another starfisf which she throws into the sea and says 'well, it mad a difference to that one'.
I think the moral is fairly straight forward, and in some way applies to what we all do when feeding the birds in our garden.
"Feed the birds, tuppence a bag" Mary Poppins
Wow! Beautiful photos ND. I read about those being washed up at Holkham - it is very sad to think that the likes of me only see them when they are dead.
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Yes, ND, brilliant photos. They are fascinating creatures, and very colourful.
Cheers, Linda.
See my photos on Flickr
Hi ND
Fabulous pictures of the Starfish
We will be going to Norfolk next year as often as we can,
We will watch out for the other seashore life.
No wonder the waders thrive so well as it the ideal place for Wader fooder - healthy sea waters
Regards
Kathy and Dave
I love that starfish story Norfolk Dipper, it comes up in lots of Teacher Training Courses. I see all of my kids, pets & wildlife as starfish that need to have a difference made for them. Everyone should keep this theory close to heart.
Super photos of the starfish - love the sunstar.
Your photos brought back many fond memories of when I was a child who spent hours gazing into rock pools to see what was lurking within them.
Kerry
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kezmo6310/
Gorgeous photos of fascinating creatures!
"All weeds are flowers, once you get to know them" (Eeyore)
My photos on Flickr
Good photos, good story - thanks!
Make the boy interested in natural history if you can; it is better than games [Robert Falcon Scott]