Check out this little guy.  I don’t know what kind it is, and I don’t see them too often, probably because they are so well camouflaged, and are ocean-dwellers, not beach.  This one had succumbed, probably recently, and I found him in a couple of inches of water in one of the tidal pools. Amazed at the structure of the tiny thing, the claws, legs, joints, carapace, markings, and inside, a heart, circulatory system, etc., all miniature, but fully functional (when alive.)  So complex and beautiful.  Yet again I was reminded of the Watchmaker Analogy, a teleological argument that essentially states that design implies a designer.  The argument has been shot full of holes, of course, since it’s introduction centuries ago, but all you need to do is spend some time absorbed in nature and all its intricacies, and you become less certain of rational explanations.  I’m just saying.

Found this guy on the beach this morning as well.  Looks like he’d been hooked, and the fisherman didn’t know what to do with him.  He’s a Spinner Shark, about 3 1/2 ft.  They’re about 6-ft fully grown.  You sometimes see Spinners this size flying out of the water after mullet, and executing a spinning motion, hence the name.  What a piece of design he is, too. Unbelievably sleek and efficient.   I know; evolution; and I’m a total subscriber.  I’m just saying, again.

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In the spirit of full disclosure, I must report that we turned on the A/C here this morning in the little hacienda.  No, not expecting company, just a hedge (temporarily) against the oppressive heat and humidity, but mostly the smoke that’s been blowing on us for days from wildfires to our west.  West winds in the morning blow it to the coast and out to sea, then the sea breeze kicks in and blows it right back at us.  Not too thick today, but the smell is still out there, and the morning low temp was 76.  Have to admit, it feels pretty good, but can only stand a few days of it.  Start feeling out of touch.  And just can’t escape the deeply held belief that air-conditioning was one of the worst inventions ever.  Just think what Florida would be like without it.  Maybe 500,000 people living here, total, if that. Nice, very nice.