Wild North Sea

18 miles out into the North Sea, 100m of water below, I take a last breath and dive down into the olive blue.

Time seems to stop.

I hear a whistle and three white beaked dolphin appear out of the gloom, gliding effortlessly towards me.

A barely audible series of clicks follow as they examine me over a closing gap.

Their patterns vary slightly, a white side blaze and saddle patch, a large sickle shaped dorsal fin and a variety of scars and rake marks along their robust bodies.

Despite the dramatic patterning their outlines seem to merge with the background as they move.

They are majestic.

Moments like these, shared with wildlife are special indeed.

I realise that I am exceedingly fortunate.

I glance upwards, towards the roof of this new world as the sun dances on the waves above.

A calm peace lengths every moment.

A dolphin slows and seems to float by, studying me. We observe each other. 

A pounding reminds me that my efforts to remain for any time in this world are futile. These brief moments are to be treasured.

We live in a materialistic world, where all too often people are more concerned about what you have rather than who you really are.

A world where possessions dominate and it is all too easy to forget the hardship and suffering that others face.

These dolphin are beautiful creatures, they have no possessions; the very concept would be alien.

We have a great deal to learn from nature and the natural world around us.

As the "developed" world races ahead with a 24hr instant society, where more is expected from everyone for less, where despite tremendous technological advances we are working longer and harder, the gap between modern living and the tranquil calm of nature seems to widen.

If this "advancement" comes at the expense of nature, wildlife and the environment then we may find that the lessons to be learnt are a harsh reminder of our arrogance.

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www.northseapelagics.co.uk

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