On the beach

I opened up my mobile phone today and it was full of sand. I really shouldn't take it with me when I go beachcombing, but having a camera, even if it's just a crappy one, makes so much difference. I get to record for posterity all the weird and wonderful things I encounter on my daily walk.

Seagulls puzzle me. In the early morning they stand in lines, slowly advancing towards the sea. The ones in the front row move towards the back when they reach the shore, entering a moving-but-not-moving cycle that is strange and slightly disturbing ("The Birds", anyone?):

I also find dead things, washed up on the shore, like this strange, hairless and bloated rat. Yeah, it's probably disgusting, but I'm kind of fascinated at the same time:

And jellyfish are always a pleasure to look at (from afar), but what I wasn't expecting was this mammoth creature! I found it on the shore, and it was HUGE (shame I didn't think of putting my foot in the picture for size reference):

And last but not least, a little glimpse at the messages people leave in the sand. Seems like this one was enjoying his/her holiday in the sun!