for mature audiences only

WARNING:   the following images are graphic and may not be appropriate for young viewers.

as i walked along the beach, my eyes focused on searching for sea glass, i encountered a dead seagull, washed up on the sand near the rocky area toward the end of the beach.  it was hard to tell how long it had been there, but it was quite wet and didn't look very damaged.

most of my life i have lived near water, and often would encounter dead fish, eyes glazed and sometimes rotted and smelly. but i have never seen a drowned seagull and was fascinated with the sheen on the feathers, the nails on the legs, and the posture of the bird.

i took some photos, and just as i clicked the last photo, a huge wave crashed over the rocks and onto the beach. 

as the water receded, the undertow took the bird back to the sea.  i stood on the shore and watched it bobble a time or two and then float delicately until i could no longer see it.