[By Murray Dewhurst in New Zealand]
You will usually find me on the surf side of a beach. Attracted by the energy and noise of crashing waves, surfing, body surfing and sandcastle building with enthusiastic children, but when the surf gets too big or an annoying onshore is blowing sand on your sketchbook page, it’s time to retreat to the estuary. That was the case when camping ‘up north’ a month or so back.
 |
| Pipi and cockle lunch, a seagull, cute old boat and a classic kiwi bach |
Estuaries are (mostly) safer, calmer and the habitat for all sorts of creatures to sketch, with an added bonus that some of the creatures are edible. The sketch above shows the castoffs from our cockle and pipi feast prepared on the camp cooker with left over garlic, olive oil, red wine and tomato – they tasted fresh, salty and sweet – just like the ocean.
 |
| Other surf beach refugees paddling and swimming in calmer water |
I wanted to sketch an eagle ray, they’re prolific in the estuary, but once they get a glimpse of you they take off fast like an incredibly graceful looking underwater bird. The best way to sneak up on them is on a paddle board or kayak with the sun in their eyes, you get to see all their details and markings up close.
 |
| Sandcastles and surfboards on the surf side |
 |
| Our neighbours back at camp. |
