I loved to meander the shoreline of my Aunt and Uncle’s fifty-five acres on Cod Creek in Virginia's Northern Neck looking for flotsam and jetsam that had washed ashore on the latest tide. Driftwood, crab shells, fish, bones, jellies, sand-dollars, rusty nails, rope, styrofoam, fishing line and red and white bobbers were among my many discoveries. My finds were especially thrilling after a thunderstorm or hurricane had loosed all manner of detritus from the Chesapeake Bay's hallows.

Once while out surveilling with my dog she retrieved the carcass of a seagull. Upon close inspection I discovered it had only recently been shot dead and that it was tagged with a numbered metal band. I gingerly carried the remains back to the house where, under my mother's guidance, I removed the band before I buried the bird proper.

Later Mom and I researched the origins of the banding. I mailed the imprinted silver metal strip along with a letter of explanation - hand written with a number 2 pencil on a sheet of white oxford 8 1/2 x 11 - as to as to the nature of its discovery to the USGS. I received a very official certificate of appreciation for my efforts. A particularly proud moment for my ten year old self.

Flotsam and Jetsam © Ann Richardson • Apr 25, 2021