Delaware Seashore State Park Photo Gallery & Haiku Poems

Masses of beach bubbles

Agitate the shoreline

Scrubbing it clean.

The Delaware Seashore State Park includes six miles of pristine ocean and bay shoreline and is one of Delaware's most popular destinations. The eastern side of the park borders the Atlantic Ocean and the western side borders the Rehoboth and Indian River Bays. The photos you will see in this hub were all taken on a fall day by Gail Sobotkin, this hub's author, when the park was sparsely populated with people because the multitude of summer tourists were, for the most part, gone until the next summer although some visitors will return on weekends when they can attend special activities. The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round and from March 1 through November modest daily fees are in effect. In fall the park is a nature and wild life photographer's paradise as it is home to many species of birds that use it as a resting and feeding ground on their southern migration.

Attending fall lectures hosted by the park is a great way to increase one's knowledge about the region. Some of the topics that were already presented or will be presented are:

"The Great Monarch Migration" which occurs every autumn as millions of monarch butterflies begin their southward migration and travel up to 100 miles a day until they complete their 2,000 mile journey. This lecture teaches the attendees about an international research project to catch, tag and release these beautiful insects. Some visitors may even be able to tag a monarch. The lecture is appropriate for all ages.

"Edible Plants of the Seashore" is a monthly lecture series that occurs on weekends from October through May. This program is held indoors and introduces attendees to a variety of plants that are native to coastal Delaware including beach plum, prickly pear and sea lettuce. These lectures are also appropriate for all ages and participants will be given cooking tips for salads, soups, jams and jellies and will also be able to sample a few edibles.

"Lantern Tours" are another popular weekend monthly lecture series from October through May that all ages will enjoy. It is held outside in the early evening when temperatures can be quite cold, especially in the winter months so it is important to dress warmly. Participants enjoy a unique, guided lantern tour of the Indian River Life-Saving Station museum. The tour guide is dressed in turn-of-the -century Life-Saving Service patrol clothing and will tell visitors about the hard work and life-threatening perils that surf-men of the U.S. Life-Saving Service faced to save shipwreck victims off the Delaware coast. There are many tales of tragic maritime stories that will enthrall visitors.

Those who enjoy crafts can participate in special programs such as "Sailor's Valentines" where attendees learn how to make crafts using nature materials found at the seashore. The very special "valentines" are made from mosaics of tropical shells mounted in a wooden frame or box just like sailors of olden days made and gave to their sweethearts.

The rest of this hub will consist of nature photos, some with Haiku poems that the author of this hub created. Hope you enjoy what you see and are inspired to visit Delaware Seashore State Park in the future.

Bubbles on beaches:

Nature's champagne toast

To Delaware's visitors.

Tiny bubbles

On the Delaware Shoreline:

Nature's champagne toast.

Butterfly on beach fence

Expands Nature's palette

Of autumn colors.

Sunshine reflected

In beach bubbles

Intoxicate one's spirit.

Buried pilings:

Evidence of Nature's constantly

Shifting beach sand.

Delaware shore:

Heaven for migrating birds

Heading south for winter.