The fragile wonders surrounding us

Damien Enright is reminded of how precious nature is

IT is high tide at six o’clock in the evening and the mackerel are in the bay, right up to the pier. Half a dozen rods are busy hauling them, in three and fours, out of the sea. They shine and spin on the feathers in the yellow sunlight as they come out of the water. It is one of the rare evenings of sunlight we’ve had this year.

After the first dozen or so are landed, the anglers return their catch to the sea. These days, everyone is more conscious that the sea’s bounty must be husbanded. Some stocks are so low the species face extinction. It is heartening to see the mackerel back again; one event in nature is on schedule. It is heartening to see the sun shine. Maybe there will be bees and butterflies yet.