Among the many disappointments in our dry El Nino (SoCal has just 58 percent of average rainfall right now) has been not getting to see Trancas Creek run full force. Although we had a hint of its possibilities during this winter's rare storms, for now it is becalmed.

High tides have once again built up the sand berm that has turned the terminus of the creek into a pond. Here it is this morning just after a pair of ducks flew away, alarmed by the shadow of a hovering hawk. Look close and you can make out the lip of a breaking wave.