Shelter-In-OB: What Quarantine and Isolation In My Town Looks Like
Time-lapse view of the activity along Newport Ave in OB. Photo: Michael Slattery of Luminous View Gallery
A very distinctive “SQWAWK!” echoes off my bed-side window. It originates in the budding tree out there but could just as easily fit into the soundscape of the deep jungle or primordial times. Our colorful, noisy neighbors are awakening as the dawn illuminates a cloudy-grey morning. Although not native to San Diego, the Red-Crowned Parrots (Amazona viridigenalis) that I hear have made themselves at home like the rest of the region’s transplants. A pair of parrots leap and fly over to a large and regal Canary Island Date Palm. Our street is home to a handful of these non-native ornamental trees. Their expansively domed tops are like a mighty firework of dense, dark green palm fronds. The softball-sized spaces in the trunk, made from old and fallen fronds, seem to be the parrot’s choice of shelter and place to nest. If one hole doesn’t work out, they relocate to another hole, or another tree, or another neighborhood with another community of communal bird-holes and fruit-bearing shelter trees.
This makes me reflect on our current shelter-in-place orders. Our human responses seem so rigid, by comparison to nature’s remedy, but we do it in order to feel in control of an unreasonable and uncontrollable situation. I am awed by the mere fact that with each passing year one date tree can grow, mature, morph and provide a dozen new shelter-holes along with a new crop of palm nuts. This allows the natural world a near continual, renewable supply of bird shelters. No need to stay in place amidst a new challenge. This ecological flexibility and resiliency is also embodied in the way tree tops and palm fronds just sway in a strong breeze. Growing taller and rooting stronger with the wind.
While the powers-that-be decision to shelter-in-place has drawn criticism from many, including me, there’s one facet of this situation I will not complain about. In fact, I am very grateful for this one fact, and that’s to be right here in our town of Ocean Beach. Nestled against the tall prominence that is the Point Loma geologic formation and surrounded by the river, ocean, and beautifully raw cliffs, natural beauty is always close by. There’s also a strong sense of community with a plethora of local-owned small businesses to fit every need. Those are ingredients to help endure even the toughest of times. I also love all the smiles and waves from dozens of neighbors and friends as people go out for a surf check, dog-walk, or just for a walkabout. How could I forget about the occasional mobile reggae concert too. And where better to stay-put and be surrounded by the many wonderful culinary options whose tastes and diversity match the eclecticness of the residents’. Even if it’s for take-out only. Our communal bonds are also reflected in our nearly-pagan rituals like gathering for sunsets, surfing the bioluminescence, full moon drum circles, and the 8:00 PM howl.
No matter where we’re at right now, I know there are moments of frustration, stagnation, and just generally feeling squeezed. Just remember that all storms pass, and you’re stronger than you realize. I feel that life always provides the situations and circumstances that are the most perfect for me. My ego might not always like it at the time as it tries to control the situation, but deep down I know this to be true. During this quarantine and pandemic-infused times, we all are perfectly placed to be able to best optimize our future-selves. Right now, I may wish I had the freedom and flexibility of our feathered friends, but in reality, there’s no place I’d rather be than right here right now.