In La Manzanilla, every year around this time, a trench is dug between the laguna that houses the crocodile and bird sanctuary and the ocean.  This allows the somewhat stagnant swamp water to run freely into the ocean, clearing out the still water and freshening the laguna.  For those of us on the beach, however, it creates a few days of foul odor and tides we have no desire to swim or fish in. It is a small price to pay for the freshening of the mangrove swamp, but still, a yearly process no one looks forward to.  Yesterday was the first day I witnessed the water running free this year.  I took a walk down the beach, and this is what I saw:

(Please click on first picture and subsequent arrows to see enlargements of photos and commentary.)

but when I neared the lagoon, it was obvious that it was now emptying into the bay.

The water ran swift and free,

but both yellow tape and a rank odor discouraged entry

and encouraged using the footbridge.

People crossed the swinging bridge over la laguna gingerly

and carefully negotiated the somewhat jerryrigged ramp from the bridge to the road.

The grackles watched from above, undisturbed by this merely human setback.

A few fishermen braved the laguna-scummed tide,

and two large logs continued their journey up and down the coastline.

Signs of Passage

A closeup shows the simplicity of the design which was actually large in scale.

And in spite of the yellow scum,

here shown in its own grander scale,