Crabs that fly...

Island life is not all sunsets, snorkeling and skinny dipping (eh?) - 

quite often it's a running battle with irritating bits of nature - mossies, 

locusts, ants, spiders, unidentifiable crawlies, and recently 

with a creature that's never bothered us in the past - hermit crabs.

Suddenly, word has spread in the hermit crab community that our dogs'

bowls are the fashionable new place to dine.

The intrusion of the newcomers was announced a couple of days

ago with a shriek (not from the dogs). There were three of them in

 one bowl, another two trying to clamber up the step and another 

at the screen door scratching for admittance to the party.

Although they're fascinating little creatures, enough's enough.

Most are a bit bigger than a golf ball,  some cricket ball size.

I discovered that they make wonderful projectiles.

With a swing of the bamboo rake, like a lacrosse racket, I am able to 

achieve about 80-100 yards. The first couple flew into the sea, 

me assuming they were amphibious. Then doubts crept in and 

now any intruder finds itself gliding gracefully along the coast

at around 50mph to make a soft landing in deep bamboo grass.

Trouble is, they seem to be enjoying it, 

they keep coming back for more.