Out at the beach,
Enjoying blue skies and sea…
.
Why do I feel
A hundred eyes watching me?
.
I sniffed and I snuffed
I searched high and low
.
I couldn’t find them
But they’re here, I know!
.
Oh! What’s this?
A strange, tiny army
.
Scuttling around
Like a miniature tsunami
.
I tried a gentle greeting
A paw shake can’t go wrong
.
But when I looked down again
The little crab had gone!
.
I had a chance for a closer look…
And found to my surprise
.
Ten little pointy legs
And two bright beady eyes!
.
C’mon! Let’s go! There’s more to do
Than hanging ’round creepy-crawlies…
.
I’d rather run around and play
And have a big ice-lolly! 
******
My humans looked on the Internet when we came home and found that those were ‘soldier crabs’! They are called that because when the water goes away from the beach at the special time called “low tide”, they all come out of the sand in huge “armies” and march around together.
They are special because unlike other crabs, they walk forwards instead of sideways. And for once – for an Australian beastie – they are not poisonous and can’t kill you! 
(Which Hsin-Yi was very happy to find out because she picked one up without thinking about that! )
And here’s a short video to show you their marching together…
.
Honey, you’re outnumbered. RUN AWAY!!! -- Bodie.
Bodie started barking when he heard Hsin-Yis voice and he is now looking out the front window. He could be waiting a while the doofus.
How exciting, marching crabs!
Laura would have been so excited if she saw them, we would be standing round watching them for hours -- boring!
She thanks you for filming them and posting about them!
Hehe Honey is that a bubble you are blowing out the side of your mouth while eating an ice-lolly?
Licks and lots of Slobber,
Lexi and Jasper the Danes
Those crabs! They better not come to my beach, grrrr!
wow… so many … never saw so many before all together…
well Honey, you are a very nice girl… I would have used my paws a lot more I think!!!
And congrats… you are really a gentle soul eating the ice cream so nicely and calmly…
what a beautiful day you had!
Ciao Lucille
PS: today should also be my turn but one of my human is working… so only a walk today… no lake today…
Oh those scary littlethings didn’t bother you, you are so brave. I would run!
woof -- Tucker
Oh, Honey, you’re probably one of the only big dogs who can make friends with a tiny crab! I think I would be just as curious about them as you were. And MAN you Popsicle (ice lolly) looks delicious! What flavour?
Honey, for a Dane you sure can rhyme! I would run screaming from those little crabs, I hate creepy crawlies, you are a brave girl@
hmmmm crabs
we love playing with them
we saw some in port zelande (our last holiday)
but el’bow was scard of them BOL
Kisssslobbers
El’bow & Hauwii
Honey, what an advanture you had! And your poem demonstrates you have yet another talent.
Just this week Katy discovered wildlife, too. A chipmunk has taken up residence in our yard. Fortunately, Katy has a very low prey drive, but she could sit and watch it for hours as it stuffs peanuts into it’s little mouth.
Katy & Kim
HONEY DUM DUM! I HEARD THAT! Terrible. Shocking.
The crabs are quite energetic, huh. I am glad you let them pursue your mission and did not eat any like last time.
Slobbers,
Mango
Honey you are a very good poet’ess?’
Weren’t you scarededy about them soldier crabs? Did they have guns?
Bobo and Meja
What a Most Marvelous and Exciting day! I liked your poem very much and I thinks those little crabs are cute! And that popsicle! YUM-MEE!
Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie
those crab things are so funny walking together like that! WOW! what a fun adventure! I would say that was a fun day! I wish I could get a popsicle like that!
Slobbers and wags!
Kadie and Jenny
Honey! You are chasing those crabs again! I think you are one brave girl and I’m not sure how I’ll react when I see them (I know the Missus is not a big fan of those little crawlies…).
BTW, what is the flavour of the popsicle you had? Looks yummy. I would love to try!
Love,
Homer
woah! thats a lot of crabs!!! i dont think ive ever seen so many! its kind of gross! hehe
Oh my Honey, you were ever so brave to go near those scary crabs! They were a bit cute tho weren’t they/
Smileys & Snuggles!
Dory, Bilbo and Jacob
That’s a bunch of crabs! I don’t think I’ve ever seen that many all at once. You’re very brave to not be scared of them, Honey! I think my big chihuahua would be scared of them and my smaller one would walk right up to them to say hello!
Oh that is total madness Honey! You did not look worried about them though… such a brave girl! I loved the pic of you with the crab and the ice lolly. he he such a pretty girl! I am still catching up… will pop back by in a bit!
I love the pic of Honey with the ice pop. I thought my Sheriff (Boxer) was the onlu one that enjoyed that on a sunny day. Too cute!
Ha -- Mom just finished her tangerine ice-lolly too. That was a fun trip to the beach -- those soldier crabs are creepy to watch. We are surprised you didn’t try to eat them.
Woos -- Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara
Is that the theme music from “Jaws” that I hear … ?
hehe I like how it kind of rhymes!!
they are really funny those soldier crabs!!
from “earnest the great dane”
Wow… you met crab family Honey!! Today we saw a very beautiful doggie and she reminded us of you! We enjoy seeing all the photos from Italy and you know what.. our mom is very jealous!!
Momo & Pinot
Look at all those little crabs! Neat! I loved your poem about them -- you’re a very creative girl, Honey!
Ha Honey
Those soldier crabs stalking you? Geez a whole army was following you. Now how can you get anywhere if you walk sideways? Silly. Love the ice lolly face..
Oh.. do you blog with our friends annie neve and ruger? (2 blue heelers and mom living in new zealand? ) Check them out. http://annienz.wordpress.com/ I want to say they live on the north island.. I think and annie does alot of geocache adventures.
What a cute poem! Looks like your visit to the beach was a fascinating one.
It looks like you had fun!
I’m with you! Running, playing and eating icy treats is the BEST!!!
Those crabs are funny! I’m not sure what I’d think of them!
Love,
Ammy
PS: Mom said to say thank you so much for your kind words on our photo collages! She just completed a course on Photo Shop Elements 6 for Mac and that’s what she uses to make them! If you’d ever like any tips or for Mom to make collages for you, please contact her via the email address in our sidebar! She’d be happy to help you out!
haha I loved that Hsin-Yi picked the crab up without even thinking it could be poisenous!! They are soooo cute. And I love how at the start of the movie Paul says “be careful” to the two of you, so protective haha. Pepper wants to say -- “Oh Honey, guess what!!!!????? When we were at Waiatarua Park last week I saw ………………. two bunnies!! Yep, two of them. They were so slow, I nearly got them, honest, but then they just kind of, disappeared. Its strange how bunnies can do that. But now that I know were they live, every time I go back I check out the area extra carefully. I thought of you when I chased the bunnies cause I’m sure with your help we could have nabbed them!”
eeeks. your mom’s so brave. a day at the beach and ends with a popsicle? ah, makes me forget the creepy crawlies (:
Oh, those crabs look so scary! You were brave. I wouldn’t have been able to get close to them.
Wow! Those look kinda fun Honey! Except for those pinching things on their legs!
What flavor of ice-lolly was that? Meowm really likes banana ones!
Those little crabbies look awful pinchy!
Your ice lolly looks good. We call those popsicles here in America!
Oh I love the marching of the crabs too, and love watching dogs and human pups playing with them ….