The bow of a kayak leaves a crease in the gravel as it pushes back from the beach. Nine others slide seaward as paddlers tuck in legs, stretch spray skirts over cockpit coamings, and check moving parts. The paddlers glide along a coastal cliff, passing between rocks in a graceful slalom. A small white gull paddles with folding feet to hide behind a miniature rock island. A white kayak sneaks up and pauses for a closer look. “It has a dark dot behind its eye.” “Bonaparte’s Gull?” “Don’t see them much around here.” “No.” The kayaks glide on. Wild fig trees cling to rock walls with long pale toes. Cacti dig