Winterton Dunes, Norfolk: Both sets of beach-loving animals are engaged in much the same business: taking pleasure in the sun with family or friends

“Biophilia” is an unproven theory, primarily associated with the American biologist Edward O Wilson, that the human organism is healthiest and most completely nourished by the presence of other life. While it might seem self-evident to some, the news streaming towards us at present includes an endless catalogue of data to the contrary.

At this glorious national nature reserve, however, one of the finest dune systems in England – a designated site, incidentally, that is itself a living statement about biophilia – there were not one but two species to suggest how the theory could be true. All around, the 150 or so grey seals sprawled at the tide edge was a lesser community of human bathers. There was a respectful self-distancing between the two, yet both beach-loving animals looked to be engaged in much the same business: taking pleasure with family or friends while the sun beat down and cooling waves lapped ashore.