It must have been a pretty bad error of judgment.

Chattering parkgoers, out in force today to bask in a rare display of Winter sun, speculated about what sort of mistake could have prompted the hiring of a signwriter to publicly exclaim: "Maya, I'm sorry".

Signwriting in the sky over the eastern suburbs today. Picture: Sacha Molitorisz.

The message, scrawled above Coogee Beach at about 12.30pm against a clear blue sky, was witnessed by scores of families in Sydney's eastern suburbs - each with their own theory as to what led to the plea for forgiveness.

With winds howling from the south, the sign only lasted for an hour or so, but it left a telling impact on those who saw it.