Last page update: February 5, 2010 Where the rocky shore meets the water is called the intertidal zone. It is all the area between high tide and low tide. Its an area full of -- in fact teeming with - - life that is often unseen unless you know how and where to look. When the tides go to their lowest levels, the richest animal and vegetation treasures are revealed. This page is an introduction to sharing some images of that life as campers and others discover it. It has two sub pages. One about Low Tide nature discoveries, another about Snorkeling discoveries. There are links at the end of this page to take you to those. So don't get lost jumping around, just keep scrolling down.Most camps that come in get at least one opportunity to do what we call Beach Crawl (more accurately called "rock scramble and crawl") and get to explore the water's edge at low tide. On a few rare, warm and safe enough occasions, people can actually go into the water and snorkel. We had two underwater capable cameras in camp in 2009, so we have some underwater pictures! (click on the underlined words to be taken there)   Sometimes sea creatures are left behind in pools of water on or between the rocks (or maybe they chose to stay) when the tide recedes. These pools which make for interesting places to explore and search for who's there. Spending a bit of time observing a small pool like the one below can reveal crabs, small fish, Sea Stars, and much more.     Above you can see how large the intertidal area is. You can also see someone carrying the backboard. We know it is very slippery and need to be prepared. Fortunately we haven't had major accidents. Beside here you some kids with noodles. They are the ones who want to go snorkeling. Of course, a few noodle sword fights are necessary! First discovery! A crawly crab!  Another one, maybe a Kelp Crab.  Hermit crab in the house! 
  Some kind of Sea Snail with a shell. A flatworm. Apparently scientists have taught flatworms to do mazes, then fed the educated flatworms to other ones who had not been taught, and they knew the mazes! The things you learn!   This is a Moonsnail. They bury themselves. This is a Moonsnail egg casing. It feels like rubber!   A Sea Urchin.  For more waterfront exploration images, follow the links to the picture and video filled pages below or in the Navigation menu at the top left. Thanks for sharing the exploration with us! |
