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Monday, June 21, 2010

Tidal Pools

While out here in California we met up with my wifes' daughter and her family. The kids had just been introduced to a tidal pool and we decided to go back for a look. The area is a National Park and has the usual rules-take nothing, leave nothing, glad you were here. The area was a bit of a walk from the parking lot that was amplified by having to walk in the sand to the pools. The fine sand made walking in sandals difficult but eventually we made it. There were a bunch of people there that were there and like us, were escorting kids over the kelp strewn rocks that were actually condos for clams. There was no avoiding them and occasionally as you walked you could here one breaking under foot. In an effort to launch the Save the Clams movement I'll start the diet tomorrow.

The tidal pool is an interesting ecosystem as the waves are constantly bringing in new food to the plants and animals but also gives some species the "right" to rule. The larger the crab, the less threats to it, and much more wet pasture to scour for food. Of course to the delight to most of the kids that have wished to become "Crab Wranglers" the confines of the smaller pools in the overall big picture were made just for them. There was always a flurry of activity when a big one was spotted, Over here !! No here !!!, the yell of discovery was constantly being batted about. It was worth the trip.....great to see the kids so involved.

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