WATCH OUT FOR THOSE WAVES!
This was the scene on Sunday,
August 23, as the effects of Hurricane Bill hit our shoreline.
There was very little wind, but the surf was dangerously high,
even for our avid camera buffs. The tide was still two hours from
its highest point, so the beaches were being eroded and disappearing
as the waves washed in and out. This storm is like some that come
later in September, so it was a rare occasion for campers to witness.
Many delayed their departure to experience the excitement. One
can't help but wonder how the animals survive such fury. Many
lobster traps were washed ashore, another reminder of the hazards
of lobstering.
The traps on Head Beach were numerous.
Most were mangled by the surf, but one was usable and even had
bait still inside. No lobsters were found, or other animals that
venture inside these traps. The picture to the right was taken
from the campsite closest to Head Beach near Joe's Head. I have
the feeling those waves would have eventually washed into the
campsite which was vacant.
In contrast to the storm turbulence,
we had an interesting hike into the Center Pond Preserve last
week. What was intriguing were the numerous small frogs hopping
about as we followed the trails around the beaver pond. We easily
netted them for a closer look and found them to be Spring Peepers
and Wood Frogs in their early stages. Both leave the ponds or
vernal pools once equipped with lungs. In this picture, the Wood
Frog with its black eye mask is on the left. The Peeper, unusually
green, is on the right.
The
Peeper doesn't get much longer than an inch, while the Wood Frog
will continue to grow to 3-4 inches.
We celebrated a return to normalcy
along the shoreline on Tuesday. The sun was out and warm, and
the seas settled down. There was an abundance of seaweed torn
away from its anchorage.......high piles to climb. If you are
an algae lover there are all sorts to find, and eat if you so
desire. It isn't often we find the Edible Kelp, or the multi-fingered
Horsetail Kelp that looks like an Hawaiian hula skirt! Roger was
on the beach with his truck trying to move a giant log that had
landed on Sanddune Bea
ch.
A dead Seal was left as dinner for gulls. You could see where
the water had washed into shoreline sites, but thank goodness
no one was injured or swept out to sea. A boat was reported on
shore, having broken from its mooring in the high surf.
We made our way to Starfish Cave
in the early morning, somewhat slowed by wet rocks. Once there,
it looked as it the cave had been swept clean by the surf, though
we found several sea stars, urchins and crabs. As our hunters
grew more curious and explored further, we found a Blood Star,
Asian Shore Crab and even a Brittle Star! It is amazing how these
animals have survived the turbulent sea. There was even a large
boulder that landed in the pool outside the cave that had never
been there before. I have a feeling it will remain where it landed,
a good hiding place for animals, and maybe even a stepping stone
for humans. 8/26/09 Ronnie