Flotsam and Jetsam at Goose Spit

We were pretty much house bound because of the weather in the Comox Valley. High winds and lots of rain mean that it is difficult to venture out. We made a few short forays out for walks around the neighbourhood between squalls but for the most part hunkered down. I was stunned to see the sun when I woke up …

Jingle Shells

After Monday’s deluge there was a break in the weather yesterday. We made the most of it, taking the kids to Air Force Beach in Comox to enjoy the sun. Surprisingly, we had never been to Air Force Beach before despite the length of time we’ve lived in the Comox Valley. We’ll definitely be back. It’s a beautiful beach that …

Seaweed for the Garden

Now is the time of year to think about adding seaweed to your garden. Pre-winter storms this week have brought a lot of seaweed to the shore, piling it up along the high-tide line. Not only is gathering seaweed good for your garden, it also gives you an opportunity to see some of the sub-tidal seaweeds. Usually, these are not …

Varnish Clams

Walking on the beach at Goose Spit in Comox this weekend got me thinking about clams. I always enjoy sorting through seaweed in the strand line. Often I take a closer look at shells that have washed up on the shore before returning them back to the beach where I found them. On this walk I found several “old-friends,” including …

Blog Action Day: At the Edge of the Sea

Today is Blog Action Day 2009 and this year’s theme is climate change. Blog Action Day is an annual event to raise awareness and create a global discussion on a single issue through blog posts. I thought that it would be fitting to share some images of things that I’ve noticed at the edge of the sea which make me …

Exploring Eel-grass

With the excellent low tides this week I was able to poke around in the eel-grass beds at Miracle Beach Provincial Park. Patience and careful walking are required attributes for tide pool exploration. In addition, it is key to have a sharp eye for movement and small creatures. Slow wading serves to reduce the impact on the creatures living in …