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 this morning. The forecast was rain and more rain. We had a quick breakfast, bundled the kids up and headed for Goose Spit.

The beach at Goose Spit was littered with the flotsam and jetsam of the sea. The sand was scattered with seaweed. Driftwood was piled high up on the beach where the wind and waves had left it. As we walked we poked through the seaweed and searched for the surprises that the sea often leaves for those who think to look. The flotsam and jetsam in the strand line provided much to look at.

Sunflower Stars Washed Up on the Beach

Sunflower Stars (Pyconopodia helianthoides) were washed up everywhere. Gulls feasted on the stranded seastars. We saw over a dozen of sunflower stars along the edge of the water—most were well picked over.

Helmet Crab

I found the back of a Helmet Crab (Telmessus cheiragonus) on the sand. The colour and texture of the shell was fascinating. These crabs are common in thick growths of eelgrass and kelp.

In addition to the seaweed there was quite a bit of Eelgrass (Zostera marina), a flowering grass that anchors to the sand or mud with a rhizome. The flotsam and jetsam washed up by the storm was productive.

Clam Shells

Shells of different kinds of clams were also common. The distinctive purple of the Varnish Clam (Nuttallia obscurata) was beautiful against the sand.

We spent an enjoyable 2 hours out on Goose Spit with the kids, exploring the beach and bird watching, before the clouds started to close in and it began to threaten rain once again. We were very happy that we had made the effort to experience  the day.