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Monday, July 18, 2011

The Tide Pool

The drama and grandeur of the western United States is extraordinary. One of the great joys of the West is visiting the protected lands, especially the national parks. Names like Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Sequoia, Yellowstone, Death Valley, et. al. are known worldwide.

There are 58 officially designated national parks in the United States and its dependent areas, however, there is only one in the northeastern United States - Acadia National Park on Mt. Desert Island in Maine. It was here that I scrambled one morning to get to a ranger program exploring the tide pool. It was the first time I had heard the word, and I loved the idea*.


Park rangers are typically passionate and knowledgeable about the great outdoors and eager to share their love for nature's bounty and to answer questions. I often enjoyed evening campfire programs with slide shows given at many of the national parks I visited.

Our park ranger that morning was readied in rubber boots, waiting for us on the rocky Maine coast, an ideal environment for trapping water living creatures in tide pools. Marine life is swept towards the shore by the incoming tide. As the tide leaves, sea creatures are trapped in pools created by rocks and other natural formations. Low tide permits an opportunity to observe these pools close up and a variety of living things not normally visible without diving or snorkeling. The ranger pulled out starfish and sea urchins and pointed out a myriad of living organisms. I never miss a chance when the opportunity presents itself to spend time at the ocean to explore a tide pool or two.

Every day brings a tide of humanity to New York City. Many are tourists. Others come to stake out their claim for better opportunities. Some are swept here by serendipity. And every day the tide goes out here too, taking away many who have come here for any variety of reasons.

A few are left behind in a pool of people, places and things, willing victims trapped by the lure of culture and lifestyle not found anywhere else. Whether you are a long or short term resident, visitor - real or virtual, I invite you in person or through these pages to come with me and explore The Tide Pool :)

Photo note: This was taken on Jamaica Bay from the eastern shore of Floyd Bennett Field.

Other Related Posts: Explorin' (see here and here)Under the Sun, Umbrella and Chevy, Risk Not Living

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

It sounds nice.

Leslie said...

You've got to link this to your 5 other articles about Floyd Bennett Field/Dead Horse Bay!

I like your NYC 'tide of humanity' thoughts.

Thérèse said...

And you have already found quite a few specimens in this tide pool!
p.s. word verification: rescu (e)

Brian Dubé said...

Leslie - we will do that shortly.

Thérèse - what does your ps mean?