On the Reef



The reef





Bidarki, the row of shells
can be seen along their back

 We braved the tide and ventured out onto the reef today.  Low tide was more than three feet below sea level so we figured we were less likely to join the ranks of those who have been stranded and required rescue.  Being the super nerd that I am, investigating the life that can be found on the reef was a great deal of fun.  Mussels are everywhere as well as barnacles.  I've seen barnacles before, but they must not have been nearly as well fed as those that live on the reef.  They're much bigger here than what I've seen before.  We also got to see the famed bidarki everyone in the village keeps telling us we need to try eating.  I've always said I'll try anything once, but I'm rethinking that since seeing it.  The reef is home to another food favorite in the village, snails.  I might be willing to try them, but it seems like a lot of work for a small amount of food.  We also found a sea urchin and some spongy looking stuff growing over barnacles. 

 

Sea Urchin



Most of the really cool stuff can be found underneath larger rocks.  There can be found lots of centipede-like water insects (ick), little creatures that look much like baby eels (who knows, maybe they are baby eels), snails, several different types of little crabs, cute little snail like creatures they nickname "China caps" because the shells resemble their hats, and lots of small, six-legged starfish.  I'm not sure if it's a specific type of starfish, or just a mutated version that has become common, but every single baby starfish we saw had six evenly spaced and sized legs.  We are planning on making a return trip some time to collect some classroom mascots since we have a salt water aquarium in one of our shared classrooms.

  

Another mystery blob

 

Six legged baby starfish



   



Hermit Crab - he was much more shy
than the one's in the pet store



Crab trying to hide in seaweed