An abundance of life...

Yesterday I once again returned to Sears Island. My purpose was to witness the use of a 60 foot Beach Seine that would indicate what sort of "biomass" would be found this late in the fall, in the shallow waters along the island's western beach near the causeway. Much to my surprise the "catch" was impressive.

The net was set about 50 feet from the edge of the beach, and walked back to shore, when examined it contained an abundance of small shrimp,  a variety of different species of fish from an inch to 6 inches in size, many green crabs, some loose mussels, and innumerable other tiny creatures. The abundance and fading light made it impossible to get an accurate count without jeopardizing the lives of the fragile creatures, but it intimates that the shoals off Sears Island are a vital ecosystem for immature marine life - even in the late fall.

As others managed the net, I took photos of the late fall color of the island. The shore was varying shades of crimson, purples, indigo, ultramarine, and bits of gold and silver with the oncoming sunset. My photo (above) doesn't do it justice as the fading sun light made it impossible for my camera to record the colors as I saw them... but it was deep and luscious to say the least!