Most Popular Post

Friday 28 October 2016

Traces

It was the day before the full moon and the tide was the lowest we had ever seen at Cabot Beach, Prince Edward Island. The retreating tide had exposed a huge swath of beach 

 

and the sand showed the tidal action. 

 

The imprints in the sand were so unusual, they caught my eye.

 

What happened here?

 

Or here, around the seaweed and clam shell?

 


Low tide also exposed some interesting items such as this egg sack of a skate, commonly known as a mermaid's purse.

 

Crab shells and claws were common as well.

 

Several people had their dogs on the beach and the human and canine footprints could be readily identified. 

 
There were lots of birds around too, gulls, cormorants, plovers, hawks, to name those we could identify. Since cormorants have webbed feet, these tracks don't belong to them.

 

 There was one set of tracks we could not explain, a line of tracks, ending abruptly. There were no human footprints around these prints. Could it be a large bird, which took off, lifting itself more with each step. 

 
 
Later, when we visited Darnley Basin nearby, we saw these traces of tuna caught over the years.

 

Oh! Where is the horse?

30 comments:

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

The patterns in the sand are pretty and it's always a treat to find unusual things when the tide is out.

DJan said...

Those designs in the sand are beautiful, even if mysterious. I like the ones that suddenly end. Definitely a big bird. :-)

Marilyn @ MountainTopSpice said...

You never know what treasures the retreating tides are going to leave behind! Do you ever find sea glass? Beautiful pictures! And yes, where is the horse, lol!

Celia said...

Soothing, eternal and fleeting at the same time.

Anonymous said...

A new door on the barn, so its not abandoned. I love walking on the beach at low tide, although I haven't done it in years. Great photos. did you ever figure out wht those back stringy things were?

Shammickite said...

I would pick up mermaid's purses on the beach in England, and have also found them on the beach in Florida.

Elephant's Child said...

Lovely.
I do like wandering along the beach. Treasures to be found with every step.
I hope the horse wasn't bait for those tuna...

Barb said...

Nature made quite the art exhibit on your beach! I like seeing what the sea and sand create.

Marie Smith said...

It sure is, Judith. One can love the beach for its treasures alone.

Marie Smith said...

My thoughts too, Jan.

Marie Smith said...

People do find sea glass here. I haven't though I have looked, SUI.

Marie Smith said...

Great description, Celia. Love it!

Marie Smith said...

No I didn't SS. So much mystery on a beach.

Marie Smith said...

I've seen them in Newfoundland too, Shammi.

Marie Smith said...

So do I, EC. Lol.

Marie Smith said...

I do too Barb. I so love a beach.

Tomoko said...

Rippled sand dune is the one I want to see some day in person!

Marie Smith said...

I hope you have the opportunity to see it, Tomoko.

Angela said...

Very interesting! This was a great lesson about the ocean. I loved it! Thank you!!!

Silver in AZ said...

The natural patterns on the sand are just amazing. Nature is so mind-blowing.

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I love those ripples in the sand...so poetic!!

Marie Smith said...

A beach is a classroom in many ways, Angela.

Marie Smith said...

It truly is an amazing place, SW.

Marie Smith said...

How true,OE.

Barbara said...

Lovely sand. It would be so much fun to take a little walk.

Marie Smith said...

It is wonderful to walk along at low tide. There is always something interesting to discover, Barbara.

The Furry Gnome said...

Such interesting patterns in the sand.

Down by the sea said...

It was wonderful looking at these patterns in the sand with you. Sarah x

Marie Smith said...

The beach has such wonders, FG.

Marie Smith said...

I love these patterns, DbyS.