Friday, April 11, 2008

St. Martins at Low Tide


This morning was so beautiful I could not resist indulging myself a bit.... My son, Max and I went down to the beach.... I mean the "ocean floor"... The tide was out almost as far as it could go... exposing a vast expanse of horizontal wonder...


just 5-6 hours earlier the ocean would have been 45-50 feet above our heads...




Twice a day this occurs... 100 billion tons of salty sea water move in and out the bay...



we explored... took some pictures and marveled that we had the whole 3 miles of beach to ourselves...


As is evident at the harbor, the fishing boats were sitting on the bottom... when the tides come in again they will be floating and off they will go into the bay... it is not a 50 foot rise here due to the lay of the land which makes a snug harbor...
...some high tides actually touch the bottom of the two covered bridges.

I would suggest browsing Terri's Bay of Fundy Blog to have a more in depth look at the incredible Bay and the things it does... My son Max posted some great pictures of his exploring too.. on his April 11th entry

11 comments:

William Evertson said...

You are so blessed to live by one of the wonders of the world. I so love your insects. What an eye for detail!

Don said...

I had previously heard of the Bay of Fundy via Joni Mitchell, but now I have visual and personal experiences as well. Nicely done.

Excerpt from "Coyote" by Joni Mitchell

Coyote's in the coffee shop
He's staring a hole in his scrambled eggs
He picks up my scent on his fingers
While he's watching the waitresses' legs
He's too far from the Bay of Fundy
From Appaloosas and Eagles and tides

rivergardenstudio said...

What a fascinating place you have built your home, which is very beautiful by the way! How lovely to be able to take a walk on the beach whenever you wish! Roxanne

Ruth said...

I didn't know there was such a vast difference in high and low tide there. It must have been a beautiful walk in person, since it's so nice through your photos. Is this your new camera??

Gwen Buchanan said...

Bill, the landscape/seascape changes are very dramatic here... I guess that is why the area captured us and won't let us go.. These pictures don't really do it justice.. I love your brush and ink... it's so inspiring...

Ruth if I had you here to give me pointers I might advance in my photography quicker... yes this is my new step up -canon S5 IS - and I am not to familiar with all it can do... maybe that's the problem I think i am intimidated by it!
My 14 yr old son max showed me up and took some great shots with our smaller canon A570.. he's a quick learner...

Don thanks so much for the Joni Mitchell excerpt.. that was so thoughtful.. I had never caught that...Love it..and Joni!

Thanks Roxanne, Sometimes I'll be so busy working and into what I am doing I forget where I am... and when I look up I am totally taken away

laura said...

Thanks for the link, Gwen; Bay of Fundy's on my to-see list; also PEI and the Thousand Islands (which I visited briefly). It must be amazing to explore at low tide: like discovering a new world. Do you find wonderful treasures?

Gwen Buchanan said...

Well Laura the most amazing treasures are the multitude of living organisms that have evolved to live under all those tons of water and then stand to be exposed to the air whether it is winter or summer as the tides make their journey of 6 hours out and 6 hours coming back in... strong life under the sea.
We are amassing quite a shell, and sea glass collection...
oh also because of the strong action of the tides, all the stones, rocks and pebbles on the beaches are worn smooth.... many people take their choice of pretty colored ones home as souveniers. We always see visitors going with bags of rocks...
You're welcome about the link, Terri has a great site.. and she is discovering more everyday about Fundy... She is my favourite source.

Anet said...

The bay is not only beautiful, how fascinating that the water rises and falls that much twice a day.
You have a wonderful piece of the Earth right at your door step. Lucky... We love to bring home bags of smooth pretty rocks from our trips to the U.P. Lake Superior. I put them around my pond, they are little treasures!

sarahelizabeth said...

tides are amazing! and inspiring.

sandy said...

Beautiful photos and so interesting to read. I have company this weekend but will have to remember to go read that blog you mentioned.

sandy

laura said...

I collect beach glass near my house, and bring home at least one rock from wherever I go. When the tide goes out here, I don't see much sea-life, mostly snails that the gulls eat and stranded overturned horseshoe crabs, that I put right before the seagulls can get them.