CREATURE FEATURE

by Liz Allen
February, 2020

In the past we have posted an occasional article on 'Blue Tides’, with pictures of the various creatures that comprise this phenomenon …

However this year, in the wake of the devastating bush fires, it seems more appropriate to call the tides Black.

A walk along the beach near Merimbula in January. Black waves, black pools of debris left high and dry on the beach, piles of ash and blackened leaves, and wood chips. I finished with filthy feet!!

However there are still treasures to be found to the constant drone of helicopters with their water bombs.

Then, just when I thought the beach was almost back to normal at the end of the month we had another few days of yellow-orange smoke-filled skies .

Taking a late, low tide walk along the beach revealed black waves – definitely not suitable for snorkeling – black pools of debris high and dry on the sand, and piles of ash-blackened leaves and woodchips 20cms deep.

Despite this, the beach again yielded its share of treasures.

Update 10th February: Raincoat on, I took a walk to the sound of thundering surf beside massive grey seas … and discovered some tiny Blue–Black tide remnants. Many Glaucus, Velella and Porpita …. none of which I saw last week!

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