We awoke to clearing skies. Not crystal blue, yet, but the clouds had risen enough to give us a clear view of Kirkjufell, across the harbor, and a better look at the mountains that surrounded Grundarfjörður. Our first night with no true darkness had gone reasonably well, aided by thick blackout shades and our undeniable…Read more Iceland, 2019 – Part 2, Snæfellsnes Peninsula
Atlantic Ocean
Iceland 2019, Part 1 – Grundarfjörður
As is typically the case on flights from the US to Europe, we departed at midnight to arrive near dawn. In our case, we landed in rain, falling heavy under low clouds. Our first impressions of Iceland were... underwhelming. With visibility only about a mile, all we could tell from the area around Keflavik Airport…Read more Iceland 2019, Part 1 – Grundarfjörður
Ghosts on the Beach
Atlantic Ghost Crabs (Ocypode quadrata) dig, hunt and square off on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott
Downeast Maine, Part 2 – Whale Watching and Lighthouses
Part 2 of our Maine adventure, featuring a very foggy day in the Atlantic looking for whales, a short hike to Bar Island along the low-tide accessible sand bar that gives Bar Harbor its name, and various lighthouses. A note on the whale watching trip, through Bar Harbor Whale Watch: The touring company uses high speed,…Read more Downeast Maine, Part 2 – Whale Watching and Lighthouses
Downeast Maine, Part 1 – Acadia
Back in August, I posted a quick synopsis of a trip we took to the Bar Harbor, ME area. I'm finally getting around to reviewing footage from that trip and sharing some of the highlights via YouTube. Here's the first installment - a quick hit at some Acadia highlights: Thunder Hole, Otter Creek, Cadillac Mountain, …Read more Downeast Maine, Part 1 – Acadia
Survived Another Season
On the constantly changing Atlantic shore, nothing is constant. The dunes erode, the land shifts - but nothing is quite so temporary as the structures we build here. This pier, held up by a haphazard forest of pilings, is still fighting an angry sea... for now. Photo Credit - Lynn Abbott This photo is published…Read more Survived Another Season
Constant Change on a Tranquil Sea
I'm making up for some lost time with a rare double post! I wanted to share a quick video featuring a quick look at the southern barrier islands of North Carolina. I've never been one for lounging on a beach, but I do enjoy watching the constant movement - not just the waves rolling in, or…Read more Constant Change on a Tranquil Sea
Tidal Ecosystems, Layered
In Acadia National Park, Maine, the tides change as much as 12 vertical feet. Life here adapts to the timing and the twice-daily overhaul of the local environment. Mussels and sea stars stay deep, close to the permanent tide pools. Barnacles and seaweed cling to rocks, sealing in moisture when the water recedes. Snails graze…Read more Tidal Ecosystems, Layered
Paddling With Dolphins!
Yesterday, we had a tropical depression ("TD Number Ten" - it never got a name) go over. Today, the ocean was relatively calm, and the clouds were breaking up. I made the attempt to get the kayak out through the surf and see what I could see. (It only took me two tries....) Once I…Read more Paddling With Dolphins!
