Carmel Magazine

C armel is the perfect place to go "tide pooling." As the tide goes out, water collects in rocky crevasses along the shore. Look closely in these "aquariums" and you may see urchins, mollusks, snails, limpets and even an octopus if you seek quietly. Here, hermit crabs make their homes in tegula shells. Crabs skitter along the rocks festooned with gooseneck bar- nacles. Anemones and sea stars abound. Nudibranchs are plentiful along Carmel's seductive shoreline. These sea slugs have fanciful names like "White-spotted Sea Goddess," "Shag Rug" and "Sea Clown." Seeing a "Hopkins Rose" nudibranch surfing a dull green kelp strand near Carmel's "Butterfly House," I exclaimed, "Oh! How can such a bright fuchsia thing be?!" Donning sturdy footwear and going with a partner is best, as the rocks can be slippery. Be careful where you step. Replace rocks and leave vulnerable creatures where you found them. Take only photos. My favorite tide pooling companion, the Smithsonian's Dr. Chela Zabin, offers this tip: "No matter how enchanting the tide pools are, don't forget to keep an eye on the ocean. Watch the waves and time your visit so you move towards the water as the tide drops, and back up the beach as the tide comes in." It was Chela who first taught me about who these creatures really are, and how they fit into this complex ecosystem. When we head out on low tide days in our chest waders, I am grateful to have her there. Gazing out to sea, we may miss what is hap- pening right under our noses in the tide pools. I encourage you to bend down (knee pads help!) and observe these magical worlds for your- selves. Get a critter-eye view of Carmel's inter- tidal zone and build some lifelong memories at next low tide!

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