Alaska 2007—A Minus Tide at The Brothers

With tides ranging more than 20 feet in some places, the effects can be dramatic, with swirling currents and bays that go dry at low tide. During a minus tide, as shown here, the startling abundance of invertebrate life shows itself. In some places it is hard NOT to step on living creatures.

 

anemones

Gravity wins when the tide goes out.

anemone

Underwater, these anemones, sometimes a foot in diameter, look like giant white flowers. At low tide they are a humble, slimy mess.

  

anemone

Tentacles? The variety of life at low tide shows huge variations.

Ckelp

At low tide, this giant kelp forms a sinous, fascinating pattern.

 

  
   

 

 

hermit crab

Its shell is humble and drab, but this shy hermit crab finally shows its true colors.

 

Christmas anemone

Named for its colors, this Christmas anemone is common in intertidal areas of Alaska.

 

  

Christmas anemone

Convoluted tentacles embellish this Christmas anemone.

kelp

This piece of giant kelp contains a small reflecting pool.