Dec 29 2008
Creepy Crawlies by the Bay
Yesterday morning we loaded up the family and went to a little park on the shores of Sarasota Bay. The tide was very low and there were a number of tidal pools along the shore.
We had amazing encounters with various wildlife. We saw numerous crabs crawling in the pools. Some of their shells were completely covered with algae (or green slime). Tim picked one up and let the kids get a close up view.
Conner spotted a little needle nose fish in one small pool. It was about 8 inches long and really skinny. Conner and Sofie both touched it numerous times as it did not seem to mind. Then sometimes it would swim away quickly as they stooped down to look at it.
We also came across a small fish that had seen better days. Tim held it for the kids to look at before tossing it into the bay for a bird or fish or crab to have a nice Sunday brunch on it.
The craziest things we saw were gigantic sea slugs. They were the size of bananas and were purple with yellowish spots on them. It was gross to see them expanding and moving along. Really, really disgusting - but fascinating too.
We had a huge pelican land in the water near us and he just bobbed in the water, enjoying the morning like us.
It was a marvelous morning and we all had a great time. It was nice to get out as a family since we have been trying to get Tim over his horrible bout with pneumonia.
