Low tide v. high tide (September 25, 2021)

Cheryl and I visited Willard Beach in South Portland at low tide in hopes of finding tidal pools.  High and low tides refer to the regular rise and fall of the ocean's waters. High tide is when water covers much of the shore after rising to its highest level. Low tide is when the water retreats to its lowest level, moving away from the shore.

We were in luck! Tidal pools are pools of salt water left by an ebbing tide.  They'll be completely under water again at high tide.  

Toes in the cold Atlantic.  Dogs are allowed on the beach from 7-9 a.m. and 7-9 p.m., at low tide.

Sometimes you see starfish, green crabs, and sea urchins in Maine tide pools.  We only saw barnacles. They will often open their shells and sweep their legs through the current, ushering plankton (tiny, floating organisms) into their mouth.  But we only saw them closed up.

Low tide at Willard beach was at between 1-2 feet.  See the rocks behind Cheryl?

High tide, 6 hours later, at between 9-10 feet.  The tide covers rocks that were visible earlier.  During high tide, the ocean’s waters creep up the shore, deepening the water. This happens as a body of water gets closer to one of the two bulges created by the moon’s gravitational force.