Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Ocean




The last day of our Maryland eastern shore trip we spent walking along the Assateague Island National Seashore. The island was established as a National Seashore in 1962 to protect the migratory shorebirds and other abundant species. Over 320 species of birds can be found on the island during their season. But the day was windy and we didn’t see the variety of birds I had hoped for.


I had not been to the Atlantic Ocean for about eight years but it was as powerful and expansive as I remembered. It is the second-largest body of water, with the Pacific being the largest. It covers 22 percent of the Earth’s surface and is about 41.1 million square miles. I also found out that it is the saltiest major ocean. I remember as a kid I hated to get that stinging salt in my eyes while playing in the waves. Today we just walked along the shore taking photos.

There were the usual gulls and sanderlings feeding long the shore.


Signs of other life were also evident.

The main attraction were the ponies and they seemed to be out in record numbers, surrounded by visitors taking photos. Of course I had to take one as well.


You can find more interesting stories and photos at ABC Wednesday.

16 comments:

Rae said...

These are magnificent photos. I love the seashore. It is the most relaxing place in the world for me. I am so glad you posted these. It was a nice visit.

Carol said...

Beautiful ocean shots! I love the ocean...a great O.

Anonymous said...

That's a great place to visit. I miss having the ocean nearby!

eileeninmd said...

Great post on Assateague. I love going there to walk on teh beach. usually I can always see some kind of different bird. Seeing the horses is great too.

Lew said...

Beautiful shots of the ocean and pony! I guess the birds had hunkered down in a leeward spot.

kate said...

so sad to not have been to the ocean for eight years! i do not know how you inlanders do it. if i go eight days without seeing the ocean i practically start hyperventilating!

So glad that you were able to frolic along the shore, sad that you didn't see many birds though, but those horses! I'd like to see them someday. -kate

Mara said...

I love the ocean, but not the salt water (does that make sense?). Your photos are great and the seagull one especially.

Carolyn Ford said...

I love oceans views! I love the soft and perfect sand in the first photo! It seems so undisturbed except by the ever constant pounding of the surf. This seems like a very nice stretch of shoreline...beautiful captures.

Sherrie said...

Hi!
Awesome Photos!! I like the one of the ocean waves crashing into shore, it looks so powerful! Have a great day!

Sherrie
Sherrie's Stuff

Q said...

I am so happy you posted Ocean photos. I live in the mid-west and long for the ocean....
Lovely photos.
Sherry

Joy said...

Beautiful beaches and photos. I'm lucky and see the sea every day although the Irish Sea (briefly appearing in my ABC today) is the Atlantic's calmer cousin. I did not know it was the most salt laden, no wonder I prefer swimming in the Mediterranean.

Roger Owen Green said...

Haven't been to the Atlantic in a very long time, even though I'm only a couple hundred miles away. Been to the Pacific a little more recently. I LOVE The Ocean, which BTW, the title of a Led Zeppelin song..

Judi said...

Thanks for reminding me of how much I love the ocean - the smell, the sounds. It has been too long since I've experienced those things.

Tumblewords: said...

Ocean. A perfect O. Your photos are stunning!

Gel said...

Superb photos, Squirrel. A. Island is a place I remember fondly. I went there on a college trip and even painted a scene in the past few years that hung in an art show and was purchased. I love seeing water shots and you captured them superbly.

jay said...

That looks like such a beautiful place! I love that 'signs of other life' picture. And the first one of the ocean is perfect!