Field Notes : Hunting Island

Reading the Water

6:30 am Sunrise with my Dog Groot

The Water Goes Up. The Water Goes Down. The water at the beach doesn't stay still. In the morning, it might be way out — far, far away. You can walk on the wet sand and find shells and little crabs. Then, slowly, the water comes back. It creeps closer and closer. It covers the sand. It covers where you were standing. That's called a tide. The water goes out. The water comes back. Every single day. Do you know what makes it happen? The moon. Even in the daytime when you can't see it, the moon is up in the sky — and it's pulling the ocean water toward it. Like a giant, invisible hand. The animals that live here know all about tides. The little birds run along the sand when the water goes out, looking for lunch. The crabs hide in the mud and wait. The fish swim in when the water comes back. Everything at Hunting Island listens to the tide. Next time you're at the beach, put your towel down and watch. Is the water moving toward you? Or moving away? The moon is talking to the ocean. You're just watching them. I have An Activity Card Below If You would like to start exploring Nature With Groot & I!