on the rocky shore

hanging out at the beach is okay but when i want a bit more adventure i seek out lesser known places along the rocky coast, either alone or with friends and family. during high summer there are a few people spread out on the rocks but the summer is short here and by the middle of august most of the coast is deserted. i took this series and more on July 26th with my S22 phone.

seaweed and driftwood wash up on the shore

it's an extremely harsh environment with the sun, rocks and salt but a few species of plants are well adapted and are able to thrive. the decomposed seaweed provides sufficient nourishment and with deep enough roots there is plenty of water for those that can handle the salt.

the pebble beach is a mix of many kinds of rocks left behind by the glaciers that once covered the land. however the bedrock is larvikite with typical striking shiny silver-blue feldspar crystals. despite its labradorescence, it is not actually a type of labradorite. this beautiful stone is mined locally but not anywhere close to the sea.

a variety of lichens thrive in some places on the stone. lichens require a clean environment so it is a good sign to see so much and so many kinds of it

and pioneer species of wildflowers manage just fine in the cracks

any potholes or low spots fill with rainwater, tidal water or sea spray. in the larger pools algae and other plants grow sometimes accompanied by small marine fauna