tide pools and coral reefs...kind of

i recently returned from a trip to D.C. for a scientific conference. on my last day in the city, i sauntered over to the smithsonian natural history museum. while there are many amazing exhibits in that museum, there was one reason for my visit...the crocheted coral reef exhibit! i had read about this exhibit a few months ago in smithsonian's magazine but had forgotten about it. during a particularly stark talk on the future of coral reefs, the speaker mentioned the exhibit...as in "hopefully this is not the only coral reef our children will know." i certainly hope that my nieces and nephews will get to snorkel and dive on many coral reefs in the future, but this exhibit was impressive nonetheless!

crocheted coral reef exhibit at the smithsonian in d.c.

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despite the cold front that blew through last weekend (see my poor bok choi below), the days were sunny and beautiful. pete left for washington on saturday morning so cassie and i took a field trip up the coast to the fitzgerald marine protected area just north of half moon bay. it had been a long, long time since i have been in the intertidal for fun...or at least without a quadrat and transect tape! i had a great time poking around the many tide pools and taking photos of the critters. cassie isn't allowed in the mpa so we went for a hike along the coastal trail in half moon bay after the tide came in. she managed to roll in a mud puddle, so i am pretty sure the day was a success from her view point as well. :)

cold days...we even had snow on friday night!