We check in most every year, this rock and I. Down in the low zone when a minus tide and modest swell permit. It’s more accurate to say I check in. The last time was a pleasant, cloudy morning in May. I’m always eager to catch up. The rock hosts mussels and barnacles up top, and red seaweeds run down its shoulders to the sand. A swash of green surfgrass separates the salt and pepper on top from the coralline below. These occupants lend a look as familiar as an old friend’s, and as people do, I look for changes.
Before last May, the most recent photo I have handy is from May 2018. Over three years, the changes have been subtle. Do you notice any? (One thing for sure, the weather was remarkably similar.)
Following the reunion, I took advantage of the short time afforded by the rising tide to renew a couple of other notable acquaintanceships.
Here’s the rock as it appeared the first time I photographed it.
I share other comparative musings in On the Rocks: Now and Then.
theoutershores 
Beautiful! The third does look like a abstract artwork. 🙂
Yeah, those seaweeds in the sand are really a work of art. Thanks, Amy!
the seaweed – all green and vibrant – was a favorite part of this post 🙂
As with any old friends, subtle changes to be expected. Love your poetic description of the rock.
I have a few rock friends and an old growth stump I love to check in on. Thanks for your encouraging words about my description. Means a lot.
My pleasure.
Hi Steve! Glad to see you are still posting to WordPress. Hope you are well.
Hi Lindy, Wonderul to hear from you. I’m safe and well, and since it’s still January, I guess I can go ahead and wish you a great year ahead.
Especially loved your closing image on this one Steve. You are such a wonderful steward!
That closing image was from 2013. It was an amazing year in the intertidal. Everything seems so rich and bountiful, and the colors were so vivid. Thanks, Tina!
Long time no see, Steve! Happy to hear from you, and I love Between starfish and the sky. The abstract I could paint! I too have friends to check out, but in my forest. My oldest stump has fallen though, some years ago, and is now going back to the soil where he was born. I miss him and the usual talk about life when I pass his place. I still give him a nod every time.
That’s heartwarming, Ann-Christine. And I’m so happy you see an abstract in that seaweed. You’d paint it beautifully.
♥
Beautiful. The changing of the green!
That’s right, John. It’s all about the green! Thank you.
quite a memorable place to visit and your photos really show the beauty (and as noted above, I love the green seaweed)
By April, May at the latest. The tides should allow for another visit. Thank you so much for taking a look. I appreciate it.
🙂
Steve, thank you for sharing your observations and thoughts about the rock. What a noticeable difference between the picture of the rock in 2013 and then again in 2018 and 2021. As some people seem to age, early on it appears quite vibrant and over the years it becomes statelier and more majestic looking. Great pictures and I enjoyed reading your post!