Saturday, Jan. 9 at 9 p.m. on the beach in front of Outlook Inn
.— by Margie Doyle —
Community scientists help BeachWatchers and Kwiaht maintain the health of East Sound and Indian Island in April, 2011. Photo courtesy of Susan Slapin.
The Indian Island Marine Health Observatory begins 2016 activities with an annual nighttime low-tide exploration of Eastsound’s Indian Island on Saturday, January 9.
There will be a -1.45 low tide at 9:15 p.m., and participants are encouraged to meet on the beach at Waterfront Park about 9 p.m. Kwiáht non-profit (Kwiáht means “a clean place” in the Native American language of the Central Sound) will lead the low-tide exploratory beachwalk to Indian Island from the Eastsound waterfront.
“Different animals visit Indian island in winter,” says Indian Island lead scientist Russel Barsh, “and when it’s cool and dark, more animals stay above water when the tide goes out.” Nighttime winter surveys often encounter octopus, giant sunflower stars, and a wide variety of colorful sea slugs that are rarely if ever seen by visitors in summer.
Curious adults and families with children are always welcome on nighttime low-tide surveys at Indian Island. Absent high winds or heavy rains, this winter’s event will begin at 9 p.m. in front of the Outlook Inn. Tall rubber boots are recommended, as well as lamps and flashlights for safety and viewing animals. For additional information, you can write to kwiaht@gmail.com.
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