Imagine, if you will, being awakened in your houseboat (play along…don’t let the fact that you don’t have a houseboat deter you from losing yourself in this entrancing story!) by this sound. As you no doubt figured out if you clicked through to hear the sound, it comes from the fish known as the midshipman (from markings on its body that resemble buttons on a naval uniform). The fish lives along the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from Alaska to Mexico, and regularly awakens houseboat residents during mating season.
 |
| Our day started cool and showery...great weather for exploring along a rocky shoreline. |
According to Wikipedia, “The fish produces the sound using the muscles of its modified swim bladder.[10] It receives the sound in its saccule, a sensory organ in the inner ear. During the breeding season, hormones induce the microscopic anatomy of the female's saccules to change in such a way that she can better sense the harmonics of the male's calls.” Think about this example of the wonders of the natural world. The female experiences hormonal changes that tune it to the male’s call. Amazing.
 |
| Note the treeline at the water...and the handsome Explorer! |
I was telling the Barred Owls about this fish (some midshipmen, but not the Salish Sea populations, are also bioluminescent, by the by) as we started down the beach from the Larrabee boat launch on Saturday. I had just learned about the midshipmen, which fertilize eggs along rocky shores and protect the eggs by laying between rocks. So, I was pleasantly surprised when several Explorers called to me to point out a midshipman laying between a few rocks. A great example of the power of attention; the boys were tuned in to the possibility of seeing this fish and ….. there it was!
 |
| Here's the male midshipman guarding the eggs - cool! |
This was just one example of the wonders of our rocky shores as experienced by the Barred Owls last Saturday. There were crabs, of course, and gulls, and kelp and on and on. The Explorers were totally immersed; not in the bay, but in exploring along the beach.
 |
| Amazing life in this rough, rocky habitat. |
 |
| Up close and personal. |
Halfway through our hike, we switched from rocky shore to forested trails (stop to think about that for a second…we are so fortunate to live in such a diverse, spectacular, stimulating environment). Progress was quicker without the distractions of the intertidal zone, and we were soon in more familiar territory near Clayton Beach. We took advantage of our remaining time and this place we love so much to explore, relax and play.
It was an outstanding wrap-up for the Barred Owls year. The power of the places we traversed brought out the explorer in each of us as we reveled in the company of friends in the outdoors.
If you haven’t already, check out Wild Whatcom’s summer offerings. We just opened an additional Anderson Watson Lakes backpack trip for grades 5-9! August 14-16.
In the meantime, check out the rest of the photos from Saturday’s outing. And enjoy your summer. We’re looking forward to seeing you in the fall.
