Sea shells in Barnegat Bay

Earlier this month we visited New Jersey's beautiful Long Beach Island and stayed in Barnegat Light. One of the things we love to do is explore the sea life in the bay. Here are a few photos from this year's finds:

I found a neat-looking shell and after I picked it up I realized the other shells on it were moving. Pretty cool! I'd never seen anything like this with so many others attached.

Spotted this clam shell on the shore of the bay. Shell was firmly intact, but no one was home

Found this clam in Viking Village. Someone was definitely home, but as soon as we came near, this critter clammed up tight. You can see a bit of the opening before he shut the door completely.

Long Beach Island: Sunrise at Barnegat Lighthouse

In August we were on Long Beach Island in Barnegat Light. What a beautiful place. Twice I got up before dawn and walked up to Barnegat Lighthouse to watch the sunrise.

Mid-week I also became obsessed with the idea I wanted to get there via seeing the sunrise on the beach, take a walk across the jetty to the sidewalk to the lighthouse. On the second try I did accomplish this and it was a most wonderful experience!!

Here are some views of Barnegat Lighthouse as I approached it (after the sun rose).

Walking along the jetty

arriving at the walkway

Another slightly different angle from the walkway

Exploring the critters of Long Beach Island (New Jersey)

In my first weeks of this blog, I shared my close encounter with a clam. Today I head back to the beach with photos of other various critters found in a bay located on Long Beach Island (in Barnegat Light). 

It truly is an amazing eco-system to observe. Here are some of the critters that came out to say hello (well except this first one, he was forced to stick around for a brief moment before scurrying off).

A close encounter with a clam at Long Beach Island

These two photos were taken during a visit to Long Beach Island in New Jersey in 2013. I had found a clam on the sand tightly closed and decided to wait and see what would happen. Sure enough, after a few minutes the clam began to open and I took a series of photographs as this was happening. 

Can I please introduce myself?

Why hello there!