Acid Kelp, Princeton-by-the-Sea April 21, tide: -.03

It felt like a hurricane on the beach today.  The onshore wind worked fiercely against the small waves, which had a hard time coming in to meet the shore.  A large flock of geese would rise and group, but making no headway would come down and stand  at the waters edge making a fuss, bill into the wind.  It was low tide and large clumps of dark seaweed were distributed in batches all over the sand, wrenched from their underwater world and left on the beach. Individual bits would occasionally blow off from a clump and tumble towards the water. Unlike a shell or sand dollar or smooth piece of driftwood, these clumps of organic matter were not inviting--they were dark, sticky and tangled.

But I was here to collect this seaweed, not stones or shells or driftwood. I dutifully inspected each clump and was astonished at the variety I found.  Although I could only affirm basic distinctions amidst the jumble, there were clearly an astonishing array of algae tangled together: some smooth, some bumpy, some bright green, most reddish brown, some frilly and some simple and flat with remarkable shapes.  I dumped a few clumps into my cooler bag. There was one in particular that I had an inkling was long and spikey but it was a tangle of dark green strands so I dumped it in with the others.

At home I separated out each sample seaweed, rinsed it under the tap and dropped it into a tub of salt water.  As soon as it hit the water, its rightful medium, it came to life--its form and color and translucent sensuality awakened. Pale pinks with textures mingled with bright greens and yellow oranges.  I found the green spikey and after rinsing it I tried to lay it out flat and find its form..  As I tried to tease out the delicate blades I experienced immense frustration.  Each blade would stick to my fingers or to each other. These ocean flora truly belong in water not air.  But my amazement grew as I persevered; the seemingly delicate connections between each razor-thin blade were powerfully strong and able to withstand immense force, and each blade had the serrated edges that engendered the blades themselves. While many seaweed blades clearly break easily at the ends, these were usually intact and fully shaped when I could unravel them.  I truly felt like I was unravelling a secret that few have seen before: the secret of Desmarestia ligulata or acid kelp.