Wow, the sea is so strange

[luzula]

I have now gone snorkling in the sea. It was so weird! I mean, I know terrestrial biology pretty well, and compared to that it felt like entering an alien world to see all the things that were living down there. I had no idea we had anemones in Sweden, but we do. They're pretty tiny, but very beautiful. And I managed to identify some new-to-me algae, but there's sooo much I can hardly classify at all down there.

Funny how it feels very natural for me to climb up into the trees, but not natural at all to go into the sea like that. I am pretty squeamish about stepping around on the sea bottom, it feels like I am going to be stung/scratched/spiked through the foot or something. But now I was all covered in wetsuit, that did make me feel more safe.

I don't know that I can recommend the experience of snorkeling in late October in Sweden, though. It was cold and drizzly and windy when we got up, and it took a long time to get the sensation in my feet back. Guess I'll try this again in the summer.

Comments

[lilysea]

I had no idea we had anemones in Sweden, but we do. They're pretty tiny, but very beautiful. And I managed to identify some new-to-me algae, but there's sooo much I can hardly classify at all down there.

I didn't know that either! That is very cool! ^_^

[luzula]

I've seen anemones before on the west coast of the US, and they're so much bigger. Thus illustrating the principle that everything is bigger in the US--even the squares on the waffles are bigger!

[mergatrude]

I also share your squeamishness about stepping around on the sea bottom, but I have been snorkelling in the tropics, which is very alien in both structure and colour. Clown fish are delightful to watch.

[luzula]

I don't know if it's more or less alien, but things are probably larger and more colorful in the tropics, anyway! And also warmer...

[blnchflr]

Sounds awesome, except for the cold - hope you have a warmer time of it come next summer :)

[luzula]

I certainly hope so! My parents have a sailing boat; I'm planning to bring the equipment along when I go out sailing with them.

[desireearmfeldt]

Cool!

[luzula]

It was! I mean, I've gone swimming in the sea before, but it was different from that--I mean, I wasn't just trying to avoid barnacles and stinging jellyfish, but was actually there to look at things.