Behind Kataonami Beach in Wakaura, the salt marsh is usually a quiet, peaceful place where only ospreys and cormorants come to feed. In the spring and early summer that changes however, as you can see here! At low tide, locals come to take part in shiohigari ("low tide shellfish gathering") The normally dull brown landscape of a low tide salt marsh, transforms into an arena of brilliant colors. They are the colors of the summer beach-wear donned by people who have come to reap their bounty in clams!
What is this floating sea weed doing in the picture?
....But, it's not sea weed at all.
It's a SEA SLUG (UMIUSHI)! A soft-bodied, slimy marine animal related to snails, squids and octopus.
I have seen them before in other countries, but never quite as big and heavy as this particular species!
Wow! It's AWESOME! Really looks just like some sea weed. Another beautiful example of evolution's fine work!
Thanks for being you sea slug
After spending over 2 hours raking the sandy mud for clams, we had gathered about 5 or 6 pounds of Japanese Little Neck Clams!
The shell-littered ground is alive with little Fiddler Crabs
Gramp is smiling right now. I know it, and I'm smiling with him!
The sun's going down fast now. Time to bring these clams home and prepare 'em for eatin'!
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