July 14th, 2006
mermaid’s purse
This morning, we’ll be moving on to a new spot from which to do some hiking and exploration for the next couple of days. I’m pretty sure there will be no net connection, so this morning’s post will probably be my last until Sunday night or beyond. I have a little time to burn before leaving, so I’m putting up this little piece and will save a longer piece on Thomas Cove and Economy Falls until after the weekend.
On Wednesday, while hiking at Thomas Cove, I spent a few moments looking for a skate egg case to photograph. I didn’t see any along the main beach, but on my last visit, I found three on a small sand point at the mouth of an estuarine stream that cuts through the center of the cove. I’m a great believer in certain patterns being repeated in the natural world — usually for good reason — so I wandered over to the point, and sure enough, there were two skate egg cases in the sparse drift from recent tides. Above is a photo of the better preserved of the two — often, the “hooks” are broken off. If you’ve ever found one of these attached to a length of seaweed, you’ll know how it is that the hooks are so often broken away as they sure do like to hang on. In fact, they hang on so well, that they often come away from the rest of the case before it washes ashore.
I’ve always just known these as Skate egg cases, but a few days ago, Wayne mentioned the name “Mermaid’s Purse”. I wasn’t familiar with that moniker, so I looked it up, and there it was — the thing that I’ve only ever known as a skate egg case. What a wonderful name for such an interesting little object.
Okay.. we’re off. Hopefully we’ll see some interesting things to report on in a couple of day’s time. Everyone have a good weekend!
Tags: Skate egg case, Mermaid’s purse
July 14th, 2006 at 12:54 pm
That’s it!! How fortuitous and observant of you, Bev. I was only digging about in the recesses of my mind for what that heart-thing might have been, but your photograph instantly retrieved it.
How much fun is it to accompany you on this trip? Lots!
July 14th, 2006 at 1:27 pm
I remember seeing a skate egg case on the Outer Banks as a youngling and thinking I’d had the ultimate marine biology experience. It wasn’t until I clicked your like today, however, that I bothered to find out just what a skate was.
July 14th, 2006 at 2:12 pm
Skate egg case? Mermaid purse? These are such new terms to me. I am so happy to now have them in my growing lexicon of the natural world.
July 15th, 2006 at 11:34 am
Wayne – Thanks! Glad that you’ve been enjoying the trip so far! It’s quite fun to look for a couple of things to bring back here each day. Found a couple of good ones yesterday and will probably post them later today.
–
Pablo – I have to confess that I do that a lot — learn about half of something and never get around to finding out the rest. Your anecdote made me laugh because, as a kid, my Dad told me that these were “skate egg cases” but I had only a very vague idea of what a skate might be until I was much older.
–
Robin – Then that’s your “learn one new thing each day” experience for the day. (-:
July 16th, 2006 at 10:05 am
[…] a place where nature, photography and writing meet « mermaid’s purse […]
May 17th, 2007 at 11:06 am
yes i think she lost after having sex