All language subtitles for Coastal Africa - 01x01 - Sweeping Shores Eng

IN THE NARROW STRIP
LOCKED BETWEEN LAND AND SEA,

IS AN ALIEN WORLD

OF POUNDING WAVES

AND RELENTLESS SUN.

AN INTERTIDAL ZONE

IN CONSTANT FLUX.

DEMANDING TOUGHNESS,

ADAPTABILITY,

AND INGENUITY

FROM THE SPECIES
FORGING A LIFE HERE.

RISKING THEIR LIVES DAILY

IS A NECESSARY SACRIFICE
TO REAP THE REWARDS

FROM THIS HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S A DAILY RACE
AGAINST TIME AND TIDE.

THIS IS THE SWEEPING SHORE.

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A ROCKY COAST
IN SOUTHERN AFRICA.

A PLACE OF EXTREMES
AND INCREDIBLE ADAPTATION.

IT'S AN ARDUOUS PLACE
TO SURVIVE.

EVERY SIX HOURS,
AS THE TIDE RISES AND FALLS,

THIS WORLD
UNDERGOES A MASSIVE CHANGE.

AN ENTIRE ECOSYSTEM
FLOODED WITH ICY WATER.

AND THEN BAKED
BY 104-DEGREE HEAT.

IT'S A WORLD OF HARSH CONTRASTS,

BUT REMARKABLE SPECIES
HAVE ADAPTED

TO COPE WITH
THE ENDLESS CYCLE OF CHANGE.

THIS NARROW STRIP OF COAST

CAN GO FROM WELCOMING TO LETHAL
IN JUST A FEW SECONDS.

POUNDING WAVES.

A RELENTLESS CYCLE
OF DELUGE AND DROUGHT.

A HABITAT AS UNFORGIVING
AS ANY IN THE WORLD.

WHY WOULD ANY SPECIES LIVE HERE,
LET ALONE THRIVE?

THE SIMPLE ANSWER:
ENORMOUS AMOUNTS OF FOOD.

THE BOUNTY ON THE ROCKS BELOW

HAS CONVINCED
TWO PAIRS OF OYSTERCATCHERS

TO START FAMILIES HERE,

ON EITHER SIDE OF THIS BAY.

FOR THIS PAIR,
NESTING HIGH ABOVE THE ROCKS,

BREEDING SEASON IS GOING WELL:

THEY HAVE TWO PRECIOUS EGGS

AND WILL BE INCUBATING THEM
FOR THE NEXT MONTH.

THESE OYSTERCATCHERS
MATE FOR LIFE,

AND THAT'S QUITE A COMMITMENT:
THEY CAN LIVE UP TO 20 YEARS.

PARENTING, THOUGH, IS NOT QUITE
A FULL TIME JOB - YET.

ALTHOUGH THE PARENTS TAKE TURNS
SITTING ON THE NEST,

THEY CAN LEAVE IT
TO GO AND FORAGE.

THEY'LL NEED TO MAKE IT
A SHORT TRIP;

THE EGGS ARE VULNERABLE
TO NEARBY PREDATORS

WHEN LEFT UNGUARDED.

THE NESTING STYLE
OF THE OYSTERCATCHER

BROUGHT THEM
PERILOUSLY CLOSE TO EXTINCTION.

AS HUMANS ENCROACHED
ONTO PRISTINE COASTAL AREAS,

NESTS BECAME
INCREASINGLY VULNERABLE

TO DOMESTIC PETS
AND OFF-ROAD VEHICLES.

BY THE 1980S,

JUST 4600
AFRICAN BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS

REMAINED IN THE WILD.

BUT NEW CONSERVATION LAWS

HAVE SEEN THE BIRDS
STAGE A CAUTIOUS COMEBACK,

AND TODAY THEY NUMBER
BETWEEN FIVE AND SIX THOUSAND.

ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BAY,

NESTING
HAS GIVEN WAY TO PARENTING.

WHAT LOOKS LIKE THREE ADULTS
IS IN FACT A SMALL FAMILY:

TWO HARD-WORKING PARENTS
AND A STRAPPING YOUNGSTER,

DISTINGUISHED BY HER GREY LEGS

THAT WILL SOON BECOME REDDISH
LIKE THOSE OF HER PARENTS.

SHE'S ALMOST READY
TO STRIKE OUT ON HER OWN,

BUT SHE HAS YET TO LEARN
ALL THE SECRETS OF FORAGING.

FOR NOW, SHE STILL NEEDS
HER PARENTS TO FEED HER.

BUT SHE'LL HAVE TO WAIT.

THE OYSTERCATCHERS'
FEEDING TIMES

ARE DICTATED BY THE TIDE,

AND RIGHT NOW
THE TIDE IS AT ITS HIGHEST.

DESPITE THEIR NAME,

AFRICAN BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS
RARELY EAT OYSTERS.

THEIR MAIN SOURCES OF FOOD

ARE THE MUSSELS AND LIMPETS
THAT CROWD THE ROCKS BELOW.

BUT UNTIL THE OCEAN RETREATS
ENOUGH TO REVEAL THEM,

THE BIRDS WILL HAVE TO WAIT.

THE NESTING PARENTS, TOO,
ARE BIDING THEIR TIME.

WHEN THE TIDE GOES OUT,

THEY WILL HAVE ONLY
A FEW HOURS IN WHICH TO FEED

BEFORE THE WAVES
COME THUNDERING AGAIN.

THE PLETHORA OF FOOD AVAILABLE
ON THE ROCKS

OWES ITS EXISTENCE

TO A PHENOMENON
THAT OCCURS BELOW THE WAVES.

THE WATER THAT SURGES
ONTO THESE ROCKY SHORES

HAS BEEN BROUGHT HERE
BY THE COLD BENGUELA CURRENT

THAT FLOWS NORTHWARD

UP THE WESTERN SHORES
OF THE AFRICAN CONTINENT.

AS THE CURRENT
MEETS POWERFUL PREVAILING WINDS,

A PHENOMENON TAKES PLACE

THAT HAS MASSIVE IMPLICATIONS
FOR LIFE ON THE ROCKY SHORE.

WATER FROM MORE THAN
650 FEET DOWN IN THE ABYSS

IS DRAWN UP TO THE SURFACE.

AS IT RISES,

IT BRINGS WITH IT MILLIONS OF
YEARS OF DISSOLVED NUTRIENTS -

A GIGANTIC INJECTION OF FOOD
FOR THE ENTIRE COAST.

ONE OF THE MAIN BENEFICIARIES
OF THIS BONANZA OF FOOD IS KELP,

A TYPE OF GIANT ALGAE.

THIS GOLDEN FOREST OF KELP

THRIVES AROUND AFRICA'S
SOUTH-WESTERN COAST.

ITS INFLUENCE
ON THE ROCKY SHORE IS VAST.

THE STRONG, FLEXIBLE STEMS AND
LARGE FRONDS OF THE KELP FOREST

ACT AS A BUFFER
BETWEEN THE OPEN OCEAN

AND THE SMALL SPECIES
THAT CLING TO THE ROCKS.

AS THE KELP IS PUMMELED
AND CHURNED UP BY THE OCEAN,

IT BECOMES FOOD
FOR MARINE LIFE ON THE SHORE.

THIS COLD WATER IS A SOUP
OF NUTRIENTS AND SHREDDED KELP.

FOAM WHIPPED UP
BY THE CHURNING WAVES

IS FULL OF MICROORGANISMS,

OFFERING A RICH SOURCE OF FOOD
FOR LIFE ON THE ROCKS.

FOR THE AFRICAN
BLACK OYSTERCATCHER,

CROWDED ROCKS
MEAN FULL STOMACHS,

AND HEALTHY CHICKS.

ALMOST EVERY SPECIES
THAT LIVES ON THIS SHORE

HAS HAD TO ADAPT
TO TWO INESCAPABLE CONSTANTS:

THE TIDE, AND THE TWICE-DAILY
EXPOSURE TO THE SUN AND AIR.

THE RESULT?

AN ARMY OF BIZARRE
AND ALIEN-LIKE INHABITANTS.

HOW THEY MOVE, HOW THEY LOOK
AND EVEN HOW THEY EAT

IS ALL DETERMINED
BY HAVING TO LIVE BOTH ABOVE

AND BELOW THE WATERLINE.

MOST VISIBLE
AMONG THESE HARDY SPECIES:

THE CRUSTACEANS AND MOLLUSKS.

DEVELOPING SHELLS
FOR PROTECTION AGAINST EXPOSURE

AND FINDING WAYS TO BENEFIT
FROM THE BUFFETING WAVES,

THESE CREATURES MAKE THE MOST OF
THEIR UNWELCOMING SURROUNDINGS.

AND THERE IS NO TIME
MORE CHALLENGING

THAN WHEN THE TIDE
BEGINS TO FALL.

WHILE EXPOSED TO THE BAKING SUN
AND DRYING AIR,

THEY CAN LOSE
UP TO 70% OF THEIR BODY FLUIDS.

AND ON THE ROCKS UP ABOVE,
THE OYSTERCATCHERS ARE WAITING.

THE CHANGE OF THE TIDES
IS A STRESSFUL TIME

FOR BOTH HUNTERS AND THEIR PREY.

FOR ONE FORMIDABLE CREATURE,

THE TIDES ARE NO OBSTACLE
TO HIS HUNTING SCHEDULE.

THE COMMON OCTOPUS.

HE'S ON THE HUNT
FOR UNSUSPECTING PREY.

IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, THE OCTOPUS
IS A LETHAL PREDATOR.

REGARDED AS ONE OF
THE MOST INTELLIGENT

OF ALL INVERTEBRATES,

HE'S MASTERED THE ART
OF LIFE ON THE ROCKY SHORE.

EXAMINING EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY,

HE CAN MOVE FREELY
BETWEEN THE ZONES

THAT MAKE UP THIS TURBULENT,
CHANGEABLE WORLD.

ARMED
WITH EIGHT DEXTEROUS TENTACLES

LINED WITH POWERFUL SUCKERS,

HE POSES A HUGE THREAT TO HIS
SMALLER INVERTEBRATE NEIGHBORS.

WHILE MOST
OF HIS MOLLUSK RELATIVES

HAVE DEVELOPED HARDY SHELLS

TO PROTECT THEM
IN THIS ENVIRONMENT,

THE OCTOPUS
HAS TRADED THIS SECURITY

FOR THE ULTIMATE MOBILITY
AND AGILITY.

WITHOUT A SKELETON,

THIS OCTOPUS'S ARMS
CAN GO MORE OR LESS ANYWHERE.

HE AVOIDS GETTING TANGLED

THANKS TO A SPECIAL CHEMICAL
PRODUCED BY HIS SKIN,

WHICH SENDS A MESSAGE
TO HIS SUCKERS,

PREVENTING THEM FROM CLINGING
ONTO ANY PART OF HIS BODY.

JUST AS WELL IF HE'S GOING TO
SNARE HIS FAVORITE MEAL -

A MEATY CRAB.

THE OCTOPUS'S AGILITY PROTECTS
IT AGAINST THE SUN AND AIR.

IT CAN KEEP ITSELF MOIST

SIMPLY BY SIDLING
INTO THE NEAREST POOL.

AS LONG AS HIS GILLS ARE MOIST

HE CAN SPEND EXTENDED PERIODS
OUT OF THE WATER.

FOR SOME OTHER MOLLUSKS, THOUGH,
THERE'S NO EASY ESCAPE.

THESE PEAR LIMPETS

HAVE HAD TO EVOLVE
A BRILLIANT STRATEGY

TO AVOID DRYING OUT.

THEY GROW TO FIT
THE SHAPE OF THE ROCK EXACTLY,

LEAVING NO GAPS THAT WILL ALLOW
MOISTURE TO ESCAPE

WHEN IT'S TIME
TO SETTLE DOWN FOR LOW TIDE

AND THE HEAT OF THE DAY.

LIMPETS DON'T USE SUCTION

TO STAY ATTACHED
TO THESE HARD SURFACES.

THEY USE ADHESION -

THE SAME PRINCIPLE

THAT KEEPS TWO FLAT PANES
OF GLASS STUCK TOGETHER

WHEN THERE IS
MOISTURE BETWEEN THEM.

A FINE LAYER OF MUCUS BETWEEN
THEIR FOOT AND THEIR ROCK

IS ALL THEY NEED TO STAY PUT.

IT'S AN
INCREDIBLY POWERFUL BOND:

REMOVING A FIRMLY STUCK LIMPET

REQUIRES MORE THAN 14 POUNDS
PER SQUARE INCHES OF FORCE.

BUT A WIDE,
FLAT SHELL OVER A LARGE FOOT

SPEEDS UP DANGEROUS DEHYDRATION.

NOT ONLY IS THERE A BIGGER AREA

BEING BLASTED
BY THE SUN FROM ABOVE,

BUT A WIDER FOOT ABSORBS
MORE HEAT FROM THE ROCK BELOW.

TO IMPROVE THEIR ODDS,

SOME SPECIES OF LIMPET

BECOME MORE STEEPLY DOMED
AS THEY GROW OLDER,

GROWING UPWARDS
INSTEAD OF OUTWARDS

AND SO INCREASING THEIR VOLUME

WITHOUT
SPREADING THEIR AREA TOO WIDE.

CORRUGATIONS IN THEIR SHELL

ALSO HELP BOUNCE BACK
MORE OF THE SUN'S HEAT,

SLIGHTLY REDUCING RADIATION.

SURVIVING
THE SUN AND AIR, HOWEVER,

IS ONLY HALF THE CHALLENGE.

NOW THERE ARE HUNGRY
OYSTERCATCHERS TO CONTEND WITH.

THIS IS WHAT THE BIRDS
HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR ALL DAY.

THEIR WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY
IS OPENING,

AND NOW
IT'S A RACE AGAINST TIME.

AFRICAN BLACK OYSTERCATCHERS

CAN EAT AN AVERAGE
OF A HUNDRED LIMPETS A DAY -

AND THAT'S
JUST FOR THEIR OWN CONSUMPTION.

THEY'LL EAT PLENTY MORE
IF THEY HAVE CHICKS.

THEY LOVE MUSSELS,

BUT FOR NOW LIMPETS AND WORMS
ARE THE EASIER CATCH.

THE ADULTS
PICK THROUGH THE FEAST,

FOLLOWED CLOSELY
BY THEIR HUNGRY YOUNGSTER.

THEY ONLY HAVE A FEW HOURS
TO FEED BEFORE THE TIDE RETURNS.

THE LIMPETS CAN'T HOLD ON

AGAINST THE BIRDS'
STRATEGIC LEVERING TECHNIQUES.

OYSTERCATCHERS ONLY EAT LIMPETS
OF A CERTAIN SIZE.

TOO SMALL, AND THE LIMPET
IS NOT WORTH THE EFFORT.

TOO BIG, AND IT MIGHT BE
MORE EFFORT THAN IT'S WORTH.

THIS WORKS OUT WELL
FOR THE LIMPETS,

AS IT'S THE BIGGER SNAILS
THAT ARE ABLE TO REPRODUCE

AND KEEP LIMPET NUMBERS STABLE.

THE YOUNGSTER WATCHES CLOSELY

AS THE ADULTS
MOVE TO THE MUSSEL BED.

GETTING A MUSSEL REQUIRES SKILL,

AND YOUNG AFRICAN BLACK
OYSTERCATCHERS NEED TO BE TAUGHT

TO TEAR THE MUSSEL
FROM THE THICK WEB OF FIBERS

THAT ANCHORS IT
TO THE ROCK AND ITS COLONY.

SHE MUST MASTER THE ART
OF PRYING THE TWO SHELLS APART,

AND STABBING AT THE SOFT,
EXPOSED FLESH.

THE APPRENTICESHIP
CAN TAKE UP TO 9 MONTHS.

FOR NOW, SHE STILL GETS FED
BY HER PARENTS.

HER BEAK NEEDS STRENGTHENING

BEFORE SHE CAN USE IT
AGAINST THESE HARDY MOLLUSKS.

WHILE THE TIDE
IS STILL WITHDRAWING,

THE PICKINGS ARE SLIM.

THE MUSSELS ARE STARTING
TO SEAL TIGHT AGAINST THE SUN.

BUT SOMETIMES
PERSEVERANCE PAYS OFF.

AS THE OCEAN RETREATS,

THE TWO GREATEST THREATS
OF THE SWEEPING SHORE

ARE ABOUT
TO MAKE THEMSELVES FELT.

HEAT - AND WIND.

THE ANEMONE, FACING DEHYDRATION,

MUST RETREAT INTO ITSELF
TO TRY AND RETAIN MOISTURE.

IT WILL HAVE TO HOLD ON
UNTIL THE TIDE RETURNS

FOR SOME RELIEF.

WHAT WAS A HOLLOW
IN A SUBMERGED PLATFORM

IS NOW A POOL,
EXPOSED TO THE SUN AND THE AIR.

AS TEMPERATURES SOAR,
IT'S BECOMING A CAULDRON.

ANY ANIMAL MAROONED INSIDE IT

WILL HAVE TO HOLD ON
UNTIL THE TIDE RETURNS.

BUT IT'S NOT JUST THE ELEMENTS

THAT ARE DANGEROUS
IN THESE POOLS:

THE ANEMONES THEMSELVES

POSE A DANGER
TO OTHER CREATURES.

SEA ANEMONES PREY ON ANYTHING
THAT SWIMS OR DRIFTS

INTO THE REACH
OF THEIR POISON-LACED TENTACLES.

MANY MARINE SPECIES

HAVE EVOLVED TO AVOID
THESE COLORFUL CARNIVORES.

THEIR POTENT STINGERS MAY HAVE
IMPORTANT USES TO HUMANS.

COMPOUNDS
DEVELOPED FROM ANEMONE TOXINS

ARE SHOWING PROMISE IN THE
TREATMENT OF INSULIN RESISTANCE

AND FOR USE IN NEW INSECTICIDES.

ANEMONES ARE EQUIPPED
WITH CHEMICAL WEAPONS,

BUT URCHINS RELY ON MUCH MORE
OLD-FASHIONED DETERRENTS:

POINTY STICKS.

EACH OF THESE SPIKES
IS INDIVIDUALLY MOUNTED

AND CAN PIVOT IN ANY DIRECTION.

IT'S IN NO DANGER NOW, THOUGH:

A WANDERING FEATHER STAR
POSES NO THREAT.

THE URCHIN'S ARMOR
IS FORMIDABLE,

BUT IT CAN'T
KEEP THE SUN AT BAY.

TO PROTECT THEIR SENSITIVE SKIN,

THEY'LL USE SHELL FRAGMENTS
AS PARASOLS.

SOMETIMES, THOUGH,
SPINES AREN'T ENOUGH.

A CRAB MAKES SHORT WORK
OF THE URCHIN.

BUT THE CRAB NEEDS TO BE
ON ITS GUARD AS WELL.

THE OCTOPUS
IS STILL ON THE HUNT.

HE IS A MASTER OF CAMOUFLAGE,
THANKS TO HIS SKIN.

THIS SKIN IS MADE UP
OF MANY FINE LAYERS,

EACH PACKED
WITH SPECIALIZED CELLS

THAT CAN CHANGE COLOR
OR TEXTURE.

EVEN MORE REMARKABLE,

THE SKIN ITSELF CAN SENSE
CHANGES IN LIGHT AND SHADE

THANKS TO LIGHT-SENSITIVE CELLS.

COUPLED WITH THE OCTOPUS'S LARGE
AND HIGHLY SOPHISTICATED EYES,

THIS HELPS THE ANIMAL

CREATE EXACTLY THE RIGHT PALATE

OF COLORS
AND TEXTURES TO DISAPPEAR.

SOON, THAT COMPLEX CLOAK
OF INVISIBILITY WILL PAY OFF

LOW TIDE.

THE SUN IS BAKING DOWN.

TEMPERATURES ARE AT THEIR PEAK.

FOR THE MOLLUSKS AND CRUSTACEANS
HIGHER UP THE SHORE,

IT'S TIME TO SEAL THEMSELVES
AGAINST THE ROCK

AS THEY WAIT
FOR THE SEA TO RETURN.

THERE'S
DANGEROUSLY LITTLE WATER,

BUT AT LEAST
THERE'S PLENTY OF FOOD.

A GARDEN OF ALGAE, KEPT NEATLY
TRIMMED BY GRAZING LIMPETS.

LONG-SPINED LIMPETS
TEND LARGER GARDENS.

THEY USE THEIR LONG SPINES

TO MAKE SURE NO OTHER LIMPETS
INTRUDE ON THEIR TURF,

BULLDOZING ANY TRESPASSERS
OFF THE ROCK.

HIGH AND DRY FOR SIX HOURS,

THESE BARNACLES

TUCK THEIR FEELER-LIKE FEET
INTO THEIR SHELL

AND COVER UP THE OPENING
WITH THICK MANTLE,

SEALING IN
WHATEVER MOISTURE THEY CAN SAVE.

LIKE THE BOMBPROOF DOORS
OF A BUNKER,

THE MANTLE LOCKS TIGHT,

PROTECTING THE BARNACLE
FROM THE SUN AND AIR.

THE BARNACLES SHARE THIS SHORE
WITH VAST COLONIES OF MUSSELS.

THESE MOLLUSKS ATTACH
TO ROCKS AS YOUNG LARVAE,

SECRETING STICKY THREADS
THAT ANCHOR THEM TO COAST.

IT'S A GOOD STRATEGY FOR LIVING
IN SUCH A HIGH-ENERGY ZONE.

UNTETHERED,
THEY WOULD WASH AWAY.

NOW, IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY,

THE MUSSELS
ARE IN SURVIVAL MODE.

THEIR SHELLS CLAMP SHUT,

PREVENTING ANY MOISTURE
FROM ESCAPING.

LOCKED IN A KIND OF STASIS

THEY SURVIVE WITHOUT OXYGEN
FOR SEVERAL HOURS,

LONG ENOUGH
FOR THE TIDE TO RETURN.

THIS PROTECTS THEM
NOT ONLY FROM THE SUN,

BUT ALSO THE PROBING BEAKS
OF THE OYSTERCATCHERS.

THE OYSTERCATCHERS
HAVE HAD THEIR FILL OF LIMPETS

BUT KEEP INSPECTING
THE MUSSEL BED,

SEARCHING FOR ANY MUSSEL
THAT IS WEAKLY ATTACHED.

THESE ONES REFUSE TO BE TAKEN.

THE OYSTERCATCHER
WILL HAVE TO COME BACK LATER

WHEN THE TIDE STARTS COMING IN.

HE KNOWS THE VALUE OF PATIENCE.

WHEN THE OCEAN RETURNS,

THE MUSSELS
WON'T BE ABLE TO RESIST

OPENING THEIR BUNKER DOORS -

AND THAT'S WHEN HE'LL STRIKE.

FOR NOW, HE'LL NEED
TO HEAD BACK TO THE NEST.

IT'S TIME TO RELIEVE HIS PARTNER
SO THAT SHE CAN FEED.

UP AT THE NEST,
SHE WAITS FOR HIS RETURN.

WHEN HE GETS BACK,
IT'S TIME FOR A TOUGH DECISION.

THE TIDE IS TURNING.

HUNDREDS OF MUSSELS
WILL BE RIPE FOR THE PLUCKING.

IT'S A DILEMMA:

SHOULD THEY
CONTINUE TAKING TURNS,

OR SHOULD THEY MAXIMIZE
THESE PRECIOUS FEW HOURS

BY BOTH GOING TO FEED,

LEAVING THEIR EGGS UNGUARDED?

THEY WILL HAVE TO DEPEND ON THE
DAPPLED SHELLS OF THEIR EGGS,

WHICH MIMIC THE CONTRASTS
AND SHADES OF THE SHORELINE.

TODAY THEY DECIDE
THE RISK IS WORTH TAKING.

IT'S TIME TO DESCEND
THE ROCKY SHORE

TO THE RIPE MUSSEL BEDS.

THE TIDE IS COMING IN.

MILLIONS OF YEARS
OF RISING AND FALLING SEA LEVELS

HAVE CARVED SOFT SANDSTONE
INTO LEVEL PLATFORMS,

JAGGED COLUMNS

AND SMALL CHANNELS.

BETWEEN THESE OUTCROPS,
IS A BROAD BEACH -

EVERY GRAIN OF SAND A PIECE
OF AN ANCIENT ROCKY SHORE

WORN AWAY BY TIME.

TIME AND TIDE ARE
THE GREAT POWERS OF THIS WORLD.

ONCE, THEY SHAPED IT.

NOW, THEY RULE OVER IT,

RUNNING IT ACCORDING TO A STRICT
AND IMMUTABLE TIMETABLE.

THE OYSTERCATCHERS ARE NOT
THE ONLY RESIDENT OF THIS SHORE

THAT HAS EAGERLY BEEN WAITING
FOR THE TIDE TO TURN.

ON THESE EXPOSED BEACHES,

THE SURF ZONE
IS ALSO A RICH ENVIRONMENT

FOR THOSE HUNTERS

ABLE TO WITHSTAND THE SHIFTING,
ABRASIVE SAND.

IT LOOKS DESERTED,

BUT HIDDEN
JUST UNDER THE SURFACE

A MINIATURE FLEET IS WAITING
TO SET SAIL WITH THE TIDE.

FOR NOW,

THE ONLY SIGN OF THE ARMADA
IS A MYSTERIOUS BREATHING PIPE.

BUT AS THE TIDE RISES,
THEY BEGIN TO REVEAL THEMSELVES.

FINGER PLOUGH SHELLS
ARE SCAVENGERS,

SCOURING THE BEACH FOR CARRION.

IT'S A LONG WAY
FOR A SMALL SNAIL TO CRAWL.

SO INSTEAD,

THIS SAILOR UNFURLS ITS FOOT
INTO A HANDY SAIL -

AND RIDES THE SWELL
UP THE BEACH.

UNLIKE THE ROCK-BOUND LIMPETS,

THAT TAKE SHELTER
FROM THE WAVES,

THESE SNAILS USE THE INCOMING
TIDE TO THEIR ADVANTAGE.

THE SWELL
ISN'T ONLY AN ENERGY SAVER.

IT'S ALSO
TAKING THE FINGER PLOUGH SHELL

TO THE SAME PLACE
IT'S WASHED ANY DEAD FISH.

ONCE THEY'VE ARRIVED,

THEIR POWERFUL SENSE OF SMELL

LETS THEM
HONE IN ON THEIR JUICY TARGET.

THEIR SENSORY ABILITY
IS STAGGERING,

ALLOWING THEM TO SMELL
CERTAIN CHEMICALS FROM DEAD FISH

IN MINISCULE CONCENTRATIONS.

THE RAIDERS GET TO WORK QUICKLY.

THE FINGER PLOUGH SHELL

BEGINS TO SUCK UP ANY TISSUE
WITH ITS DEFT PROBOSCIS.

THESE SNAILS ARE GLUTTONS.

AT A SINGLE SITTING

THEY CAN EAT UP TO A THIRD
OF THEIR OWN BODY WEIGHT.

IF THEY PRESERVE THEIR ENERGY

AND STAY BURIED
MOST OF THE TIME,

A FEAST LIKE THIS
CAN SUSTAIN THEM FOR TWO WEEKS.

ONCE THEY'RE DONE,

THEY BURY THEMSELVES AGAIN
AT THE MID-TIDE LEVEL.

THEY WAIT HERE

UNTIL THE RETREATING TIDE

CARRIES THEM BACK
TO THEIR ORIGINAL HAUNTS.

ALONG THE ROCKY SHORE,

THE WAVES ARE PUSHING HIGHER
AS THE TIDE CRASHES IN.

EXPOSED GULLIES AND CANYONS

ARE BECOMING CHANNELS
OF SURGING OCEAN.

THE TINY BARNACLES
HAVE OPENED THEIR DOORS,

SENDING OUT FEATHERY BRANCHES
TO CATCH THEIR MICROSCOPIC FOOD.

THE GRANITE LIMPETS
MUSHROOM OFF THE ROCKS,

TRAPPING DRIFTING ALGAE
WITH THEIR STICKY FEET.

AS THE MUSSEL BEDS
BEGIN TO FLOOD,

THEY START OPENING THEIR SHELLS.

BUT THIS IS STILL NO EASY MEAL
FOR THE OYSTERCATCHERS.

A QUIRK OF GEOLOGY HERE

PRESENTS THE BIRDS
WITH A MAJOR CHALLENGE.

ON SLOPING SHORES,

THE RISE OF THE TIDE
WOULD BE RELATIVELY EVEN,

THE WATER
CREEPING UP PREDICTABLY.

BUT FLAT PLATFORMS LIKE THESE

CAN BE OVERWHELMED
BY THE OCEAN IN AN INSTANT.

ALL IT TAKES
IS FOR A WAVE TO CREST THE EDGE,

AND THE WHOLE BED
WILL BE INUNDATED.

FOR A SMALL BIRD,
THESE WAVES ARE VAST AND DEADLY.

ONE WRONG MOVE,

ONE SLOW REACTION,

AND THEY COULD BE
DRAGGED OFF THE ROCKS

OR SMASHED BY A WAVE.

BUT NOW THE MUSSELS ARE OPENING,

AND THE OYSTERCATCHER'S
DANCE WITH DANGER BEGINS.

AS THE BIVALVES
OPEN THEIR SHELLS

TO LET IN OXYGENATED SEAWATER,

THEY PROVIDE THE EASY GAP
THE OYSTERCATCHER NEEDS.

THE BIRDS ARE
PUSHING THEMSELVES TO THE LIMIT.

IT WILL BE SIX HOURS

UNTIL THIS BUFFET
IS AVAILABLE TO THEM AGAIN,

AND THEY GORGE WHILE THEY CAN.

GOING BACK FOR ONE LAST KILL -

IS ALMOST A DEADLY MISTAKE.

FOR THESE AGILE HUNTERS,

DEATH-DEFYING STUNTS
ARE PART OF DAILY LIFE

ON THE SWEEPING SHORE.

THE RISING TIDE
IS SWEEPING OVER THE PLATFORMS

AND RECLAIMING ROCK POOLS -

OPENING
THE WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY

FOR THE LURKING PREDATORS.

THE OCTOPUS HAS STRUCK.

THE CRAB'S FIERCE PINCERS

ARE NOW RENDERED USELESS
BY THE OCTOPUS'S SUCKERS.

DISARMED AND IMMOBILIZED,

THE CRAB WILL NOT ESCAPE
FROM THIS DEATH GRIP.

WITH A MINIMUM OF FUSS,

THE OCTOPUS GETS TO WORK
ON KILLING ITS VICTIM.

IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG.

UNDER THE FOLDS
OF ITS BODY AND LEGS,

ITS SHARP BEAK

IS SCRAPING THROUGH THE
UNDERSIDE OF THE CRAB'S SHELL.

THE SHELL,
PULLED IN HALF AND EATEN CLEAN,

IS CAREFULLY PUSHED TO ONE SIDE.

AT LAST ALL THAT'S LEFT
ARE DISEMBODIED REMAINS,

AND A VERY SATISFIED OCTOPUS.

THE ARRIVAL OF HIGH TIDE BRINGS
NEW SEAWATER INTO THE ROCK POOL.

THE SUDDEN RUSH OF ICY WATER
MIGHT COME AS A MILD SHOCK.

BUT THESE SPECIES
ARE READY FOR ANYTHING.

ALONG THIS SWEEPING SHORE,

THEY'VE ADAPTED
TO COPE WITH EXTREMES -

THE HIGH TEMPERATURE AND
SALINITY OF EXPOSED ROCK POOLS,

FOLLOWED BY THE SUDDEN CHANGE TO
MUCH COLDER, LESS SALTY WATER.

WHILE THE TIDE IS HIGH,

THEY WILL HAVE THEIR FILL
OF FRESH SEAWATER

AND FOOD SUPPLIES,

PREPARING FOR THE NEXT LOW TIDE.

THE OCTOPUS, UNRUFFLED,

GLIDES AWAY

TO EXPLORE THE CHANGED
UNDERWATER LANDSCAPE.

THE OYSTERCATCHERS

HAVE SURRENDERED THE COAST
TO THE HIGH TIDE.

THE CYCLE OF THE TIDES
IS NEVER-ENDING,

A VAST CLOCK THAT REGULATES
ALL LIFE ON THIS COAST.

FOR THIS YOUNG OYSTERCATCHER,
TIME HAS MARCHED ON.

NO LONGER A CHICK,

SHE MUST NOW MAKE HER OWN
WAY IN THE WORLD.

LEAVING HER PARENTS
IS NOT ONLY A RITE OF PASSAGE;

IT'S ALSO A SURVIVAL IMPERATIVE:

SHE'S NOW BIG ENOUGH
TO COMPETE WITH THEM FOR FOOD,

AND THE PARENTS
ARE HAVING NONE OF THAT.

STILL, IN THIS DYNAMIC,
EVER-CHANGING LANDSCAPE,

THERE'S PLENTY TO GO AROUND
IF YOU'RE TOUGH ENOUGH.

THIS IS A WORLD
IN CONSTANT FLUX,

ENDLESSLY REACTING
TO THE HUGE CONTRAST

BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW TIDE.

FOR THE CREATURES
THAT LIVE HERE,

IT IS A DEMANDING ENVIRONMENT

BUT ALSO ONE RICH IN FOOD.

ON THIS COAST,

NATURE HAS DEMANDED
BRILLIANT ADAPTATION,

AND THESE ANIMALS
HAVE MET THE CHALLENGE.

HIGH ENERGY.

HIGH EXPOSURE.

HIGH RISKS.

BUT ALL OFFER BIG REWARDS

ON THE SWEEPING SHORE.

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