Block Island Tide Pool: Photograph by Will Tenney

Block Island Tide Pool

Out in the Atlantic between Rhode Island and the tip of Long Island, Block Island is natural wonder. In the spring and fall, it is a major stopping point for migrating birds on their way north or south. And on the south coast, the steep cliffs rim beaches with wonderful tide pools. At low tide, just at the furthest reach of the gentle waves, water came into this little pool and drained out again, creating ripples and distortions of light. You can’t really see what is going on with the naked eye, since your brain tries to smooth out the motion and see beyond the light refraction. But with a reasonably high speed shutter, the motion is stopped and the ripples of light are caught.