The Shell Game

  Mark and I were taking our morning hike when, as usual, we wound up on the pier.  The north wind had pushed the water out of the Bay leaving a good stretch of mudflats behind.  Even though this is bad for fishing, I still like the looks of the Bay when the tide is extremely low.  It allows me to see what is hidden under all of that murky water during higher tides.  This morning, I checked out the driftwood pieces that were full of barnacles, tin cans tossed out by non-thinking folks and shells left by the otters.  Under the pier were a number of clam shells that had already been raided by the otters.  Those critters are adept at opening the shells and making dinner of the fat clams.   Using the boat hook,  I fished out one unusually large clam shell. This one was still hinged and quite lovely actually.  After examining the shell, I decided to photograph it before returning it to the water.

  Although the clam shell had been robbed of its original occupant, it was still not empty.  A host of Olive Nerites decided to move in and call it home.  These snails have a tendency to cling to just about anything that stays in the water for a few minutes.  They are the algae eaters of the Bayou!  Six nice size snails had formed a community in the vacant shell.  I thought of how strange it was that now the snails were "double-shelled".  Then another bit of weirdness came to view.  Not only were the snails claiming the clam shell but a barnacle was along for the ride. On the back of one of the Nerites, a barnacle had attached itself.  Now that was funny!  In one empty clam shell we have six Olive Nerites and one barnacle.  What a happy home!  And what a great repurposing trick!

  After photographing the shell game, I carefully returned the whole kit and kaboodle to the water.  These guys could remain in their new-found home.  Have fun little snails....errr....and little barnacle!