reric.org photos

A metal frame holding multiple grey cylindrical Niskin bottles is suspended by a cable above the water. Water drips from the bottom of the apparatus into the calm sea below. The background shows a vast, grey ocean under an overcast sky. CTD (conductivity [salinity], temperature, depth)/rosette collection

Upon the line the heavy frame descends,
To seek the secrets hidden in the deep.
Where light of day with grey horizon blends,
And silent currents through the darkness sweep.
The silver bottles wait to catch the flow,
To hold the essence of the salty tide.
While waves below in rhythmic motion go,
And secrets of the sea in shadows hide.
From metal ribs the crystal droplets fall,
Like tears of rain upon the ocean's face.
To answer every oceanographer's call,
And map the depths with scientific grace.
Through cloudy skies the metal structure swings,
To learn what truth the vast Pacific brings.

Puget, Sound, ctd, marine science, metal frame, niskin bottles, ocean, oceanography, overcast, puget sound, research equipment, rosette, sampling, sea, water

Several sea lions are huddled together on a yellow floating platform enclosed within a tall metal wire cage. The cage floats in calm, dark water near a shoreline lined with many white boat masts. In the background, a lush green forested hill rises above a rocky breakwater. the infamous sea lions of Ballard locks rock the buoy

Upon the waves where quiet waters flow,
A metal cage descends from sky above.
Within the mesh, the sea lions repose,
In huddled warmth, devoid of any love.
The yellow raft provides a steady base,
As sunlight dances on the rippling tide.
They rest within this strange and iron space,
With nowhere left for weary souls to hide.
Behind them rise the masts of silent ships,
And hills of green against a cloudy gray.
No salty spray now wets their heavy lips,
As they await the turning of the day.
A captive rest upon the ocean wide,
Where nature meets the cage and turns the tide.

Seattle, animals, boats, floating platform, gray, marine mammals, masts, metal cage, nature, ocean, sea lions, seattle, shoreline, water, wildlife, yellow

A man in a dark jacket and grey cap stands on the narrow deck of a boat. To his left, a moss-covered pier wall runs parallel to the vessel. Various equipment, including ropes, hoses, and orange buoys, are scattered along the deck. going through the Ballard locks on the RV Barnes

Upon the narrow deck where salt winds blow,
A silent watcher stands against the grey.
Beside the mossy wall where currents flow,
He waits to face the ocean's vast array.
The ropes are coiled in patterns on the floor,
And orange buoys rest near the metal rail.
Beyond the hull, the waves begin to roar,
As shadows dance upon the vessel's veil.
The heavy air is thick with mist and spray,
While gear is stowed beneath a canvas shroud.
He contemplates the work of coming day,
Away from city streets and noisy crowd.
With steady heart, he meets the rising tide,
With science as his compass and his guide.

boat, boats, buoy, deck, equipment, man, marine, moss, oceanography, outdoor, pier, research vessel, ropes, water

A variety of sea creatures, including several segmented worms and a large ribbed clam, are gathered in a clear plastic container. The specimens are mixed with dark, sandy sediment and a small amount of water. The lighting is bright and direct, highlighting the textures of the shells and the fleshy bodies of the worms. some animals which were unwillingly dregded up from the bottom of Puget Sound, totally ruining their day

Within this vessel, life is held in sight,
A gathered feast of creatures from the deep.
In swirling sand and water, clear and bright,
While silent secrets of the ocean keep.
The ribbed and stony shell of ancient design,
Lies nestled near the worms of fleshy hue.
In tangled coils, their segmented forms entwine,
In shades of pink and pale, a varied view.
No vast expanse of blue or crashing tide,
Just captured life within a plastic wall.
Where many different species now reside,
Responding to the researcher's quiet call.
A microcosm of the ocean's grand design,
In this small space, their many forms align.

animals, aquatic, biology, clam, creatures, invertebrates, marine life, mollusk, oceanography, sand, sediment, specimens, worms

A view from the deck of a vessel looking out over deep blue water. A bright orange buoy is visible on the left side of the frame. A trail of white foam stretches from the boat toward the horizon under a cloudy sky. interesting physical concentration ofsea foam about half a km long

The vessel cuts through waves of deepest blue,
And leaves a trail of white upon the tide.
The morning light brings colors bright and new,
As salt and spray against the railing glide.
A buoy of orange floats upon the side,
A silent witness to the journey made.
Across the swell the foaming currents ride,
In patterns where the light and shadow played.
The distant hills are veiled in misty grey,
Beneath a sky where clouds begin to drift.
The ocean calls throughout the passing day,
As currents move and heavy waters shift.
Upon the sea the white foam starts to fade,
In nature's dance, a masterpiece is laid.

Puget, Sound, blue, boat, buoy, clouds, foam, horizon, ocean, oceanography, orange, puget sound, sea, vessel, wake, water

The image shows the underside of a metal walkway or pier structure with a chain-link railing. Below the structure, dark water ripples with bright sunlight reflecting off the surface. A bicycle wheel is partially visible through the mesh of the railing. multiple users at the Ballard locks

The sun descends in beams of liquid light,
To pierce the surface of the darkling deep.
Where shadows dance in patterns, dark and bright,
And silent currents through the darkness sweep.
A metal frame stands heavy overhead,
With mesh that holds the ghost of wheels unseen.
Upon the tide where light and shade are wed,
And ripples break the surface, calm and clean.
The structure casts its silhouette below,
A heavy weight upon the moving sea.
In rhythmic dance, the golden glimmers show,
Where light and water meet in harmony.
Though shadows fall and darkness seeks to hide,
The sun still dances on the rising tide.

Seattle, bicycle, dark water, metal, outdoor, pier, railing, reflections, ripples, shadows, structure, sunlight, water

A large steel truss bridge stretches across the horizon, connecting two landmasses. The sun shines through heavy, dramatic clouds, casting a bright reflection on the rippling water below. Silhouetted trees and buildings line the distant shorelines. Aurora/99 bridge from Lake Union

The silver light breaks through the heavy grey,
To dance upon the surface of the tide.
The sun descends to end the passing day,
While shadows on the distant shoreline hide.
A mighty span of steel across the deep,
Connects the banks beneath a heavy sky.
While silent waters their ancient secrets keep,
And clouds in drifting patterns wander by.
The structure stands against the glowing light,
A silhouette against the morning haze.
It guides the traveler through day and night,
Through summer sun and autumn's misty maze.
In quiet grace the river meets the shore,
As light and shadow play forevermore.

Seattle, bridge, clouds, daylight, horizon, reflection, river, scenery, seattle, sky, steel, sunlight, truss, water

Two large, dark industrial towers dominate the center of the frame in silhouette. A long bridge spans the background behind the structures, and sunlight reflects intensely off the rippling surface of the water in the foreground. Gasworks park, a (former?) superfund site on Lake Union

The sun descends to kiss the moving tide,
And casts the world in shades of deepest black.
Upon the waves, the golden ripples glide,
With light that leaves a bright and shining track.
Two giants stand against the fading light,
Their iron forms a dark and heavy ghost.
They watch the day surrender to the night,
Upon this quiet and industrial coast.
A bridge extends its limbs across the bay,
To link the shores beneath a pale expanse.
The colors of the evening melt away,
As shadows join in a silent, dark dance.
Though steel may rust and heavy engines cease,
The water finds its shimmering, bright peace.

Seattle, bridge, industrial, ocean, reflection, seattle, shimmering, silhouette, sky, structure, sunset, towers, water

A dark silhouette of a heron is captured in mid-flight just above the water's surface. The bird's reflection is clearly visible in the rippling, greyish-blue water below. The scene is tranquil, set against a vast expanse of gentle waves during twilight or overcast conditions. heron in Portage Bay

Upon the silvered glass of quiet tide,
A lonely shadow glides across the deep.
With wings outstretched, it seeks a place to hide,
While weary waters stir from silent sleep.
The heron moves in grace through evening light,
A dark silhouette against the muted grey.
It leaves the shore to take its rhythmic flight,
As golden sunbeams softly fade away.
Its twin descends within the liquid plane,
A perfect mirror dancing in the swell.
No sound is heard across the watery plain,
Where only ripples have a tale to tell.
In stillness now the feathered traveler flies,
Beneath the gaze of vast and empty skies.

bird, birds, calm, flying, heron, lake, nature, reflection, ripples, river, silhouette, water, wildlife

A large, heavy-duty black metal crane structure dominates the frame, extending toward the upper right. A single black crow is perched on the top edge of the crane's arm. In the background, lush green trees and a distant building are visible under a bright, clear sky. a crow rests on some oceanographic equipment

Upon the iron beam so dark and wide,
A lonely watcher sits against the blue.
With feathers black, he takes a silent ride,
While sunlight paints the world in golden hue.
The heavy steel reaches toward the sky,
A giant limb of metal, cold and vast.
Below the trees where summer shadows lie,
The quiet moment is too sweet to last.
No engine roars to break the morning still,
Just silent wings and structures made of might.
He rests upon the crane with steady will,
Beneath the glow of soft and morning light.
A bird of omen on a tool of man,
Observing life as only nature can.

bird, black, crane, crow, crows, daylight, industrial, machinery, metal, nature, oceanography, outdoor, perched, sky

A large yellow boat named Skookum travels across the water, leaving a small wake. A person stands on the deck near heavy cables and pulleys. In the background, a white multi-story building sits against a lush green hillside. "rugged but with style"

Upon the tide the yellow vessel glides,
With Skookum carved in letters bold and white.
Beneath the sun where gentle water rides,
It moves through morning's soft and golden light.
A lonely figure stands upon the deck,
Midst heavy cables and the pulley's weight.
No storm arrives to cause a sudden wreck,
As currents guide the vessel's steady state.
The shoreline rises with its verdant hue,
Where houses rest upon the sloping land.
The sky above is bright and clear and blue,
As waves reach out to touch the passing strand.
In quiet strength the mighty vessel goes,
While through the bay the gentle river flows.

boat, boats, building, cables, daylight, deck, ocean, person, pulleys, shoreline, skookum, trees, vessel, water, yellow