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Sea Stars Shine Bright At Tidal Falls

IT’S no secret that celebrities love to visit Vacationland, especially in the summer. However, the state has its fair share of local celebrities too. Some of Maine’s most colorful stars can be seen daily at the Tidal Falls Preserve in Hancock. At low tide, this Maine destination puts on quite a show and the celebrities of this incredible coastal feature are the starfish themselves.

“You just turn over a rock and there are starfish of all different sizes and colors,” said visitor Meg Carson of Belfast.

The starfish found at Tidal Falls can be purple, orange, or any shade of pink. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), starfish or sea stars, are related to sand dollars, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, all of which are echinoderms, meaning that they have fivepoint radial symmetry.

“We were lifting rocks and finding 11, 15, and 17 of them,” Carson said. “They’re just so beautiful to see.”

Sea stars live underwater but that is where their resemblance to fish ends, according to NOAA, because these creatures do not have gills, scales, or fins. Sea stars live only in saltwater. Sea water, instead of blood, is actually used to pump nutrients through their bodies via a ‘water vascular system.’

However, Tidal Falls, where so many of these creatures can be seen close-up, offers more than just star appeal.

“Tidal Falls is a special location because it features one of Maine’s eight reversing falls,” said Ellie Ezekiel, director of communications and community engagement at the Frenchman Bay Conservatory. “Twice each day, the Taunton River flows backwards and then forward, oscillating between roaring rapids and calm, smooth water. The phenomenon is found in locations where rivers must pass through a narrow passage to meet the sea. The mixing of fresh and saltwater creates a nutrient-rich environment that is incredibly productive for wildlife.”

Visitors have often shared that in addition to seeing starfish, they’ve spotted seals, crabs, loons, eagles, and many other creatures during their trip to this coveted spot.

Ezekiel said although a visitation count is not recorded at the preserve, members of the Frenchman Bay Conservatory estimate that more than 1,000 visitors stop by each year with peak visitation happening during July and August.

“Mornings are the quietest time at the reserve,” Ezekiel said. “But I encourage people to visit the falls at different times of the day to see the changing tides.”

A new addition to the Tidal Falls Preserve is the preserve’s Exploration Center, which is scheduled to open in late May.

“The Exploration Center is a self-guided nature exploration space which will provide hands-on learning opportunities for our visitors,” Ezekiel said. “It was originally located in our Office Headquarters, but this year will be relocated to the pavilion on the lower preserve, closer to the water. The Exploration Center will have maps, an interactive touch table, field guides, exploration kits for children, and more.”

So, whether you’re searching for the stars or just looking for a chance to see Maine’s underworld, a trip to Tidal Falls Preserve in Hancock is a great spot to enjoy both activities.