The closer we look on the beach at low tide, the more life we see. Carefully lift a rock, and you may find a gunnel beneath. This fish resembles an eel and when out of water slithers like a snake. Among rocks, gunnels are dull green or brown. Around eel grass or sea weed, they're yellow or bright green.

What gunnels eat affects their color too. When the tide is in, they swim from beneath the rocks and feed on small shrimp-like animals, clams, and worms. They bite off the feathery feet that barnacles extend to capture their own food.

The gunnel you see under a rock may be curled around its white eggs, protecting them until they hatch. Gunnels and their eggs are vulnerable to oil spills or polluted runoff from inland sources.

It's always interesting to find creatures on the beach, but be careful to return each to its original spot. And please gently put rocks back just as you found them so that you don't leave creatures exposed.