The sounds of waves hurled onto sandy beaches and against bluff faces is an autumn highlight. The Pacific Ocean is more active, presumably from storms to our north. These breakers can bring sea foam. Susan Levenson-Palmer and Jan Conlon were walking at Irish Beach when they saw what Susan described as “green foam.

Sea foam, or spume, is formed when the surf churns up organic matter in the ocean, such as dead algae. Unless there was a toxic algae bloom, sea foam is harmless and is, in fact, an indicator of a healthy ocean ecosystem.

Here's a photo of Sea foam after a big storm several years ago, taken by Margaret Lindgren. The sea foam completely filled in this cove at The Sea Ranch.

Thanks to Jan and Margaret for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

We are still having lovely autumn weather, though most of us would appreciate some rain.