Under Cape Cod Waters

Book excerpt: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, except brief extractions for the purpose of review; no part of this publication may be sold or hired without the written permission of the publisher. Although the author and Union Park Press have taken all reasonable care in preparing this book, we make no warranty about the accuracy and completeness of its content and, to the maximum extent permitted, disclaim all liability arising from its use. Surrounded by Thousands of square miles of cold, rough water, Cape Cod is regarded as New England's crown jewel---a seaside paradise of charming main streets and long stretches of beach lined with sand dunes. Yet, despite the popularity of this iconic landmass and its generous coastline, the world beneath the Cape's waters remains largely unexplored. In Under Cape Cod Waters, award-winning photojournalist Ethan Daniels captures the mystery and importance of the often overlooked natural communities along the Cape Cod coast. The Cape's near-shore waters are both diverse and productive, making these coastal ecosystems as dynamic and prodigious as any along the Atlantic shoreline. With the trained eye of a scientist and the sensibilities of an artist, Daniels photographs the amazing and resilient life forms that play such a vital role in maintaining the health and wellbeing of this cherished peninsula. The result is a stunning portrait of a world often only seen from the surface. In the hazy, dark waters, Daniels reveals the vivid rhythms in detail: the arresting orange of a sponge, the silvery flash of fish scales, the bright blue of a crab claw. With chapters devoted to each of the Cape's aquatic ecosystems---the salt marsh, the bay, the open ocean, and freshwater ponds---Daniels at once enlightens and educates us about the treasures hidden amidst this mesmerizing seascape. At the heart of this inspiring collection is a plea to be mindful of these local marine environments. As Mother Nature, climate change, and coastal development continue to sculpt this coast, Daniels urges those who know and love Cape Cod to take the necessary steps to preserve and protect the peninsula. Under Cape Cod Waters is an unforgettable voyage into the unknown depths of these familiar waters. As a New Englander and a native to many of the coastal habitats featured in this book, I was drawn to these wonderfully familiar yet surprising images. Rarely do you get a frog's or lobster's view of their watery world and a chance to see a timeless scape that has and will hopefully continue to thrive pristinely in these uncertain times. Most importantly, the images and text not only remind us of what we luckily possess, but what is at stake if we are not wise with the exploitation of our natural resources. Read this book and you'll see why I covet this precious place and call it home.---Jeff Corwin Ethan Daniels's photographs add a wonderful new dimension to my vision of the Cape Cod I thought I knew well. Ethan has a thoughtful, playful eye that gets us looking twice and then again. This collection shows us that the Cape's magic light infuses the world below the waves.---Cary Wolinsky Who knew such visual treats lie hidden beneath the waters of Cape Cod? Ethan Daniels's artful images provide a window into a world few of us get to see for ourselves and help us treasure the Cape even more. This is a beautiful collection of photographs.---Robert Caputo