The spring tides season is the busiest for beachcombers, especially after an astronomical tide, when underwater creatures like shellfish, crabs and oysters wash up on the shore, dishing up a sumptuous seafood feast for the adventure-loving foodies.

The astronomical tide is a tidal phenomenon that occurs one and a half days after both the full moon and the new moon. When the moon, the sun, and the earth are in tandem, the combined tide-generating force of the sun and the moon is at its peak, making the flood tide higher and the ebb tide lower than usual.

The great fluctuation of the tide gravitates people to the beaches to enjoy the spectacle, while beachcombers arrive in droves on "treasure-hunt" trips.

Beachcombing is an activity that involves collection of marine objects on the beach and reefs of the coast according to the pattern of ebb and flow of the tide.

When the astronomical tide wears down, the tide recedes further, and a larger area of the beach and coral reefs is exposed. Marine creatures like clams, mussels, and oysters that live in shoals get stranded on the beach, and also for crabs, that like snails, it's too late to return to the sea. Beachcombers make the most of it to bucket a bumper catch.

Wearing waterproof boots and carrying shovels and pails, beachcombers pick up seafood busily. The beachcombing buzz creates a vivid coastal city landscape.

(All images via VCG)

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