Lathari beach is the only beach in Alta (the only one big enough to have a name).  The water is very shallow so when the tide rolls out you can walk out into the middle of the fjord.  Many living things are left behind. A sandskjell, or blunt gaper in English, is an edible clam.  They attach themselves to rocks in the fjord so they wont go out with the tide.

Prawns are common in the fjord.  They are called reke in Norwegian.  This little fella was stuck in a puddle.  Because the fjord is shallow the tide moves quickly and many creatures, including large fish get stuck in the mud.

Clear jellyfish are the only ones we have seen in the Alta fjord.  However, not all jellyfish in Norway are so nice.  In Harstad, red jellyfish can swamp the area and can give a serious sting with their tentacles.  Norwegians don’t eat jellyfish.

The blåskjell, or blue mussel in English, are common in the Alta fjord and are considered a delicacy.  A lot of the year these mussels can be poisonous.  Norwegians are taught only to pick and eat them in the months with an ‘r’ – from September to April – as they are safest (and at their tastiest) to eat during this time.