Seaweed question for Dave and/or Doug

[JMancuso]

I'm planning and reworking my harbor scene lately and I've been watching the great waterfront modeling videos by both Dave and Doug. I especially was impressed by Doug's simulation of a muck line topped off by an "algae band" of green powder. Looks great and simple to do well. Here's my question...

I model New England in early winter (brown grass, no leaves, no snow yet)-aspiring to the colors of Paul Dolkos' B&M layout. At this time of year is the algae band the same shade of green or does it look different at different times of year?

Thanks in advance for any insights, photos, etc.

John

[JMancuso]

Thought I'd try to "reheat" this question...c'mon all you New Englanders, you waterfront anglers, you photographers...look out your windows. This should be an easy one.

John

[wsdimenna]

by early winter the algae blooms are gone as are the hyacinth, milfoil, and hydrilla in fresh water up north.

Bill D

[JMancuso]

So the bright green is gone and there is just that murky blackish tide line?

[Night Train]

P1030160.JPG (120.22 KiB) Viewed 654 times

I guess it really comes down to "where are you modeling?" Cape Cod is the geographical dividing line - warmer water south of the Cape and colder water to the north.

South of Cape Cod, where Doug lives, the water supports the greenish algae growth he demonstrates in his videos. The green stuff usually grows in the backwaters where the water is calmer and there's not a lot of wave action.

North of the Cape the water is colder. It supports reddish/brownish/green rockweed at the tide line. The rockweed has a rubbery texture and is edible. If you've ever been to a "Maine-style" clambake you'll remember it as the stuff the lobsters were steamed in. Lobsters also get packed in it when shipped across the country.

At the tide line I use a wash of black and green to darken the areas underwater at high tide and to define the tideline. Then I model the rockweed by mixing fine brown Scenic Foam with Mod Podge gloss medium. Mix it so that it has the texture of oatmeal. I push it onto the rocks and seawalls using my fingers and then "set" it in place with a wet brush. After it dries I paint on more Mod Podge to give it a wet, shiny look. Sometimes it gets a very light sprinkling of fine green foam.

[JMancuso]

So let's say I'm North of the Cape, where the water is colder...does the "color band" look different in Fall/Winter than it does in Summer?

Most of the grass on my layout is brown and the trees bare (or evergreen)...I want the marine flora to look appropriate for the season and I was wondering if the seaweed also has a "dead" season.

Thanks for all the insights...John

[Night Train]

John,
No and no - the color doesn't change seasonally.

[JMancuso]

Thank you, Thank you. I knew a seafaring scenery King would have the answer. Enjoy your feast today!

John