Mangrove - the constellation of trees and shrubs which grow in many tropical, salty parts of the world are fascinating and beautiful. They are found in coastal environments protected from high energy wave action and what might just look like intimidating bushes and branches in a wild mixture with an inviting wetness calling for mosquitos and creeps to perfectly establish themselves, are in fact more interesting than that when you get into them for real. These botanical amphibians which has one foot in the air, one under water are particularly fascinating for the fact that they can stand the very high level of salt in the water, the choking mud in which they grow along with the tropical heat surrounding them - all features which wouldn't let most other plants to stay alive for too long. Mangrove forests are among the most productive and biologically complex ecosystems on earth as they make an important home to many different bird species, frogs, snakes, shellfish and loads of oysters, shrimps, several type of fish and millions of mangrove crabs. The trees form a beautiful saline woodland, or a swamp if you prefer, and the perfect braiding of branches and trees are spectacular. The trees also have a complex root system which allows them to survive in the intertidal zone and the special ultrafiltration system helps them to keep most of the salt out.

From a sailors perspective, the mangroves in the Caribbean can also be useful and the strength and stability of the woodland habitat is often used to tie up sailing boats to save the boats from hurricanes running through the area and this is how it could look:

You just simply run your boat straight into the swamp and tie it up in different trees and branches. Very convenient.

The first photos are taken close to Petite anse des Salines and the two last ones are from Le Marin Martinique, an anchorage which is said to be a safe place to leave your boat during the hurricane season. It's a hurricane hole, as they call it.