Bright and beautiful at the seashore today. People were out. A few of them even talked to Vivien Leigh, reporting from Wells. We know at least a dozen folks took pics and imagine many more will send to the contest.

Email your best one or two before October 15 at 11:59 pm to:

contest@gulfofmaine.kingtides.net

See the winning entries, finalists, and additional images from around the region.

Several of us scattered across estuaries stretching from Ogunquit to Kennebunk, documenting the sea's level and considering the consequences.

We'll start sharing our thoughts with a collection of photos from the day. Up top is Sue Bickford's shot of a submerged crab play set. Below will be…

1. Drakes Island Road by Nik Charov
2. Mile Road shoreline by Kristin Wilson
3. Mile Road, Wells by Sue Bickford
4. Webhannet Drive, Wells by Kristin Wilson
5. Welcome to Drakes Island by Nik Charov
6. Little River Estuary by Suzanne Kahn
7. Barrier Beach Overlook by Annie Cox
8. Ankle Deep by Sue Bickford
9. Laudholm Beach walker by Scott Richardson

Salt marshes are good at absorbing seawater, but they can only take so much. An extreme tide, exemplified by the king tide, pushes marshes to the limit…

…and tests the built environment, which is not so absorbent.

The ocean strains coastal infrastructure.

This is a nice day. Imagine an angry sea.

Communities are at risk.

We need salt marshes and we need to prepare.

We.

Are we up to it?