They seem to be everywhere. If all of these tiny arthropods grew to full size we would be inundated with them. But we needn't worry. The roster of their enemies is endless. Herons and rails stalk the channel edges.
Gulls patrol the shore.
Other adversaries include larger crustaceans, fish and fishermen. We watch one gull hunting between beach front waves. Each time the water retreats it cocks its head and peers about, then dashes to a bubble in the sand to peck out and gobble the still wriggling crab. There is other plant life here too. In many areas intrusive phragmites has overwhelmed the cordgrass and in sandy spots we find among more familiar goldenrods and pokeweed lovely sea myrtles, sagebrush relatives with cottony white blossoms.