Such interesting clouds yesterday!
Morning view from Cotati on 22 July 2026.
With occasional notes from elsewhere
Close-up of the upper surface of a Bat Star (Patiria miniata). Those are papulae (in purple) among clusters of spines (in pink). (Papulae are finger-like projections for gas exchange).
I was at the Spud Point Marina docks briefly this afternoon and noticed lots of schools of what look to be young Northern Anchovies (Engraulis mordax). [Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong!]
Also came across a nice juvenile rockfish (Sebastes sp.). It was only ~4 cm (1.5 inches) long:
Red Sea Urchin (Mesocentrotus franciscanus) from Mendocino County in late May 2026.
Happy Fourth of July!
I was at a family wedding on Cape Cod recently (Congratulations, Katie & Aiden!), so here are a few quick shots from Massachusetts.
Above, Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa).
Next, sandbars and sky: