Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Variation

 
Last week Eric had good luck finding Ten-tentacled Anemones (Halcampa decemtentaculata) with interesting color patterns.  [You can click on the image for a sharper version.]

Some of the patterns and the amazing variation between individuals reminds us of snowflakes.  And speaking of snow...it's in the forecast for Cotati on Saturday morning! 

3 comments:

  1. These are amazing! You didn't mention where these are located...anywhere that we might be able to se them?
    Thanks for your emails...we enjoy them very much!

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  2. Hello!

    Hmmm...if you're down in the Limantour area (?), then the best place to look for these anemones might be at Duxbury Reef. We saw them there last year on a very low tide.

    One thing -- these anemones are quite small, so it takes some kneeling down and looking closely and carefully in shallow tidepools. They seem to like pools with small stones/gravel and bits of shell. And we're still learning about this species, but they seem to lean towards being crepuscular/nocturnal, so looking for them when light levels are lower -- e.g., during low tides late in the day (at this time of year) might increase your chances.

    Jackie

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  3. Wow, these are just the prettiest critters EVER, aren't they? The center "flower-like" part reminds me of the kind of crocheting my grandmother used to do.

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