Multi-porpoise

   

A few quick shots of Harbor Porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) from Limantour Beach on 23 August 2025.

Sea conditions were relatively calm today, making it easier to spot the porpoises.  But it was hard to tell how many were in this group.  Eric and I agree on at least three individuals, but there could have been more.  I wasn't able to photograph more than two at once.

 

 

 

 

 

Classic view of the nice triangular dorsal fin: 

 

 

 

To catch a tiger

 

A few weeks ago, Eric's patience paid off with this close-up photo of a Hairy-necked Tiger Beetle (Cicindela hirticollis) at Limantour Beach.  

Tiger beetles can be "flighty" -- as you approach (somewhat like a bird), they'll let you get only-so-close and then they'll take off and fly away, landing not-too-far-away, but far enough away that you have to try again.  But with some practice and some patience and some slowing down, sometimes you can spend some time with them -- appreciating their color patterns, iridescence, hairiness, and interesting behaviors.

Holiday picnic at the beach?

  

A nice Baird's Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) at Point Reyes this afternoon (2 September 2024).

The sandpiper was feeding along the wrack line, especially near clumps of eelgrass (Zostera marina):

 

 

Often it was possible to see prey trying to escape its grasp.  Below, look for the fly and a probable amphipod (beach hopper) in the air just to the left of the sandpiper:

 

 

 

Washing up

 

 

With ocean temperatures quite warm recently (in the 17-18°C or 62-64°F range) and with El Niño conditions present in the Pacific Ocean, we're keeping an eye out for more southern/warm-water species.

 

Above is a piece of a Purple-striped Jelly (Chrysaora colorata) that we encountered at Limantour Beach on 26 August 2023.  (To see an entire individual, see the post called "Southern drifter?" on 27 July 2014.

We also came across this wooden pallet covered with pelagic gooseneck barnacles (Lepas sp.).  These barnacles aren't necessarily associated with warm water, but they are typically found offshore, so seeing them on the beach indicates that offshore species are appearing closer to the coast.

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday flight

We went for a beautiful morning walk at Limantour Beach today (27 November 2020).  Nice light and wonderful flocks of shorebirds (especially Sanderling and Dunlin).  I couldn't choose just one picture, so here are several.  Enjoy!  [You can click on them for larger versions.]