For 8/8

 

A small Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens), for 8/8!  This one was photographed back in February 2017.

 

Not so happy

 

While out for a short walk in the late afternoon, I heard some commotion and looked up to see this Cooper's Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) landing on a wire.  

Then I realized what all the fuss was about — some of the other birds weren't so happy about this hawk being nearby:

 

After avoiding many swooping dives from a small group of Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), this young hawk eventually took off and headed east.

 

Sunset clouds

 

Sunset clouds, 5 August 2019

Sculpin diversity

 

A few more beautiful sculpins for you from the local tidepools.  (Someday I'll be able to identify which species they are.  If you can help, let me know!)

 

 

Amazing!

Float sequence

 

A small section of Feather Boa Kelp (Egregia menziesii) showing the floats (pneumatocysts) and lateral blades.  When I picked up this piece of kelp today, I realized I hadn't thought about the growth and development of Feather Boa Kelp floats.  

At first I thought the size of the floats might be sequential on a young plant, i.e., largest near the base of the plant and smallest towards the outer tip.  But seeing these floats today made me re-think the development of the floats.  I haven't had a chance to research whether someone has tracked this in maturing plants over time, but now I'm curious.  I might have to follow a few individuals to see how they progress!

P.S.  For more pictures and information about Feather Boa Kelp, you can review the post called "Happy Birthday, Archibald!" from 14 March 2012.

Spiky

 

A wonderful fish in a sandy tidepool, 2 August 2019.  (You can click on the image for a larger version.)  And here's a close-up, too:

 

Coastal colors

 

I need to learn more about shrimp.  There sure are some beauties along our coast!