Above and below

 

Looking south over the tidal flats in Bodega Harbor on 9 March 2020.  Sometimes it's worth working late!

 

At home in the sand

 

We noticed this small (~5 mm across) sea anemone in the low intertidal zone in Pacific Grove this weekend.  When I zoomed in on the photo on the camera, I realized it wasn't a species I was familiar with.  Later on, after doing a little research, I eventually figured out that this is Cactosoma arenaria — a new species of sea anemone for us!

There are a couple of things to notice about this speciecs.  As mentioned, it's small — typical height is only ~2 cm.  Look for the alternating brown and white bands on the tentacles (they generally have 24 tentacles).  Some of the bands are V-shaped (especially in the last photo of this post, below).  Also look for the brown cuticular sheath on the column (the lower portion of the anemone, see photo above).  The sheath includes embedded sand grains and shell fragments.

 

Cactosoma arenaria can be found around kelp holdfasts, and also among sand-encrusted tunicates (or sea squirts) in the low intertidal zone, which is where we observed these.  The species name, "arenaria", refers to sand.

 

This is a southern species, with known occurrences from about Monterey to San Pedro, CA.  So we're not likely to see it in Bodega Bay, but if you're in Central or Southern California, keep your eyes open for this little beauty.

Like blackberry swirl

A mystery close-up for you.  Can you tell what type of organism this is?

 

The next image shows the entire animal:

 

 

Bat Star (Patiria miniata), photographed in Pacific Grove, CA.  In the first photo, the little bumpy curved purple and cream-colored pieces are spines.  Aren't they intriguing?

We were impressed with the diversity of Bat Star color morphs we saw this afternoon — red, orange, gray, brown, in various mottled combinations.

Have you been eating willow flowers?

 

Who me?

Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla), 4 March 2020

 

Eating crab on the beach

 

So intriguing to watch this Common Raven (Corvus corvax) find, dismantle, and eventually eat this Kelp Crab (Pugettia producta) that had washed up in the wrack line.

 

 

Overlooking the harbor

Driving to work this morning, Kitty and I felt lucky to see this beautiful Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) flying over Bodega Harbor and landing in a cypress tree just off Highway 1.  

 

It seemed like an appropriate photo to share tonight on the eve of the election.  Remember to use your voice to vote on Tuesday!

Classic

 

We had some pretty classic spring upwelling conditions yesterday, with strong winds from the northwest.  Strong = 30 knots, with gusts to 40 knots (or 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph).  

These are shots of the wind patterns on the waves off Bodega Head during the afternoon of 29 February 2020.