Settled on a vertical face in the highest intertidal, Lottia digitalis sits out low tide clamped down tight. With the surf pounding just below, there is silence in these shells.
Note to arachnophiles: While preparing this post I noticed a red speck on the shell of the middle limpet. That’s a red spider mite (Neomolgus littoralis). Can you find it?
Senior Lecturer, Division of Biological Sciences, School of STEM, University of Washington, Bothell
“Beauty can be seen in all things; seeing and composing the beauty is what separates the snapshot from the photograph.” Matt Hardy
marine life in Cornwall
Beats Stumbling Around in Silence
Possibilities of connections and a sense of belonging.
Creative Exploration in Words and Pictures
She sails the seven seas in search of FREEDOM
Yes, I see it!
I wasn’t even aware there was an intertidal mite! After seeing this one I did some research and found out they prey on kelp flies.
I see it!
Ha! It’s not too uncommon for a creature I didn’t even see to make an appearance in a photo. Turns out this mite is common in the high rocky intertidal and on the beach in masses of drifted kelp. Now I’m going to try to find some on purpose!