theoutershores

Accentuating a Flatfish and a Limpet with Negative Space

By: minustide September 13, 2020

Photo Challengebeaches, intertidal, Lens-Artists, nature photography, Oregon coast, tidepools19 Comments

This little flatfish, one of those pesky pleuronectids, the righteye flounders, was just a babe, washed up as so much sea wrack when I noticed its perky eyeballs protruding from the smooth, featureless surface of a sea of swash zone sand. The experts I consulted believe it’s a juvenile starry flounder, or maybe a curlfin…

The Crowded Rocky Intertidal Bursting with Life

By: minustide September 1, 2020

Low Tideintertidal, Lens-Artists, Oregon coast, tidepools7 Comments

Surf swept rocky northeastern Pacific shores host marvelous biological diversity and abundance. A good place to witness the profusion is up close, on the dead level with a barnacle. Surrounded by neighbors, a giant barnacle, Balanus nubilus, entertains tenants of its own. Stepping back, viewing the world from the lowermost horizon of the mussel bed…

Macro Monday: Pollicipes polymerus

By: minustide August 24, 2020

barnaclesIntertidal invertebrates, macro photography, Oregon coast, pacific northwest, tidepools2 Comments

When it comes to intertidal close ups Pollicipes are agreeable subjects. They won’t much change their demeanor if, to get things right, you need to nestle in among them. Gooseneck barnacles, Pollicipes polymerus, stick to surf-swept shores. They stand out in the the mussels beds.

Update From theoutershores

By: minustide August 17, 2020

Updatesbeaches, intertidal, Lens-Artists, Oregon coast, PNW, tidepools15 Comments

We all know someone or have heard of countless humans facing ruin or heartbreak from Covid-19. Before I share what I’ve been up I want to acknowledge Covid-related suffering everywhere and express my gratitude that I have a job that keeps me safe, and that no one close to me has contracted the disease. My…

Missed Opportunities with Littorina sitkana and Gloiopeltis furcata

By: minustide June 28, 2020June 28, 2020

Photo ChallengeGaliano Island, intertidal, Intertidal invertebrates, periwinkles, PNW, Salish Sea, seaweed, tidepools7 Comments

I’ve surprised myself twice recently by unexpectedly noticing species I’ve never seen in the wild in my photographs featuring other species. The periwinkle below, the little striped snail, escaped my attention while I engaged in a four-photograph sequence featuring the limpets. The little snail is Littorina sitkana, the Sitka periwinkle. Who knew a snail could…

Quiet Moments From the High Intertidal

By: minustide June 21, 2020June 21, 2020

molluscs, Photo Challengeintertidal, Intertidal invertebrates, limpets, periwinkles, PNW, Salish Sea, tidepools17 Comments

Among invertebrate inhabitants of the high intertidal, activity, for some, grinds to a halt when things dry out. Clamped down against a vertical wall with shells for protection, waiting out low tide won’t challenge these limpets and barnacles. It doesn’t hurt that they’ve settled on the shady side. A periwinkle made it just so far…

Dodecaceria, Cropped

By: minustide May 10, 2020May 10, 2020

Photo Challenge, Wormsintertidal, Intertidal invertebrates, marine worms, Oregon coast, PNW, tidepools11 Comments

This mound is home to a colony of marine worms, Dodecaceria, probably D. fewkesi. Here, the worms have retreated, it being low tide, into their calcareous tubes. Their tubes are embedded in a matrix of cemented sand particles. When the tide returns, they’ll poke their tentacled heads out to feed. A version of the photograph…

Earth Day 2020

By: minustide April 22, 2020

Earth DayEarth Day 2020, intertidal, seagrass, seaweed4 Comments

Sunrise on beds of seagrass and kelp Will future generations marvel at sunrises over these lush beds? You’re part of this

Revisiting a Landmark

By: minustide April 15, 2020April 15, 2020

Comparative Photos, Photo Challengebeaches, intertidal, Lens-Artists, Oregon coast, PNW, tidepools11 Comments

Below, is the first photograph I took of what is now one of my favorite northern Oregon landmarks. I say landmark, as far as I know, it’s not a landmark for anyone but me. It isn’t a single rock, it’s a pair. Allies rising up together on the lowest reach. Accounting for tides and surf…

A Simple Pleasure From the Shore

By: minustide April 6, 2020April 6, 2020

Photo Challenge, seaweedintertidal, Lens-Artists, Mazzaella, Oregon coast, pacific northwest, tidepools15 Comments

Mazzaella splendens is one of those red seaweeds known for the looks it throws your way. Its iridescence isn’t a given, but when things fall into place, rainbow leaf, as it is sometimes known, lights up the low intertidal. Cut off from the shore, I’m grateful for simple pleasures past. Simplicity Addendum: There couldn’t be…