A strip of open space between adjacent colonies of pink-tipped green anemones, Anthopleura elegantissima. Communication or no? Communication
Read More
All articles filed in oregon coast
Bringing You Along
Just memories now, of a beach walk, August 19, 2020 6:17 am: Accepting an intertidal invitation. 7:02 am: Touching base with an old friend, a study in zonation. 7:58 am: A pause to take in morning sunlight on exposed surfgrass. 8:19 am: A fortunate turn of my gaze, just in time to discover sunbeams penetrating…
Read More
Off to the Shore for a Symmetry Beach Party
Welcome to my small celebration of symmetry. This beach party’s a renewal of kinship with animals we share symmetry with and a reminder that symmetry varies in ways worth appreciating. An in-depth survey of symmetry would expose developmental and evolutionary mysteries better left to zoology and comparative anatomy courses. Instead, let’s head to the shore,…
Read More
Accentuating a Flatfish and a Limpet with Negative Space
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…
Read More
The Crowded Rocky Intertidal Bursting with Life
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…
Read More
Macro Monday: Pollicipes polymerus
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.
Read More
Update From theoutershores
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…
Read More
Dodecaceria, Cropped
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…
Read More
Revisiting a Landmark
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…
Read More
A Simple Pleasure From the Shore
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…
Read More