Intertidal life at Cedar Coast, on Vargas Island is incredibly rich. At low tide, just below the surface, kelp forests dance with the currents and iridescent seaweeds shine metallic blue and silver.
A kelp forest just below the surface
When the tide is low, critters hide under rocks and in crevasses, but with sharp eyes and some slippery rock scrambling their hiding places can be found. In one particular crevasse, over a dozen sea stars were spotted, as well as a Red Sea Urchin, a Spotted Leopard Doris, a Monterey Doris, anemones and many more!
An Ochre Sea Star acrobatically clinging to a rock
To date we’ve seen an amazing diversity of life in the intertidal zone, here are just a few:
- Leather Star (Dermasterias imbricata)
- Ochre Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceus)
- Bat Star (Cucumaria miniata)
- Sunflower Sea Star (Pycnopodia helianthoides)
- Orange Sea Cucumber (Cucumaria miniata)
- Giant Orange Sea Cucumber (Parastichopus leukothele)
- Monterey Doris (Doris montereyensis)
- Spotted Leopard Dorid (Diaulula odonoghuei)
- Gumboot Chiton (Cryptochiton stelleri)
- Black Leather Chiton (Katharina tunicata)
- White-spotted Rose Anemone (Urticina lofotensis)
- Pink-tipped Anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima)
- Green Surf Anemone (Anthopleura xanthogrammica)
- Red Sea Urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus)
- Red Trumpet Calcareous Tube Worm (Serpula columbiana)
Pink-tipped Anemone
Leather Sea Star
White-spotted Rose Anemone
Written By: CCFS Spring 2018 Volunteer, Lena Dietz- Chiasson