What is in the Tidepools

What’s in the Tidepools? – October 2024

What’s In the Tidepools? – October 2024

(Sea Hares with eggs – NPS Photo/D. Orr)

Welcome back to tidepool season. We’ve highlighted some tidepool photos from this month along with a few from over the summer.

Here is a sampling of what our volunteers observed during this month — thank you to everyone who contributed. Remember to send in your photos; we truly appreciate sharing them with everyone.

Don’t forget to visit the Tidepool Videos page.

TPERP Coordinator Pauline captured something special with her camera. Can you tell what it is?

The image shows a coastal landscape with a rocky shoreline. In the foreground, there are dry grasses and yellow wildflowers. Beyond the vegetation, there is a steep drop to a rocky beach area covered with small stones and pebbles. The shoreline features eroded rock formations with layers of different colors, including beige and reddish-brown. In the background, you can see the edge of the water with some larger rocks partially submerged. The overall scene has a rugged and natural appearance.

How about now?

The image shows a rocky beach area with a variety of small to medium-sized stones and pebbles scattered across the ground. In the foreground, there is a patch of dry, brown vegetation. Among the rocks and vegetation, there is a camouflaged owl with its head visible, blending in with the surroundings. The owl's eyes and ear tufts are noticeable, peeking out from behind the dry plants.

Here’s the answer. A Great Horned owl was observed during the day at the tidepools. A truly rare sighting.

The image shows a great horned owl sitting on the ground among rocks and dry vegetation. The owl's plumage is a mix of brown, gray, and white, which helps it blend into the surrounding environment. Its distinctive ear tufts are visible, and it appears to be resting or observing its surroundings. In the background, there is a small body of water with some rocks partially submerged, and the area around the owl is covered with dry grass and plants. The setting appears to be a natural, rocky area near water.
Great Horned Owl-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows an owl perched on a rocky area near a body of water. The owl has a mottled brown and white plumage, which helps it blend into the surrounding environment. Its eyes are partially closed, giving it a relaxed appearance. The background includes a mix of rocks and water, with some green algae or moss visible on the rocks. The area around the owl is dry with some sparse vegetation. The scene appears to be in a natural, possibly coastal, setting.
Great Horned Owl-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a large owl, likely a Great Horned Owl, sitting on the ground near a rocky and mossy area. The owl has a mottled brown and white plumage, which provides excellent camouflage against the natural background. Its distinctive features include prominent ear tufts and bright yellow eyes. The surrounding area consists of rocks with patches of green moss and some dry vegetation in the foreground. The background appears to be a shallow body of water with a rocky bottom.
Great Horned Owl-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
Keyhole Limpet-NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
Hopkins Rose Nudibranch-NPS Photo/D. Orr
Blue Button-NPS Photo/D. Orr
California Sea Hare-NPS Photo/D. Orr
Brooding Anemone-NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a bird flying low over the ocean. The bird has long, slender wings and is black with a white underside. It appears to be skimming the surface of the water, possibly feeding. The ocean is slightly choppy with white foam visible on the surface, indicating waves or turbulence. The sky is not visible in the image, as the focus is on the bird and the water.
Black Skimmer-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a bird in flight over the ocean. The bird has long, slender wings and a distinctive black and white coloration. Its wings are mostly black with white undersides, and it has a white body with a black cap on its head. The bird's beak is bright red. The ocean below is a mix of blue and green hues, with white foam and small waves visible on the surface. The bird appears to be gliding just above the water.
Black Skimmer-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a pelican standing on a rocky ledge by the sea. The pelican has a long, distinctive beak and is facing to the right. Its feathers are a mix of gray and brown, with some white on its head. The background features the ocean with waves crashing and creating a misty effect, and the sunlight is reflecting off the water, creating a sparkling appearance. The rocky ledge is a reddish-brown color, contrasting with the blue-green of the sea.
Pelican -NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a small butterfly perched on a cluster of green buds with a few yellow flowers. The butterfly has delicate, light brown wings with a hint of blue and orange markings near the edges. Its body is small and slender. The background is blurred, consisting of various shades of green and brown, suggesting a natural, outdoor setting with foliage. The focus is primarily on the butterfly and the plant it is resting on.
Gray Hairstreak-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a large bird, likely a pelican, gliding just above the surface of the ocean. Its wings are fully extended, showcasing a wide wingspan. The bird is flying over a rocky area in the water, with waves and white foam visible around the rocks. The ocean appears to be a mix of deep blue and lighter shades where the sunlight reflects off the water.
Pelican -NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows two pelicans skimming over the surface of the water. Their wings are outstretched as they glide just above the waves, creating small splashes. The water is a mix of blue and gray hues, with gentle waves and ripples visible across the surface. The pelicans appear to be in motion, possibly preparing to land or take off from the water.
Pelicans-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows two seagulls on a rocky cliff by the sea. One seagull is standing upright, looking towards the camera, while the other is bent down, pecking at something on the ground. The background features the ocean, with gentle waves visible. The cliff is made of layered rock formations, and the scene appears to be a coastal area.
Western Gulls-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a group of pelicans perched on a rocky cliff. The cliff has a layered appearance with shades of brown and beige, suggesting sedimentary rock formations. The pelicans are gathered closely together, with some standing and others sitting. The background features a steep, sandy, and rocky terrain, indicating a coastal or desert-like environment. The pelicans have grayish feathers with white heads and long beaks. The scene appears to be in a natural, undisturbed setting.
Pelicans on Cliff-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a pelican in flight, gliding low over the ocean waves. The bird's wings are spread wide, and it is positioned just above the surface of the water. In the background, there are large, foamy waves crashing, creating a dynamic and lively scene. The ocean appears to be a mix of light blue and white, with the sunlight reflecting off the water and the waves. The pelican's feathers are a mix of brown and gray tones.
Pelican -NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows two pelicans diving headfirst into the water. They are captured mid-dive, with their bodies almost vertical and their wings partially folded back. The water beneath them is a mix of blue and green hues, with small waves and ripples visible on the surface. The scene suggests the pelicans are likely hunting for fish.
Pelicans-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a dramatic scene of two birds on a rocky cliff. An osprey, with its wings spread wide, is in the process of landing or taking off. Its wings are a mix of white and brown, and it has a distinctive dark stripe through its eye. Nearby, a black bird, possibly a crow or raven, is perched on the ground, seemingly observing the osprey. The cliff is composed of reddish-brown earth, with some sparse vegetation on top. In the background, there is a clear blue sky and a small portion of a white building on the left side of the image.
Osprey and Raven-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
The image shows a dramatic scene of two birds in flight near a rugged cliff. The cliff is composed of reddish-brown earth with a textured surface, featuring various grooves and protrusions. On the left, a black bird, possibly a crow or raven, is in mid-air with its wings spread wide. To the right, a larger bird of prey, likely an osprey or hawk, is also in flight, with its wings and tail feathers fanned out. The background shows the top of the cliff covered with sparse vegetation and a clear blue sky. The interaction between the birds suggests a possible confrontation or territorial dispute.
Osprey and Raven-NPS Photo/P. Geisler
Brittle Star-NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
California Sea Hares-NPS Photo/D. Orr
Bat Star-NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
Brittle Star-NPS Photo/D. Orr

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