The image shows a close-up view of a rocky tide pool environment. There is a large, beige-colored sea snail or limpet attached to the underside of a rock, with its spiral shell visible. Below it, on the rocky surface, there is a green sea anemone with its tentacles spread out. The surrounding area is covered with various small rocks, pebbles, and patches of seaweed or algae. The scene is wet, indicating the presence of water, typical of a tide pool habitat.
What is in the Tidepools

What’s in the Tidepools? – November 2024

The image shows a bright orange sea anemone attached to a rock or a similar surface. The anemone has a central disc surrounded by numerous tentacles that are pointed and slightly translucent. The tentacles are arranged in concentric circles and vary in size, with the ones in the center being longer and more prominent. The base of the anemone is a darker orange with a ribbed texture. The surrounding area appears to be underwater, with some green algae or seaweed visible in the background.

What’s In the Tidepools? – November 2024

(Brooding Anemone – NPS Photo/M. Rose)

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.

This month we had a lot of Sea Hare sightings along with sea stars and Brooding Anemones. We even had dolphin bones show up in the tidepools.

The image shows a close-up view of a natural scene, likely from a rocky shoreline or tide pool. There is a variety of seaweed and marine life visible. The green seaweed has a glossy, wavy appearance, while the reddish-brown seaweed has a more delicate, feathery texture. Among the seaweed, there is an orange sea creature, possibly a small sea slug or nudibranch, with a smooth, shiny surface and some white markings. The background consists of a rocky surface with some water, indicating a wet environment.
Brooding Anemone – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
The image shows a close-up view of a tide pool or shallow water area with various marine life. There is a cluster of orange, feathery or petal-like structures, possibly a type of sea anemone or coral, located near the center-right of the image. Surrounding this are rocks and surfaces covered with green algae or seaweed. The water is clear, allowing a view of the textures and colors of the underwater scene. The sunlight creates a shimmering effect on the water surface and highlights the details of the marine life and algae.
Brooding Anemone – NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a bright orange sea anemone attached to a rock or a similar surface. The anemone has a central disc surrounded by numerous tentacles that are pointed and slightly translucent. The tentacles are arranged in concentric circles and vary in size, with the ones in the center being longer and more prominent. The base of the anemone is a darker orange with a ribbed texture. The surrounding area appears to be underwater, with some green algae or seaweed visible in the background.
Brooding Anemone – NPS Photo/M. Rose
The image shows a dark, shiny rock partially submerged in water, surrounded by long, green, grass-like plants. The water is clear, allowing the rock and some of the plant stems to be visible beneath the surface. The plants have long, slender leaves that are bending and curving around the rock, creating a natural frame. The sunlight is reflecting off the water and the rock, adding a glistening effect to the scene.
Black Sea Hare – NPS Photo/T. Woods
The image shows a close-up of a rocky shoreline or tide pool area. In the center, there is a shiny, dark, and wet-looking mass that resembles a sea slug or sea cucumber. Surrounding it are various types of seaweed and algae, with some brown and green fronds visible. The rocks and sand around the creature are covered with small bits of marine life, giving the scene a natural, coastal appearance.
Black Sea Hare – NPS Photo/T. Woods
The image shows a large, dark-colored sea slug or sea hare in a shallow tide pool. The creature has a smooth, shiny body with a few visible folds and a pair of tentacle-like structures on its head. The tide pool is surrounded by rocks and algae, with some green and yellowish hues visible in the water and on the rocks. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy and rocky bottom of the pool.
California Sea Hare – NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a large sea slug, likely a type of sea hare, resting in a shallow tide pool. The creature has a mottled brown and dark brown coloration, with a smooth, rounded body. It is partially submerged in water, with some seaweed and small marine plants surrounding it. The texture of its skin appears slightly bumpy, and it has a few small, wavy appendages along its sides. The sandy bottom of the tide pool is visible beneath the water.
California Sea Hares Mating – NPS Photo/D. Hunt
The image shows a marine creature that appears to be a sea hare, a type of sea slug, in a shallow tide pool. It has a large, soft, and flattened body with a brown, mottled pattern that helps it blend into its surroundings. The sea hare is surrounded by various types of seaweed and algae, which are purplish and green in color. The sandy and rocky bottom of the tide pool is visible, with sunlight filtering through the water, casting shadows and highlighting the textures of the sea hare and the surrounding environment.
California Sea Hare – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
The image shows a cluster of pink, worm-like sea creatures, possibly marine worms or sea anemones, nestled among various types of seaweed. The seaweed is a mix of colors, primarily purples and browns, with some leafy and some more branched textures. The scene appears to be in a tide pool or a similar marine environment, with water glistening on the surfaces of the seaweed and the creatures.
Sea Hare Eggs – NPS Photo/M. Rose
The image shows a close-up view of a tide pool or rocky shore area. In the center, there is a cluster of pale pink, worm-like creatures tangled together. Surrounding them are various types of seaweed and algae, with colors ranging from dark red to green. There is also a small, smooth brown rock with white spots and patches on its surface. The environment appears wet, suggesting it is near the water or recently submerged.
Sea Hare Eggs – NPS Photo/D. Hunt
The image shows a bright orange starfish resting on a bed of green sea grass underwater. The starfish has a classic five-arm shape and stands out vividly against the surrounding greenery. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the starfish and the sea grass.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a long, narrow, and flat object that resembles a bone or a piece of driftwood lying on the ground. It has a series of evenly spaced holes or indentations along its length, giving it a distinctive appearance. The object is surrounded by a mix of dry grass and reddish-brown plant material, possibly seaweed or moss, indicating it might be near a coastal area. The lighting suggests it is either early morning or late afternoon, as the shadows are long and the light is warm.
Dolphin Bone – NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a close-up of a fish's head partially buried in sand and surrounded by seaweed and rocks. The fish has a large, prominent eye with a yellowish ring around it, and its skin appears dark and shiny. The surrounding area is covered with various types of seaweed, which are brown and reddish in color, and there are patches of green algae on the rocks. The scene suggests a coastal or tidal environment.
Keyhole Limpet – NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a vibrant sea slug, also known as a nudibranch, in a tide pool. The sea slug has a striking appearance with a dark blue or black body covered in bright orange or yellow spots. It is surrounded by various types of marine life, including brown and pinkish corals or algae. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the sea slug and its surroundings. The scene captures the rich and colorful biodiversity found in tide pools.
Navanax – NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a close-up view of a tide pool or rocky shore area covered with various types of seaweed and marine life. The scene is dominated by a mix of brown, green, and reddish seaweed, with some having a bubbly or foamy texture. Among the seaweed, there is a noticeable marine creature that appears to be a sea cucumber or a similar organism, characterized by its elongated body and a pattern of white spots or nodules on its surface. The overall appearance is natural and textured, with a variety of organic shapes and colors.
Knobby Sea Star – NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a close-up view of a turtle partially submerged in water, surrounded by long, thin, green reeds or grass. The turtle's shell is visible, with a distinctive circular pattern on it. The turtle's head is poking out of the water, and it appears to be looking upwards. The reeds create a natural frame around the turtle, giving the scene a serene, natural feel.
Keyhole Limpet – NPS Photo/D. Orr
The image shows a close-up view of a rocky tide pool environment. There is a large, beige-colored sea snail or limpet attached to the underside of a rock, with its spiral shell visible. Below it, on the rocky surface, there is a green sea anemone with its tentacles spread out. The surrounding area is covered with various small rocks, pebbles, and patches of seaweed or algae. The scene is wet, indicating the presence of water, typical of a tide pool habitat.
Giant Keyhole Limpet, Sandcastle Worms, Solitary Sea Anemone – NPS Photo/D. Hunt
The image shows a close-up view of a rocky tide pool area. In the center, there is a sea anemone with bright green tentacles and a darker green center. The anemone is partially open, revealing its intricate structure. Surrounding the anemone, there are various types of seaweed and algae, including dark brown and reddish-purple varieties. The surface is sandy and rocky, with some small shells and barnacles visible. A piece of brown seaweed is draped across the top of the image. The scene captures the diverse and colorful marine life found in a tide pool.
Solitary Anemone – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
The image shows a small tide pool with two marine creatures. On the left, there is a light-colored shell, possibly a sea snail or a similar mollusk, partially covered with reddish-brown seaweed. On the right, there is a brown, spotted marine creature, likely a sea slug or a similar organism, with a smooth, rounded body. The surrounding area is covered with various types of seaweed and algae, with some small pebbles visible in the water. The sunlight creates reflections and highlights on the water's surface and the creatures.
Kellet’s Whelk and California Sea Hare – NPS Photo/D. Hunt
The image shows a large marine mollusk, likely a limpet, attached to a rock surface. The limpet has a conical shell with a smooth, slightly domed shape and a light brown to beige color. The shell has a radial pattern of lines and a slightly darker edge. The mollusk's body is visible beneath the shell, appearing dark and glossy. The rock surface is covered with various small marine organisms, including patches of green algae and barnacles. The setting appears to be a tidal zone, as the rock is wet and there is water visible at the bottom of the image.
Keyhole Limpet – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
The image shows a tide pool with a large, spiral-shaped sea shell partially submerged in water. The shell is encrusted with various marine life, including pink and purple algae or coral-like growths. The shell has a rough texture with a mix of colors, primarily brown and white, with some green algae on it. The surrounding area in the tide pool has small rocks and more algae, with the water being clear enough to see the sandy bottom. The lighting suggests it is a sunny day, as there are bright reflections on the water's surface.
Wavy Turban Snail – NPS Photo/D. Hunt
The image shows the underside of a crab lying on a wet, rocky surface. The crab's legs are prominently visible, with a reddish-brown color and some lighter patches. The body of the crab has a textured, segmented appearance with a pattern of small white spots. The crab's legs are splayed out, and the surface beneath it appears to be a mix of sand and small stones, with some green algae or moss in certain areas. The crab seems to be in a natural, coastal environment.
Spiny Lobster – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
The image shows a close-up view of several smooth, rounded stones of varying sizes and colors, mostly in shades of brown and gray. Among the stones, there is a small brittle star, a type of marine invertebrate, with its central disc and long, slender arms visible. The brittle star is light in color, blending in with the stones. There is also some green seaweed or algae present on the stones, adding a touch of color to the scene. The setting appears to be a rocky shoreline or tide pool area.
Brittle Star – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
The image shows a close-up view of a tide pool, featuring a purple sea urchin at the center. The sea urchin has a spherical shape with numerous spines radiating outwards. Surrounding the sea urchin are various types of seaweed and algae, in shades of green, brown, and red, clinging to the rocky surfaces. The water in the tide pool is clear, allowing the sandy bottom to be visible. The scene captures the natural marine life typically found in a coastal tide pool environment.
Sea Urchin – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
The image shows a coastal scene with rugged, layered rock formations on the right side. These rocks have a distinctive, striated appearance and form small caves or overhangs. The ground is covered with a thick layer of dark seaweed or kelp, which extends from the water's edge to the base of the rocks. In the background, there are reddish-brown cliffs under a clear blue sky. The water is visible on the left side, with some rocks scattered along the shoreline. The overall atmosphere is natural and untouched, with a mix of earthy and marine elements.
Coastal View – NPS Photo/M. Rose
The image shows a close-up of a purple sea urchin in a shallow water setting. The sea urchin is covered in numerous spines that are a vibrant purple color. The surrounding area appears to be a sandy or rocky seabed with some small patches of seaweed or algae. The water is clear enough to see the details of the sea urchin and the texture of the seabed.
Urchin – NPS Photo/H. Marquez
The image shows a small, translucent sea creature, likely a brittle star, partially buried in wet sand. Its central body is visible with long, slender arms extending outward. The sand has a slightly wet appearance, with a few scattered grains and a thin, green piece of seaweed lying across the sand near the brittle star. The lighting suggests a sunny day, casting subtle shadows on the sand.
Brittle Star – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
The image shows a white egret standing in shallow water near some large rocks. The egret is wading through the water, which is clear and reflects the bird's image. The rocks in the background are partially submerged, and the scene appears to be in a coastal or riverine environment. The egret has a long neck, a slender body, and is looking downwards, possibly searching for food. The sunlight casts a bright reflection on the water's surface.
Snowy Egret – NPS Photo/M. Rose
The image shows a tide pool with various marine life. In the center, there is a starfish with a mottled pattern of orange and brown. To the left, there is a sea anemone with greenish tentacles and some small shells attached to it. There are also patches of dark red seaweed. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy and rocky bottom, with some small shells and pebbles scattered around. There is a reflection of a person wearing a yellow or orange garment in the water.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/T. Woods
The image shows a starfish resting on a rocky surface covered with various types of seaweed and marine vegetation. The starfish has a bumpy texture with a pattern of small, round, raised bumps on its surface. Its color is a mix of pink and brown, with some lighter spots. The surrounding area is a mix of dark brown and reddish seaweed, giving a natural and rugged appearance typical of a tide pool or rocky shore environment.
Knobby Star – NPS Photo/T. Woods
The image shows a starfish resting on a rocky surface covered with dark brown and reddish seaweed or algae. The starfish has a bumpy texture with a pattern of small, round, raised bumps across its body, which are a mix of light brown and pinkish hues. In the top left corner, part of a person's foot wearing a black and white sneaker is visible, indicating that the scene is likely at a coastal or tide pool area. The lighting suggests it is a sunny day.
Knobby Star – NPS Photo/T. Woods
The image shows a section of a vertebral column, likely from a large marine animal such as a whale, lying on a rocky surface. The vertebrae are aligned in a row, and one vertebra is positioned separately below the row, showing its circular shape and protruding processes. The surface beneath the bones is covered with patches of seaweed or algae, giving it a textured appearance. The bones are light in color, contrasting with the darker, earthy tones of the background.
Dolphin Bones – NPS Photo/M. Rose
The image shows a series of vertebrae, likely from a large marine animal, such as a whale, lying on a rocky surface. The vertebrae are aligned in a row, and the bones appear weathered and aged, suggesting they have been exposed to the elements for some time. The rocky surface is uneven and has patches of what looks like moss or algae, indicating a coastal or marine environment. The perspective of the photo is from a low angle, looking along the length of the vertebrae.
Dolphin Bones – NPS Photo/M. Rose
The image shows a close-up view of a tide pool or shallow water area at the beach. There is a large, circular, brown and beige patterned shell attached to a rock, which appears to be a limpet. To the right of the limpet, there is a sea anemone with translucent tentacles. Below the limpet, there is a small snail with a spiral shell. The sandy bottom of the tide pool is visible, with some small pebbles and bits of seaweed scattered around. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the marine life and the textures of the sand and rocks.
Keyhole Limpet – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
The image shows a serene sunset over the ocean. The sun is low on the horizon, casting a warm golden glow across the sky and reflecting on the water. The sky transitions from a light orange near the horizon to a soft blue higher up. In the foreground, there are dark, rocky formations along the shoreline, with the waves gently lapping against them. A small flock of birds is visible flying in the distance, silhouetted against the sky. The overall scene is peaceful and picturesque.
Sunset – NPS Photo/T. Woods

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