A small, colorful sea creature, likely a type of nudibranch, is clinging to a green aquatic plant. The creature has a translucent body with numerous bright orange-tipped appendages, giving it a spiky appearance. The background is a blurred mix of green and brown, suggesting an underwater environment with various plants and possibly coral.
What is in the Tidepools

What’s in the Tidepools? – March 2025

A rocky surface with various stones and pebbles scattered around. In the center, there is a colorful sea creature, possibly a sea slug or nudibranch, with vibrant shades of orange, pink, and blue. Next to it is a cluster of dark red seaweed. The surrounding area is wet, suggesting a tide pool or coastal environment.

What’s In the Tidepools? – March 2025

(Kellet’s Whelk – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen)

Here is a sampling of what our volunteers observed during this busy 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 and our YouTube page.

Enjoy the virtual visit through the tidepools.

A clear blue sky with a formation of eight birds flying in a V-shape. The birds appear to be pelicans, with long wings and large beaks. Below them, there is a rocky coastline with a few people standing on the edge, looking out towards the ocean. The ocean is visible in the background, with waves gently crashing against the rocks. The scene conveys a sense of tranquility and natural beauty.
Pelicans – NPS Photo/T. Woods
A clear blue sky with a large flock of birds flying in a V formation. Below, there is a rugged coastline with rocky cliffs and a few people walking along the path. The ocean is visible on the left side, with waves gently crashing against the shore. The landscape is characterized by its earthy tones and the natural beauty of the coastal cliffs.
Pelicans- NPS Photo/T. Woods
A rocky surface with various stones and pebbles scattered around. In the center, there is a colorful sea creature, possibly a sea slug or nudibranch, with vibrant shades of orange, pink, and blue. Next to it is a cluster of dark red seaweed. The surrounding area is wet, suggesting a tide pool or coastal environment.
Kellets Whelk – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
A small tide pool with a bright orange starfish resting on the sandy bottom. Surrounding the starfish are various types of seaweed, including dark red and green algae. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy and rocky substrate beneath. The scene is a mix of natural textures and colors, with the vibrant orange starfish standing out against the more muted tones of the surrounding environment.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
A small tide pool with a bright orange starfish resting on the sandy bottom. Surrounding the starfish are various types of seaweed, including dark red and green algae. The water is clear, allowing a view of the sandy and rocky substrate beneath. The scene is a mix of natural textures and colors, with the vibrant orange starfish standing out against the more muted tones of the surrounding environment.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
A rocky shoreline with shallow water and seaweed scattered across the surface. In the center, there is a seal partially submerged in the water, with its body mostly visible. The seal is surrounded by rocks and seaweed, and the scene is set against a backdrop of waves and the ocean. The seal is circled to draw attention to it.
Baby Harbor Seal – NPS Photo/S. Kristiansen
A colorful starfish partially submerged in water, surrounded by seaweed and marine vegetation. The starfish has a striking pattern with blue and pink spots on its arms, creating a vibrant and intricate design. The surrounding area is a mix of brown and red seaweed, adding to the natural underwater setting.
Knobby Sea Star – NPS Photo/R. Streeper
A transparent shrimp is nestled among various underwater elements. The shrimp's body is almost see-through, allowing the details of its internal structure to be visible. It has long antennae extending from its head. Surrounding the shrimp are different types of marine life, including pink coral-like formations and greenish-brown algae or seaweed. The background is a mix of rocky textures and small bubbles, creating a natural aquatic environment. The lighting highlights the shrimp and the surrounding marine life, giving the scene a vibrant and lively appearance.
Translucent Shrimp – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small marine scene with a shrimp partially visible in the center, blending with the rocky and sandy background. The shrimp is translucent with some visible stripes. Surrounding it are various types of seaweed and algae, including green and brown varieties. In the foreground, there are pinkish-red, leaf-like algae adding a splash of color to the scene. The environment appears to be a shallow tide pool with sunlight reflecting off the water surface.
Translucent Shrimp – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small, transparent shrimp is nestled among various types of seaweed and marine life. The shrimp's body is almost see-through, making it blend with its surroundings. It has long antennae extending from its head. Surrounding the shrimp are pink and green seaweed, with the pink seaweed having a textured, leafy appearance. The background consists of a rocky surface with small pebbles and bits of marine debris. The lighting creates a shimmering effect on the shrimp and the seaweed.
Translucent Shrimp – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
Small, orange sea slug partially covered in sand, blending into its surroundings. The sand consists of tiny grains in various shades of yellow, black, and white. Brown seaweed or algae surrounds the slug, adding to the natural underwater setting. The slug has a smooth texture with a few visible spots or markings on its body.
Red Sponge Dorid – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small, orange sea slug is resting on a sandy surface. The sand consists of variously colored grains, including shades of yellow, white, and black. The sea slug has a smooth, elongated body with a few white spots on its back. The texture of the sand and the slug's body is clearly visible, giving a detailed view of the scene.
Red Sponge Dorid – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small marine creature, possibly a sea slug or nudibranch, is camouflaged against a background of wet sand and rocks. Its body is speckled with sand grains and small white particles, blending in with its surroundings. The creature is partially resting on a piece of dark green seaweed. The texture of the sand and the wet surface of the seaweed are clearly visible.
Green Bubble Snail – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small sea creature, possibly a sea slug or nudibranch, is attached to a large piece of brown seaweed. The creature has a speckled appearance with a mix of light and dark spots, blending well with the surrounding environment. The seaweed is submerged in shallow water, with sand and small pebbles visible on the bottom. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the creature and its surroundings.
Green Bubble Snail – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A close-up view of a small marine creature, possibly a sea slug or nudibranch, partially submerged in water. It has a translucent, speckled body with a darker area near its head. The creature is resting on a rock covered in green and brown algae. A person's fingers are gently holding the creature, with a bit of red seaweed visible nearby. The water's surface creates a slight reflection and distortion in the image.
Green Bubble Snail – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A well-camouflaged frogfish is nestled among rocks and sand. Its body is covered in small, white spots that help it blend in with the surrounding environment. The fish's skin texture and color closely mimic the sandy and rocky background, making it difficult to distinguish from its surroundings. Small pebbles and grains of sand are scattered around, enhancing the camouflage effect.
Green Bubble Snail – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small, flat fish with a speckled brown and white pattern is camouflaged against a rocky and sandy background. The fish is nestled between various rocks and pebbles, blending in with its surroundings. The rocks have a mix of colors, including shades of brown, gray, and some greenish moss or algae. The water is clear, allowing the details of the fish and the rocks to be visible.
Green Bubble Snail – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A shiny, smooth shell with a glossy surface, featuring a gradient of brown and cream colors, lies on wet sand. The shell is surrounded by small pieces of seaweed and other marine debris scattered around it. The sand is speckled with tiny grains and small pebbles.
Chestnut Cowry – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A shiny, smooth seashell with a glossy surface, displaying a mix of brown, orange, and cream colors. The shell is resting on a sandy surface with some green seaweed and small bits of dark brown algae scattered around. The background is slightly blurred, highlighting the shell as the focal point.
Chestnut Cowry – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
Close-up of a starfish in a marine environment. The starfish has a textured, orange and white surface with small tube feet visible on its underside. Surrounding the starfish are various types of seaweed and marine plants in shades of brown, green, and purple. The image captures the intricate details of the starfish and the surrounding underwater flora.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A starfish with a reddish-brown color and a textured surface is partially submerged in shallow water. Its arms are curled slightly, and the edges have a lighter, almost orange hue. The surrounding area is rocky with some green algae or seaweed visible. The water is clear, allowing a good view of the starfish and its surroundings.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A starfish with a vibrant orange color is partially submerged in shallow water. Its textured surface is visible, and it is surrounded by green seaweed and aquatic plants. The water is clear, allowing the details of the starfish and the surrounding environment to be seen clearly. The starfish is resting on a rocky surface beneath the water.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small tide pool with a starfish partially submerged in water, surrounded by green seaweed and algae. The starfish is orange and located near the top of the image. The water is clear, allowing the details of the seaweed and a rock beneath the surface to be visible. The surrounding area is rocky and covered with more algae and seaweed.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/P. Geisler
A small, orange sea slug is resting on a bed of green seaweed and algae in a shallow tide pool. The surrounding area is filled with various shades of green from the seaweed, and there are some pinkish coral-like formations on the upper left side. The water is clear, allowing the textures and colors of the underwater environment to be visible.
White Spotted Sea Goddess – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A small, colorful sea slug, known as a nudibranch, is visible among the rocky and algae-covered underwater environment. The nudibranch has a vibrant purple body with bright orange and pink stripes running along its back. The surrounding area is filled with brownish and greenish algae, creating a textured and natural underwater scene.
Orchid Nudibranch – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A small, blue sea slug with delicate, leaf-like appendages is visible in a shallow tide pool. The water is clear, revealing a sandy and rocky bottom with patches of green algae and seaweed around the edges. The sea slug is positioned near a dark rock, and its vibrant blue color contrasts with the muted tones of the surrounding environment.
Opalescent Nudibranch – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A small, colorful sea slug, known as a nudibranch, is nestled among rocks and marine vegetation. It has a translucent body with vibrant blue and orange stripes running along its length. The back is covered with numerous small, brownish appendages tipped with white, giving it a textured appearance. The surrounding environment appears to be underwater, with various shades of brown and green from the rocks and plants.
Opalescent Nudibranch – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A small, colorful sea creature, likely a type of nudibranch, is clinging to a green aquatic plant. The creature has a translucent body with numerous bright orange-tipped appendages, giving it a spiky appearance. The background is a blurred mix of green and brown, suggesting an underwater environment with various plants and possibly coral.
Cockscomb Nudibranch – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A small sea slug with a translucent body covered in black spots is nestled among various types of seaweed and algae. The seaweed is predominantly green, with some areas showing brown and reddish hues. The surface is wet, with water reflecting light, creating a shiny appearance. The textures of the seaweed and algae are varied, ranging from smooth to rough.
Black and White Dorid – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
A small, spotted fish is nestled among a vibrant underwater scene filled with various types of seaweed and coral. The seaweed and coral display a range of colors, predominantly shades of pink, red, and brown. The fish has a speckled pattern with dark spots on a lighter body, blending well with its surroundings. The scene is rich in texture and color, creating a lively and natural underwater habitat.
Black and White Dorid – NPS Photo/M. Cottrell
Underwater scene with various types of seaweed and small air bubbles clinging to the surface. The seaweed includes long, thin green strands and broader, reddish-brown leaves. Among the seaweed, there is a small, bright orange object that stands out against the darker background. The water is clear, allowing for a detailed view of the textures and colors of the seaweed and bubbles.
Southern Kelp Crab – NPS Photo/D. Orr
A large, dark red crab is positioned on a rocky surface, partially submerged in water. The crab's body and claws are a deep burgundy color, with some lighter patches and textures visible. Its claws are open, and its legs are spread out, giving it a wide stance. Surrounding the crab are various rocks and seaweed, with some green and brown hues. The environment appears to be a tide pool or a similar coastal setting.
Kellets Whelk – NPS Photo/D. Orr
A small, round shell with a smooth surface and a gradient of colors ranging from white to a reddish-brown is nestled among a variety of seaweed and marine plants. The seaweed is green and brown, with some strands appearing glossy and others more matte. The shell is partially submerged in water, and the surrounding area is a mix of sand, small rocks, and other marine debris. The sunlight casts a natural glow on the scene, highlighting the textures and colors of the shell and seaweed.
Chestnut Cowry – NPS Photo/D. Orr
A sandy surface with a mix of small green algae and seaweed scattered throughout. The sand appears coarse with small shell fragments and pebbles. There is a faint shadow of a starfish or similar marine creature partially visible, blending in with the sandy background. The overall appearance is natural and textured, typical of a beach or shallow coastal area.
Brittle Star – NPS Photo/D. Orr
A starfish partially submerged in water, with its orange and white underside visible. The starfish is clinging to a rocky surface covered in algae and other marine growth. Long, thin strands of green seaweed are scattered across the sandy bottom around the starfish. The lighting is dim, suggesting an underwater or low-light environment.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/D. Orr
Underwater scene with various marine elements. There are long, thin green seaweed strands and clusters of dark red seaweed. Small bubbles are scattered throughout the water, clinging to the seaweed. In the center, a bright orange object, possibly a piece of coral or sponge, stands out against the darker background. The overall effect is a vibrant and textured underwater environment.
Red Sponge Dorid – NPS Photo/D. Orr
A lobster is partially hidden under a rock in a shallow, clear water setting. The lobster has a reddish-brown color with long antennae extending forward. The surrounding area is filled with variously sized and colored pebbles and stones, and there are some green aquatic plants and reddish-brown algae or seaweed attached to the rocks above the lobster. The water is clear enough to see the details of the lobster and the stones beneath it.
Spiny Lobster – NPS Photo/M. Rose
A collection of smooth, rounded stones covered in green algae or moss, partially submerged in water. The stones vary in size and are tightly packed together. Some strands of grass or seaweed are interspersed among the stones, and the water has a slight brownish tint, reflecting sunlight.
Rocks with Algae – NPS Photo/M. Rose
A cluster of seaweed and marine plants is lying on a sandy surface, partially submerged in water. The seaweed is a mix of colors, including shades of orange, brown, and dark red. Some of the seaweed strands are long and thin, while others are thicker and more tubular. There are also a few green, grass-like strands intertwined with the seaweed. The sunlight casts a warm glow on the scene, highlighting the textures and colors of the seaweed and the surrounding sand and water.
Kelp Holdfast – NPS Photo/M. Rose
A large, reddish-brown starfish is partially submerged in a shallow tide pool. Its five arms are spread out, with some resting on the surrounding green seaweed and others in the water. The tide pool contains clear water, revealing a sandy and rocky bottom with some small patches of brown and green algae. The surrounding area is covered with long, thin strands of green seaweed, creating a natural coastal environment.
Bat Star – NPS Photo/M. Rose

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