A Happy Starfish at Harris Beach Tide Pool! (+5 insets)

(+5 insets)

Memories of Tide Pools as a Kid
I remember when I was a kid, raised in San Francisco, and one day my elementary class went on a field trip to the beach where there were tide pools. I'll never forget the first time I saw a starfish clinging to the rocks, sea anemones, mussels and limpets. There were real crabs--Dungeness and hermit--scrabbling around too! It was incredible to me and I hoped to visit more tide pools whenever I could!

What I didn't know is that those were the very last tide pools on San Francisco beaches. The next time I went to visit the same area, the tide pools were gone. The only thing that remained were bleached limpet shells and some remaining but empty mussels. What a shock to my pre-teen eyes to be faced with the reality of over-visitation and pollution on a delicate biome. There are still plenty of fantastic tide pools to explore near San Francisco but as far as I know, the tide pools never made a comeback.

Harris Beach has Tide Pools!
I was really excited when I read about this popular state park and learned about one of its popular features: tide pools! Between this park's south and north beaches is an area at the water's edge littered with tightly packed rocks and boulders of all sizes. When the tide is out, careful visitors can discover the incredible diversity of life that makes its home there.

One day I made sure to time my visit so I'd have plenty of time exploring the pools without worrying about waves catching me while I was taking pictures. I was immediately transported back to myself as a child, exploring with rapt joy and discovering the special plants and animals that made their home there. One thing I love to do is find a perfect pool, freeze and wait. After a few minutes, the seemingly empty pool wakes up and out come different species of crabs and other life forms, crawling around and looking for food. What fun!

Today's Picture
Who doesn't love a star fish? I was so excited when I found this perfectly-shaped Sea Star in a place where I could get a nice picture. I think it looks very happy to see me, don't you?! I'm lucky to see it too, because in 2014, a horrible wasting disease hit the west coast of North America and killed off millions of starfish between Alaska and Mexico. Recovery has been slow in many areas but some places, like Harris Beach, have sprung back in a wonderful way! I had no idea about this tragedy and I'm so happy I got to see some beautiful star fish on my visit to the tide pools on Harris Beach! (For more information, please visit this link: www.nps.gov/im/swan/ssws.htm )

Today's Insets
I'm including a really cool find--a group of sea stars partially buried by sand, right where the waves were lapping. I'm also including a picture of barnacles with barnacle bokeh, an image of striped Shield Limpets with barnacles and a bit of kelp, a photo that shows a pair of closed-up anemones and Northern Stiped Dogwinkles and finally, a picture of the tide pool area! I have gotten so many countless pictures of the treasures there, I could spend weeks sharing my discoveries! I'll be posting another set in the coming Harris Beach report, maybe more!

Thank You For Stopping By!
While Steve and I were away on our trip, internet was often not available and it was frustrating that I couldn't make my rounds to say hello. So I've really been enjoying myself as I hop from one stream to another, reacquainting myself with all of your wonderful photography and chatting happily back and forth! Thanks so much for coming by and leaving comments and stars! It totally makes my day. I hope that each of you has a wonderful new week as we march into November!

Explored on 11/8/21; highest placement #4.