I forgot to post part 2 of Abby Thompson‘s latest batch of California intertidal photos, so here they are (the first batch is here). Abby’s captions and IDs are indented, and, as always, you can enlarge the photos by clicking on them.
The stars of this set, improbably enough, are two flatworms. The first two pictures are of the elegant Eurylepta californica, which I think of as the “art-deco flatworm”. It’s rare up here; I’ve found it once before. The next flatworm (Family Euryleptidae) is an undescribed species. It’s been recorded several times, almost all in the Monterey Bay area. This is its third sighting (as recorded on inaturalist) this far north. There isn’t agreement on the genus. It’s a beauty, and it’s unusual to have such a striking animal remain undescribed. Both worms are about ¾” long.
Eurylepta californica (striped polyclad flatworm) Art deco flatworm:
Eurylepta californica:
Family Euryleptidae (Yellow frilly flatworm):
The starfish plague of several years ago was devastating along the coast, and several species (like the incredible sunflower stars) have not recovered, but the ochre stars are back with a vengeance. I see many more of them than of the bat stars, but the next picture is one of each buddying up on a rock above the low tide line.
Patiria miniate and Pisaster ochraceus (bat star (red) and ochre star (yes, purple)):
The next three pictures are a slightly deceptive series. I’m not sure that the first two pictures really are otter tracks, but the alternative is probably raccoon tracks, and otter is a better match. They did not, in fact, end on the beach right next to the where I saw the otter in the third picture. But at least the third picture below is definitely an otter. This almost surely is a river otter, not a sea otter, as are most seen around here.
Otter tracks:
Close-up of otter tracks:
Lontra canadensis (North American river otter):
Finally, the roof of a cave, with sea anemones (green and pink– Anthopleura xanthogrammica and Anthopleura elegantissima) and sponges (the bright red-orange, not possible to ID from a photo):
