Tag Archives: Abalones

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Bob Van Syoc noticed this small Star in a tide pool off of The Sea Ranch, a Rainbow Star.

Marilyn Green reported on the sighting. She wrote, "Amy and Bob counted hundreds of Abalones at low tide, including some small ones. All were very close to shore. We also saw many types of Sea Stars. There was one that Bob had never seen at Pebble Beach before!” Bob photographed a Rainbow Sea Star, which measures about four inches across. This is the first sighting of this Star that I've had in the 15 years I've been writing my nature column!

Thanks to Bob for allowing me to share his photo with you here and to Marilyn for sending in the sightings.

Our warm, dry weather is in the rear view window. Rain - actual wet stuff! - is predicted to later tonight into tomorrow. Hooray!

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Abalones are struggling. The voracious Purple Sea Urchins are eating the Abalones' food source, which is kelp. To survive, Abalones have moved closer to shore, which brings problems for them too. But the Urchins can't survive in the wave action, so the Abalones have a measure of safety there - unless big surf knocks them up on the beach. Marilyn Green recently photographed a group of them during a recent low tide.

 

We see signs of imbalance in the ocean. And we also see signs of balance returning, like seeing more Sea Stars. We will continue to watch and learn.

Thanks to Marilyn for allowing me to share her photo with you here.

Today is a rainbow day, and tomorrow brings a big storm for late in the day. As I type this, I can see a storm cloud on the ocean, dark with rain, and headed my way! Not a good time to take a walk.