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Contacts
August 11, 2010, 06:34
Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve PO Box 669 Moss Beach, CA 94038-0669 Or contact us online: newsletter@fitzgeraldreserve.org president@fitzgeral…
Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve
August 5, 2010, 23:26
The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization of volunteers who provide tours of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve's tide pools…
Docents
August 11, 2010, 06:31
No description found for this item.
News
August 11, 2010, 03:26
Fitzgerald in the News San Mateo County Parks and Recreation Division, the agency responsible for Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, presents…
Visit
August 11, 2010, 03:26
If your group has 10 or more people, you MUST make a reservation to visit the reserve. The reserve is located in Moss Beach, CA, about 40 minutes south of…
home
August 11, 2010, 04:01
home home home home
testing
August 11, 2010, 14:36
History
August 11, 2010, 14:50
In 1969, the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, led by its president, James V. Fitzgerald (for whom the Reserve was named), passed a bill designating the…
Upcoming
August 12, 2010, 05:10
We have an ever-changing list of events and training opportunities that we sponsor. We also list functions held in the Half Moon Bay Coastside area by other…
Creature Feature
August 12, 2010, 05:53
No description found for this item.
Resources
August 12, 2010, 18:15
Whether you are planning your first visit to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve or are a frequent tidepooler, you can find a wealth of information online about the…
Resources: Our Newsletter Archives
March 15, 2011, 21:43
The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve printed newsletter, Between the Tides, is mailed to our membership several times each year. Articles in each issue…
Resources-Sidebar
August 12, 2010, 18:31
What's New At Fitzgerald
August 13, 2010, 02:26
This is for new things that are happening Look for plugin that pulls new items so that they are collected on one page.
Reservations
September 29, 2010, 05:06
If your group has 10 or more people, you MUST make a reservation to visit the reserve. How To Make a Reservation First, view our list of low tides to…
Driving Directions
September 29, 2010, 05:11
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is located west of Highway 1 in Moss Beach, 7 miles north of Half Moon Bay, or 21 miles south of San Francisco. The reserve's main…
Our Mission and History
September 29, 2010, 05:28
The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve was formed in 1985 to assist then Supervising Ranger Bob Breen in educating visitors about the reserve and its…
Low Tides
October 8, 2010, 17:09
2012 Month & Year Date Day Low tide time Low tide Reef Tour Time January 2012 4 Weds 1:53pm 0.3 1:00-3:00pm 5…
Class Schedule for 2011
September 30, 2010, 22:00
Planned topics for each Volunteer Naturalist Training classroom session and the times of the class excursions to Fitzgerald Marine Reserve are listed below…
Join Us
September 30, 2010, 21:36
The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supported by tax-deductible donations. The Half Moon Bay Review Magazine…
Registration for Training Class
September 30, 2010, 22:01
Mail Registration Form With check to: FFMR Training Class, PO Box 669, Moss Beach, CA 94038 NAME:_________________________________________ …
Training Class
October 1, 2010, 18:48
Volunteer Naturalist Training The Half Moon Bay Review Magazine featured the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve volunteer program in its November 2009 issue…
FMR Entrances
October 1, 2010, 18:42
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve extends for 3 miles along the coast of Moss Beach, CA. The reefs and bluffs can be accessed at a number of points along the way. The…
Blog2
October 1, 2010, 20:43
Tips for Chaperones
October 9, 2010, 00:32
We are delighted that you will accompany your child’s class and share the excitement of their visit to the Fitzgerald Marine Reserve intertidal reef—a…
Marine Protected Areas
October 19, 2010, 04:47
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are conservation areas designed to protect some of California’s most productive coastal underwater habitats. As of May 1,…
Blog
October 10, 2010, 08:02
Events
December 16, 2010, 15:46
We list events held by FFMR, and selected happenings sponsored by other organizations. Events are subject to change or cancellation. Wednesday July 12: Half…
Resources: Explore FMR Online
March 15, 2011, 21:41
You can explore Fitzgerald Marine Reserve (FMR) without getting your feet wet using the links below. On December 9, 2011, NBCBayArea News aired a segment…
Resources: Marine Science and Conservation
March 15, 2011, 21:42
The web puts an amazing array of tools at your fingertips for learning more about the world's oceans. Here are a few of our favorite resources. On December…
Resources: Government Agency Information
March 15, 2011, 21:41
Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a San Mateo County Park that is part of a Marine Protected Area that lies in California state waters within the Monterey Bay…
Resources: You Might Also Like...
March 15, 2011, 21:43
If you enjoy Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, there are a few other places within a two-hour drive that you might also want to explore: The Monterey Bay Aquarium…
Resources: Recommended Reading
May 12, 2011, 14:34
There's a wealth of information about life in the intertidal environment online, and there are also some wonderful books on the subject. Here is a list of a…
Class Schedule for 2012
November 7, 2011, 15:22
Classroom Times and Topics Here is a summary of the topics to be covered in our Volunteer Naturalist Training Class in 2012. Classes will begin at 10 am and…
Resources: Just for Teachers
November 7, 2011, 16:02
The Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve would like to help teachers to share information that rounds out their students' visit to FMR into an effective…
Site Map
October 7, 2010, 05:07

Blog Posts

Category: Uncategorized (3)
- The reserve is beautiful in any weather by: tydpoolz
  February 17, 2011, 11:52
  In cold, wet, blustery, wintry weather, it’s tempting to curl up on the couch and lose yourself in TV or the Internet. Here’s a nice quote about cycles and…
- San Vicente Creek Is Roaring by: tydpoolz
  December 20, 2010, 23:10
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: UPDATE 12/27/2010: The erosion of the banks of San Vicente Creek was not as bad as first believed! After reassessing the…
- What’s That Tower? by: tydpoolz
  December 9, 2010, 09:00
  What’s the concrete tower that projects above the surface of the water at the edge of the reef at Seal Cove? This storm-battered bastion is a relic of…
Category: sea life (25)
- Whale Sightings Website by: admin
  April 25, 2012, 12:35
  The learner.org website records whale sightings, including sightings of our local gray whales. Several areas of this website could be a good resource for…
- Agencies and Public Cooperate to Protect Resources in MPAs by: tydpoolz
  January 18, 2012, 11:31
  Some FFMR volunteers have recently been trained to monitor and report activity within the Montara State Marine Reserve of which FMR is a part. (See page 11 of…
- Climate Change Effects at FMR by: tydpoolz
  December 14, 2011, 05:26
  Retired FMR Supervising Ranger Bob Breen is one of the experts interviewed in a short news segment about climate change impacts in the bay area. Bob walks…
- Researchers Study Jellies to Understand Global Ocean Changes by: tydpoolz
  November 9, 2011, 06:00
  Marine habitats around the world are undergoing changes caused by a variety of sources ranging from natural disasters to agricultural runoff. Marine creatures…
- New TV Show: "Your Sanctuary" by: tydpoolz
  November 2, 2011, 06:53
  NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Access Monterey Peninsula (AMP) Public Television have collaborated to produce a new 52-episode television…
- Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts Sonoma Coast Abalone by: tydpoolz
  October 26, 2011, 06:00
  A Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), known more popularly as a Red Tide, invaded the Sonoma Coast in September and wrought havoc on the abalone population. HABs have…
- California Bans Shark Fin Trade by: tydpoolz
  October 12, 2011, 06:00
  California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill prohibiting possession and sale of shark fins in the state. The law is part of an international…
- Monitoring Marine Protected Areas by: tydpoolz
  October 1, 2011, 07:18
  Fitzgerald Marine Reserve lies at the heart of a larger Marine Protected Area (MPA), Montara State Marine Reserve, which was established on May 1, 2010. Click…
- Birth of a Sea Otter by: tydpoolz
  September 7, 2011, 06:00
  Editor's Note: Blog posts in September 2011 highlight online resources to help you learn more about sea otters, the subject of our most recent newsletter's…
- FMR in National Geographic Magazine by: tydpoolz
  May 23, 2011, 10:18
  The June 2011 issue of National Geographic Magazine includes a mention of and photos taken at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in a nice article about life in the…
- Harbor Seal Counts Have Begun by: tydpoolz
  March 16, 2011, 06:00
  During pupping season, Ranger Sarah Lenz does periodic visual counts of the harbor seals resting in the reserve at or near low tide and submits the data to…
- Saving Sharks by: tydpoolz
  February 22, 2011, 22:15
  You won't find sharks in the tidepools at FMR, but as top predators they are important to the overall health of the oceans. And, like so many denizens of the…
- Amazing View of a Bat Star’s Stomach by: tydpoolz
  February 10, 2011, 16:17
  During a recent visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium I was treated to the remarkable sight of a bat star’s (Asterina miniata) stomach in action! On display in…
- What’s all that pink stuff? by: tydpoolz
  February 8, 2011, 22:31
  The color pink abounds in the tidepools. Much of it is coralline algae, a type of red algae that flourishes in marine environments around the world. Cora…
- Tug-of-War with an Octopus! by: tydpoolz
  February 3, 2011, 15:01
  Volunteer naturalist Linda Barre reports: The other day, the high school students I was leading on a tidepool tour found a red octopus in a surge…
- Hermissenda Nudibranch from Pillar Point Harbor by: tydpoolz
  January 24, 2011, 09:12
  Volunteer naturalist Julie B. Walters spent part of her weekend helping our new class of volunteers learn about the inhabitants of the floating docks in Pillar…
- Ochre Sea Stars by: tydpoolz
  January 19, 2011, 08:28
  Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) are a common sight at FMR, but they are always a hit with visitors, perhaps because of their beautiful colors. Usually…
- What Makes the Small Holes in the Rock? by: tydpoolz
  January 8, 2011, 11:00
  In some areas, the soft sedimentary rock that forms the intertidal reef at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is riddled with holes. One of the animals responsible…
- Octopus a Night Tidepooling Highlight by: tydpoolz
  December 30, 2010, 22:43
  During our annual night tidepooling excursion last week, visitors and volunteers saw nudibranchs, a sunflower star, and a huge number of very active kelp…
- Hopkins Rose Nudibranch by: tydpoolz
  December 27, 2010, 15:48
  FFMR volunteer naturalist Mary DeLong reports: On December 2 I led a walk with fellow volunteer naturalist Bill Gomez. We were with Nan Ho and her her…
- Tinsel the Rescued Harbor Seal by: tydpoolz
  December 14, 2010, 23:44
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: On Monday Dec. 6, 2010, I noticed one adult harbor seal remained hauled out on the beach after the rest of the group moved…
- Sea Lemon Nudibranch by: tydpoolz
  December 7, 2010, 06:38
  Hundreds of visitors braved the chilly and rainy weather this past weekend (December 4th and 5th, 2010) and were rewarded with many beautiful sights,…
- The Swimming Scallop by: tydpoolz
  December 4, 2010, 17:10
  A few summers ago I was exploring the tidepools with a group of Junior Rangers when I came across a rock scallop (Crassedoma giganteum). The scallop was…
- Creature Feature: Another Nudi by: admin
  August 13, 2010, 02:28
  This is another nudibranch, commonly called a sea lemon (Anisodoris nobilis). Nudibranchs are mollusks but lack shells like their distant relatives the turban…
- Creature Feature: Nudibranchs by: admin
  August 12, 2010, 13:36
  This is a nudibranch or "sea slug" commonly called the ringed dorid (Diaulula sandiegensis). Nudibranchs, fondly referred to as "nudis" by Friends of Fitzgerald…
Category: guidelines (8)
Information about how to explore tidepools safely and with minimum disturbance to their inhabitants.
- FMR in National Geographic Magazine by: tydpoolz
  May 23, 2011, 10:18
  The June 2011 issue of National Geographic Magazine includes a mention of and photos taken at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in a nice article about life in the…
- Saturated Cypress Point Slips and Slides by: tydpoolz
  March 29, 2011, 23:22
  All the wet weather we've had this winter has taken its toll on bluffs all along the California coast, and Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is no exception. The…
- It’s Pupping Season Again! by: tydpoolz
  March 2, 2011, 11:18
  From February through May, female harbor seals also come ashore at FMR to give birth and nurse their young. Mother seals leave pups briefly on shore when they…
- The Changing Bluffs at FMR by: tydpoolz
  January 15, 2011, 09:19
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: I had an excellent reminder of the dynamic eroding bluffs at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve on January 10th when a large chunk of…
- Choosing Footwear for Tidepooling by: tydpoolz
  January 12, 2011, 06:00
  When you’re planning a trip to the tidepools, it pays to give some advance thought to what you'll wear on your feet. Footing on the reef can be tricky;…
- Use your scientific eyes! by: Sarah
  November 1, 2010, 17:15
  Look Small. Intertidal animals can be the size of a pea! Sit Quietly. We are very large and scary compared to a sea slug! Wait for the Marine Life to…
- Tidepooling Safety by: tydpoolz
  October 31, 2010, 08:30
  When you are out exploring the reef at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve or any other area that has tidepools, there are some important guidelines to follow. Never…
- Orange Cones form a Safety Zone by: tydpoolz
  October 30, 2010, 23:47
  Like the orange cones you see in road construction zones, the ones on the reef at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve are set out to form a "safety zone." But…
Category: events (6)
- A Blue-ribbon Fourth of July by: tydpoolz
  July 5, 2011, 10:35
  This year the creativity of the volunteers from Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve who walked in Half Moon Bay's holiday parade was rewarded with a FIRST…
- Today is World Oceans Day by: tydpoolz
  June 8, 2011, 06:00
  Celebrated around the world by increasing numbers since its founding in 1992, June 8th was officially designated World Oceans Day by the United Nations in…
- 345 lbs of Trash, 95 lbs of Recycleables by: tydpoolz
  May 11, 2011, 11:13
  30 volunteers participated in our Earth Day Beach Cleanup at Mirada Surf in El Granada, CA on Sunday, April 23, 2011. Two Boy Scouts hauled back part of…
- Harbor Seal Pups, Marine Debris, and Earth Day by: tydpoolz
  April 13, 2011, 12:38
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports that she spotted 7 new harbor seal pups during her April 11, 2011 harbor seal survey! They can be viewed with binoculars from…
- Get Ready for Earth Day by: tydpoolz
  March 9, 2011, 10:44
  We are looking forward to honoring Earth Day with our annual "beach cleanup" in El Granada. Come and join us! DATE: Saturday, April 23 TIME: 9 a.m. -…
- Night Tidepool Tour: December 22, 2010 by: LindaC
  November 1, 2010, 17:36
  FFMR will be sponsoring their annual night tidepool tour on December 22, 2010. This Family Fun Day event is very popular and you can discover many of the…
Category: memorable moments (7)
Descriptions of fun, funny, or touching moments in the tidepools: encounters with unusual creatures, funny observations from visitors, etc.
- A Blue-ribbon Fourth of July by: tydpoolz
  July 5, 2011, 10:35
  This year the creativity of the volunteers from Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve who walked in Half Moon Bay's holiday parade was rewarded with a FIRST…
- Tsunami Surge Did No Damage at FMR by: tydpoolz
  March 15, 2011, 22:17
  Ranger Sarah reports that the tsunami surge experienced in the area on March 11, 2011 did no damage at FMR: "We had the park and all beaches closed (as did…
- Soaking Up the Sun by: tydpoolz
  February 9, 2011, 09:34
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: This juvenile red tail hawk had just finished a quick bath in San Vicente Creek and was drying its wings on the fence post…
- Tug-of-War with an Octopus! by: tydpoolz
  February 3, 2011, 15:01
  Volunteer naturalist Linda Barre reports: The other day, the high school students I was leading on a tidepool tour found a red octopus in a surge…
- Octopus a Night Tidepooling Highlight by: tydpoolz
  December 30, 2010, 22:43
  During our annual night tidepooling excursion last week, visitors and volunteers saw nudibranchs, a sunflower star, and a huge number of very active kelp…
- Tinsel the Rescued Harbor Seal by: tydpoolz
  December 14, 2010, 23:44
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: On Monday Dec. 6, 2010, I noticed one adult harbor seal remained hauled out on the beach after the rest of the group moved…
- The Swimming Scallop by: tydpoolz
  December 4, 2010, 17:10
  A few summers ago I was exploring the tidepools with a group of Junior Rangers when I came across a rock scallop (Crassedoma giganteum). The scallop was…
Category: worth 1000 words (5)
Not much text in these entries, since a picture is worth 1000 words…
- Sunset in Seal Cove by: tydpoolz
  December 5, 2011, 10:53
  No description found for this item.
- A Blue-ribbon Fourth of July by: tydpoolz
  July 5, 2011, 10:35
  This year the creativity of the volunteers from Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve who walked in Half Moon Bay's holiday parade was rewarded with a FIRST…
- Soaking Up the Sun by: tydpoolz
  February 9, 2011, 09:34
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: This juvenile red tail hawk had just finished a quick bath in San Vicente Creek and was drying its wings on the fence post…
- Hermissenda Nudibranch from Pillar Point Harbor by: tydpoolz
  January 24, 2011, 09:12
  Volunteer naturalist Julie B. Walters spent part of her weekend helping our new class of volunteers learn about the inhabitants of the floating docks in Pillar…
- Seal Cove Sunset by: tydpoolz
  December 7, 2010, 18:48
  An early December sunset as viewed from the beach near the bottom of the Seal Cove Stairs.
Category: conservation (28)
Information about ocean and intertidal conservation.
- Artists and Scientists Collaborate to Help Seabird Species by: tydpoolz
  January 25, 2012, 06:00
  Right now, northern elephant seal mating season is in full swing at Ano Nuevo State Reserve, a wildlife hotspot about a one-hour drive south of Fitzgerald…
- Agencies and Public Cooperate to Protect Resources in MPAs by: tydpoolz
  January 18, 2012, 11:31
  Some FFMR volunteers have recently been trained to monitor and report activity within the Montara State Marine Reserve of which FMR is a part. (See page 11 of…
- Tsunami Debris Arriving Earlier Than Predicted? by: tydpoolz
  January 12, 2012, 16:41
  The Tohoku tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011 swept untold tons of material ranging from personal belongings to entire buildings into the Pacific ocean.…
- Climate Change Effects at FMR by: tydpoolz
  December 14, 2011, 05:26
  Retired FMR Supervising Ranger Bob Breen is one of the experts interviewed in a short news segment about climate change impacts in the bay area. Bob walks…
- Giving Thanks for the Ocean by: tydpoolz
  November 19, 2011, 13:32
  The more we learn about the ocean, the more we realize how important it is to the well-being of all life on our planet. Here in the U.S. we'll celebrate our…
- New TV Show: "Your Sanctuary" by: tydpoolz
  November 2, 2011, 06:53
  NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Access Monterey Peninsula (AMP) Public Television have collaborated to produce a new 52-episode television…
- Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts Sonoma Coast Abalone by: tydpoolz
  October 26, 2011, 06:00
  A Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), known more popularly as a Red Tide, invaded the Sonoma Coast in September and wrought havoc on the abalone population. HABs have…
- Tracking Productivity in a National Marine Sanctuary by: tydpoolz
  October 19, 2011, 06:00
  Around the world NOAA scientists spend a lot of time out on the water, taking samples that help them monitor ocean health. We have two of the United…
- California Bans Shark Fin Trade by: tydpoolz
  October 12, 2011, 06:00
  California Governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a bill prohibiting possession and sale of shark fins in the state. The law is part of an international…
- Monitoring Marine Protected Areas by: tydpoolz
  October 1, 2011, 07:18
  Fitzgerald Marine Reserve lies at the heart of a larger Marine Protected Area (MPA), Montara State Marine Reserve, which was established on May 1, 2010. Click…
- Pulling the Plug on the "No Otter Zone" by: tydpoolz
  September 28, 2011, 06:00
  In the 1980s, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) began a grand experiment called the "Sea Otter Management Zone." The zone, which extended from Point…
- Taking Action to Help Sea Otters by: tydpoolz
  September 21, 2011, 10:38
  Editor’s Note: Blog posts in September 2011 highlight online resources to help you learn more about sea otters, the subject of our most recent newsletter’s…
- Monterey Bay Aquarium is Sea Otter Central! by: tydpoolz
  September 14, 2011, 13:45
  Editor's Note: Blog posts in September 2011 highlight online resources to help you learn more about sea otters, the subject of our most recent newsletter's…
- What Naturalists Do by: tydpoolz
  June 15, 2011, 06:00
  Our naturalists are volunteers trained to explore the tidepools with visitors, but once upon a time being a naturalist was a profession...here's a quote from…
- Today is World Oceans Day by: tydpoolz
  June 8, 2011, 06:00
  Celebrated around the world by increasing numbers since its founding in 1992, June 8th was officially designated World Oceans Day by the United Nations in…
- 2011 Bob Breen Scholarships Awarded by: tydpoolz
  June 1, 2011, 09:15
  At the end of every school year, the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve award the Bob Breen Scholarship to a graduating Half Moon Bay High School senior…
- FMR in National Geographic Magazine by: tydpoolz
  May 23, 2011, 10:18
  The June 2011 issue of National Geographic Magazine includes a mention of and photos taken at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in a nice article about life in the…
- Tsunami Debris to Reach US West Coast in 3 Years by: tydpoolz
  May 18, 2011, 06:00
  Researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have used modeling software to predict when and where debris will come ashore from the tsunami that struck…
- 345 lbs of Trash, 95 lbs of Recycleables by: tydpoolz
  May 11, 2011, 11:13
  30 volunteers participated in our Earth Day Beach Cleanup at Mirada Surf in El Granada, CA on Sunday, April 23, 2011. Two Boy Scouts hauled back part of…
- Oystercatcher with Leg Bands at FMR by: tydpoolz
  May 9, 2011, 14:58
  Ranger Sarah reports: There has been a banded black oystercatcher hanging out at FMR foraging with the other oystercatchers. I was able to get a photo…
- Learning from Trash by: tydpoolz
  April 20, 2011, 06:30
  It’s hard to see an upside to all the plastic we’ve dumped into the world’s oceans, but there might be a sliver of silver glinting through the clouds:…
- Harbor Seal Pups, Marine Debris, and Earth Day by: tydpoolz
  April 13, 2011, 12:38
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports that she spotted 7 new harbor seal pups during her April 11, 2011 harbor seal survey! They can be viewed with binoculars from…
- Five Gyres by: tydpoolz
  April 6, 2011, 06:00
  This post is part of our Earth-Day-inspired April series about marine debris and pollution. You’ve probably seen or heard media reports about the…
- Get Ready for Earth Day by: tydpoolz
  March 9, 2011, 10:44
  We are looking forward to honoring Earth Day with our annual "beach cleanup" in El Granada. Come and join us! DATE: Saturday, April 23 TIME: 9 a.m. -…
- It’s Pupping Season Again! by: tydpoolz
  March 2, 2011, 11:18
  From February through May, female harbor seals also come ashore at FMR to give birth and nurse their young. Mother seals leave pups briefly on shore when they…
- Saving Sharks by: tydpoolz
  February 22, 2011, 22:15
  You won't find sharks in the tidepools at FMR, but as top predators they are important to the overall health of the oceans. And, like so many denizens of the…
- Tinsel the Rescued Harbor Seal by: tydpoolz
  December 14, 2010, 23:44
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: On Monday Dec. 6, 2010, I noticed one adult harbor seal remained hauled out on the beach after the rest of the group moved…
- Another Reason to Reduce CO2 Emissions by: tydpoolz
  December 13, 2010, 22:24
  We’ve all come to associate the increasing carbon dioxide in our atmosphere with warming and rising ocean waters. But the carbon dioxide we pump into the…
Category: science (17)
Scientific explanations of tidepool- and ocean-related topics.
- Whale Sightings Website by: admin
  April 25, 2012, 12:35
  The learner.org website records whale sightings, including sightings of our local gray whales. Several areas of this website could be a good resource for…
- What Ship Is That? by: tydpoolz
  February 8, 2012, 08:43
  When you gaze at the ocean from the beach or bluffs of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, you often can spot large ships and smaller boats just offshore. Check out…
- The Sand Underfoot by: tydpoolz
  January 4, 2012, 09:01
  Compared to the sculpted, fractured, and life-laden rocks of the intertidal at FMR, the sand you walk on to get to them may seem pretty boring. Maybe the KQED…
- The Physics of Maverick's by: tydpoolz
  December 23, 2011, 10:37
  One of the reserve's closest neighbors is the world-famous surf spot called Mavericks. Surfline.com has a fascinating feature article about how wind,…
- Climate Change Effects at FMR by: tydpoolz
  December 14, 2011, 05:26
  Retired FMR Supervising Ranger Bob Breen is one of the experts interviewed in a short news segment about climate change impacts in the bay area. Bob walks…
- Researchers Study Jellies to Understand Global Ocean Changes by: tydpoolz
  November 9, 2011, 06:00
  Marine habitats around the world are undergoing changes caused by a variety of sources ranging from natural disasters to agricultural runoff. Marine creatures…
- New TV Show: "Your Sanctuary" by: tydpoolz
  November 2, 2011, 06:53
  NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Access Monterey Peninsula (AMP) Public Television have collaborated to produce a new 52-episode television…
- Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts Sonoma Coast Abalone by: tydpoolz
  October 26, 2011, 06:00
  A Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), known more popularly as a Red Tide, invaded the Sonoma Coast in September and wrought havoc on the abalone population. HABs have…
- Tracking Productivity in a National Marine Sanctuary by: tydpoolz
  October 19, 2011, 06:00
  Around the world NOAA scientists spend a lot of time out on the water, taking samples that help them monitor ocean health. We have two of the United…
- The Science Behind FMR's Foggy Summer Days by: tydpoolz
  August 12, 2011, 07:35
  Summer visitors to the reserve are often surprised to find thick, cold fog clinging to the coast. The Quest blog has a nice explanation of how fog is created…
- What Naturalists Do by: tydpoolz
  June 15, 2011, 06:00
  Our naturalists are volunteers trained to explore the tidepools with visitors, but once upon a time being a naturalist was a profession...here's a quote from…
- Tsunami Debris to Reach US West Coast in 3 Years by: tydpoolz
  May 18, 2011, 06:00
  Researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have used modeling software to predict when and where debris will come ashore from the tsunami that struck…
- Oystercatcher with Leg Bands at FMR by: tydpoolz
  May 9, 2011, 14:58
  Ranger Sarah reports: There has been a banded black oystercatcher hanging out at FMR foraging with the other oystercatchers. I was able to get a photo…
- Learning from Trash by: tydpoolz
  April 20, 2011, 06:30
  It’s hard to see an upside to all the plastic we’ve dumped into the world’s oceans, but there might be a sliver of silver glinting through the clouds:…
- Five Gyres by: tydpoolz
  April 6, 2011, 06:00
  This post is part of our Earth-Day-inspired April series about marine debris and pollution. You’ve probably seen or heard media reports about the…
- Saving Sharks by: tydpoolz
  February 22, 2011, 22:15
  You won't find sharks in the tidepools at FMR, but as top predators they are important to the overall health of the oceans. And, like so many denizens of the…
- Wonderful Explanation of Tides by: tydpoolz
  December 16, 2010, 06:00
  Returning visitors often ask why the tide isn't the same as it was when they were last at FMR a week, a month, or a year ago. The short answer is that tides…
Category: sea star (3)
- Where the Stars Come Out During the Day by: tydpoolz
  December 7, 2011, 06:00
  Thanksgiving weekend 2011 brought thousands of visitors to FMR, and they were all treated to some daytime "star gazing" in the form of the many sea stars that…
- Amazing View of a Bat Star’s Stomach by: tydpoolz
  February 10, 2011, 16:17
  During a recent visit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium I was treated to the remarkable sight of a bat star’s (Asterina miniata) stomach in action! On display in…
- Ochre Sea Stars by: tydpoolz
  January 19, 2011, 08:28
  Ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) are a common sight at FMR, but they are always a hit with visitors, perhaps because of their beautiful colors. Usually…
Category: algae (2)
- Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts Sonoma Coast Abalone by: tydpoolz
  October 26, 2011, 06:00
  A Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB), known more popularly as a Red Tide, invaded the Sonoma Coast in September and wrought havoc on the abalone population. HABs have…
- What’s all that pink stuff? by: tydpoolz
  February 8, 2011, 22:31
  The color pink abounds in the tidepools. Much of it is coralline algae, a type of red algae that flourishes in marine environments around the world. Cora…
Category: octopus (2)
- Tug-of-War with an Octopus! by: tydpoolz
  February 3, 2011, 15:01
  Volunteer naturalist Linda Barre reports: The other day, the high school students I was leading on a tidepool tour found a red octopus in a surge…
- Octopus a Night Tidepooling Highlight by: tydpoolz
  December 30, 2010, 22:43
  During our annual night tidepooling excursion last week, visitors and volunteers saw nudibranchs, a sunflower star, and a huge number of very active kelp…
Category: nudibranch (5)
- Hermissenda Nudibranch from Pillar Point Harbor by: tydpoolz
  January 24, 2011, 09:12
  Volunteer naturalist Julie B. Walters spent part of her weekend helping our new class of volunteers learn about the inhabitants of the floating docks in Pillar…
- Hopkins Rose Nudibranch by: tydpoolz
  December 27, 2010, 15:48
  FFMR volunteer naturalist Mary DeLong reports: On December 2 I led a walk with fellow volunteer naturalist Bill Gomez. We were with Nan Ho and her her…
- Sea Lemon Nudibranch by: tydpoolz
  December 7, 2010, 06:38
  Hundreds of visitors braved the chilly and rainy weather this past weekend (December 4th and 5th, 2010) and were rewarded with many beautiful sights,…
- Creature Feature: Another Nudi by: admin
  August 13, 2010, 02:28
  This is another nudibranch, commonly called a sea lemon (Anisodoris nobilis). Nudibranchs are mollusks but lack shells like their distant relatives the turban…
- Creature Feature: Nudibranchs by: admin
  August 12, 2010, 13:36
  This is a nudibranch or "sea slug" commonly called the ringed dorid (Diaulula sandiegensis). Nudibranchs, fondly referred to as "nudis" by Friends of Fitzgerald…
Category: harbor seal (8)
- Where Harbor Seals Rule by: tydpoolz
  November 30, 2011, 06:00
  At FMR, the relatively small (under 150 lbs) and shy harbor seals rule the beach when they come ashore to rest during low tides. Due to their federally…
- Harbor Seals Are Molting by: tydpoolz
  July 10, 2011, 14:53
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: Molting season is in full swing right now for the harbor seals. This is the time of year that I generally see the most seals…
- 55 Harbor Seal Pups at FMR! by: tydpoolz
  May 12, 2011, 16:05
  Ranger Sarah Lenz counted a whopping 55 harbor seal pups during her seal population survey on May 9, 2011. This photo of sun bathing beauties was taken…
- Harbor Seal Pups, Marine Debris, and Earth Day by: tydpoolz
  April 13, 2011, 12:38
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports that she spotted 7 new harbor seal pups during her April 11, 2011 harbor seal survey! They can be viewed with binoculars from…
- Harbor Seal Counts Have Begun by: tydpoolz
  March 16, 2011, 06:00
  During pupping season, Ranger Sarah Lenz does periodic visual counts of the harbor seals resting in the reserve at or near low tide and submits the data to…
- It’s Pupping Season Again! by: tydpoolz
  March 2, 2011, 11:18
  From February through May, female harbor seals also come ashore at FMR to give birth and nurse their young. Mother seals leave pups briefly on shore when they…
- Tinsel the Rescued Harbor Seal by: tydpoolz
  December 14, 2010, 23:44
  Ranger Sarah Lenz reports: On Monday Dec. 6, 2010, I noticed one adult harbor seal remained hauled out on the beach after the rest of the group moved…
- Orange Cones form a Safety Zone by: tydpoolz
  October 30, 2010, 23:47
  Like the orange cones you see in road construction zones, the ones on the reef at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve are set out to form a "safety zone." But…
Category: tides (1)
- Wonderful Explanation of Tides by: tydpoolz
  December 16, 2010, 06:00
  Returning visitors often ask why the tide isn't the same as it was when they were last at FMR a week, a month, or a year ago. The short answer is that tides…
Category: Volunteers (4)
- Agencies and Public Cooperate to Protect Resources in MPAs by: tydpoolz
  January 18, 2012, 11:31
  Some FFMR volunteers have recently been trained to monitor and report activity within the Montara State Marine Reserve of which FMR is a part. (See page 11 of…
- Where Harbor Seals Rule by: tydpoolz
  November 30, 2011, 06:00
  At FMR, the relatively small (under 150 lbs) and shy harbor seals rule the beach when they come ashore to rest during low tides. Due to their federally…
- A Blue-ribbon Fourth of July by: tydpoolz
  July 5, 2011, 10:35
  This year the creativity of the volunteers from Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve who walked in Half Moon Bay's holiday parade was rewarded with a FIRST…
- Tsunami Enlivens Graduation Day for Volunteer Naturalists by: tydpoolz
  March 23, 2011, 07:34
  Long-time volunteer naturalist and Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve board member Linda Ciotti coordinates our annual volunteer training class. Here's her…
Category: books (3)
- What Naturalists Do by: tydpoolz
  June 15, 2011, 06:00
  Our naturalists are volunteers trained to explore the tidepools with visitors, but once upon a time being a naturalist was a profession...here's a quote from…
- FMR in National Geographic Magazine by: tydpoolz
  May 23, 2011, 10:18
  The June 2011 issue of National Geographic Magazine includes a mention of and photos taken at Fitzgerald Marine Reserve in a nice article about life in the…
- Learning from Trash by: tydpoolz
  April 20, 2011, 06:30
  It’s hard to see an upside to all the plastic we’ve dumped into the world’s oceans, but there might be a sliver of silver glinting through the clouds:…
Category: birds (3)
- Artists and Scientists Collaborate to Help Seabird Species by: tydpoolz
  January 25, 2012, 06:00
  Right now, northern elephant seal mating season is in full swing at Ano Nuevo State Reserve, a wildlife hotspot about a one-hour drive south of Fitzgerald…
- Advice for Would-Be Birders by: tydpoolz
  October 5, 2011, 06:00
  A resident red tail hawk often bathes in the creek near the main entry ramp, then sits on a nearby fence post to dry its wings. Other fascinating birds…
- Oystercatcher with Leg Bands at FMR by: tydpoolz
  May 9, 2011, 14:58
  Ranger Sarah reports: There has been a banded black oystercatcher hanging out at FMR foraging with the other oystercatchers. I was able to get a photo…
Category: people (5)
- Where Harbor Seals Rule by: tydpoolz
  November 30, 2011, 06:00
  At FMR, the relatively small (under 150 lbs) and shy harbor seals rule the beach when they come ashore to rest during low tides. Due to their federally…
- New TV Show: "Your Sanctuary" by: tydpoolz
  November 2, 2011, 06:53
  NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Access Monterey Peninsula (AMP) Public Television have collaborated to produce a new 52-episode television…
- A Blue-ribbon Fourth of July by: tydpoolz
  July 5, 2011, 10:35
  This year the creativity of the volunteers from Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve who walked in Half Moon Bay's holiday parade was rewarded with a FIRST…
- What Naturalists Do by: tydpoolz
  June 15, 2011, 06:00
  Our naturalists are volunteers trained to explore the tidepools with visitors, but once upon a time being a naturalist was a profession...here's a quote from…
- 2011 Bob Breen Scholarships Awarded by: tydpoolz
  June 1, 2011, 09:15
  At the end of every school year, the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve award the Bob Breen Scholarship to a graduating Half Moon Bay High School senior…
Category: education (6)
- What Ship Is That? by: tydpoolz
  February 8, 2012, 08:43
  When you gaze at the ocean from the beach or bluffs of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve, you often can spot large ships and smaller boats just offshore. Check out…
- Where Harbor Seals Rule by: tydpoolz
  November 30, 2011, 06:00
  At FMR, the relatively small (under 150 lbs) and shy harbor seals rule the beach when they come ashore to rest during low tides. Due to their federally…
- New TV Show: "Your Sanctuary" by: tydpoolz
  November 2, 2011, 06:53
  NOAA's Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Access Monterey Peninsula (AMP) Public Television have collaborated to produce a new 52-episode television…
- Taking Action to Help Sea Otters by: tydpoolz
  September 21, 2011, 10:38
  Editor’s Note: Blog posts in September 2011 highlight online resources to help you learn more about sea otters, the subject of our most recent newsletter’s…
- What Naturalists Do by: tydpoolz
  June 15, 2011, 06:00
  Our naturalists are volunteers trained to explore the tidepools with visitors, but once upon a time being a naturalist was a profession...here's a quote from…
- 2011 Bob Breen Scholarships Awarded by: tydpoolz
  June 1, 2011, 09:15
  At the end of every school year, the Friends of Fitzgerald Marine Reserve award the Bob Breen Scholarship to a graduating Half Moon Bay High School senior…
Category: weather (1)
- The Science Behind FMR's Foggy Summer Days by: tydpoolz
  August 12, 2011, 07:35
  Summer visitors to the reserve are often surprised to find thick, cold fog clinging to the coast. The Quest blog has a nice explanation of how fog is created…
Category: sea otter (4)
- Pulling the Plug on the "No Otter Zone" by: tydpoolz
  September 28, 2011, 06:00
  In the 1980s, the US Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) began a grand experiment called the "Sea Otter Management Zone." The zone, which extended from Point…
- Taking Action to Help Sea Otters by: tydpoolz
  September 21, 2011, 10:38
  Editor’s Note: Blog posts in September 2011 highlight online resources to help you learn more about sea otters, the subject of our most recent newsletter’s…
- Monterey Bay Aquarium is Sea Otter Central! by: tydpoolz
  September 14, 2011, 13:45
  Editor's Note: Blog posts in September 2011 highlight online resources to help you learn more about sea otters, the subject of our most recent newsletter's…
- Birth of a Sea Otter by: tydpoolz
  September 7, 2011, 06:00
  Editor's Note: Blog posts in September 2011 highlight online resources to help you learn more about sea otters, the subject of our most recent newsletter's…
Category: climate (1)
- Climate Change Effects at FMR by: tydpoolz
  December 14, 2011, 05:26
  Retired FMR Supervising Ranger Bob Breen is one of the experts interviewed in a short news segment about climate change impacts in the bay area. Bob walks…
Category: geology (1)
- The Sand Underfoot by: tydpoolz
  January 4, 2012, 09:01
  Compared to the sculpted, fractured, and life-laden rocks of the intertidal at FMR, the sand you walk on to get to them may seem pretty boring. Maybe the KQED…
Category: marine debris (1)
- Tsunami Debris Arriving Earlier Than Predicted? by: tydpoolz
  January 12, 2012, 16:41
  The Tohoku tsunami that struck Japan in March 2011 swept untold tons of material ranging from personal belongings to entire buildings into the Pacific ocean.…
Category: whales (1)
- Whale Sightings Website by: admin
  April 25, 2012, 12:35
  The learner.org website records whale sightings, including sightings of our local gray whales. Several areas of this website could be a good resource for…

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