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. Coralline algae gets its name and rock-hard texture from calcareous deposits in its cells. Having this hard shell makes it an unappetizing food for…
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 Point Harbor, and was rewarded with an encounter with TWO of these beautiful nudibranchs.
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 about as big across as a dessert plate, ochre stars have five arms or rays and come in two color variations at FMR: purple…