intertidal

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Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Ardeidae

May 6, 2012
Tacoma, WA
Robert Niese

GBHs are master predators. I’ve watched these creatures consume everything from fish and insects to frogs, snakes, and rodents the size of small dogs! They also have a terrifying, rattling, squawk that never fails to make me jump out of my skin whenever I stumble upon an unsuspecting individual while I’m creeping around docks at night (looking for cool nighttime marine invertebrates, of course!). They truly are dinosaurs.

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Solaster stimpsoni “Stimpson’s Sun Star” Asteroidea, with
Ulva lactuca “Sea Lettuce” Chlorophyta

Point Robinson, Vashon Island, WA
July 4, 2012
Robert Niese

Solaster sea stars tend to be a more subtidal echinoderm, so we only really get to enjoy them as beachgoers at especially low summer tides. This species is a voracious hunter of sea cucumbers which are common in rocky inter- and subtidal ecosystems. However, this individual was hunting in open sand before it was stranded by the tide, which suggests it might have been feeding on the plentiful sea pens which occur in these areas instead. This species of sea star is the host of a commensal scale worm which can be found hiding in the groove between the paired tube feet on the underside of each arm.

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Balanus nubilus “Giant Acorn Barnacle” Cirripedia (Crustacea)

Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR
June 12, 2015
Robert Niese

B. nubilus is the world’s largest species of barnacle and can grow up to half a foot across and over a foot tall! This species also holds the world record for having the largest individual muscle fibers of any animal! These fibers are regularly used in the study of muscle physiology. Like all barnacles, this species is a filter feeder and prefers to reside in waters that have constant currents or wave action, but will also grow on the hard shells of other animals. The Giant Acorn Barnacle was first described by Charles Darwin in his lesser-known works on Cirripedes from the 1850s, prior to the publication of the Origin of Species. His research on barnacle anatomy and systematics is recognized as one of the most important works in Cirripede science from the past two centuries, and yet, very few people are aware of his contributions to Crustacea.

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Octopus rubescens “Pacific Red Octopus” Cephalopoda

Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR
June 12, 2015
Robert Niese

 

The Pacific Northwest inter- and subtidal zones are home to two species of octopus. O. rubescens is by far the most commonly encountered cephalopod in tidepools along the coast, although, in some regions of Washington, the Giant Pacific Octopus is more abundant. Unlike the somewhat terrifying Giant Pacific Octopus which can reach an arm-spread of over 9m (30ft) and can weigh up to 275kg (600lb), the Red Octopus rarely reaches an arm spread of more than 50cm and is a much more dainty and adorable octopus. Its preferred foods are crustaceans such as hermit crabs, shore crabs, and prawns and, as such, are often accidentally captured in crab and shrimp traps. Be warned, in spite of their adorable, smushy appearance, Red Octopuses are rather strong and really like to bite!

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Heerman’s Gull (Larus heermani) Laridae

Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area (BLM), OR
June 12, 2015
Robert Niese

Heerman’s Gulls

are often mistaken for jaegers due to their dark, pointed wings and their habit of chasing other birds (particularly pelicans) to steal their prey. They are the only gull species in North America to breed south of the States, but spend winters north of Mexico. Recently, perhaps due to a surge in southern populations thanks to Mexico’s increased protection for the species, a few individuals have attempted to nest in the US on Alcatraz Island.

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Anthopleura xanthogrammica “Giant Green Anemone” Anthozoa

Oregon Coast Aquarium, Newport, OR
June 12, 2015
Robert Niese

 

These anemones can grow up to a foot tall and a foot across! They’re abundant on rocky and sandy shores throughout the north-eastern Pacific (from Alaska to Panama). They tend to occur lower in the intertidal zone than their little, pink counterparts (A. elegantissima). The Giant Green Anemone primarily consumes dislodged mussels, crabs, small fish, and urchins, but has been recorded consuming larger animals including baby birds! It’s primary predators are leather stars, snails, and the shaggy mouse nudibranch.

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Pollicipes polymerus “Gooseneck Barnacle” Cirripedia (Crustacea)

Seal Rock State Park, OR
June 11, 2015
Robert Niese

This species of Gooseneck Barnacle is the most common species of intertidal goosenecks in the PNW. In Portugal and Spain, their cousin P. pollicipes, is a common delicacy, but due to over-harvesting and coastline habitat destruction, the PNW now regularly exports this species to Europe. Check out Gordon Ramsey preparing a traditional, tapas-style barnacle recipe here. Also, this species is in direct competition for space and resources with California Mussels (Mytilus californianus) and will out-compete them in the absence of their primary predators, the Ochre Sea Star (Pisaster ochraceous) and the Glaucous-winged Gull (Larus glaucescens).

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Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) Scolopacidae

Seal Rock State Park, OR
June 11, 2015
Robert Niese

This Tattler was certainly wandering! It’s breeding season for most shorebirds this time of year, but this lone Wandering Tattler is hundreds of miles away from its typical breeding grounds in NE Russia, Alaska, and NW Canada. What’cha doing here, buddy?

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Sea Stacks at Stawberry Bay

Olympic National Park, WA
June 3, 2013
Robert Niese

Sea Stacks are created as wave action erodes certain rock faster than others along the coastline. Olympic National Park is famous for its sea stacks which come in countless shapes and sizes.

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Boltenia villosa “Hairy Sea Squirt” Ascidiacea

Fox Island, WA
June 23, 2013
Robert Niese

Hairy Sea Squirts are relatively common in the low intertidal here in the Northwest. On the rare occasion when the tide is exceptionally low and they are left exposed to the air, these tunicates will hold water inside their tunics to regulate their body temperature and oxygen consumption. With a gentle squeeze it becomes quite apparent why these odd critters are known as “sea squirts.”