Monterey Bay Aquarium

By-the-Wind Sailor

One delight of walking the shore is seeing what treasures have washed up with the tide. Yesterday morning, we spotted several blue-gray colored oval shapes in the wrack. At first glance, I thought that a trove of rare blue beach glass was underfoot. On closer examination, I realized the sapphire blue-rimmed discs had translucent triangular sailsContinue reading “By-the-Wind Sailor”

Consider the Mussel

With a hat tip to M.F.K. Fisher, author of “Consider the Oyster,” why do California mussel shells change color over their lifespans? It’s not unusual to see dozens of half-inch long, pale gray striped shells on the littoral beach, along with a few adult shells. Typically, the shells have parted with their other halves. Mature mussel shellsContinue reading “Consider the Mussel”

Gray Whale

During an ordinary beach walk, a gray whale slipped into our sight yesterday, a benediction from the sea. Perhaps we should have known something unusual was happening in the Santa Monica Bay because several groups of brown pelicans were seen diving for fish, making a big splash before taking off in flight repeatedly. Known to migrate through Santa MonicaContinue reading “Gray Whale”

Salps

The sea salps are back! No, that’s not a typo. Salps are small, shiny, prismatic and easy to overlook on a casual beach stroll. Referred to by some scientists as “vacuum cleaners of the ocean”, they appeared on Zuma Beach this week. We first noticed them last winter. After a few weeks, they disappeared. Shaped as orbs orContinue reading “Salps”

Southern Sea Otters: A Keystone Species

Found in California’s offshore waters between Half Moon Bay and Santa Barbara, the southern sea otter is a playful animal which uses its chest both as a dining room table and a place to groom its pups. Lolling just beyond the breaking shore waves, rafts of sea otters wrap themselves in kelp for protection from greatContinue reading “Southern Sea Otters: A Keystone Species”

Monterey Bay

Visitors to Monterey Bay quickly find their ears tuning to unusual sounds at the shore. What is that roar? Did I just hear a bark? Sea lions are easily seen under Fisherman’s Wharf, on wood platforms which appear to be custom-made for them. When the water warms more than they’re accustomed to, they engage in jugging, andContinue reading “Monterey Bay”