La Jolla and Low Tide

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 15, 2022

Tide pooling is my favorite beach activity.  I've been sitting on "go" since we arrived just waiting for a negative low tide.  Finally last Friday, it was a -0.4 tide at 2:00 pm and we were out the door headed for La Jolla shortly after noon.  From the moment we park, my heart beats a little faster !  La Jolla is such a picturesque and camera fun place to visit.  

This time of year, the seals are in the Children's Pool.  They have the sweetest faces and even though they don't move around much, their playful antics are amusing.  

   

La Jolla and colorful flowers just go together.

And where there are colorful flowers, you might just see some busy critters.

I began exploring tide pools right here in San Diego in March 2013 at Point Loma.  Through the years I have been fortunate to see a variety of star fish, mussels, crabs, hermit crabs, and even a lobster.  I'm not disappointed in Friday's pooling, but was surprised at the lack of variety.  

There were lots of anemones, hermit crabs, mussels and the sea grasses were especially pretty, but that was about it.  

The anemone's mouth is in the center surrounded by tentacles that gather food.  This anemone was completely submerged.

I'm always fascinated by nature.  Frequently, an anemone will cover itself with bits of shells when it is out of the water.  The bits of debris reflect light to keep it cooler and reduce water loss. 

These tiny long-clawed hermit crabs were hard to capture with my phone.  I didn't have the underwater camera.  It was fun watching shells scooting in all directions. 

Joe was "in charge" of the camera while Carol and I were exploring. He got a few photos as well.

  

One thing I missed at La Jolla was the brown pelicans.  They are magnificent birds and I am on a mission to photograph them...that might just mean another trip to La Jolla.    Well, somebody has to do it, right? 

We are officially half way into our month here.  The change of scenery has been nice.  The weather has been a little cooler than we like, but tolerable and mostly sunny.  The long range forecast looks to be warmer with highs in the mid 70s...pretty close to perfect beach weather for us.  We are looking forward to a few more adventures before heading home.  

Until next time, 

HAPPY TRAILS !

Three Stars and a Cadillac!

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
January 21, 2016

Last Thursday turned out to be my best tide pool day EVER! 
Lisa, a friend whose blog I have followed for a few years and just happens to be a local, had suggested exploring the pools at Sunset Cliffs which is also in Point Loma. But, the local news had reported that a huge crack along the bluffs (caused by the rains from El Nino) could be dangerous. Our group decided not to take any chances so we returned to Cabrillo National Monument. 

I was happy to see lots of anemones and practice with the under water camera. 

Clarity seems to be better, but I do need lots more practice so that using this camera becomes second nature. It is lots of fun!
All these photos are underwater...

A slight movement caught my eye under this rock...

 The water was murky so the picture isn't clear. It is a California Spiny Lobster...I am guessing this is a full grown lobster at about 12 inches. They have a pair of enlarged antennae and no claws.

A Black Turban Snail shell taken over by a hermit crab...

I try very, very hard to step carefully and be respectful of life in the pools. Sometimes, small creatures are so camouflaged, do you see the shore crab in this photo?

 The highlight of the day were three stars. The first two were Knobby Sea Stars found by Richie and the last was a Bat Star. A park ranger pointed me in the direction to find it.




Speaking of park rangers, they are quite visible during low tide and eager to share information.

The first Knobby Star I have ever seen. 




Then I used the underwater camera...

Knobby Stars are found in a variety of beautiful colors ranging from red, orange, brown, blue, gray, and tan. The water was not deep enough for underwater pictures.   

 And the Bat Star...
The water was murky here too and he looks rather dull...


but, the underwater photos are brilliant!

Bat Stars have webbed arms with suction-cup tube feet. He will eat almost anything and is capable of turning it's stomach inside out to digest his food externally.

A Whimbrel also taking in the sights at the pools.

A droplet in the water...

Blue Mussels...their major predator is sea stars.

This was Lynn's first outing in three weeks. She has been very sick with acute bronchitis. 

 Oh yes, I almost forgot, we did end the afternoon with a Cadillac...the best Cadillac I have ever had...

Both of those are not mine!

 ...at the best and most fun cafe we have been to! Of course, it could have just been the friends we were sharing it with!  


 Let the good times roll...

 HAPPY TRAILS!