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Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2016 8:27 am
by Jan K
Alex, thank you for the link, interesting info about the Shaggy Mouse.
And now couple of not so friendly critters in our waters...
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Thu Dec 29, 2016 7:43 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 7:31 am
by oldsalt
Tidepool Geek wrote:
The gist of the paper is that this animal can modify its own mucous in order to prey on a variety of anemones - how cool is that?
I know I'm in the company fellow weirdos when coolness is defined by the ability to alter mucous. Until now I never tried.
Unalterably yours, Curt
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2016 10:07 am
by Jan K
oldsalt wrote:Tidepool Geek wrote:
The gist of the paper is that this animal can modify its own mucous in order to prey on a variety of anemones - how cool is that?
I know I'm in the company fellow weirdos when coolness is defined by the ability to alter mucous. Until now I never tried.
Unalterably yours, Curt
Curt, Welcome to the club ...
When you start seeing marine life while walking the streets, the only cure is to go diving as soon as possible
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 3:04 pm
by Jan K
Visibility was not good at Keystone Jetty on December 30th. Then as I entered water and turned my camera on,
"Disk Error" message appeared on the screen and that was it for my usual rig. Fortunately, lately I carry a point & shoot
Olympus TG-4 along in my drysuit pocket, and that is what I used to take pictures of another addition to my list,
Sparkling Shrimp. And it was described by our very own Greg Jensen. How cool is that !
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sat Dec 31, 2016 5:36 pm
by fmerkel
Back up camera. We now know what your priorities are.
Are sparkle shrimp really a different species? I've long suspected they are a different version of a more common species.
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 5:05 pm
by Jan K
fmerkel wrote:Back up camera. We now know what your priorities are.
Are sparkle shrimp really a different species? I've long suspected they are a different version of a more common species.
I am pretty sure it is not too common. Greg could probably let us know more about it. But when I saw it, I knew it is a different critter from all the other shrimp I have seen to date. The rocking will get your attention, it did mine ...
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sun Jan 01, 2017 8:07 pm
by ScubaJess
Wow really cool Jan!
I've only seen one of those at Sunrise. It's so cool you found one at Keystone! I'll have to be on the lookout next time. :-)
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 11:03 am
by Jan K
These days, the rocks of Keystone Jetty are occupied by hundreds of hermit crabs.
Many of them seem to be saying good bye to solitary life of a hermit
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2017 6:20 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2017 9:20 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2017 8:01 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 9:07 am
by Jan K
As I was walking along our local beach, sea foam caught my attention.
Later I researched it a little and found that there is much more to it than just bubbles ...
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2017 9:20 am
by ScubaJess
Wow interesting! I think I saw some of that from the ferry on my way from Muck to Clinton last time and though it was Styrofoam drifting or something? Thanks for teaching us so much Jan!
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2017 9:40 am
by Jan K
Wrinkled amphissa snail is a very common scavenger in our waters.
But no too often I find them in such numbers...
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2017 9:06 am
by Jan K
Add some color in our cold and gray January world.
Crimson anemone scene.
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Tue Jan 10, 2017 8:19 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 9:08 am
by Jan K
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 4:49 pm
by oldsalt
Jan: Since ghost shrimp is a favored food of gray whales, do you get them feeding in Holmes Harbor? The last gray I have seen locally was on the day after Thanksgiving near Hat Island. I saw many grays migrating south off the Washington and Oregon coasts the first week of the month.
-Curt
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Jan 13, 2017 6:20 pm
by Jan K
I did not see them, but there was an article about orcas in Holmes Harbor , I know they don't feed on Ghost shrimp, but Gray whales are sometimes sighted in nearby Saratoga Passage.
Whidbey Examiner - Gray whales spotted by Admiralty Inlet shore Ron Newberry
Wed Apr 20th, 2016 4:39pm
Garrett said he and others with the network were wondering if they might be part of the group of about 10 to 12 grays that annually return in the spring to South Whidbey to feed on ghost shrimp mostly in Saratoga Passage and Possession Sound.
On Saturday, a pod of Southern Resident orcas passed through Admiralty Inlet and were headed back to the San Juans following an extended stay in Saratoga Passage and Holmes Harbor.
Reports of 11 or 12 orcas spent five consecutive days traveling in and out of Holmes Harbor, which is rare place for the marine mammals to venture.
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Tue Jan 17, 2017 9:41 am
by Jan K
The winter temperatures are beginning to be felt even underwater.
On the bright side, I spotted Sunflower stars in two locations on Whidbey Island, Langley and Keystone.
I am hoping they will survive and multiply...
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Wed Jan 18, 2017 9:20 am
by Jan K
While the Fish-eating anemone is common on the open coast or close to it, it is rare in Whidbey Island waters.
I was surprised to find it at Keystone. On the other hand, the Pink-tipped anemones are found in many places around the island...
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Thu Jan 19, 2017 8:54 am
by Jan K
Here's looking at you, kid...
Eyes of a sea slug
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 12:47 pm
by Scubie Doo
No way! Never knew that. A new super macro subject
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Whidbey Island Critters
Posted: Fri Jan 20, 2017 2:09 pm
by Jan K
I know you will get some superb slug eyes, I am looking forward to see them !
It looks like the empty shells of Giant barnacle are made for the place to lay Kelp greenling eggs.