March 4

With midday cool temperatures and hazy, misty skies, I walk gingerly over slimy, wet rocks approaching the tide pools of White Point Park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Since the tide is near its lowest, I am excited to explore these contained marine ecosystems. Looking closely at some submerged snail shells that begin to move about, I notice the foraging behavior of a tiny hermit crab that occupies one of these shells. Turning my attention to the crashing surf, I get a quick glimpse of a couple of Black Turnstone shorebirds. Back to the tide pools, I recognize some two-inch, green oval blobs covered with shell fragments, as Anemones. Out of the water, these colorful creatures fold in their tentacles and expose their adhesive sides, covered with these fragments. Glancing back to the surf zone, I watch a Spotted Sandpiper standing on a rock. The pattern of parallel rock layers on which I walk, reveal a geologic history of sedimentation followed by metamorphic folding followed by weathering and erosion. Nestled among the colorful stones, I spot a dark-colored California Mussel. Gazing seaward to a nearby rocky islet, I make out the silhouettes of pelicans and cormorants. Continuing to another tide pool, I spot a sixteenth-inch, shrimp-like crustacean swimming on its side. These tiny amphipods are an essential link near the bottom of the coastal food chain. In another pool, I notice some patches of Corraline algae and a submerged piece of Kelp. Turning around, I look overhead to see the haze is burning off to reveal windows of blue sky. While climbing up some large boulders toward the car, I watch a one-inch, Shore Crab duck into a rock crevice. With the car in view, the lovely blossoms of a Succulent Lupine catch my eye. With gratitude for another opportunity to witness one of nature’s unique realms, I take one last look before hopping in the car and heading back to our winter abode.

Surf near shore

Ebb the tide

Rocky realm

Creatures hide

Briny pools

Filled with awe

Tentacles wave

Shells that crawl

Spiny stars

Clams of gray

Floating kelp

Nature’s array

D. DeGraaf