February 10

The noontime temperature is in the upper 50’s under sunny skies as Caroline and I work our way down the steep bluff to the beach along Abalone Cove on California’s Palos Verdes Peninsula. Here, we begin to explore the intertidal shoreline that includes exposed rocks and shallow pools of seawater left behind when the tide recedes. Immediately, I come upon dense aggregations of Mussels clinging to rocks. These edible mollusks look lifeless when exposed to air, but under water they come alive. Their shells open slightly and tiny hairs beat rhythmically to draw in water carrying tiny particles of food. To collect enough food to survive, a mussel filters two to three quarts of water an hour. Scanning my first tide pool, I spot several Sunburst Anemones with their turquoise tentacles as well as pinkish Corraline Algae. This type of seaweed plays an important role in marine ecology as a food source for Sea Urchins, Limpets and Chitons. Some encrusting and rock-like species are the main builders of coral reefs throughout the world. Among the rocks nearby, I notice a foraging Willet and a perching Gull. At the next tide pool, I pause to observe some Turban snails when suddenly one begins to crawl over the sand. As suspected, this shell is occupied by a Hermit Crab. As these tiny Crustaceans grow in size, they must find larger shells and abandon the previous ones. These crabs have been known to fight or kill a competitor to gain access to the shell they favor. Glancing toward the shining sea, I watch a single Brown Pelican fly above the surf. At another tide pool, I come upon a formation of tightly packed tubes of hardened sand made by Honeycomb Tubeworms (stock photo). A close examination of a nearby rock surface reveals Periwinkle snail shells and Barnacles. As the tide continues to recede, I make my way down the beach where I come upon tracks of a seagull and a Hermit Crab as well as a large exposed sedimentary rock with a weathering pattern similar to a topographic map. Finally, we trudge up the bluff back to our car and head for home.

Treasure hunt

Ebb the tide

Basins of brine

Jewels reside

Puddles of riches

Appear ashore

Filled with gems

Prime to explore

Nature’s assets

Found the key

Chest is open

Wealth of the sea

D. DeGraaf