Tidepooling
by Ruth Ann Angus
The Central Coast is a great place to start an exploration of tidepools and San Luis Obispo County has some prime spots. From Piedras Blancas to Montana de Oro, the rocky outcroppings of the coast offer us a glimpse into the marvelous wilderness of the underwater world.
It all starts with the rise and fall of the tides. Twice a day pounding surf surges in and beats against the rocky shoreline, whipping up an agitated froth. Six hours later the waters retreat leaving the area exposed and life within it on hold until the sea returns.
In a tidepool at Corallina Cove in Montana de Oro, deep pockets in the rock layers hold pools of water filled with colorful life. Ochre Sea Stars, some orange and some purple, stand out against the deep green sea lettuce. Small black and brown turban snails pepper the pools. Some of these shells actually contain hermit crabs that scurry around hunting for food. Green anemones wave their tentacles trying to capture minute organisms to drag into the depths of their bodies. A pretty rose colored scale called coralline algae covers most of the rocks under water and lends the cove its name. Harbor seals haul out and rest on the exposed rocky ledges. Closer to the breaking waves are sea urchins, more crabs, and sea stars.
There are several tidal zones beginning with the Splash Zone, which receives the blast of the waves at high tide, and proceeding through the High Tide, Mid Tide, and Low Tide zones. Each of these sections has its own creatures and plant life that manage to exist in both the turbulent water and when high and dry.
The high tide zone remains moister than the splash zone and here you will see barnacles, mussels, rock crabs, anemones, and chitons.
The mid tide zone is uncovered at normal low tide levels. Small fishes, shrimp, sea stars, hermit crabs, and nudibranchs live in this environment. Of these, the shell-less snails - the nudibranch, are probably the most colorful, often having flowing plumes on their backs. They dine on sponges, hydroids, colonized plant-like organisms that cling to rocks, and bryozoans - moss-like creatures similar to coralline algae.
Uncovered only at the lowest tides each month, the low tide zone harbors anemones, sponges, sea urchins, tube worms, sun stars, sea cucumbers, and thick beds of seaweed.
Gazing into these many small ponds at low tide you will be privileged to see a miniature realm in complete detail. If you go tidepooling, please leave the areas as you found them. Replace rocks and creatures exactly as they were and handle everything gently. Remember that everything you see is protected by law.
Anemones
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Anemones /Cayucos
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 Coralline Algae
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Kelp Crab
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Ochre Sea Star
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The Central Coast Natural History Association offers docent walks at many of the listed locations. Call 805 772-2694 for information. |
Ruth Ann Angus
Be sure and visit me at Candidcow blog
My biography
WHERE TO TIDEPOOL
Corallina Cove, Montana de Oro
Hazard Reef, Montana de Oro
Morro Strand Beach, north of Yerba Buena St., Morro Bay
Cayucos Beach, south of Ocean Front and “D” Streets
The rocky reefs off Shell Beach
Windy Cove, north of Natural History Museum, Morro Bay
Leffingwell Landing, Cambria
The rocky reefs of Highway 1 near San Simeon
Wear non-skid shoes capable of getting wet and a walking stick for support
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