Ochre Sea Star Wedged Between Intertidal Rocks
Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at 3:00:35 PM · 2026/Schoolhouse Beach Tide Pools
This striking macro photograph captures a large ochre sea star (Pisaster ochraceus) in its reddish-purple color morph, tucked tightly beneath and between rocks in an intertidal tide pool environment. The starfish's arms are covered in distinctive white pedicellariae and papulae, giving it a beautifully textured, almost jeweled appearance against its deep burgundy base color. The animal appears to be actively gripping the rock surfaces, demonstrating its remarkable tube-foot adhesion as it navigates the crevices of the rocky shoreline. Wet sand and encrusted rock surfaces surround the subject, suggesting a recent low tide exposure typical of Pacific Coast intertidal zones. The close-up perspective reveals extraordinary biological detail rarely appreciated by the casual beachgoer.
Chronologically Adjacent
