Orange and Purple Sea Stars in Rocky Tidepool
Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at 2:59:27 PM · 2026/Schoolhouse Beach Tide Pools
This close-up nature photograph captures two ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) — one vivid orange and one purple — tucked into a crevice between algae-covered rocks at low tide. Dense colonies of California mussels (Mytilus californianus) blanket the surrounding rock surfaces, creating a dramatic dark texture that contrasts with the bright colors of the sea stars. Small green anemones are also visible nestled among the rocks, adding to the biodiversity on display. The scene is characteristic of a Pacific Coast rocky intertidal zone during a low-tide exposure, with wet, reflective rock surfaces and shallow pooled seawater visible in the crevice. The photograph documents a healthy tidepool ecosystem where sea stars prey upon the abundant mussels around them.
Chronologically Adjacent
