Colorful Sea Stars Clustered on Rocky Tidal Reef
Saturday, July 18th, 2026 at 2:56:56 PM · 2026/Schoolhouse Beach Tide Pools
This close-up photograph captures a remarkable aggregation of ochre sea stars (Pisaster ochraceus) in striking orange and purple color morphs clustered together on a rocky intertidal surface during low tide. The rock surface is densely covered with barnacles, mussels, and limpets, creating a rich and biodiverse intertidal community. Several of the sea stars have their arms curled upward, likely in response to desiccation stress from air exposure at low tide. A dense bed of California mussels (Mytilus californianus) dominates the upper right portion of the frame, illustrating the classic predator-prey relationship with the sea stars below. The image conveys the raw vitality and ecological complexity of the Pacific intertidal zone, with the wet, glistening rock surfaces adding texture and depth to the composition.
Chronologically Adjacent
