plant/animal reference) to get a bigger picture
Red rock crab with molt |
Gobiesox meandricus |
Bubble snail |
Pratt's Bluff team photo 2008 |
May 8th found the Pratt's Bluff team checking out their stretch of beach, located on Whidbey Island's east side near Greenbank. Finn Gatewood led the team and reports that her highlight for the day was finding an
opalescent nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis). Two other nudibranch species were also discovered that morning, a shaggy mouse nudibranch (Aeolidia papillosa) and a barnacle-eating nudibranch (Onchidoris bilamellata) as well as a bubble snail (Haminoea sp.) which is a nudibranch cousin. While Libby Haywood was fascinated by a newly molted and still soft red rock crab (Cancer productus) found near its outgrown and discarded exoskeleton, Ken Urstad was more focused on the gunnels and clingfish (Gobiesox maeandricus) found concealed beneath the beach rocks. Kathy Fritts and Doris Hood brought along friends who were amazed as the hidden life on the beach was revealed. The team documented nine species of seaweed and more than forty species of animals.