plant/animal reference) to get a bigger picture
Team works profile line |
I found a nudibranch! |
Old Clinton Beach team photo 2009 |
Opalescent nudibranch Hermissenda crassicornis Opalescent nudibranch Hermissenda crassicornis |
Moonglow anemone Anthopleura artemisia Moonglow anemone Anthopleura artemisia |
Ophiodromus pugettensis Ophiodromus pugettensis |
August 19th brought a bright sunny day with temperatures well into the 70’s and a -2.3 foot tide. Team captain Evelyn Blair provided leadership as six Beach Watcher women took on Old Clinton Beach, the final Whidbey Island beach to be monitored for the 2009 season. This group had a great time searching through the eelgrass beds for the small organisms that make this habitat their home. The ladies were delighted to find a dozen or more opalescent nudibranchs (Hermissenda crassicornis) and one lion nudibranch (Melibe leonina). They also saw moonglow and white plumed anemones and the very wiggly inch and a half long polychaete Ophiodromus pugettensis. Evelyn noted that one surprise this year was that no moon snails or moon snail egg collars were found. As the team collected data, a great blue heron winged its way by and greeted them with its distinctive raucous call. It was a great way to wrap up the season!
