Tag Archives: marine life

Dungeness crabs

Posted on November 12, 2016 by

During the summer of 2013 I got to know Dungeness crabs very well. (Also see my 2013 post.) For three months, small crabs (about an inch or two across) and crab molts (old shells discarded so the crab can grow) littered … Continue reading →

Posted in California coastline, Monterey Bay, Sandy beach | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Dining out wild style

Posted on August 5, 2016 by

Americans love to dine out. Each week 83% of us visit “fast food” restaurants and about 68% visit casual dining restaurants (2013 data). We like some variety, eating mostly “American” food, but also Italian, Mexican and Chinese, but we’re generally … Continue reading →

Posted in California coastline, Elkhorn Slough, Monterey Bay | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Artful sand dollars

Posted on July 9, 2016 by

During low-tide walks this week sand dollars (Dendraster excentricus) have been the dominant life form. Everywhere dotting the exposed sand were white tests (as in dead shells), soft deep-purple disks (the healthy live ones), and shapely sand traces (from under-sand burrowing). The feeding must be good and the living easy on … Continue reading →

Posted in California coastline, Monterey Bay, Sandy beach | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Pelagic red crabs

Posted on May 29, 2016 by

Twice in my three decades living on the Monterey Peninsula I’ve witnessed two invasions by pelagic red crabs, also called tuna crabs, or langostino by some. These are spectacular and rare occurrences along our coast, although we’ve had a couple this … Continue reading →

Posted in California coastline, Monterey Bay, Sandy beach | Tagged , , | 3 Comments