Spectacular Swordfish Island

Abigail and Annie measuring dimensions

Erik measuring temperature and salinity

Matias and Erik measuring

Matilda and Millie observing

Matilda

D block marine scientists were very fortunate to get to Swordfish Island yesterday to do a tidepool study. In addition to measuring the dimensions of two tidepools, they compared temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen of high and low tidepools. Students also made species lists for both of the tidepools they were examining.

We did expand our exploration beyond tidepools because this is such a stunning place. Here are a few of the spectacular marine species:

New bull kelp in intertidal zone

Giant green anemone with barnacle molts

Striped sun star with commensal worm

Leather chitons and channeled dogwinkle with egg capsules

Six armed sea star

And two terrestrial species:

Camas

Succulents

So beautiful!

Eggs, eggs, eggs…

During a short excursion to the Director’s intertidal zone on Monday 23 March 2015, D block marine scientists discovered the eggs of several species. Above are the egg masses and adults (including one unusually pale example) of the barnacle-eating sea slug (Onchidoris bilamellata).

Also some very green fish eggs laid in an intertidal crevice (above).

And some dog whelk (Nucella ostrina) egg capsules.

Thanks to Alana for the photos!

Window into a sea urchin

Students writing their first year field exam at Race Rocks on Saturday 11 May spotted this green sea urchin with a window to its Aristotle’s lantern. More details about the field exam to come…

Race Rocks exploration – 11 April 2013

Both first year classes of Marine Science students visited Race Rocks on Thursday 11 April in order to measure abiotic factors in the rocky intertidal zone and to compile a species list.  B block students braved the elements in the morning and although I didn’t take any photos of them on the island, they were great explorers and we all survived despite the very windy weather…

D block students were very fortunate in two ways – the sun was shining on them and they were accompanied by Garry Fletcher, Educational Director of Race Rocks.

Abiotic factors such as water temperature and salinity were recorded…

And a few species observed & recorded…

Then it was back to Pearson College again…

Thanks to Laila for the D block photos!

Director’s intertidal zone

It was a sunny but windy afternoon yesterday in the intertidal zone with D block.  We saw a few things of note…

At least Ehsan & Ivan were taking note!

A dead California sea cucumber (Parastichopus californicus).  Very curious about the circumstances surrounding its arrival in the intertidal zone.

And we saw lots of eggs – several yellow whelk egg capsules and green fish eggs wedged into a crack in the rock.

We also collected some hairy hermit crabs for Tom’s extended essay work on shell selection in hermit crabs.