Low Tide Sampler
I’m continuing to explore tidepool life from our recent trip to California, while it snows on our daffodils here in New York. This Low Tide Sampler includes several phyla of animals commonly found along the coast. Species within each group share characteristic traits and, once you get to know them, it becomes easier to identify species that are new to you and to recognize features that resemble their relatives. The Pacific sand dollar, for example, is like a flattened sea urchin; its five starred pattern resembles its relatives, the starfish. I especially love the way exploration, art, and learning come together on a page like this. Pick any species in nature and you can enjoy a similar deep dive!
I’m hoping the weather warms and it stops raining and snowing here in the Northeast so I can return to sketching outdoors close to home. If you live in this area, consider joining me for Painting the Colors of Spring at the Berkshire Botanical Garden in West Stockbridge, MA, starting next Saturday, April 19. This series includes three Saturday sessions that you can sign up for individually or altogether: April 19, May 17, June 14, 10am – 2pm. It would be lovely to see you in person! (Note: click the link next to the individual session if you want to sign up for just that one in the series.)
Drawn In 
The Low Tide Sampler is awesome, Jean! Your anemones are splendid (they looked so tucked up inside, but with their “mouths” wide open in anticipation of the return of high tide once again. And wow …… the blue of the mussel positively radiates. Was the muscle alive? Want to thank you profusely for once again teaching a great class during Winslow’s Spring Fling. It was so much fun and informative, even if my page of anemones, mussel and barnacle look silly. It was a challenge. I’ll send you my wonky effort. You are a true marvel. Wishing you better weather soon!
Glad you could join the session at Winslow, Barb. An hour goes by fast so the class is a bit of a sampler too. I’m impressed that you worked along– the process is more important that the product for a class like that. (The mussel was not alive– just half the shell.)
thanks again, Jean!
Dear Jean! Loved your Sunday post. The layout was perfect; the low tide critters were absolute perfection. Thanks for sharing.Because my page from your Winslow sessi
Loved the Aggregating Anemone, such subtle colors (plus some fun alliteration!).
They are cool to see– so many bits of shell in little piles when they are high and dry, and then they transform into beautiful blue-green tentacled creatures when underwater.
I admire your interest in all of nature and your enthusiasm to dig into marine life, just like you do land life. These are extra fun to see because we explored tide pools at Torrey Pines in January. The aggregating anemones covered with shell bits really confused me – we have the same anemone here but I haven’t seen it do that. I cringed when people and dogs walked on them. The corresponding “fiveness” of the sand dollars, sea stars and sea urchins is very cool. It’s hard to imagine a large colony of sand dollars right underfoot! Thank you for all this information, Jean – and have a good weekend.