Despite their seemingly benign appearance, when it comes to predators in the tidal zone of the Pacific Northwest, the Ochre Sea Star, Pisaster ochraceus, is among the most ferocious. There are few other creatures that inhabit this zone that this sea star cannot successfully kill and eat. The ones I found in the early morning tidal pools and clinging to the exposed rocks at Spanish Head in Lincoln City, Oregon were primarily of the purple variety; whereas in other locations the ochre colored ones predominate. Also in abundance were Giant Green Anemones, Anthopleura xanthogrammica, shown here in their contracted state and awaiting the rising of the tide to once again extend forth their flower-like tentacles.
Lincoln City, Oregon
Equipment:
Canon PowerShot G10
Settings:
F-stop: f/3.5
Exposure time: 1/80 sec.
ISO speed: ISO-200
Exposure bias: 0 step
