Ochre star, Pisaster ochraceus
California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) are perfectly at home in
heavy surf. In fact, this rowdy bunch (and, yes, that's a technical term) seems
oblivious to the nearby boiling whitewater (the dark area at top left). Neither
photograpers nor cameras fare as well, but both sometimes venture into such
places in search of good shot. While much of Lobos Rocks is exposed, these ochre
stars (Pisaster ochraceus) and giant green anemones (Anthopleura
xanthogrammica) are found only in a narrow valley on which the ocean's
greatest anger is focused (natch).
"Lobos Rocks", Big Sur, California
August 6, 2006
Ochre stars (Pisaster ochraceus) walk arm in arm atop sheets of
encrusting hydrocoral (Stylantheca porphyra). This shot illustrates the
best and worst aspects of a camera lens with a 180 degree viewing angle.
Certainly, to cover this subject which is actually inside a narrow crack, an
exceptionally wide view is needed. However, the flat subject is obviously
distorted into something that looks like a globe. Furthermore, the bottom
corners, by virtue of their distance from the camera, are not illuminated by the
camera's strobes.
"Middle Farallon", Farallon Islands, California
June 24, 2006
Ochre stars (Pisaster ochraceus) and giant green anemones (Anthopleura
xanthogrammica) encrust impact zones at Lobos Rocks.
"Lobos Rocks", Big Sur, California
August 19, 2006
