Mile 116 - Seven Devils cliffs, Cape Arago South Cove - May 1, 2022

Report Details

I came for the minus tide since the weather would be dry. Very light human use. Very healthy seeming population of Pisaster ochraceus, and a possibly corresponding healthy seeming population of urchins, compared to overgrowth in seasons past. Noticed a bit more kelp in wrack than usual. Spring time has arrived at the cove. I met two students from OIMB, one of which has great eyesight and spied a very small creature, possibly a nudibranch.

Conditions

Temperature: 45 F. Wind Velocity: Calm/Light. Wind Direction: N. Tide Level: -0.7 feet.

Activities

Number of people: 6. Walking or running: 6. Tidepooling: 2.

Other Activities: I was surprised to find two cars parked ahead of me this morning. The whole Cape was otherwise deserted. Nothing concerning..

Vehicles

Cars/trucks parking: 5.

Notable Wildlife

Sparrows were very active in the cliffs.

Wrackline Content

Seaweeds and seagrass, Marine debris, Ocean-based debris (from fishing boats, ship trash, etc.).

Natural Changes

Visible retreat of solid bluff.

Actions & Comments

Nothing concerning.

Report Images

There was a small craft warning today, and the cove had pretty good surf as well.

Muddy trail after recent rains

I saw a bit more fresh kelp in the wrack than usual. The oak leaf shape caught my eye. It's not in my book.

Spring time at the cove, Sea Sacs are budding

Lots of slippery green algae convinced me not to go out to far. Seemed very spring-like.

Saw a good amount of Ochre Stars, all healthy, ranging in size from big, extra big and half size.

I've seen grass do this before. I don't know if this is last years growth, but I think so.

Notice new water courses on the cliffs

I thought I was seeing a strange gumboot chiton, but when I walked around, I saw the coralline algae was just curved around a rock.

I don't know what this is. It was about 2 inches long, hollow and covered in stuff.

Articulated coralline algae

Just a couple sea anemones hanging around, waiting for the tide to come in.

Now this IS a gumboot chiton. Is it being picked on?

I met Daisha and Lauren, students at Oregon Institute of Marine Biology

Lauren really gets into her studies. She was intrigued by an extremely small, light blue speck of a creature, possible a nudibranch.

I've never before noticed this plant growing amongst the driftwood.

Report Images

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