ECOVORE Spots Tidal Pool Animals
Tide pool stream by Robin Tierney
Ecovore Episode. 5
The OC may be famous for over-indulged housewives and kids featured on TV. But much more fascinating is Orange County’s natural wildlife.
Where there, I attended the OC Wildlife & Beach Tour that takes off from Laguna Beach. As America’s version of the South of France, this part of Southern California has drawn plein air painters for more than a century. In addition to the landscapes and striking flowers, animals here have always inspired artists. Sea lions sun on rocks just off-shore in the Pacific while cormorants soar overhead. Seascapes include pods of jumping dolphins and whales.
Tour guide Cheri Ikerd pointed out animals while sharing concise practical biology lessons. During 10,000-mile annual migrations, 18,000 gray whales go through this region, traveling from Alaska to Baja California to mate and give birth. More elusive are blue whales, the length of two buses.
Tide pool sea stars by Robin Tierney
Beautiful fish and invertebrates reside below sea level. But some can be spotted in tide pools (AKA tidal pools), which are natural aquariums that form as tides ebb over rocks along the shore. Ikerd took us to a lovely rocky beach perfect for pool-spotting.
Beneath the sun-glinted tide pool surfaces dwell turban snails, lime green and magenta anemones, muscular sea stars much larger than mid-Atlantic starfish, sea urchins with undulating spikes, and dainty sculpin and opal-eye fish. Many of them reside in the same spot for decades, Ikerd said. We tiptoed carefully to avoid disturbing the plants and animals on the rocks.
Tide pool anemones, mollusks and other underwater dwellers by Robin Tierney
Another tour highlight: the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, established in 1971 after a lifeguard, having rescued a harbor seal, discovered the need for a rescue/rehabilitation facility for stranded marine animals. The converted barn houses 10 to 100 seals and sea lions (the latter’s distinguishing features include ear flaps and highly dexterous rear flippers). When ready, animals are released back into the sea.
Animal care supervisor Dean Gomersall explains that young sea mammals sometimes get stranded on sand. Other patients are treated for life-threatening injuries from fishing lines and hooks.
Pacific Marine Mammal Center sea lions by Robin Tierney
Like bejeweled OC housewives, native peoples wore shells around their necks as status symbols. But the natives passed down a lesson of greater value: “Be good to the land and the land will be good to you.” To protect fragile species, beach regulations prohibit removal of animals, shells and rocks. Pick up trash instead, says the naturalist, who hands out Green Sheets listing practical eco-tips.
After eco-touring, it was time to find an environmentally friendly place to eat. I hitched a ride with a group going to an Irvine mall called The District at Tustin. This being southern California, I figured correctly there’d be better choices than food court fare. Score! There’s a Native Foods, part of an indie chain owned by chef Tanya Petrovna, who decided 15 years ago that she could help everyone on the planet by creating delicious vegan (plant-based, low-on-the-food-chain) foods.
Tide pool reflection by Robin Tiereny
I chowed down on perfectly seasoned Saigon wraps and soy-based blueberry cheesecake. Herbivores and carnivores alike gave a thumbs-up to the “Native Chick’n” and other meat substitutes. Nearby, I had a glass of red at The Winery. The chef stopped to chat with me about sustainable foods. A European transplant, he’d like to see more American diners try plant-based dishes — he has plenty in his repertoire.
Fashionistas flashed bling while high-heeling store to store, but that’s not what makes this area “the Gold Coast.” It’s the natural treasures.
Heisler Park by Robin Tierney
