West Seattle wildlife: 1 more round of low-tide sightings

| Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches

Yesterday and today saw the lowest tides of the year so far — but in four weeks, they’ll be even lower. Thanks to Charley Biggs for sharing another round of photos – above, a ~~razor~~ boring (according to Minette in comments) clam; next, a purple sun star:

Two more photos ahead:

That’s a sea cucumber; here’s a red anemone:

Thanks again to everybody who shared low-tide photos; your timely West Seattle photos are welcome any time at editor@westseattleblog.com – please consider keeping that address on your cameraphone too in case you spot something to report fast – thanks!

DML May 27, 2009 (5:54 am)

Great pictures but Razor clams in West Seattle? Be still my beating heart. Could the top picture be another beastie as it looks nothing like it’s cousins on the Long Beach Peninsula?

Cheryl May 27, 2009 (7:48 am)

Have really enjoyed all the low tide pics. Just wish I knew WHERE in West Seattle they were taken. :-(

-3 feet today around 1pm … Think I’ll head out again & try not to slip on the kelp this time.

Minette May 27, 2009 (7:49 am)

The photo on the top is of a Rough piddock clam (Zirfaea pilsbryi). It’s also called a “boring clam,” not because it’s dull but because it drills down (bores) into the rock. If you see one poking out of the sand, you know there’s a shale bed not too far below.

Dante May 27, 2009 (7:57 am)

Are you sure about it being a piddock? It’s definately not a Razor Clam, but it doesnt look like other piddock pictures I found.

Minette May 27, 2009 (8:10 am)

Yes, I’m sure. :-)

http://www.beachwatchers.wsu.edu/ezidweb/animals/Zirfaeapilsbryi.htm

Kim May 27, 2009 (8:27 am)

Cheryl, try under the Fauntleroy Ferry dock. You can access by walking to Cove Park which is the pocket park directly North of the dock.

swimcat May 27, 2009 (9:03 am)

What are the dates of the next super low tides? I have always wanted to go explore the beach but never find out until the last minute and then I can never make it. Thanks!

jsrekd May 27, 2009 (9:08 am)

I use this for tide charts: some good low tides in June, starting June 6th & June 20th

http://www.dairiki.org/tides/

Eilene Hutchinson May 27, 2009 (9:35 am)

Constellation Park, along Beach Drive, is a good place to look. There is a long jetty there, which can be walked on, with lots of “hiding” places for creatures. Also, on the rocky areas close to the water’s edge, from the jetty to the Lighthouse.

WSB May 27, 2009 (9:35 am)

That’s the one I always link to but didn’t put in here. It’ll be in our calendar too. The really good ones are the ones later in the month – even lower than this month – TR

WSB May 27, 2009 (9:51 am)

P.S. Will fix the ID. Should have attributed, this was the photographer’s captioning, I am not much of a wildlife expert and every time I go out at low tide, I fail to see anything more than seaweed, rocks and pilings – TR