Tidepools: Pillar Point Half Moon Bay

Posted: January 6th, 2010 | Author: neas | Filed under: Pacific Ocean | Tags: Mussels, PillarPoint | Comments Off on Tidepools: Pillar Point Half Moon Bay

We arrived an hour before the lowest tide hit -1.42 feet at 3:37 PM December 30, 2009. Negative tide reveals a whole new world to explore at Pillar Point: Massive mussel beds, starfish, sea urchins, sea anemones, abalone, crabs, snails, clams, a variety of seaweed, microcosmic universes, and the most vivid colors. As you can probably make out by looking at us, we aren’t professionals divers. So we got the best snorkel gear for beginners we could find just as a backup if one us wanted to do some snorkelling nearby. We were just outside of the Marine Park so we also brought our CA fishing licenses in order to legally take some yummy mussels.

The yellow shading indicates the James V. Fitzgerald State Marine Park.

In the future, new legislation will probably extend the park into where we were exploring. That would make this area a no-take zone, and no mussel collecting.

Here you can see how far you’re able to walk out on negative tide.

So close to the big waves of Mavericks.

Collecting mussels.

Alien universe.

Starfish beard.

No starfish were harmed in the making of this shot. He was carefully placed back in his home.

Grumpy fish.

Baby Uni

SuperStar fish!

Baby Rockfish? Cabezone? Monkeyface eel? or just little tide pool fish?

Mussels Mussels Mussels.

We go after a medium size.  December they are tasty and safe. Steam them in some coconut milk with some lime, or cook them in a paella. Yum, yum, yum.

Make sure you check with CA fish and game for up to date regulations. You do need a current CA fishing license, never harvest between May 1 and October 31, and never harvest in a protected area.

Postelsia, also known as the sea palm or palm seaweed

Underwater Uni

Can you spot the Abalone?

Abalone

Abalone are delicious. You can buy farmed red abalone in Half Moon Bay harbor, but this wild little guy is off limits. Take of wild abalone South of the Golden Gate Bridge is prohibited. North of the Golden Gate, you can take abalone, but you must have a CA fishing license, and an abalone punch card. Plus all abalone must measure over 7 inches. This little fella is too small even if he did live North. (Diving for Abalone UD post, coming soon.)

One more underwater shot.

 

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Christmas Bird Count on Lake Merced

Posted: January 5th, 2010 | Author: neas | Filed under: Birding | Tags: Audubon, birdcount, CBC, LakeMerced | Comments Off on Christmas Bird Count on Lake Merced

kate at yr own risk and I tagged along with a handful of expert birders for the 2009 Audubon Christmas bird count. Our designated area was Lake Merced. We started early on a cloudy chilly day, counted and identified birds all day long, learned a lot, walked a lot, and had a heap of fun.

Early morning mist on the lake.

Birders start counting as the sun comes up.

Bufflehead

Black Crowned Night-Heron juvenile

Black Crowned Night-Heron adult

White-crowned Sparrow

Red-breasted Sapsucker

Greater White-fronted Geese

Hermit Thrush

Red-tailed Hawk

Towsend’s Warbler

Downy Woodpecker

Double-crested Cormorant

blurry Virginia Rail

Red Shouldered Hawk

The Calming Effect of Nature on My Marketing Project: Reflections from Working by the Lake

As a marketer, it’s easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle of the city, constantly working to meet deadlines and achieve business objectives. However, I recently discovered the calming effect of nature on my work when I took my marketing project to a nearby lake.

Working by the lake provided a serene environment, far from the distractions of the office. The sound of the water lapping against the shore, the chirping of birds, and the rustling of leaves created a natural melody that helped me focus on my project without feeling overwhelmed.

As I worked, I found myself becoming more creative and inspired, coming up with new ideas and strategies that I may not have thought of in a more stressful environment. The peaceful surroundings gave me a chance to slow down, reflect on my work, and approach it with a fresh perspective.

Moreover, the break from the usual office routine allowed me to recharge and clear my mind, resulting in increased productivity and a more positive outlook. I also found that taking a few moments to appreciate the natural beauty around me helped me feel more connected to the world and refreshed my enthusiasm for my marketing project.

Working by the lake was a valuable experience that taught me the importance of taking breaks and finding inspiration in nature. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed with your own marketing project, I highly recommend take a look to https://themarketingheaven.com/buy-twitter-likes/. You might be surprised at the results!

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