Seward, Alaska
The Alaska Sealife Center offers a peek into the ocean universe that most rarely get to see. I so enjoyed watching the tiny, semi-transparent plankton pulse their bells, or furiously stroke their cilia. It seemed like a lot of effort for an animal that was at the mercy of the slight current in the tank. I applaud the intent to be self-propelled!
In another tank, a brightly colored spiky sea cucumber foraged on minute algae or maybe biofilm on the glass. I was fascinated to see the entire upper surface of sunflower stars “blooming” with little sacs and learn that this is how the star breathes, absorbing oxygen from the seawater.
A friend shared a link to a beautiful video of an incredible smack of moon jellies off the coast of BC Canada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPK93x7NUso&. Wow!
Another interesting website is https://www.hakaimagazine.com
I just subscribed for its weekly submission of ocean and coastal community-related topics.
Recently, Northern Sea Nettles have been dying at the end of their life span and washing up on shore. The gulls seem to relish them though they are mostly water. Gulls eat sea stars when they find them too, often having serious issues with swallowing the irregular, stiff morsels.
The ocean runs through everything, yet this close neighbor seems an alien universe. It’s amazing to intersect with its beauty and wonder.
Happy Birding!
Carol Griswold
Seward Sporadic Bird Report Reporter
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