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Hanging On! Being out of the water this Purple Seastar is fighting gravity. The tube feet are clearly visible. It was not alone! <br /> <figure class="photo"><a href="https://www.jungledragon.com/image/82596/a_gathering_of_pisaster_ochraceus.html" title="A Gathering of Pisaster ochraceus."><img src="https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.jungledragon.com/images/2839/82596_thumb.jpeg?AWSAccessKeyId=05GMT0V3GWVNE7GGM1R2&Expires=1759968010&Signature=MfPti%2BnP0bpDlaGNikSfhG%2BbKWA%3D" width="200" height="150" alt="A Gathering of Pisaster ochraceus. These Ochre Sea Stars are likely feeding on the barnacles attached to this exposed piling. They are exposed due to the extreme low tide. Up until 2013 this occurrence would have been commonplace but due to the &ldquo;sea star wasting disease&rdquo; it has been rare or nonexistent. Up until now! The Sunflower Seastar with its many arms have yet to recover. It&rsquo;s good to see the return of these purple fellows. Canada,Geotagged,Pisaster ochraceus,Purple sea star,Summer" /></a></figure> Canada,Geotagged,Pisaster ochraceus,Purple sea star,Summer Click/tap to enlarge

Hanging On!

Being out of the water this Purple Seastar is fighting gravity. The tube feet are clearly visible. It was not alone!

A Gathering of Pisaster ochraceus. These Ochre Sea Stars are likely feeding on the barnacles attached to this exposed piling. They are exposed due to the extreme low tide. Up until 2013 this occurrence would have been commonplace but due to the “sea star wasting disease” it has been rare or nonexistent. Up until now! The Sunflower Seastar with its many arms have yet to recover. It’s good to see the return of these purple fellows. Canada,Geotagged,Pisaster ochraceus,Purple sea star,Summer

    comments (5)

  1. View Christine Young's profile
    Christine Young
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Wow! I love that you captured this. I had no idea the tube feet looked like that. I always pictured them as little suction cups. Posted 6 years ago
    1. View gary fast's profile
      gary fast
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Thanks, now you have me searching for a better shot of tube feet. They have quite the “hydraulic system”! Posted 6 years ago
      1. View Christine Young's profile
        Christine Young
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Haha, well this is already an awesome shot and I'm so glad you shared it. Posted 6 years ago
        1. View gary fast's profile
          gary fast
          Lion
          View Lion class
          Haven’t yet found what I was searching for. There is another low tide tomorrow! Posted 6 years ago
          1. View Christine Young's profile
            Christine Young
            Lion
            View Lion class
            Nice! Hope you see some cool things...and more sea stars! Posted 6 years ago

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The Pisaster ochraceus

''Pisaster ochraceus'', generally known as the purple sea star, ochre sea star, or ochre starfish, is a common starfish found among the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Identified as a keystone species, ''P. ochraceus'' is considered an important indicator for the health of the intertidal zone.

Info 6 0
Similar species: Forcipulatida
Species identified by gary fast
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By gary fast

All rights reserved
Uploaded Aug 1, 2019. Captured Jul 31, 2019 11:44 in 311 Whaletown Rd, Whaletown, BC V0P 1Z0, Canada.
country flag of Canada Explore Canada 1,925 859 0
  • E-M5MarkII
  • f/18.0
  • 1/100s
  • ISO1600
  • 60mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.