Gaviota Coast: Sea Hare hunting

[billie_morini]

Today's gorgeous weather encouraged the Morini family to hunt for California Sea Hare (Aplysia californica) at one of our secret spots on the pristine Gaviota Coast. Here's the east view of the hunting grounds.

[billie_morini]

Here's a snapshot made during the strategy session. Mrs. Morini missed it because she is slower descending the cliff than Roxy and billie. As it were, Roxy seemed somewhat disinterested in making a strategy.

[billie_morini]

Still no sign of Mrs. Morini, but it was possible to make an interesting photo with the reflected cliffs in the sea shallows.

[billie_morini]

Mrs. Morini joined our intrepid duo and the west bound hunt began.

[billie_morini]

Roxy takes action, invoking her hunting heritage.

[billie_morini]

First find excitement! Big let down. It's only a Kellet's Whelk (Kelletia kelletii).

[billie_morini]

Whelk, not Sea Hare. Roxy decides it's break time. After all, she found "something."

[billie_morini]

Break time's over. Westward the hunt continues. Farther ahead are some cool caves where our hunting party will eat and rest. Roxy always enjoys resting and eating during any outing.

[billie_morini]

Success! We found a sea hare! This one is plump and about 20 cm in length. Although sea hare range along the entire coast of California and northwestern Mexico, they are difficult to find on the Gaviota Coast. Some years pass without Roxy and billie finding a single one.

The primary food for Sea Hares is algae, especially red algae. Toxins concentrate in the sea hare's body from consuming so much algae. The toxins protect them from predators. The only other creatures that will eat them are starfish, lobsters, and a much larger predatory sea slug (Ophistobranch).

After this, Mrs. Morini found one without Roxy's assistance. It was about 1/2 the size of the first one.

[billie_morini]

The natural hieroglyphs on the rock in the foreground marks the cave entrance. The cave's shade and damp sand floor provided relief from strong sunlight. Roxy received her much desired lunch and water. Then she took a brief nap. Sometimes, I think the only reason Roxy joins in on hikes and hunts is because she hopes she'll be fed.

All in all, a successful hunt.