Amphibian and Reptiles
Northwestern Pond Turtle
Actinemys marmorata
- 10/1: Pacheco Pond, Marin County, CA.
California Slender Salamander
Batrachoseps attenuatus
- 2/12: Novato, CA.
Northern Pacific Rattlesnake
Crotalus oreganus oreganus
- 4/9: Indian Valley campus, Novato, CA.
- 7/21: Marin County, CA.
Southern Alligator Lizard
Elgaria multicarinata
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
American Bullfrog
Lithobates catesbeianus
- 7/21: Sky Oaks, Marin County, CA.
Western Skink
Plestiodon skiltonianus
- 10/1: Pacheco Pond, Marin County, CA.
Pacific Chorus Frog/Sierran Tree Frog
Pseudacris regilla
- 4/9: Indian Valley campus, Novato, CA.
- 6/23: Novato, CA.
Foothill Yellow-legged Frog
Rana boylii
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, California.
Western Fence Lizard
Sceloporus occidentalis
- 4/19: Fairfield Osborn Preserve, Sonoma, California.
- 4/19: Sonoma County, CA.
- 8/16: Novato, CA. Found this little guy in the middle of the living room floor – I was very glad Cassie spotted the lizard on the floor before one of us stepped on it! I was able to grab it up, and relocate outside. So small and cute.
- 8/29: Sonoma County, CA.
- 10/1: Indian Valley campus/Pacheco Pond, Marin County, CA.
Northwestern Garter Snake
Thamnophis ordinoides
- 5/29: Newport, OR.
Pond Slider
Trachemys scripta
- 7/21: Sky Oaks, Marin County, CA.
Rough-skinned Newt
Taricha granulosa
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
Mammals
Coyote
Canis latrans
- 9/26: Lucas Valley-Marinwood, CA. After spending the day at Abbott’s Lagoon, where several other folks reported seeing a coyote on the ridge – but I never managed to catch a glimpse – I was thrilled to find this gorgeous friend while driving home on Lucas Valley Road in the late afternoon. As we approached, I actually thought it was a fox: my impression was of a small canid leaping as if hunting some smaller prey. But as we got closer, I saw it was definitely a coyote. The animal wasn’t particularly happy about having been noticed by us, and it quickly turned and ran farther from the road.
Black-tailed Jackrabbit
Lepus californicus
- 6/29: Novato, CA.
- 6/30: Novato, CA
- 7/2: Novato, CA.
- 7/6: Novato, CA.
- 7/7: Novato, CA.
- 7/9: Novato, CA.
- 7/14: Novato, CA.
- 7/16: Novato, CA.
- 7/16: Novato, CA.
- 10/1: Indian Valley campus Organic Farm, Novato, CA. This was a fun animal to see while on a field trip with my Organismal Biology students.
North American River Otter
Lontra canadensis
- 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Marin County, CA. River otters were seen throughout the day, at the footbridge and in the brackish pond. Unfortunately, they weren’t seen by me. But I did snap some evidence: their footprints in the mud beneath the bridge.
Striped Skunk
Mephitis mephitis
- 6/12: Novato, CA.
- 6/16: Novato, CA
- 6/29: Novato, CA.
- 6/30: Novato, CA.
- 7/1: Novato, CA.
- 7/2: Novato, CA.
- 7/4: Novato, CA.
- 7/8: Novato, CA.
- 7/16: Novato, CA.
- 8/19: Novato, CA.
- 8/20: Novato, CA.
- 8/25: Novato, CA.
- 9/4: Novato, CA.
- 9/5: Novato, CA.
- 9/6: Novato, CA.
Columbian Black-tailed Deer
Odocoileus hemionus columbianus
- 6/12: Novato, CA.
- 6/16: Novato, CA.
- 6/29: Novato, CA.
- 7/2: Novato, CA.
- 7/4: Novato, CA.
- 7/6: Novato, CA.
- 7/7: Novato, CA.
- 7/9: Novato, CA.
- 7/16: Novato, CA.
- 7/21: Marin County, CA.
- 7/29: Novato, CA.
- 8/31: Novato, CA.
- 9/4: Novato, CA.
- 9/12: Novato, CA.
- 9/21: Novato, CA.
- 9/26: Point Reyes, Marin County, CA. As we were returning to the Abbott’s Lagoon trailhead fairly late in the afternoon, it occurred to me that we hadn’t seen any deer all day long, which seemed strange. Then I looked over at the open grassland on the other side of the preserve fence, there they were: three or four deer, foraging as evening began to fall. While driving home, we swung by the Bear Valley visitor’s center trailhead, and there were several deer foraging there, as well.
- 9/27: Novato, CA.
Douglas’s Ground Squirrel
Otospermophilus douglasii
- 6/12: Novato, CA.
- 6/13: Novato, CA.
- 6/19: Novato, CA.
- 6/21: Novato, CA.
- 6/23: Novato, CA.
- 6/24: Novato, CA.
- 6/29: Novato, CA.
- 6/30: Novato, CA.
- 7/2: Novato, CA.
- 7/4: Novato, CA.
- 7/6: Novato, CA.
- 7/7: Novato, CA.
- 7/13: Novato, CA.
- 7/15: Novato, CA.
- 7/16: Novato, CA.
- 9/26: Marin County, CA.
- 9/29: Novato, CA.
- 10/1: Indian Valley campus, Marin County, CA. Saw a couple of these friends at the Organic Farm, but never managed to get a photo of one. Fortunately, I have no shortage of photos from other occasions.
- 10/1: Marin County, CA.
Western Deer Mouse
Peromyscus sonoriensis
- 8/29: Sonoma County, CA.
Harbor Seal
Phoca vitulina
- 5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
- 8/7: Bolinas, CA 94924.
Common Raccoon
Procyon lotor
- 7/12: Novato, CA.
- 7/14: Novato, CA.
- 9/6: Novato, CA.
Black Rat
Rattus rattus
- 7/9: Novato, CA.
- 7/10: Novato, CA.
- 7/12: Novato, CA.
- 7/13: Novato, CA.
- 7/14: Novato, CA.
- 7/15: Novato, CA.
Western Gray Squirrel
Sciurus griseus
- 6/23: Novato, CA.
Eastern Fox Squirrel
Sciurus niger
- 5/19: College of Marin, Kentfield, CA. Seen near the redwood circle.
California Sea Lion
Zalophus californianus
- 5/28: Newport, OR.
- 5/29: Newport, OR.
Fishes
Sharpnose Sculpin
Clinocottus acuticeps
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Mosshead Sculpin
Clinocottus globiceps
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Western Mosquitofish
Gambusia affinis
- 10/1: Marin County, CA.
Tidepool Sculpin
Oligocottus maculosus
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Invertebrates
Angular Unicorn
Acanthinucella spirata
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Victoria’s Crystal Jelly
Aequorea victoria
- 5/29: Newport, OR.
Common Thread-waisted Wasp
Ammophila procera
- 9/26: Marin County, CA.
California Gall Wasp
Andricus quercuscalifornicus
- 5/12: Kentfield, CA.
Common Jingle
Anomia simplex
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Aggregating Anemone
Anthopleura elegantissima
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Sunburst Anemone
Anthopleura sola
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Giant Green Anemone
Anthopleura xanthogrammica
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
- 7/21: Marin County, CA.
Vivid Dancer
Argia vivida
- 4/19: Sonoma County, CA.
Button’s Banana Slug
Ariolimax buttoni
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
Field Skipper
Atalopedes campestris
- 10/1: Indian Valley College, Novato, CA. Seen on a flower in the Organic Garden.
Pacific Acorn Barnacle
Balanus glandula
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
European Green Crab
Carcinus maenas
- 8/7: Marin, California.
Leafy Hornmouth
Ceratostoma foliatum
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
American Stridulating Cicadas
Clidophleps
- 8/29: Sonoma County, CA.
Jumping Spider
Colonus hesperus
- 6/13: Novato, CA.
Rough Keyhole Limpet
Diodora aspera
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Emerald Moth
Dichorda illustraria
- 10/1: Indian Valley College, Novato, CA.
Red-banded Transparent Shrimp
Heptacarpus sitchensis
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
White-lined Sphinx
Hyles lineata
- 4/8: Kentfield, CA.
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
Derby Hat Bryozoan
Integripelta bilabiata
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Gray Buckeye
Junonia grisea
- 7/4: Novato, CA.
- 8/29: Sonoma County, CA.
- 9/17: Kentfield, CA.
- 10/1: Marin County, CA.
Black Katy Chiton
Katharina tunicata
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Dire Whelk
Lirabuccinum dirum
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Stone Centipedes
Lithobiomorpha
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
Checkered Periwinkle
Littorina scutulata
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Owl Limpet
Lottia gigantea
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. During our walk, we also found a couple of Owl Limpets, a rare and protected species that is often poached. Gentle reminder to please not take or harm wildlife when tidepooling, as many of them are delicate, and at risk of extinction.
Shield Limpet
Lottia pelta
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Rough Limpet
Lottia scabra
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Pacific Tent Caterpillar
Malacosoma constricta
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
European Mantis
Mantis religiosa
- 9/17: Kentfield, CA.
Mossy Chiton
Mopalia muscosa
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
California Mussel
Mytilus californianus
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Large Yellow Underwing
Noctua pronuba
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
Striped Dogwinkle
Nucella ostrina
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Purple Mahogany Clam
Nuttallia obscurata
- 5/29: Newport, OR.
Striped Shore Crab
Pachygrapsus crassipes
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. These were the tiniest crabs I have ever seen – maybe 1 cm in length? Very adorable.
- 8/7: Marin, California.
Grainy Hermit Crab
Pagurus granosimanus
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in a shallow pool. Hermit crabs are so much fun to watch.
Pacific Hairy Hermit Crab
Pagurus hirsutiusculus
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Blueband Hermit Crab
Pagurus samuelis
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Saw loads of hermit crabs throughout the tidepools.
Scale-sided Piddock
Parapholas californica
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Mylitta Crescent
Phyciodes mylitta
- 10/1: Marin County, CA.
Ochre Sea Star
Pisaster ochraceus
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Plumularia
Plumularia
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Cutworm Wasps
Podalonia sp
- 9/26: Marin County, CA.
Sandhill Skipper
Polites sabuleti
- 9/26: Abbott’s Lagoon, Marin County, CA. Saw these two lovely butterflies on the beach very near the footbridge and brackish lagoon.
Gooseneck Barnacle
Pollicipes polymerus
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Stone Centipede
Pseudolithobius megaloporus
- 5/8: Petaluma, CA.
Pacific Rock Crab
Romaleon antennarium
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. We found a dead individual in one of the deeper pools.
Pacific Purple Sea Urchin
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. We found an empty test early during our walk and found several living specimens in a deeper pool at the northermost point we reached on this day.
Cardinal Meadowhawk
Sympetrum illotum
- 9/26: Marin County, CA.
Black Tegula
Tegula funebralis
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon. The most abundant gastropod seen in the tidepools. Although a great many of these shells were no longer inhabited by their original owner, and were instead occupied by hermit crabs.
- 1/16: Marin County, CA.
Leafhopper
Thamnotettix zelleri
- 5/12: Ecological Study Area, Kentfield, CA.
Rocky Canyon Spiders
Titiotus sp
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
Pallid-winged Grasshopper
Trimerotropis pallidipennis
- 10/1: Novato, CA.
Black Round Millipede
Tylobolus uncigerus
- 4/9: Novato, CA.
- 6/29: Novato, CA.
Rose Anemone
Urtibrina rimicola
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. This brilliant red anemone was mostly closed when we saw it in a shallow pool.
Western Forest Scorpion
Uroctonus mordax
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Sonoma County, CA.
Fungi
Mulch Maids
Leratiomyces percevalii
- 2/12: Novato, CA.
Layered Cup
Peziza varia
- 2/12: Novato, CA.
Orange Atoms
Squamulea subsoluta
- 5/31: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Hairy Curtain Crust
Stereum hirsutum
- 2/12: Novato, CA.
Gilled Polypore
Trametes betulina
- 2/12: Novato, CA.
- 4/19: Osborn Preserve, Fairfield Osborn Preserve, Sonoma, California.
Turkey-tail
Trametes versicolor
- 8/29: Sonoma County, CA.
Algae and Others
Red Algae
Calliarthron tuberculosum
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Common Coralline
Corallina officinalis
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Feather Boa Kelp
Egregia menziesii
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
- 9/26: Marin County, CA.
Rockweed
Fucus distichus
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Sea Cabbage Kelp
Hedophyllum sessile
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Crustose Coralline Algae
Lithothamnion
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Turkish Washcloth
Mastocarpus papillatus
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Iridescent Red Algae
Mazzaella flaccida
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Black Pine Seaweed
Neorhodomela larix
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Pacific Sea Comb
Plocamium pacificum
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Red Algae
Prionitis lanceolata
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Chain Bladder Kelp
Stephanocystis osmundacea
- 1/16: Agate Beach/Duxbury Reef, Marin County, CA. Seen in the tidepools in the late afternoon.
Gutweed
Ulva intestinalis
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR.
Broadleaf Sea Lettuce
Ulva lactuca
- 5/30: Agate Beach, Newport, OR
Let me know what you think!