Just got back from the coast.... *sigh* (Newport: living, pub)

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Did you try the Hatfield Marine Science Center? Aside from all those places you went to (and I love every one of them), the MHSC is very kid friendly and educational.

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by BLAZER PROPHET

Did you try the Hatfield Marine Science Center? Aside from all those places you went to (and I love every one of them), the MHSC is very kid friendly and educational.

Ooooh ... haven't been there yet, but definitely would like to check it out. We're going back to that area again in May for a planned camping trip and want to check it out then, if we don't make it back for another spur of the moment trip before then.

I was wondering - is there a good season for sand dollars? I mean, is there like a certain time of the year that is the best time for finding the skeletons of sand dollars on the beach? I was wondering if there was a natural time for them to die... kind of like how in the late fall and winter you can find empty wasp nests in the trees because the wasps have gone underground during the cold weather... or how the salmon naturally die within two weeks of spawning. Do sand dollars have a similar life cycle or pattern to them somehow?

Maybe we can find out at the MHSC!

[seashelly]

Originally Posted by haggardhouseelf

.....

I was wondering - is there a good season for sand dollars? I mean, is there like a certain time of the year that is the best time for finding the skeletons of sand dollars on the beach? I was wondering if there was a natural time for them to die... kind of like how in the late fall and winter you can find empty wasp nests in the trees because the wasps have gone underground during the cold weather... or how the salmon naturally die within two weeks of spawning. Do sand dollars have a similar life cycle or pattern to them somehow?

Maybe we can find out at the MHSC!

I don't know about there being any particular good time of year for finding sand dollars, something to think about tho, but I do find that each different beach along the coast seems to have more abundance of certain particular sealife/shells such as starfish, sand dollars, etc. The best sand dollar beach that I have found is Horsfall Beach just north of Coos Bay. One can always find a sand dollar there.

[uiier]

haggardhouseelf, I swear we must follow you around and just never know it!! We were at Seal Rock cause we love that place!! Got some awesome photos like this one.



We need to just carpool!

[Sandpointian]

Haggard,
Your writing is quite charming. I really enjoyed the read. Better than "seeing" the coast, I got a sense of what you felt while exploring.

Thanks,
S

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by seashelly

I don't know about there being any particular good time of year for finding sand dollars, something to think about tho, but I do find that each different beach along the coast seems to have more abundance of certain particular sealife/shells such as starfish, sand dollars, etc. The best sand dollar beach that I have found is Horsfall Beach just north of Coos Bay. One can always find a sand dollar there.

I've been trying to read about the life cycles of sand dollars, and although what I've found is very interesting, I haven't found anything that correlates their life cycle to our seasons. I'll keep looking as I have time...

I have learned that sea stars are the natural predators of sand dollars. As well as snails and "skates". I don't know what "skates" are... now I have another new thing to learn about! This is fun...

I'm wondering if the beaches where you are more likely to find sand dollars, are the areas where you are less likely to find sea stars? Makes sense, doesn't it? Just as how sea stars and sea anemones are often found together - the stars higher up on the rocks and the anemones below - because the anemones eat the sea stars "leftovers". Evidently sea stars are very sloppy eaters, so the anemones place themselves below the stars to benefit from the mess.

So... then I wonder if the better places to find sand dollars would be those great long stretches of flat sandy beaches, as opposed to the great tide pooling areas with their cliffs and rocks...

I have never stopped in Coos Bay or explored Horsfall Beach... thanks for that tip seashelly. I have also heard that the beach just before the Necanicum River near Seaside, OR is also a good place to find sand dollars, as well as Arcadia Beach (south of Cannon Beach).

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by uiier

haggardhouseelf, I swear we must follow you around and just never know it!! We were at Seal Rock cause we love that place!! Got some awesome photos like this one.



We need to just carpool!

Oh that is a great photo! At first you don't even notice the seal on the rock because the waves are so dramatic, but then you see that guy perched there... like he's on a ride at Six Flag's or something.... weeeeee! It must be a good life there for those guys.

We take loads of pictures, but I either need a better camera or a photography class! Also, most of mine have my children in them and I'm not sure about posting them online.

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by Sandpointian

Haggard,
Your writing is quite charming. I really enjoyed the read. Better than "seeing" the coast, I got a sense of what you felt while exploring.

Thanks,
S

Thank you! That's nice of you to say. I've been told several times over the years that I should write children's books. I sometimes dream of becoming a writer, and start stories, I even illustrate them, but have trouble finishing them. I get sidetracked or busy with life... or I think to myself - how the heck would I ever get this published, anyway? Perhaps when my boylets are older I'll go back and finish at least one of them! Anyway - thank you for the kind words. I'm glad you enjoyed the post!

[West coast at heart]

Originally Posted by haggardhouseelf

You can tell your wife that if you find just the "test" (the hard, white or greyish skeleton of the sand dollar) on the beach, there is "nobody home" and it's totally OK to treasure it. When sand dollars are alive, they have a spiny, velvety skin that is sometimes greenish, greyish, purple or even blue in color that covers the "test". When alive - they look like colorful, fuzzy, cookies.

It's refreshing, though, to hear of someone having and showing respect for sea creatures! So many people just do what they want without regard or compassion for anything else. You're wife sounds like a very kind and thoughtful person!

That is great news! We love finding them on the beach. And yes, my wife is incredible! It has been ten years of bliss!

My wife and I found about a dozen sand dollars at Copalis beach in July about four years ago. Copalis is on the WA coast, just north of Ocean Shores. The beach is very flat and sandy. You may be correct about the type of beach and possibly the time of year being prevalent. Happy hunting!

Have a great day!
wc@h

[seashelly]

[quote=haggardhouseelf;7881775]....

I'm wondering if the beaches where you are more likely to find sand dollars, are the areas where you are less likely to find sea stars? Makes sense, doesn't it? Just as how sea stars and sea anemones are often found together - the stars higher up on the rocks and the anemones below - because the anemones eat the sea stars "leftovers". Evidently sea stars are very sloppy eaters, so the anemones place themselves below the stars to benefit from the mess.

So... then I wonder if the better places to find sand dollars would be those great long stretches of flat sandy beaches, as opposed to the great tide pooling areas with their cliffs and rocks...

QUOTE]

Yes, Haggardhouseelf, that does make sense now. Yes @ Horsfall Beach, with all the Sand Dollars, is a long stretch of sandy beach whereas the Star Fish can be spotted @ the rocky Haceta Head Lighthouse Beach near Florence, some of the rockier tidepool beaches toward Waldport and Newport, and also along with Anemones in the tidepools of Face Rock Beach in Bandon. Star Fish cling to rocks so rocky beaches make sense.