William Barnacle
@urchinartdesigns.bsky.social
Sometime sailor, diver, biologist, photographer, jeweler, and a beer every couple of weeks... you can call me "Bill".
Swept away.
A mating pair of predatory sea slugs (Navanax inermis) gets interrupted by strong swell, tearing apart their mating attempt.
Most sea slugs are hermaphrodites and they fertilize each other at the same time. It doesn't always work out.
Deeper, deeper, I told we need to go deeper!
A mating pair of predatory sea slugs (Navanax inermis) gets interrupted by strong swell, tearing apart their mating attempt.
Most sea slugs are hermaphrodites and they fertilize each other at the same time. It doesn't always work out.
Deeper, deeper, I told we need to go deeper!
February 2, 2026 at 3:44 PM
Swept away.
A mating pair of predatory sea slugs (Navanax inermis) gets interrupted by strong swell, tearing apart their mating attempt.
Most sea slugs are hermaphrodites and they fertilize each other at the same time. It doesn't always work out.
Deeper, deeper, I told we need to go deeper!
A mating pair of predatory sea slugs (Navanax inermis) gets interrupted by strong swell, tearing apart their mating attempt.
Most sea slugs are hermaphrodites and they fertilize each other at the same time. It doesn't always work out.
Deeper, deeper, I told we need to go deeper!
I'm a star (well, not me the sea star). Astarina miniata, a bat star as it moves over pink rock (coralline algae) filled with tube mollusks.
These sea stars can be found with amazing colors; yellow, orange, purple, green, red, and brown plus combinations of these colors. And they'll eat urchins.
These sea stars can be found with amazing colors; yellow, orange, purple, green, red, and brown plus combinations of these colors. And they'll eat urchins.
February 1, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I'm a star (well, not me the sea star). Astarina miniata, a bat star as it moves over pink rock (coralline algae) filled with tube mollusks.
These sea stars can be found with amazing colors; yellow, orange, purple, green, red, and brown plus combinations of these colors. And they'll eat urchins.
These sea stars can be found with amazing colors; yellow, orange, purple, green, red, and brown plus combinations of these colors. And they'll eat urchins.
Hiding on the bottom is a Crevice Kelpfish, which is actually a Blenny.
This fish rolled a little with the swell as did the seaweed next to it and it was almost invisible when it did.
"males will perform a series of energetic swimming maneuvers to entice females into their territory"
This fish rolled a little with the swell as did the seaweed next to it and it was almost invisible when it did.
"males will perform a series of energetic swimming maneuvers to entice females into their territory"
January 31, 2026 at 2:46 PM
Hiding on the bottom is a Crevice Kelpfish, which is actually a Blenny.
This fish rolled a little with the swell as did the seaweed next to it and it was almost invisible when it did.
"males will perform a series of energetic swimming maneuvers to entice females into their territory"
This fish rolled a little with the swell as did the seaweed next to it and it was almost invisible when it did.
"males will perform a series of energetic swimming maneuvers to entice females into their territory"
A medium-sized red rock crab rests in hollow of a Gray Moon Sponge (this sponge can grow as big as a couch).
I used this image in my coloring book, which I'll introduce in a few weeks. The cartoon that used a kitchen sponge to represent them... when was TV ever good source of info?
I used this image in my coloring book, which I'll introduce in a few weeks. The cartoon that used a kitchen sponge to represent them... when was TV ever good source of info?
January 30, 2026 at 3:02 PM
A medium-sized red rock crab rests in hollow of a Gray Moon Sponge (this sponge can grow as big as a couch).
I used this image in my coloring book, which I'll introduce in a few weeks. The cartoon that used a kitchen sponge to represent them... when was TV ever good source of info?
I used this image in my coloring book, which I'll introduce in a few weeks. The cartoon that used a kitchen sponge to represent them... when was TV ever good source of info?
Yesterday's post was of a bunch of fish mobbing a Garibaldi's nest.
Today's photo is of the nest itself, close up enough to see the eggs attached to the seaweed.
Today's photo is of the nest itself, close up enough to see the eggs attached to the seaweed.
January 29, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Yesterday's post was of a bunch of fish mobbing a Garibaldi's nest.
Today's photo is of the nest itself, close up enough to see the eggs attached to the seaweed.
Today's photo is of the nest itself, close up enough to see the eggs attached to the seaweed.
On the right are rockfish called Blacksmith and a Señorita. On the left side are fish eggs attached to algae: the nest of a Garibaldi. The Garibaldi swam off when I moved in close to get a pic of the eggs. At that moment the Blacksmith swept in to eat as many eggs as possible. I moved away quickly.
January 28, 2026 at 3:30 PM
On the right are rockfish called Blacksmith and a Señorita. On the left side are fish eggs attached to algae: the nest of a Garibaldi. The Garibaldi swam off when I moved in close to get a pic of the eggs. At that moment the Blacksmith swept in to eat as many eggs as possible. I moved away quickly.
A Torpedo Ray, an electric ray, glides over the reef. When I was in my late teens I came across one near Zuma Beach that I'd wrangle by its tail.
Later I looked back to see it was following me around, probably plotting revenge. I never hurt them but they don't like being pulled out of the sand.
Later I looked back to see it was following me around, probably plotting revenge. I never hurt them but they don't like being pulled out of the sand.
January 27, 2026 at 4:03 PM
A Torpedo Ray, an electric ray, glides over the reef. When I was in my late teens I came across one near Zuma Beach that I'd wrangle by its tail.
Later I looked back to see it was following me around, probably plotting revenge. I never hurt them but they don't like being pulled out of the sand.
Later I looked back to see it was following me around, probably plotting revenge. I never hurt them but they don't like being pulled out of the sand.
This moray eel has a crooked jaw, possibly broken in a tussle with an octopus. It was attended to by dozens of shrimp.
Just off Coal Oil Pt are derelict oil well rigs and tailings & this is where he liked to stay. After the warm water from an El Nino was over he left. I hope he headed back south.
Just off Coal Oil Pt are derelict oil well rigs and tailings & this is where he liked to stay. After the warm water from an El Nino was over he left. I hope he headed back south.
January 26, 2026 at 3:20 PM
This moray eel has a crooked jaw, possibly broken in a tussle with an octopus. It was attended to by dozens of shrimp.
Just off Coal Oil Pt are derelict oil well rigs and tailings & this is where he liked to stay. After the warm water from an El Nino was over he left. I hope he headed back south.
Just off Coal Oil Pt are derelict oil well rigs and tailings & this is where he liked to stay. After the warm water from an El Nino was over he left. I hope he headed back south.
Before 2013 when Sea Star Wasting appeared these giant Pisaster sea stars were common. This one is pulling a clam out of it's burrow at Coal Oil Pt.
Canadian researchers found that Vibrio, closely related the agent causing Cholera, killed off millions of sea stars.
Canadian researchers found that Vibrio, closely related the agent causing Cholera, killed off millions of sea stars.
January 25, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Before 2013 when Sea Star Wasting appeared these giant Pisaster sea stars were common. This one is pulling a clam out of it's burrow at Coal Oil Pt.
Canadian researchers found that Vibrio, closely related the agent causing Cholera, killed off millions of sea stars.
Canadian researchers found that Vibrio, closely related the agent causing Cholera, killed off millions of sea stars.
I haven't posted this photo before, except for a coloring book I was working on. A 2-spotted Octopus near UCSB went thru its whole repertoire of camouflage before jetting off. It's resting on a large Gray Moon Sponge, and it's mimicking both the sponge & the purple urchin behind it.
January 24, 2026 at 3:40 PM
I haven't posted this photo before, except for a coloring book I was working on. A 2-spotted Octopus near UCSB went thru its whole repertoire of camouflage before jetting off. It's resting on a large Gray Moon Sponge, and it's mimicking both the sponge & the purple urchin behind it.
A comb-jellyfish, or Ctenophore, was pushed up against the shore near UCSB by winds one season when all sorts of open-ocean organisms got stranded. This one has small tear near the comb-plates. Ctenophores can coordinate their swimming in ways that jellyfish cannot.
January 23, 2026 at 3:31 PM
A comb-jellyfish, or Ctenophore, was pushed up against the shore near UCSB by winds one season when all sorts of open-ocean organisms got stranded. This one has small tear near the comb-plates. Ctenophores can coordinate their swimming in ways that jellyfish cannot.
The Cabezon (big head) was one of my favorite fish. Here's one hiding behind a clump of macroalga called Mermaid's Gloves. It's waiting for a crab, an abalone, or an octopus to come by close enough to swallow it.
I used part of this photo for my coloring book. I'm hoping to have copies this Spring
I used part of this photo for my coloring book. I'm hoping to have copies this Spring
January 22, 2026 at 3:29 PM
The Cabezon (big head) was one of my favorite fish. Here's one hiding behind a clump of macroalga called Mermaid's Gloves. It's waiting for a crab, an abalone, or an octopus to come by close enough to swallow it.
I used part of this photo for my coloring book. I'm hoping to have copies this Spring
I used part of this photo for my coloring book. I'm hoping to have copies this Spring
Here's another photo of a two-spotted octopus. He's waving a couple arms in the lower part, trying to distract me, and getting ready to jet away to the right. Which is what happened next.
Octopi really hate being the center of attention.
Octopi really hate being the center of attention.
January 21, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Here's another photo of a two-spotted octopus. He's waving a couple arms in the lower part, trying to distract me, and getting ready to jet away to the right. Which is what happened next.
Octopi really hate being the center of attention.
Octopi really hate being the center of attention.
When I spotted this 2-spotted octopus near the Mesa in Santa Barbara it was in the open so I swam over to get a photo. I must have looked like a hungry sea lion & it wanted nothing to do with me. It swam into an old concrete pipe to hide so I waited just out of sight & curiosity go the better of it.
January 20, 2026 at 3:52 PM
When I spotted this 2-spotted octopus near the Mesa in Santa Barbara it was in the open so I swam over to get a photo. I must have looked like a hungry sea lion & it wanted nothing to do with me. It swam into an old concrete pipe to hide so I waited just out of sight & curiosity go the better of it.
A Green Abalone sandwiched between a medium-sized Gray Moon Sponge & a sea star has some algae growing on it's shell. It looks like the Abalone can reach up and eat some of that algae when it gets long enough. Abalone, a moveable feast.
January 19, 2026 at 3:54 PM
A Green Abalone sandwiched between a medium-sized Gray Moon Sponge & a sea star has some algae growing on it's shell. It looks like the Abalone can reach up and eat some of that algae when it gets long enough. Abalone, a moveable feast.
Reposted by William Barnacle
New research into the impact of humans on the oceans is, possibly, the biggest threat the oceans are facing. Australia has had toxic algal blooms (HABs) for 8 months straight and it's getting worse. Fires, sewage, and farming are major components of darkwaves.
phys.org/news/2026-01...
phys.org/news/2026-01...
Impact of darkwaves on marine ecosystems revealed
An international team of scientists has developed ways to measure and compare the impact of "darkwaves"—when extreme weather events or human activities reduce underwater light for extended periods, af...
phys.org
January 17, 2026 at 3:50 PM
New research into the impact of humans on the oceans is, possibly, the biggest threat the oceans are facing. Australia has had toxic algal blooms (HABs) for 8 months straight and it's getting worse. Fires, sewage, and farming are major components of darkwaves.
phys.org/news/2026-01...
phys.org/news/2026-01...
This photo is of a Staghorn Bryozoan and it's got dozens of hydrozoans growing out of it. Normally sea slugs like the Spanish Shawl would have eaten the hydroids so I think the Bryozoan may repel the slugs giving hydroids a safe space.
January 18, 2026 at 3:05 PM
This photo is of a Staghorn Bryozoan and it's got dozens of hydrozoans growing out of it. Normally sea slugs like the Spanish Shawl would have eaten the hydroids so I think the Bryozoan may repel the slugs giving hydroids a safe space.
New research into the impact of humans on the oceans is, possibly, the biggest threat the oceans are facing. Australia has had toxic algal blooms (HABs) for 8 months straight and it's getting worse. Fires, sewage, and farming are major components of darkwaves.
phys.org/news/2026-01...
phys.org/news/2026-01...
Impact of darkwaves on marine ecosystems revealed
An international team of scientists has developed ways to measure and compare the impact of "darkwaves"—when extreme weather events or human activities reduce underwater light for extended periods, af...
phys.org
January 17, 2026 at 3:50 PM
New research into the impact of humans on the oceans is, possibly, the biggest threat the oceans are facing. Australia has had toxic algal blooms (HABs) for 8 months straight and it's getting worse. Fires, sewage, and farming are major components of darkwaves.
phys.org/news/2026-01...
phys.org/news/2026-01...
It's another Hair Frost morning next to the Skagit River in Washington State.
January 16, 2026 at 6:04 PM
It's another Hair Frost morning next to the Skagit River in Washington State.
Next to the giant-spined sea star is a nudibranch known as Hermassinda crassicornis. It eats tunicates, hydroids, and other sea slug. There are some common names for it like the "opalescent nudibranch, but they aren't much help in the ID since the "Fighting Phidiana" nudibranch looks very similar.
January 16, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Next to the giant-spined sea star is a nudibranch known as Hermassinda crassicornis. It eats tunicates, hydroids, and other sea slug. There are some common names for it like the "opalescent nudibranch, but they aren't much help in the ID since the "Fighting Phidiana" nudibranch looks very similar.
The 2-spot octopus in California. This one looks like it's feeding on a top snail at the operculum while fending me off with it at the same time.
If they lived longer, then they would rule the seas, but a couple of years isn't long enough for that.
If they lived longer, then they would rule the seas, but a couple of years isn't long enough for that.
January 15, 2026 at 3:04 PM
The 2-spot octopus in California. This one looks like it's feeding on a top snail at the operculum while fending me off with it at the same time.
If they lived longer, then they would rule the seas, but a couple of years isn't long enough for that.
If they lived longer, then they would rule the seas, but a couple of years isn't long enough for that.
Article in Science "The Arctic’s ‘last ice area’ is showing signs of weakness". www.science.org/content/arti... "Mission to Canada’s Queen Elizabeth Islands reveals degradation of a sea ice haven"
Area was once thought to be a possible sea ice refuge for polar bears isn't going to have sea ice.
Area was once thought to be a possible sea ice refuge for polar bears isn't going to have sea ice.
The Arctic’s ‘last ice area’ is showing signs of weakness
Mission to Canada’s Queen Elizabeth Islands reveals degradation of a sea ice haven
www.science.org
January 14, 2026 at 4:57 PM
Article in Science "The Arctic’s ‘last ice area’ is showing signs of weakness". www.science.org/content/arti... "Mission to Canada’s Queen Elizabeth Islands reveals degradation of a sea ice haven"
Area was once thought to be a possible sea ice refuge for polar bears isn't going to have sea ice.
Area was once thought to be a possible sea ice refuge for polar bears isn't going to have sea ice.
The Nation has an article "How Elon Musk Turned Grok Into a Pedo Chatbot" www.thenation.com/article/soci...
I had been thinking of doing something similar (exposing Mush, errr I mean Musk) but I really didn't want to see him anyway.
But somebody should put Musk, Rupert Murdoch, & Trump together.
I had been thinking of doing something similar (exposing Mush, errr I mean Musk) but I really didn't want to see him anyway.
But somebody should put Musk, Rupert Murdoch, & Trump together.
How Elon Musk Turned Grok Into a Pedo Chatbot
The tech oligarch sets a new low—for now—in the degeneration of online discourse.
www.thenation.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The Nation has an article "How Elon Musk Turned Grok Into a Pedo Chatbot" www.thenation.com/article/soci...
I had been thinking of doing something similar (exposing Mush, errr I mean Musk) but I really didn't want to see him anyway.
But somebody should put Musk, Rupert Murdoch, & Trump together.
I had been thinking of doing something similar (exposing Mush, errr I mean Musk) but I really didn't want to see him anyway.
But somebody should put Musk, Rupert Murdoch, & Trump together.
Today's photo is of a pair of sea hares mating. These are large sea slugs, I once found one that weighed 10 lbs!, and they engage in reciprocal mating where both sexes are active at the same time.
Right next to them on the right is a large gray moon sponge. The egg masses get laid nearby.
Right next to them on the right is a large gray moon sponge. The egg masses get laid nearby.
January 14, 2026 at 3:02 PM
Today's photo is of a pair of sea hares mating. These are large sea slugs, I once found one that weighed 10 lbs!, and they engage in reciprocal mating where both sexes are active at the same time.
Right next to them on the right is a large gray moon sponge. The egg masses get laid nearby.
Right next to them on the right is a large gray moon sponge. The egg masses get laid nearby.
"In most human populations, lactase activity decreases during mid-childhood (about five years of age), resulting in low levels from that age onwards." Lactase is the enzyme that digests milk sugar so the question of raw milk vs. pasteurized milk is moot.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
Changing genes; losing lactase
An official website of the United States government
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
January 13, 2026 at 2:49 PM
"In most human populations, lactase activity decreases during mid-childhood (about five years of age), resulting in low levels from that age onwards." Lactase is the enzyme that digests milk sugar so the question of raw milk vs. pasteurized milk is moot.
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC...