While walking along the coast near Mount Martha, I came upon this starfish resting just beneath the water’s surface. Though it is a known marine pest along our shores, I could not help but appreciate the quiet moment when it appeared beside my feet as I was photographing the sea.
The image depicts a sea star—also known as a starfish—positioned upon a bed of green algae and submerged vegetation. Notably, it possesses more than the customary five arms, suggesting it may belong to a multi-armed species such as the Solaster, commonly referred to as the sun star.
These creatures are marine echinoderms, distinguished by their radial symmetry and numerous tube feet, which they employ to navigate the ocean floor. This specimen was observed in a shallow, tranquil coastal pool, where the clarity of the water revealed the richness of the marine flora beneath.
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Linking Saturday Critter
Wow, this is amazing đ
ReplyDeleteA little surprise does not hurt
DeleteWhat a great find. I would think it was unusual to see one in a coastal pool.
ReplyDeleteThere was a plague of it in Sydney Ocean Pool that the pool was closed for few days
DeleteIt looks like an octopus! How big is it? Starfish bring back memories to me of visits to the seaside when I was little, there we sometimes found dried small ones (with five arms) in the sand, that we took home with us.
ReplyDeleteAround the thumb size. This clearly had more than 5 arms though
DeleteIt's such an attractive creature - pity it's a pest.
ReplyDeleteChinese cook them and eat it
Delete...this is exotic for me.
ReplyDeleteThey destroy ecosystem
DeleteWhat a truly wonderful and inspiring moment!!! Hard to believe they are actually pests. They are not here.
ReplyDeleteLike koala and kangaroos in some regions of Australia
DeleteWhat a beautiful critter again.
ReplyDeleteI am not taking many wildlife shots for a long time.
DeleteSe ve preciosa en medio del mar.
ReplyDeleteIt is by the beach walk
DeleteFrom starry skies to starry seas.
ReplyDeleteI should not complain. I often go out
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