Seasons in the Sea - A month-by-month guide to Central California sea life
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The open ocean Marine mammals Seabirds Kelp beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Overview Winds, waves, and currents The Open Ocean Marine Mammals Seabirds Kelp Beds Rocky intertidal areas Sandy Beaches Coastal estuaries
Marine Mammals Birds Fishes / Sharks Crustaceans Mollusks Echinoderms Algae / Plants
References
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Pigeon Point Lighthouse

How to use this web site

This web site is designed so that you can find information in a variety of different ways. Here are a few examples:

Browse by month and habitat

Suppose you are going to the beach in April. Before you go, you might want to read up on what seasonal changes are happening on local beaches.
  1. Place your curser over the word "Apr" in the menu bar at the top of this page.
  2. Select "Sandy Beaches" from the drop-down menu.
  3. You will see a detailed description of what beach plants and animals are doing at this time of year.

Note: Most sea creatures are described under the environment in which they live. However, marine mammals and seabirds are grouped their own sections, because these animals occupy many different environments.

Follow changes in a particular habitat

Suppose you're a SCUBA diver, fascinated by life in the kelp beds. You might want to read about how the kelp beds change on a month-to-month basis, or when there is likely to be good visibility.
  1. Place your cursor over the word "Jan/Feb" in the menu bar and select "Kelp Beds" from the drop-down menu.
  2. Once you have read all the text on that month, select "Next month" to read what's happening in March.
  3. Continue until you've read about kelp beds throughout the year.

Follow a particular animal or alga through the year

Suppose you're a birder and you want to know what pelagic cormorants are doing at different times of year. You can see the yearly "schedules" of these birds and compare them with other birds.
  1. Place your cursor over the word "Timelines" near the right side of the menu bar
  2. Select "Birds" in the drop-down menu
  3. Look down the left-hand column to find "Pelagic cormorant." You will see a summary of the main seasonal activities of pelagic cormorants throughout the year.

Search for all references to a species or process

Suppose you want to find every reference on the site to rockfish on this site. Click on the "Search" button on the right side of the menu bar to find every page where rockfish are mentioned (there will be a lot of them). My apologies for the ads.
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