Tag: sea star

Boating At Last, and A Sea Star At High Tide

Getting out on the water and found an awesome sea star!

Finally, we went out on the boat for a ride. The day was beautiful, the water was cool (74 degrees), and the tide was high, meaning there were not many beaches to visit.

I did get to walk a little on one of my favorite beaches, but it was a little depressing. Someone had left a bag of trash on the shore and the garbage was strewn up the sand. Also, a man was digging around and scanning the sand with a metal detector. I know a lot of people use them, but it seemed like an odd place to search.

Long Beach view
Island beach
Clear water at high tide
Can you spot the sea star?

I like to be out on the water and get away from that kind of thing, but it seems that it is everywhere. What is wrong with simply enjoying the water and sand?

As I walked down to the far end of the island, I spotted what looked like a starfish just offshore. And YES… it was a starfish! I carefully scooped him up to get a quick photo and then put him back.

Sea star under water
Sea star or starfish with five legs
The shore area where I found the sea star

These were just about the only photos I took because we spend a lot of time riding around. We saw only one dolphin, no manatees, and only a few hermit crabs, so not a big day for discoveries – other than that awesome starfish.

As we headed south to Mosquito Lagoon, the water became choppy, so we came back. Summer is coming and hopefully we will be getting out more often.

The camper has not sold, so I’m getting it packed back up for a camping trip to Anastasia State Park near St. Augustine. We have not camped there yet, but there is ocean access, and I look forward to checking it out. More to come on that.

Thanks for reading!

A Starfish / Sea Star Collection

It’s not unusual for stores to sell starfish and other shells to tourists and locals. Coastal communities cater to people who want to decorate with a tropical vibe and beach shells fit that theme. But where did those starfish and seashells come from? In most cases they were collected alive.

starfish on glass tableWhen I traveled to Florida this past summer to visit my son, we visited with some of his friends and enjoyed a swim in their backyard, saltwater pool. Off to the side was a glass table with a bunch of dried starfish, or sea stars, so I took a photo. The home owners were not home, so I didn’t have a chance to ask them where the starfish came from. They were probably purchased, but maybe not.

I can’t recall finding sea stars on any of my trips to Florida beaches, until just recently. And those finds were while beach combing on island beaches in the Indian River. First, I found a large Lined Sea Star with a couple of missing legs. Then a few months later I discovered a very tiny starfish in the same general area.

Why You Shouldn’t Collect Sea Stars / Starfish

Sea stars move very slowly. It can be difficult to figure out if they are alive or dead. They feel firm and stiff, but that doesn’t mean they are dead and you can take them home! Unless a starfish is lying in the hot sand, far from the surf, it may still be living. A dead sea star will be totally dried out and brittle. They need the saltwater to live, so one found far from water is most likely dead. However, those are a rare find.

Piles of starfish for sale in a shop were probably scooped up from their habitat and left to die and dry out.

Bottom line: don’t collect them. If you find a sea star out of the water gently put it back near the edge or in a tide pool.