Look down

Even on a cold grey January afternoon the retreating spring tide can reveal some fascinating things normally concealed. My eye was caught by what looked like a soggy ball of yarn on a rock above the waterline (left). Submerged nearby (right),  another sea anemone of the same sort flaunted its fluorescent tentacles, just as the other will do when the tide rises again.

They don't really show up here but the tips of the tentacles glow purple. to attract prey. The green coloration comes from the anemone's  symbiotic relationship with algae. It's a fascinating animal and you can read more about it here.

Eaten as poverty fare in Spain in the past, they are becoming fashionable (deep fried) in restaurants specialising in wild food and as a result are now endangered by trawling in some places. Attempts are being made to rear them artificially... 'twas ever thus.

ortiguillas de mar