The Beachcomber' S Guide to Seashore Life in the Pacific Northwest [ILLUSTRATED] [UNABRIDGED] (Paperback)

by J Duane Sept (Author) "Sponges are filter-feeding, colonial animals which live together as a larger unit..." (more)
Key Phrases: fat gaper, mouse nudibranch, low intertidal zone, Aleutian Islands, San Diego, Queen Charlotte Islands (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
What's that purple stuff you and the kids always see at the edge of the water when you go to the beach? Is it okay to touch those gooey little creatures you always find in tidepools? And where's the best place along the coast to see bat stars? This book can tell you. The 274 most common animals and plants to be seen along the saltwater shores of the Pacific Northwest are described here-the ones that stay put and that cover great distances; the ones that hide and that love a party; the ones that look like rocks or feathers or blobs of jelly. Illustrating each entry is a full-colour photo of the species in its natural habitat, so that even the novice can identify it confidently - without disturbing it. There are special sections on great Pacific Northwest viewing sites for intertidal fife, ways to understand tides and choose the best times to look for beach wildlife, intertidal habitats ranging from sandy beaches to aging wharves to rocky, wave-swept shores, and ecologically friendly observation methods. Packed with expert information but wonderfully accessible to any interested layperson, this book is perfect for a family or a school group, a Saturday beachwalker or a naturalists' club. The species described here include sponges, clams, snails, crabs, sea stars, sea anemones, jellies, fishes, seaweeds and others. This informative guide was written to be both accurate and easy to understand. Details for each plant or animal include; description, habitat, range, additional notes and more. Many intertidal sites found in the Pacific Northwest are also featured in this guide. Additional information found here include tidal actions, intertidal habitats, and environmentally friendly beachcombing.

About the Author
Duane Sept's passion for wildlife has brought him to study his subjects and to work throughout western Canada as a biologist, writer, professional photographer and environmental consultant. His photographs and writings have been published in numerous periodicals, including BBC Wildlife, Canadian Wildlife, Nature Canada and Outdoor Canada. He lives with his wife and two children on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harbour Pub Co; 1 edition (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1550172042
• ISBN-13: 978-1550172041
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #324,747 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect field guide, June 9, 2003

By	Minette Layne (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

I highly recommend this book. It's a great first stop for identifying tide pool creatures of the Pacific Northwest (specifically Washington, Oregon, Vancouver Island, and the San Juans). If you are hoping for a simple, straightforward guide that covers a broad range of critters, this is the book for you. You can count on this guide for good pictures, both common and scientific names, and a few interesting facts about each animal (and algae).

As a marine naturalist, I use this guide more than any other when I'm talking to people at the beach and have found that both adults and children find it helpful and interesting.

If you're hoping for a more in-depth guide with more detailed scientific information, I recommend Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast by Kozloff (in addition to this book).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A helpful guide-but not essential, July 27, 2005

By	A. L. Hallock - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This guide lived up to its name and was fairly useful. However, it could have used some more detail, and pictures of just the shells would have been helpful. In general, it is a good beginners book.