Tidal WildlifeInteresting wildlife is found in ocean tidal pools. (Photo David A. Murray)

Our oceans offer an underwater world filled with wildlife of unparalleled proportions. From microscopic creatures to the largest mammals on the planet, the ocean floor and its waters contain critters uniquely different from land-dwelling wildlife.

Very often, as wildlife watchers, nature lovers, and photographers, we overlook the exploration of the sea when seeking out the observation and discovery of the world's critters. Naturally, not everyone has equal access to the oceans that surround our continent. Nevertheless, in this highly mobile society of the twenty-first century, most people that desire to visit or live in proximity to the ocean can do so.

There are numerous ways to enjoy the unique and spectacular wildlife of the sea. Sophisticated underwater gear offers the ability to explore the ocean floor at depths unattainable by any other method. However, for the average person without the sophisticated gear or desire to dive deep into Mother Nature's waters, a simple mask, snorkel, and fins will allow for safe and enjoyable exploration of shallow waters. Of course, for people who prefer to remain vertical when close to the water, an enjoyable walk along the beach or water's edge can also reap interesting observations.

Let's take a closer look at an interesting and reasonably common critter of the sea, the sea star, or what is more commonly referred to as a starfish. It's interesting that although the name sea star is more descriptive of this animal, most people have embraced the name starfish; although, this critter doesn't have fins or other characteristics of a fish.

Sea stars are part of a large group named Echinoderms, which is comprised entirely of marine animals. An interesting and surprising characteristic of these critters is that they all contain a nervous system, reproductive organs, and a digestive system, not unlike land-based wildlife. Naturally, this is where the similarities end, as these critters spend their entire lives under water.

The starfish in this photograph is referred to as a slender sea star. This starfish is relatively small, about the size of a nickel, with a body radius of about one inch and an overall length, from the tip of one arm to the tip of the other, of about two and one-half inches. This "class" of starfish usually has five, and sometimes six, long slender arms, also referred to as rays, that taper to a narrow blunt point on the ends. The starfish pictured here is vivid red in color, although pink, lavender, and purple are also common colors. The color of the underside of the slender sea star is cream colored or white.

The slender sea star is known to range from the waters of Nova Scotia south to Cape Hatteras. Its preferred habitat is that of rocky or sandy-gravel bottoms, and it can be found anywhere from depths of almost five hundred feet to the shallows of the low tide mark.

The extremely bright colors of this starfish make it relatively easy to see in shallow water; so, with a little bit of luck, finding one is not an impossibility. Of course, as with any wildlife, you need to put your time in to increase the odds of locating one of these critters. The easiest way to locate a slender sea star is to explore shallow tidal pools, coves, and beaches along the low tide mark. Certainly, if you're more adventurous, and have the right equipment and training, snorkeling or diving increases your opportunities.

Once you've found a subject, there are a couple of ways to create a nice photograph. One way is to gently move the starfish into shallow water or to the water's edge. If you bring it up onto the beach, keep it on the wet sand and limit the shooting time before returning it to the water.

The other approach is to create a controlled environment. Bring a large, clean, pail or tub and fill it with a two-inch base of rocks or sand from the ocean floor. Then, put a few inches of seawater in it; essentially, you are creating a small temporary ocean aquarium. Now, put the starfish into the pail. This controlled environment eliminates the motion of the ocean tide and improves your ability to create a quality photograph.

The best type of lens to use for this application is a macro lens. A macro lens is a specialized lens that allows for close-up and detailed focusing. The magnification, when using a macro lens, is significant and even the slightest vibration will create a "soft" (not sharp) image. Therefore, mounting the camera on a sturdy tripod is necessary for creating a "sharp" picture.

Also important in macro photography is the depth-of-field. This simply means the distance (which in macro photography can be fractions of an inch) between the nearest and farthest points that will be in "sharp" focus; to maximize the depth-of-field when shooting macros, try to position the lens (or film plane) parallel to your subject.

Photographing tiny critters can be big fun; so get yourself a macro lens and give it a try!

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