Dreadful photos - tiny beige birds amidst beige rocks far away across a field - but perhaps IDable after all, particularly the dark/white on the wings of the one landing. They apparently had been closer to the fence until 5 min before I arrived, but were spooked by a helicopter ("Classic!"). I was able to enjoy them through a scope, however. Ebird report(s) from the day before in this location: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34073686
UPDATE 11/28: See Brenna's comment below!
UPDATE 10/18: Jeff Goddard says C. rickettsi via Flkr.
Persistence - I know this is the third time I've attempted to ID these guys and perhaps the verdict will also be a C. columbiana (found one of them today too, nice for comparison) -- which is OK -- BUT let me test your patience one more time:
1) No flecks on leading edge of cerrata
2) White on both rhinophores and oral tentacles (C. columbiana has more color)
And here's the link to Doug Mason's photos again for comparison: https://www.flickr.com/photos/39365853@N07/15700852369 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/39365853@N07/15886229132
Oh, and about 1/2" long.
Dreadful photos - tiny beige birds amidst beige rocks far away across a field - but perhaps IDable after all, particularly the dark/white on the wings of the one landing. They apparently had been closer to the fence until 5 min before I arrived, but were spooked by a helicopter ("Classic!"). I was able to enjoy them through a scope, however. Ebird report(s) from the day before in this location: http://ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist/S34073686
About 2.5" long. Note adorable 'beard.' Trawl at about 15' depth. (released). ID as per: http://calfish.ucdavis.edu/species/?uid=118&ds=241
Azog the Defiler! - ID as per second photo. ;-)
or...Juvenile red rock crab.
Video of it hunting: https://www.flickr.com/gp/30314434@N06/V36h43
UPDATE 11/28: See Brenna's comment below!
UPDATE 10/18: Jeff Goddard says C. rickettsi via Flkr.
Persistence - I know this is the third time I've attempted to ID these guys and perhaps the verdict will also be a C. columbiana (found one of them today too, nice for comparison) -- which is OK -- BUT let me test your patience one more time:
1) No flecks on leading edge of cerrata
2) White on both rhinophores and oral tentacles (C. columbiana has more color)
And here's the link to Doug Mason's photos again for comparison: https://www.flickr.com/photos/39365853@N07/15700852369 and https://www.flickr.com/photos/39365853@N07/15886229132
Oh, and about 1/2" long.
Jeez, fish. Looks like the pic in the book, lacks the yellow eye of the yelloweye, and the face stripes of the canary.