The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest

Book excerpt: A new edition of the bestselling beachcomber’s companion, updated with additional species, new information and photographs of West Coast seashore life, sure to enhance any trip to the beach! The Pacific Northwest coast is home to one of the most diverse displays of intertidal marine life in the world, including sponges, clams, snails, crabs, sea stars, sea anemones, jellies, fishes, seaweeds and more. The New Beachcomber’s Guide to the Pacific Northwest is a portable and easy-to-use reference for searching out and identifying the hundreds of species of seashore life found on the beaches of British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Northern California and Southeast Alaska. Covering the Pacific Northwest’s most common shoreline-dwelling flora and fauna, the guide gives in each entry a detailed description of appearance and habitat accompanied by colour photos for easy identification of any creature you might encounter as you explore your local beach. Additional details about each species are included. Simple but essential information on tides and the various habitats within the intertidal zones is also provided to assist beachcombers in exploring safely without harming the creatures they are watching. Thoroughly revised and packed with handy and accessible information, this guide belongs in the beach bag or backpack of any avid naturalist, amateur beachcomber or adventurous family.