Sue Coulter is a tutor and teacher who lives in Little River. Sue also works at the Noyo Center for Marine Sciences as an Education Program Coordinator. Sue is an expert in tidepooling and an experienced bird watcher. What follows is an interview on everything you need to know about the world of tidepooling
Tell me about your background, when did you first become interested in the natural world?
I was into the outdoors from an early age…outdoors being a suburban neighborhood outside of New York City where I grew up. I would spend free time outside whenever I could, either swinging on my swings, going for a bike ride, climbing trees in my yard, playing hopscotch and shuffleboard in my driveway, or playing with the kids in the neighborhood out in the street. I would come home from school, do my homework, and then go out and play. My mom would ring the bell when it was time to come in and usually she had to ring it more than once. On my bike rides, I would ride to creeks, streams, and ponds where I would spend time floating leaves downstream that I would follow. It snowed in the winter, so I also enjoyed hours playing in the snow, sleigh riding, and building snow people.
When did you first start becoming interested in tidepooling/marine biology?
When I moved up here to Mendocino. I’ve always loved the ocean. I grew up on Long Island Sound, which is less dramatic than the Pacific Ocean or Atlantic. I pretty much wanted to be a seal when I was little as I knew they didn’t have to get out of the water unless they wanted to. I loved swimming and would put off eating lunch as my mom’s rule was 45 minutes out of the water to digest food. It was because of my work at Nature Day Camp that I discovered tidepooling. It was instant love at first sight. Because of taking campers on tidepooling excursions, that’s where it all began. When Matt(former partner and fellow nature lover) came into my life, he, too, loved to go tidepooling. He had a big influence on me in that he never let lack of knowledge stop him. He was a big reader and turned me onto guidebooks and looking things up in them, therefore becoming more familiar with what we were seeing. I was fortunate to take classes at College of the Redwoods. I took a weekend class on tidepooling with Greg Granthum (AMAZING teacher!). From that 3-day class, I got a better understanding of how the animals were grouped and their adaptations, etc. When I worked with Tenaya as a middle schooler, she found an online Marine Biology class that we both did together. It was a high-school-level class with chapters that we read in a book and then she/we took the quizzes at the end.
Do you remember your first time tidepooling. If so, what was it like?
I don’t totally remember it, sadly. I think it was through my job as a naturalist/camp leader for Nature Day Camp, though. Possibly there or with Matt’s sister, who I was friends with before I ever got involved with him.
Do you have a favorite aquatic creature or plant?
I am pretty fond of nudibranchs because of how freaky, cool, weird, and colorful they are. Also, probably because you’re not always guaranteed to see them, essentially the rarity of seeing them. I love sunflower stars and REALLY miss seeing them!! Octopus fascinate me as well. Remember the one we both saw together with your sister at Buckhorn years ago? You messed with it a bunch, and I vaguely remember you got “beaked” by it. Sea stars and crabs are pretty awesome too!
What is your best memory of tidepooling?
One of my favorite times was when I went to the pink palace and barnacles of Narnia (cave spots off Mendo headlands) and counted over 35 hermissinda nudibranchs!!! Tide pooling with Matt and seeing several sunflower stars at that same spot. Full sized ones + babies too. It’s been over 10 years since I’ve seen those guys. Probably taking friends who have never been before is always a treat!
What changes have you noticed from during your years of tidepooling?
That the purple urchins, which when I first saw them I thought “wow mama nature…purple animals!!!!How amazing!” Now, 20+ years later, they’re the main thing you see when you go tide pooling. Also, the sunflower star disappearing from being seen regularly. Because of so many urchins, I think the diversity of what you would see has diminished as well.
What changes do you predict will happen in our local tidepools?
I’m hoping that the kelp comes back in the vast amount we used to have, as that will have a positive impact on our local tide pools. Sadly, I think we may be at a plateau of urchin barrens and mostly bat stars, hermit crabs, and snails for diversity of some of the pools. If the kelp forest is restored to what it was, then I’m hopeful that the tide pools will be restored to their previous diversity of animals.
What do you recommend to someone who wants to get into tidepooling, is there any equipment you need for tidepooling?
Always check ocean conditions (wind, surf height, etc.), and go with someone as it’s great to be shown what to look for. I find surf booties essential for the most enjoyable experience as they have a tread on the bottom, can get wet, and are helpful in preventing falling on your butt. Tide pool critters laminate or guidebook so you know what to look for or can find the name of something you saw. Make sure you know when the tide is low, as you usually have about 1.5 hours before and after it’s low to safely tide pool.
Where are good places to go tidepooling?
I love the ones of the Mendo headlands for nudibranch sightings, Buckhorn for possible octopus sightings….those two spots are my favorite. MacKerricher is pretty good, too, although it’s been pretty impacted by the millions of tourists that have visited them over the years.
What can one expect to see in our local pools?
Urchins for sure, sadly. Usually bat stars, hermit crabs, snails, and sculpin…shore crabs, kelp crabs…ochre stars…