Ochre Sea Stars

Ochre Star, Pisaster ochraceus

Masses of these stars used to be seen just below the surface all along the Pacific coast of Canada and the USA. But then the sea star wasting disease wiped a lot of them out starting in 2014. They are slowly making a return but they are still not in the numbers they used to be.  They are referred to as Purple Ochre Stars even though there are occasionally orange coloured ones mixed in with them. 

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Single Ochre Star, Pisaster ochraceus, in shallow water.
Small group of Ochre Star, Pisaster ochraceus, near the surface.
Small group of Ochre Star, Pisaster ochraceus, near the surface.
Group of Ochre Star, Pisaster ochraceus, and a single Bat Star in Tahsis Inlet.
Cluster of Purple Ochre Stars, and a Sunflower Star, near the surface in Browning Pass.
Cluster of Purple Ochre Stars, near the surface in Browning Pass.
Cluster of Purple Ochre Stars, and a Leather Star, near the surface in Browning Pass.
Cluster of Purple Ochre Stars, Pisaster ochraceus, at the surface.
Trio of Purple Ochre Stars, Pisaster ochraceus.
Group of Purple Ochre Stars, Pisaster ochraceus, with sunlight streaming through the water.
Group of Cluster of Purple Ochre Stars, Pisaster ochraceus, with Red Urchin in Seymour Narrows.
Cluster of Purple Ochre Stars and one lone Vermilion Star.
Amazing colourful sealife adorns the pilings of the Argonaut wharf. Ochre Stars, Painted Anemone and Giant Chiton.
Large cluster of Purple Ochre Stars Pisaster ochraceus, at Bold Point on Quadra Island.