Whelks to Whales: Coastal Marine Life of the Pacific Northwest

This full-colour field guide to the marine life of coastal British Columbia, Alaska, Washington, Oregon and northern California is perfect for divers, boaters, beachcombers, and snorkellers of every experience level. The concise handbook is a ready reference to the 420 most common species that can be observed along the west coast.

The shorelines of Alaska, British Columbia, Washington, Oregon and northern California are so generously populated with marine animals and plants that divers, beachcombers, whale watchers, naturalists and biologists from all over the world come here to enjoy the natural wonders of the coastline.

The gentle climate and warm ocean current of this region support thousands of plants and animals, from the microscopic planktonic algae that bloom and colour the water, to the smallest snails on the seashore, to the blue whale, the largest animal on earth. The Pacific Northwest is home to the world’s tallest anemone (plumose anemone) and many of the world’s largest species, including the giant Pacific octopus, barnacle (giant barnacle) sea slug (orange peel nudibranch), intertidal clam (geoduck) and sea urchin (red sea urchin).

Whelks to Whales is designed for everyone from the expert biologist to the weekend naturalist and is a ready reference to the 420 most common species, the fascinating local sponges, jellyfish, crabs, shrimp, barnacles, clams, snails, seals, fish, whales, sea algae and hundreds of other living things that can be observed and identified without being disturbed.

This accessible full-colour field guide is arranged for quick identification with colour-coded sections, photographs of all species – most pictured in their natural habitat – and comprehensive but concise information on size, range, habitat and facts of interest about each species. With a glossary, checklist, reading list and full index included, Whelks to Whales is the only book you will need to identify and learn about the diverse marine life you are likely to encounter while exploring the waters and seashores of the Pacific Northwest.