https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/187410975
Sea stars, celebrated for their resilience and regenerative abilities, have painted the coastal waters of Homer, Alaska, with their vibrant colors and striking patterns for millennia. An emblem of the rich marine biodiversity, they enliven the dock and tidal pools, contributing to the ecological balance by preying on mollusks, barnacles, snails, and other smaller organisms (Sea Star). We’re lucky here in Homer, renowned for its spectacular views and prolific marine life, that we see a tapestry of sea stars beneath the waves, a visual feast.
During low tide, the marine veil withdrew, revealing a biotic panorama beneath! The piers of the dock, once submerged became islands of life, inhabited by a myriad of organisms including these stunning sea stars. On this low tide day, locals and tourists alike found themselves drawn to the dock to explore these temporary landscapes, observing the life that usually remains hidden beneath the sea’s surface.
Historically, the indigenous people of Alaska, including the Sugpiaq (Alutiiq) and Dena'ina, manifested a deep-rooted connection with the marine environment, forging an existence intertwined with the sea and its creatures. The sea stars were not merely organisms to observe; they were entities entwined in stories, symbols, and occasionally, sustenance and utility. The durable skin of some sea star species was occasionally utilized in traditional practices, while others might become components in medicinal preparations. Sea stars and other marine life also find a place in native folklore and spiritual beliefs, symbolizing various elements like regeneration, mystery, and adaptability (Native American Starfish Mythology).
These marine entities thus represent more than their biological attributes; they are threads in a cultural tapestry that spans generations. The ebb and flow of the tides in Homer not only unveil the biotic wonders below but also symbolically reveal a window into the past, where nature and culture elegantly collide, entwining tales of survival, coexistence, and reverence between the indigenous peoples and the vibrant life beneath the Alaskan waves.
Works Cited
"Native American Starfish Mythology." Native Languages, 13 Oct. 2023, www.native-languages.org/legends-starfish.htm.
"Sea Star." Britannica, 13 Oct. 2023, www.britannica.com/animal/sea-star.
Comentarios
Wow, impressive pictures; they look so good. I have never seen a starfish in the wild. I've seen them in museums, and my sister showed me a dead starfish she found. So, my knowledge of them is extremely limited. I just found it so interesting that you were able to find so many grouped together; I always assumed that they lived far from other starfish. It always amazes me the variety of life in Alaska and how much Native Alaskans cherish each creature. I never expected the starfish to be that important or have that much folklore. I am curious about how much a starfish can regenerate; I know they can regenerate their limbs, but can they regenerate if they get cut in half? I find regenerating creatures so fascinating it makes me want to learn more about them. Thanks for your wonderful post and for teaching me more about the starfish.
I love sea stars! I remember growing up seeing them all over Juneau, but I hardly see them anymore. I should look into why that is. I have always been so interested in how sea stars eat, and have always wanted to observe one eating snails or mollusks. It makes sense why sea stars are inspiration for stories of regeneration and adaptability, seeing as they are incredible adapters. I have not heard any traditional stories making reference to sea stars but would love to find, read, or hear such stories. I'm curious as to how sea star skin would be used medicinally. Thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing about these magnificent creatures! Sea stars are some of my favorite marine creatures to spot and initially fueled my excitement for moving to Alaska when I learned they live here! I'm fascinated with their regenerative qualities and pleased to learn that they are honored and included in some Alaska Native stories and traditions. Here in Juneau, sea stars are often tricky to find and are only accessible during negative tides. It looks like you were able to spot quite a few all lumped together in Homer. It surely makes for a great observation! Never a bad day when you get to see sea stars, that’s for sure.
Hi Sam – I just love reading your descriptions about the areas that surround you, I cannot wait to visit Homer one day! It sounds absolutely beautiful. The variety of sea stars you show in your observations are so interesting. We generally have one type of sea star that I’ve seen, not sure which species, up here in the Bering Sea. I wonder what the traditional practices and medicinal uses stemmed from the sea star; I would love to do more research on that. It really makes sense that the folklore sea stars represent are those of regeneration and resilience, that is a sea star’s life in a nutshell. Grasping on to what they can and the fact that they do actually regenerate limbs.
Hi, Samantha–I know this observation is technically from last week but I really enjoy sea stars! I was obsessed with the Disney princess Ariel when I was younger and, by extension, loved all the other little sea creatures throughout the movie. When I got older and did actual research on various real species I was also fascinated by their regenerative abilities. I’ve never been to Homer but it looks like a great place to see many unique animals. Also, I had no idea that the Alutiiq and Dena'ina peoples harvested starfish and other ocean/shore-dwelling creatures. Like I said in Jillian’s post on periwinkles too, since we only have a couple of observations left to post on the forum I am super glad that some small sea animals made it into our class observations before our weekly iNaturalist assignments end soon.
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