Sunstar and other Seastars (Starfish)

 

We took advantage of the bright weather last weekend and headed out to the coast at Felixstowe. There were few birds about, but in a secluded corner we found a collection of starfish, or 'sea stars' to use the preferred name in scientific circles.   

The one above is, I believe, a Common sunstar. I don't think I have ever encountered one before. What a beautiful creature.

 

I couldn't resist the photo above, which shows the proximity of the Common sunstar to one of the other star-shaped echinoderms. I hadn't noticed the 'stars' of white light from the camera until the photo was uploaded; it seemed a shame to crop them off!

 

As you can see from the second photo in this post, there were quite a few ripples in the pool so it was not easy to take a sharp picture. The photo above shows the best attempt at detail I could manage. 

 

The images immediately above and below show what I think must be the Common seastar, Asterias rubens.

Can you see those marks in the sand (top right), which I assume indicate the creature's direction of travel.

Another . . .

. . . and another

And finally, lurking in the sand was what I suspect may be the rather sad remains of a Brittlestar or similar . . .

I shall post these on iSpot, and may hopefully learn a bit more. I now know to keep an eye out for these fascinating sea creatures, particularly after a storm.