Underwater Photography

[Reach]

Blennies pose for the camera so nicely! Spotted this colorful puffcheek blennie the other day.

He was well camouflaged in an old conch shell, but as long as I was still, he let me get closer and closer for a macro shot.

[Ocean Girl]

We are in Austin visiting family. Found some water, a creek. It's underwater :-)

[Ocean Girl]

One more

[PortClydeMe]

Originally Posted by Ocean Girl

We are in Austin visiting family. Found some water, a creek. It's underwater :-)

Austin, Tejas! Love it. Lived there, '79 & '80. Right off Riverside Drive. Barton Springs, Hippy Hollow, the Armadillo. What a great town. Back then, it was legal to drink and drive in Tejas! What fun we had, and only a stones throw away from Hamilton's Pool. That 8-story jump & splash gave my ass a sting.

[PortClydeMe]

I miss those years in Austin. Lone Star long-necks, 6th St., Scholtzsky's, Lake Travis, Eeyore's Birthday Party. Thanks for the memories!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rbv6Hbv7lsU

[Curious Sailor]

Wow! Incredible photos!

[BilTray]

Originally Posted by Reach

Blennies pose for the camera so nicely! Spotted this colorful puffcheek blennie the other day.

He was well camouflaged in an old conch shell, but as long as I was still, he let me get closer and closer for a macro shot.

I think it was hard to spot it.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Something other than anchors caught my eye today: one of my favourite underwater playmates, an octopus .

For me, it is their intelligence that makes them alluring. Also, although they are initially cautious and retreating (and who would blame them when so many land and sea creatures view them as a dinner), after I have dived down a dozen or times, their natural curiosity generally wins and they shyly emerge for a photo shoot .

It is an absolute joy encountering these underwater:

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by Seaworthy Lass

Something other than anchors caught my eye today: one of my favourite underwater playmates, an octopus .

For me, it is their intelligence that makes them alluring. Also, although they are initially cautious and retreating (and who would blame them when so many land and sea creatures view them as a dinner), after I have dived down a dozen or times, their natural curiosity generally wins and they shyly emerge for a photo shoot .

They are also masters of camouflage as they can match textures, patterns, color, and brightness and all without color vision.

[JW53]

Several images from trips to St Johns and Turks and Caicos. Camera was a Canon S90 in a ikelite housing. All images taken while snorkeling off the beach.

Sea turtles off Scots beach, Caneel St Johns USVI




Octopus looking for safety, Trunks Bay, St Johns USVI


Flaming Tongue on Sea Fan, Scots Beach, Caneel, St Johns USVI


Several Parrot Fish off Grace Bay, Turks and Caicos.




.

[Seaworthy Lass]

Originally Posted by LakeSuperior

They are also masters of camouflage as they can match textures, patterns, color, and brightness and all without color vision.

I find this fascinating. As far as I understand it, they have cells in their skins that contain proteins that are colour sensitive. The response from these cells may control the muscles surrounding pigmented skin cells, and the pigment in these cells is visible depending on whether the muscles are relaxed or contracting, enabling a colour change. These colour sensitive cells are also receptive to polarised light, which may explain the ability to recognise the mottled appearance and texture of their surroundings.

They are a species far advanced from us in this regard . Isn't that mind boggling!

Originally Posted by JW53

Several images from trips to St Johns and Turks and Caicos. Camera was a Canon S90 in a ikelite housing. All images taken while snorkeling off the beach.

Beautiful images.
The octopus is stunning! Looking forward to eventually crossing the pond .

SWL

[chris mac]

Met this loggerhead outside of Freeport Bahamas. Was told he was half blind. His head was bigger than mine! He swam,close enough I had to drop down or he would have hit me:-)

[chris mac]

This pic better shows his size. And one from the shark dive. That's me with the red mask

[Gradient]

Love Occys but of late it's squid that have my attention. They're often very hard to get close enough to for a photo but with patience you can win their trust and get amongst the pod

[Gradient]

Occy trying on some different shapes to encourage me to move on