Black Cormorant

Anemone in Sand

Anemones living in sand must have a tough existence: they are well camoflaged, but morsels are scarce and immersion by an underwater dune is always a worry.

Riding the Flounder

This was a CO sole, lurking on the bottom, awaiting prey, at Blue Caverns, Catalina Island.  He (or she) didn't like my attention and took off shortly after I discovered him.

Speckled Sand Dab

Sand Dabs are excellent at camflage.  They can adjust their patterns better than any chameleon. But, they become visible when they move. 

Eye of a Coonstripe Shrimp

Coonstripe shrimp are said to have compound eyes.  Does that mean lots of tiny lenses with independent sensing elements?  They seem expressive even so.  This individual was at Blue Caverns, Catalina Island.

Sheep Crab Erupts

A sheep crab erupts from its home in an eelgrass patch.

Sheep Crab in Eelgrass

A sheep crab sits in eelgrass. Although they look somewhat like robotic Mars rovers, sheep crabs don't have a lot of personality. My impression is that they tend to be sour.

Video on the Wall

Science diver videos the wall at Frenchy's Cove.  The wall drops from about 40 feet to 100 feet or more.  The brittle stars seem to get out of hand at times, in certain places. 

Halfmoons at Frenchy's Cove

Halfmoons and Blacksmith, off the wall on the West side of Frenchy's Cove on the North side of Anacapa.

Brown Gorgonian

Somehow the brown gorgonian is often overlooked, beside the Red and the California Golden Gorgonians. Perhaps it needs a change of name.

Giant Kelpfish

Giant kelpfish with bryozoan-encrusted kelp.