Reader Joe Dickinson sent a dozen pictures of reef fish and other beasts, ending his series on the South Pacific. The last three pictures make me itchy to travel there.
A final set from French Polynesia, emphasizing invertebrates plus some landscapes. The first three are general shots of coral reef.
Then we have a couple of sea urchins and a sea cucumber (all species unknown). The second sea urchin shot includes some giant clams (as shared previously), but note that three individuals in close proximity are strikingly different in color.
Then we have a spiral-gilled tube worm (Spirobranchus giganteus) and a couple of aptly named magnificent sea anemone (Herteractis magnifica), each with some species of anemone fish.
Can you find the mutualistic fish in this photo?
JAC: Note that both the anemone and anemonefish benefit from this relationship—in at least some cases that have been studied. Some anemonefish drive away other fish as well as smaller invertebrates that eat the anemone, while the fish gains the benefit of protection because it lives within the anemone’s stinging tentacles, to which it is immune. This is a classic example of a mutualism: an association in which both species benefit. Further, in some cases the anemone harbors symbiotic algae that get nutrients from the excretions of the fish, so at least three species are involved in such mutualisms (the anemone gets some organic nutrients from the algae).
Finally some landscape shots: Sunrise over Tahiti as seen from Moorea; the central island of Moorea (confidently described by local guides as the most beautiful island in French Polynesia); and Raiatea with Bora Bora in the background at dusk.
I must go here some day. Look at those islands!
There are lots of examples of mutualism on a coral reef, the anemonefish, or as I know it the clownfish, is just the most colorful example. Great photographs.
Beautiful!!!
My wife has a relatively distant cousin who LIVES on Bora Bora (and the cousin’s parents live on the big island of Hawaii). I believe it’s long past time for a visit. I LOVE the pics of the anemonefish.
The big island! Oh, my Ceiling Cat! One of the best parts of traveling for me is chatting-up the locals, especially the first mates on diving boats. The Pacific islands are the only place in the world I’ve looked at folks living subsistence lifestyles and thought, I could do that.
Definitely a series of pictures to trigger wanderlust! Great shots Joe!
When my then-girlfriend now wife and I were in Bora Bora many moons ago, I kept commenting on how fake it all looked. The shallow crystal water, the absurdly blue sky, the cute little “mountain” poking up in the middle. It was even worse at night. It felt like being on the set of the Truman Show, with Ed Harris saying when to turn on the moon.
One day we took a boat out to a spot where dozens of trained manta rays swarmed and snuggled us while we snorkeled. On another day we scuba’d into an area that resembled nothing so much as the aquarium in a seafood restaurant.
It is an amazing place, and I say that totally non-ironically.
Gorgeous! I love these pics. The diving is wonderful around the region. I haven’t visited for years, and every time I see shots like these I’m desperate to go back.
This part of the world, especially Vanuatu, currently in the clutches of a category five storm – Cyclone Pam.
I was once in her clutches, too. What a ride!
Sounds like a good story! 🙂
Fabulous – volcanic plugs?
Sorry, is that a Fifty Shades reference? – I can never keep up with the literature.
Now where did I stuff that wetsuit last year? Got to go!
PCC: GO! and you can read Terry Pratchett on the flight !
So gorgeous, Joe! Love the urchin & the clams!
That “mutualism” sure sounds like a win-win deal.
The underwater pics, diving, and islands brought to mind the book I read last summer, Oliver Sacks’ Island of the Colorblind, and I believe his “luxury item” from his Desert Island Discs appearance was scuba gear. guess he’s been on my mind a lot lately. They are nice photos, I’m jealous. I couldn’t afford it if I want to go anyway, but I do have a push-pull feeling in regards to diving: irrational fear versus unbelievable beauty.
Snorkling in calm waters is easy. You can just float face down, breathing comfortably. Dive for a closer look at something. Surface and blow hard to clear the snorkle and then resume quiet, relaxed breathing.
Just remember to wear a t-shirt b/c the sun on your back is slowly baking you.
Also, in many places you can do it between an island and a surrounding reef, so you can be sure a shark or something won’t turn up.
I’m a ginger. the sun slowly baking me is a daily occurrence!
Great shots! Makes me wanna be there 🙂
and to class things up a bit, am I the only one with a 10 year old boy’s (ha, spelled it buoy’s the first time!) sense of humor when I say the sea cucumber and thought somebody’s done a poo in the ocean. yeah, I know, I am the only one…that’ll admit it anyway.
No, I will admit it. I used to see them by the hundreds. Some really big ones look pretty much like a giant turd.
Re: Last(third) of the general shots of coral reef
Preface: It would be nice; when people hear the word jesus, their mind associates illusion.
Narative: Look! Then, it is true! Ceiling Cat does live under water too.
Description: It is a jesus of Ceiling Cat’s face. Also, a partially eaten fish dinner to prove that it is a real jesus of Ceiling Cat.
Sub
Great underwater pics. You must’ve used an external light source for the corals?
I need a vacation. I haven’t gone since 2009.
Incredible photos ! Maybe I should switch next weeks trip to Nebraska and go to the south pacific instead. Oh wait they don’t have Sandhill cranes or sharp tailed grouse there. Nevermind.
The Sand Hill Cranes are well worth a trip. We did it a couple of years ago (linking up to see our son’s family in Omaha).
Awesome photos! Thanks! I used to keep reef tanks, and these photos remind me why I did, and also why I stopped. Keep the beautiful life in the wild where it belongs.