Northwest Dive Club

Peter and I did a night dive at Cove 2 last night (and what a dive it was -- viz was incredible, and critters were out in amazing force). At one point, I had found a lovely sailfin sculpin who was in an awkward position, and while maneuvering to try to get the best shot of him, I noticed something about the size of a small bean on a kelp leaf . . . and it was MOVING. I peered closer and became convinced that I had found a nudibranch I had NEVER seen before. I shot a bunch of pictures of it (should have sat there and shot more), but nothing came out fantastic. Nonetheless, I did get a photo, and I think this is Aglaja ocelligera:



If I'm reading the book correctly, the white crescent I thought was the front of the animal is actually the tail . . .

very cool!
Nice find!

Thanks for photographing and ID'ing a critter I have always been curious about.

And now you will see them all the time
At least this is what I experience. Once I find a new critter ( which was probably always there in plain view ),
then I keep finding them often ...
And as far as head and tail goes, I have always hard time with Dendronotids.
But I agree with you, it feels great to find a new critter and add it to the list, regardless how many time somebody else saw it. Keep on hunting !

I know what you mean, Jan! Once I found my first horned shrimp, I started seeing them everywhere.

But I have to thank you, personally -- the reason I knew what I had found was an Aglaja was from one of your Whidbey Critters pages!

Cigar butt nudibranchs....

Spend some time in the eelgrass beds at Alki Junkyard or Pipeline... you will see a million million of these little guys (or someone who looks hella similar)

Likewise out on the mud flats at Les Davis.