Gazillions of Opalescents
- dphershman
- Aquanaut
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Gazillions of Opalescents
I'll add these pictures to the earlier ones of the crazy explosion of Opalescent Nudibranchs (Hermissenda crassicornis ) going on in Puget Sound right now. Here's some photos that I took at Les Davis yesterday (monday)
There were so many that in places there were over a dozen per square foot. Most amazingly they were found at all depths, from the edge of the water all the way down to 55 feet.
a rather nicely colored one
chomping on the hydroids
a large group of a dozen or more feeding on a jelly that had somehow been ensnared
color variations occur because of variations in their diet.
Dan
There were so many that in places there were over a dozen per square foot. Most amazingly they were found at all depths, from the edge of the water all the way down to 55 feet.
a rather nicely colored one
chomping on the hydroids
a large group of a dozen or more feeding on a jelly that had somehow been ensnared
color variations occur because of variations in their diet.
Dan
Dan Hershman
Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
So cool! There were tons of them out at Edmonds too. They were mostly pretty small and drab though.
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Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
Fantastic pics! I'm so glad nudi season is upon us!
Live Long And Prosper!!!
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
- dphershman
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Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
thanks for the comments everyone
The viz may be lousy but the nudis make up for it.
Dan
The viz may be lousy but the nudis make up for it.
Dan
Dan Hershman
Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
Love it!
More Pics Than You Have Time To Look AT
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
"Anyone who thinks this place is over moderated is bat-crazy anarchist." -Ben, Airsix
"Warning: No dive masters are going to be there, Just a bunch of old fat guys taking pictures of fish." -Bassman
- dphershman
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Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
We went to Fox Island West Wall on monday. Poor viz and some stiff currents, at least by FIWW standards. On this dive we found only one Opalescent, but it was a beaut!
Dan Hershman
Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
Nice one!
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Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
Super Nice!
Live Long And Prosper!!!
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
Stay Warm underwater with the Weezle Extreme Plus undergarment! Please let me know if you would like to order one or have any questions.
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
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Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
Beautiful Dan! Did you see any giant nudibranch eating the tube-dwelling anemones? They used to be everywhere, now I never see them :(dphershman wrote:We went to Fox Island West Wall on monday. Poor viz and some stiff currents, at least by FIWW standards. On this dive we found only one Opalescent, but it was a beaut!
[img]https://photos.smugmug.com/Underwater-Photography/Marine-Life-of-the-Pacific/Nudibranchs/Opalescent-Nudibranch/i-FgTHMT6/0/L/_DSC2658-L.jpg[/img]
- dphershman
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Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
Scubie Doo wrote:Beautiful Dan! Did you see any giant nudibranch eating the tube-dwelling anemones? They used to be everywhere, now I never see them :(dphershman wrote:We went to Fox Island West Wall on monday. Poor viz and some stiff currents, at least by FIWW standards. On this dive we found only one Opalescent, but it was a beaut!
[img]https://photos.smugmug.com/Underwater-Photography/Marine-Life-of-the-Pacific/Nudibranchs/Opalescent-Nudibranch/i-FgTHMT6/0/L/_DSC2658-L.jpg[/img]
No, I haven't seen any there in awhile. Only one tritonia as well.
Dan
Dan Hershman
Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
Jesse -- I saw giant nudis at Shangri La a couple weeks ago
Visit pnwdiving.com for viz reports, slack planning, galleries and more!
- dphershman
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Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
Mark and I went to Saltwater State Park this morning and found more Opalescents.
One of the things I've learned is to look for tiny egg whorls, they're commonly associated with nudibranchs that are nearly impossible to see otherwise.
That's where I found this Eubranchus. Not sure of what type it is, perhaps someone knows? There are actually two individuals in this photo
Dan
One of the things I've learned is to look for tiny egg whorls, they're commonly associated with nudibranchs that are nearly impossible to see otherwise.
That's where I found this Eubranchus. Not sure of what type it is, perhaps someone knows? There are actually two individuals in this photo
Dan
Dan Hershman
Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
I'd love to hook up with you for a dive...
I need to pic your brain for photos...
Kirsten
I need to pic your brain for photos...
Kirsten
"Let's go diving!"
- Scubie Doo
- I've Got Gills
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Re: Gazillions of Opalescents
That's a good brain to pickScubak wrote:I'd love to hook up with you for a dive...
I need to pic your brain for photos...
Kirsten
Dan, I have a tiny nudibranch I need ID help with. It's in the Blakely Rock dive recap. Let me know your thoughts on it.