Spanish Shawl
M-001

Spanish Shawl Nudibranch
(Flabellinopsis iodinea)


Photographed at Santa Barbara Island using a housed Nikon N90, Nikon 105mm 2.8 macro lens with +4 diopter, and 2 Ikelite Substrobe 200’s. Shot at f16 @ 1/60th on TTL.

About: Found on rocky reefs from Vancouver Island, BC to Baja California, Mexico. Size to 1-1/2" (40mm).







Thick-Horned Aeolid
M-002

Thick-Horned Aeolid
(Hermissenda Crassicornis)


Photographed at Catalina Island using a housed Nikon F-2 with an Ikelite Substrobe Ai and a Sub Strobe M. Shot at f16 with one strobe placed just behind the animal to give it that 'glowing' effect.

About the Thick-Horned Aeolid: Commonly found on many habitats from shallow depths to beyond 100 feet. The vibrant nudibranch coloration is merely a visual warning to other animals that it tastes awful, so don't bother eating me. They range from Vancouver Island, BC to Baja California, Mexico. Size to 2" (5 cm).







Hermit Crab
M-003

Hermit Crab


Photographed using a housed Nikon N90, Nikon 105mm 2.8 macro lens with +4 diopter, and 2 Ikelite Substrobe M’s. Shot at f22 @ 1/60th on TTL.

About: Photographed at San Miguel Island, California in 20 feet of water. Hermit crabs live in shells in shallow and deep water and are scavengers. This crab became friendly after it got used to my presence.







Purple Ringed Top Shell
M-004

Purple Ringed Top Shell (Callistoma annulatum)


Photographed at night using a housed Nikon N90, Nikon 105mm 2.8 macro lens with +4 diopter, and 2 Ikelite Substrobe M’s. Shot at f22 @ 1/60th on TTL +.03 EV.

About: Photographed at Santa Cruz Island at night while decompressing hanging on kelp. This beautiful snail is among the most noticeable due to its striking purple and gold-yellow rings. Found intertidal to 100 feet and feeds on purple hydrocoral, and often is found in kelp beds. To 30 mm in size.




Anemone
M-004a

Giant Green Anemone
(Anthopleura xanthogrammica)

Photographed at Begg Rock off the coast of California using a housed Nikon F-2 and two Ikelite substrobe M's.  The exposure was F-11 with the strobes pointed slightly outward from the animal.

About the Giant Green Anemone: Usually solitary, with green pigmentation from the presence of algae living within the tissues.  Ranges from Alaska to Panama.  Diameter can reach 10 inches (25 centimeters).