This week's image is a 1:2 macro shot of a Nephthid soft coral (Dendronephthia sp.) These corals come in many colors, most much paler than this example. I took this photo several years ago at Bunaken Island, Indonesia.
Oh it's a coral, I thought it was the inside of a heart, lol ! I am influenced by CSI series ! My bronchitis is gone and I feel like a fish in water again, thanks !
Hmm, so far people have said it looks like the inside of a heart, pickled cauliflower, and a network of brain nerves. Any other first impressions? (It's soft coral -- really it is!)
I was listening to a radio program the other day about the decline of coral reefs due to increased acidity of the oceans (more CO2 in the atmosphere means more acidic water). Have you guys seen any evidence of that?
Bobbie, What did you do to light that shot? Anything special? It is beautiful! I am going to have to try to recreate that with some of the gorgonians found here in Florida. Here is my Decorator Crab.
I love coming to your site to see what underwater creature you are going to post for the weeks WW. As always great pic. the color is stunning. Happy WW! Kyla
Thanks to all of my Wordless Wednesday friends for visiting -- mostly while I was sleeping! It's still morning here in Hawaii.
@ Chris in Oxford - Acidification of the ocean is indeed a growing problem -- more and more evidence accumulates, not just degradation of the coral reefs, per se, but in things like an apparent effect on the shells of sea turtle eggs, and the shell quality of molluscs and some crustaceans (they're more fragile than they used to be) -- and who knows how many other more subtle things that we're not aware of yet.
We have witnessed some degradation of our local reefs over the period of years we have been visiting them. I can't say how much is attributed to a change in the pH of the ocean, because there are other factors, too - especially silting from runoff due to the loss of plants/trees in the coastal zone as a result of development. Likewise, development usually means introduction of chemicals,from lawn fertilizers to pesticides, which also destabilize the reef ecosystem. (Think rampant algae blooms that smother coral.) I could go on -- but I'll save it for a whole post one of these days.
@ Christopher Smart - According to the notes in my logbook, that photo was taken with a Nikonos 5, and a 35mm lens, using extension tubes to accomplish a 1:2 ratio. Aperture was f/16 -- so very little ambient light -- with a Nikon SB105 strobe set to 3/4 power, aimed at the subject from just above and to the right of the lens. The image was captured on Fuji Velvia slide film (ISO 50). The trick is to get in really, really close to fill the frame completely with the subject. With paler colored corals, I would have set the strobe to full power.
@ Robert - All of my marine life photos are taken in the water, while diving.
@ Kathy - Actually, when you see them from a distance, the true colors are not evident, due to the light filtering effects of the sea water. Red things often look dark brown or even black underwater. Only when you light them artificially and at relatively close range do you get to see and photograph the true colors.
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This week's image is a 1:2 macro shot of a Nephthid soft coral (Dendronephthia sp.) These corals come in many colors, most much paler than this example. I took this photo several years ago at Bunaken Island, Indonesia.
ReplyDeleteBobbie
Ahhhhh.....something that looks like it won't bite me or sting me...lol.
ReplyDeleteLol cathy -- you crack me up!
ReplyDeleteFantastic.
ReplyDeleteVery unique. I've only seen a white coral in person.
ReplyDeleteOh it's a coral, I thought it was the inside of a heart, lol ! I am influenced by CSI series !
ReplyDeleteMy bronchitis is gone and I feel like a fish in water again, thanks !
@ Gattina - Now that you mention it.... LOL
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting photo, very neat to see up close and such a vivid color.
ReplyDeleteit looks like pickled cauliflower!
ReplyDeletegiggle.
Actually, it startles me to consider that it is a creature!
Wow! Somehow it looks like a network of brain nerves :D
ReplyDeleteHmm, so far people have said it looks like the inside of a heart, pickled cauliflower, and a network of brain nerves. Any other first impressions? (It's soft coral -- really it is!)
ReplyDeleteThat's amazing.
ReplyDeleteVery nice. Spooky but nice.
ReplyDeleteHappy WW!
What an amazing photo! Happy WW
ReplyDeleteWHoa!!! I didn't know corals can be this beautiful. Thanks for sharing (=
ReplyDeleteWonderful shot, Bobbie. Eerie...
ReplyDeleteI was listening to a radio program the other day about the decline of coral reefs due to increased acidity of the oceans (more CO2 in the atmosphere means more acidic water). Have you guys seen any evidence of that?
looks blood vessels under microscope. fascinating!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's gonna eat me whole. Heheh
ReplyDeleteAnd as usual, I love seeing your WW and your bringing to me a world I'll never see first hand.
ReplyDeleteI love close up photos. You can see so much detail. Happy WW!
ReplyDeleteBobbie,
ReplyDeleteWhat did you do to light that shot? Anything special? It is beautiful! I am going to have to try to recreate that with some of the gorgonians found here in Florida.
Here is my Decorator Crab.
Oh thats a pretty shot. Was it taken underwater or through glass in an aquarium?
ReplyDeleteI invite you to see my WW post for this week.
I didn't know there was soft coral, Bobbie! Beautiful picture! :)
ReplyDeleteThats very nice macro shot love it! Good WW to you Boobie!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot! Perfect! I use to see those in the sea near where i live but now i am too far from home. Happy WW! God bless!
ReplyDeleteNew thing for me! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletewhat a gorgeous photo.thanks for sharing it.Also thanks for the blog visit.happy ww
ReplyDeleteWHOA! That looks like something that belongs inside your body with bloods going through it! It probably does not taste very delicious though.
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog! I have a bit of underwater photography in mine, as well. LOL!
ReplyDeleteWhat a stunning coral. Beautiful, but then your pictures always are!
ReplyDeleteHappy WW
The red color is amazing. And such a contrast to the usual aquatic blue tints.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, and for stopping by :)
I love coming to your site to see what underwater creature you are going to post for the weeks WW. As always great pic. the color is stunning. Happy WW!
ReplyDeleteKyla
Once again, what a beautiful picture!
ReplyDeletePlease check my post here.
Happy WW!
Bobbie - it's beautiful, and it does look soft. The color is gorgeous - they must have been quite a site to see from a distance - like a beacon!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of my Wordless Wednesday friends for visiting -- mostly while I was sleeping! It's still morning here in Hawaii.
ReplyDelete@ Chris in Oxford - Acidification of the ocean is indeed a growing problem -- more and more evidence accumulates, not just degradation of the coral reefs, per se, but in things like an apparent effect on the shells of sea turtle eggs, and the shell quality of molluscs and some crustaceans (they're more fragile than they used to be) -- and who knows how many other more subtle things that we're not aware of yet.
We have witnessed some degradation of our local reefs over the period of years we have been visiting them. I can't say how much is attributed to a change in the pH of the ocean, because there are other factors, too - especially silting from runoff due to the loss of plants/trees in the coastal zone as a result of development. Likewise, development usually means introduction of chemicals,from lawn fertilizers to pesticides, which also destabilize the reef ecosystem. (Think rampant algae blooms that smother coral.) I could go on -- but I'll save it for a whole post one of these days.
@ Christopher Smart - According to the notes in my logbook, that photo was taken with a Nikonos 5, and a 35mm lens, using extension tubes to accomplish a 1:2 ratio. Aperture was f/16 -- so very little ambient light -- with a Nikon SB105 strobe set to 3/4 power, aimed at the subject from just above and to the right of the lens. The image was captured on Fuji Velvia slide film (ISO 50). The trick is to get in really, really close to fill the frame completely with the subject. With paler colored corals, I would have set the strobe to full power.
@ Robert - All of my marine life photos are taken in the water, while diving.
@ Kathy - Actually, when you see them from a distance, the true colors are not evident, due to the light filtering effects of the sea water. Red things often look dark brown or even black underwater. Only when you light them artificially and at relatively close range do you get to see and photograph the true colors.
Bobbie
Amazing photo. Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteIt looks just like a tree, well maybe a Dr. Suess tree. Isn't it amazing how totally different organisms can resemble each other?
ReplyDeleteit's an amazing world 'down under'.... beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWow. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool pic...it looks almost spooky:) Happy TT and thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteOops...I mean WW. Sorry, its been a very long day;)
ReplyDelete@ Eric and Flynn - Thank you, and welcome to The Right Blue.
ReplyDelete@ Shannon - "Dr. Seuss tree" - I like that!
@ Blue Mountain Mama and Alice - Thank you.
@ Lori - LOL, I forgive you, for sure. I've had one of those long days today, too!
Bobbie
Oh that is truly magnificent!
ReplyDeleteMy first thought was the inside of a lung although I caught on quickly to what it actually was. Again, very nice!
ReplyDeleteStunning pic!!
ReplyDeletep.s. LOVE the blog! Definitely a terrific addition to our blogroll!
ReplyDelete_ndg
Very cool looking. Looks a bit like celery gone wild. :)
ReplyDeleteHey Bobbie,
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting my blog, and to refresh my memory on the Emperor Angelfish
Sorry took me so long to return your visit. What a great blog you have here..
I don't know what kind of jellyfish they are, I was hypnotised by the magical-look I kinda forgot to see the details :)
Happy WW! :)
beautiful image. in fact...that looks like my vein! (though i never had a chance to look at that) i guess both were done by the same designer ;^J
ReplyDeleteWoah, that looks very cool! :-)
ReplyDeleteBobbie, my Eight Random Things meme is up. Thanks for tagging me!
ReplyDeleteLove the color in this Bobbie, great work :)
ReplyDelete