What: Lettuce Coral (Turbinaria mesenterina).
This coral colony was large -- nearly two meters across.
Where: I took this photo in the Red Sea at a reef called Umm Hal Hal,
off the coast of Safaga, Egypt.
This coral colony was large -- nearly two meters across.
Where: I took this photo in the Red Sea at a reef called Umm Hal Hal,
off the coast of Safaga, Egypt.
BNSullivan.jpg "Large colony of Lettuce Coral (Turbinaria mesenterina) at Umm Hal Hal Reef, near Safaga, Egypt")
[Click on the photo to enlarge.]
Nice and clear shot you have got there, Bobbie. Happy WW! :)
ReplyDeleteAmazing shot, as usual. I love that you also captured those cute little fishies swimming around it.
ReplyDeleteWow! You always have such amazing photography!
ReplyDeletewow!!! i love it! i love corals! =) esp the sea!
ReplyDeleteThat's so beautiful ! I took a submarine in Hurghada to see some corals and fishes but was very disappointed there is not a lot left. On the other side it's far better.
ReplyDeleteIt certainly lives up to its name!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful - loved enlarging and seeing all the little fish.
I agree with Carletta!
ReplyDeleteAnd I have to return the compliment - you are such a great tour guide under the sea :)
Oh wow that is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSure looks like a salad :D
ReplyDeleteLovely shot, I love underwater pics!
Happy WW!
That green is gorgeous. It looks delicious, too! Coral is so fluid. Thanks for this.
ReplyDeleteWow it really does look like lettuce. Is it a hard or soft coral? It looks soft. Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful -- as always!
ReplyDeleteSo they eat salads down there too?!
ReplyDeleteI liked the green down there very much.
Great shot. The coral is such a unique color.
ReplyDeleteWow! I can see why it's called lettuce coral. Wonderful. You certainly give me an appreciation for what lies below the surface of the sea. Happy WW.
ReplyDeleteVery cool. It certainly does look like lettuce. Now, why do the polyps arrange themselves in the way that they do? Is there some advantage?
ReplyDeleteWow that is beautiful
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous photography. Love your site.
ReplyDeleteThis is so neat, and the fish swimming around it are beautiful. Great picture.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful photo, with a sense of pure serenity to it.
ReplyDeleteExcellent photo. It's the green salad that Spongebob uses for patties. I liked the sea turtle, too.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that looks better than some lettuce that I've seen at the grocery store. LOL! Beautiful shot. You captured the colors perfectly.
ReplyDeleteMisty
Social Media/Community Relations Manager, Viscape.com
Write a review, and you could win a chance to become a travel writer in Belize or Key West!
wow. underwater creatures are amazing, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteThat looks like beautiful lettuce...yep, you're right...not for salad but a really cool shot. Happy WW my friend. Thanks for dropping by to say HI:) Its always great to see you.
ReplyDeleteThanks to all of our WW friends for visiting. We appreciate your visits and your feedback.
ReplyDelete@ Gattina - You are right. The corals on most of the reefs around Hurghada are no match for those farther south along the Egyptian coast, and around Sinai.
@ Shannon - This species is a hard coral in the family Dendrophylliidae.
@ ScinceGuy - The corallites of this species don't always grow in this pattern. This is quite a mature, dense colony. We also have seen smaller colonies of the same species that are less dense, and form cup-like shapes.
To those who mentioned the unusual green color, that color comes from symbiotic algae that live in the coral's tissues.
Bobbie
Looks like it has many little hiding places for little fish. Do they use it as such? Beautiful green colors!
ReplyDeleteThis coral certainly has some savoy-faire, doesn't it? (Get the hook...)
ReplyDeleteEnlarged. Can tell it is coral then. And can see all the little fish swimming around it.
ReplyDeleteLeedra’s Photos For Fun
Photography By Leedra
Gorgeous shot. I love the colors and contrast.
ReplyDeleteLooks yummy :)
ReplyDeleteSalad of the sea...I was there. The question was ranch or Italian? rjs
ReplyDeleteIt does look like lettuce, and I love the texture. I see some little fish swimming near-by.
ReplyDeleteB.
@ Kathy -- Yes, the little fishies do take shelter in this and other corals.
ReplyDelete@ Lavender -- Savoy-faire? You crack me up! :-D
Bobbie
I have never seen anything like it! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI also agree with your stand on hunting, whether by spear or rifle. I would say one should only use a camera, but I am not willing to become a vegetarian. Kill with mercy, and only for a good reason.