I love temperate seas for their massive algae growth, for kelp forests, but especially for the invertebrate life of many colours and shapes. Invertebrates can be usually find in deeper water or in the shade of reefs where light cannot penetrate and they don’t have to fight vegetation. However, there are numerous places where strong […]

I am wondering how this beauty is wandering. I’ve read it detaches from the surface and uses its tentacles to crawl to a more suitable place … usually at night. I haven’t had the privilege to observe the phenomenon, anyway, I had a couple opportunities to watch the anemone to use water movement to travel […]

Cushion sea stars Patiriella regularis are usually not bright coloured. If they are they still have a certain dirty look. This one was different … colourful, bright and clean. It was a big surprise when I was returning from a winter dive in Otarawao Bay, Mahurangi Harbour. Keywords: sea star “sea star” starfish cushion “cushion […]

Kelp Ecklonia radiata dominates in northern waters of new Zealand. Though it is much smaller than giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera, bladder kelp in NZ) so it cannot form kelp forests similar to those in California or Tasmania, it creates fascinating habitats, especially in the areas with steep rocky reefs. Keywords: rocky reef “rocky reef” rock […]

Sandy bottom on a cloudy day reminds me of a desert, there is nothing there just sand. I feel alone yet so alive, perhaps because the lack of presence of other living creatures allows me to fully appreciate the fact ‘I am’. Keywords: undersea desert “undersea desert” sandy bottom underwater barren sand deep ocean “sea […]

Blue cod, along with some other fish, is a bird of the sea. It doesn’t float, it’s “heavier” than water. It has to use its “wings” (read fins) to gain lift force to get off. When it stops flying it lands on the bottom or whatever happens to be under it … kelp for example. […]