Underwater Wednesday: Staghorn Coral

Today’s Underwater Wednesday may resemble a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, but it’s actually a type of staghorn coral...

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Staghorn Coral photographed in Cozumel.

...And I think its perky symmetrical branches are just begging to be adorned with some festive Christmas tree ornaments!

 

This coral was about 2 feet tall and Michael took the photo at a depth of about 40 feet during a night dive.

Michael and I wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Underwater Wednesday: Christmas Tree Worm

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree…

Today’s Underwater Wednesday displays the holiday spirit all year long! The festive Christmas Tree Worm is named such because of its two spiral tree-shaped “crowns.”

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Christmas Tree Worm in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• Each spiral consists of radioles – which are feather-like tentacles that catch floating plankton.

• These radioles are also work as gills for respiration.

• Christmas Tree Worms are typically found on stony corals.

• Each spiral is about one inch in length.

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 50 feet.

Hmmm...do you suppose Santa leaves any presents under these Christmas trees?

Underwater Wednesday: Bubba the Diver

Since Halloween is tomorrow, I thought it would be fun to dedicate today's Underwater Wednesday to perhaps the silliest underwater creature I've ever seen...Bubba the Diver!

Who's Bubba the Diver?!

Bubba the Diver photographed in Cozumel.

It's Michael...proudly sporting his "bubba teeth." Yes, he actually took the regulator out of his mouth (just for a quick minute) to pose for this picture! Scary, huh?!

 

Happy Halloween!

Underwater Wednesday: Jackknife Fish

Today's Underwater Wednesday is a shy, delicate little fish named....the Jackknife Fish.  



©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Jackknife Fish photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• It's not much of a mystery how this fish got its name...the formation of the long dorsal and caudal fins resemble a jackknife!

• This unique shape has an important function...it confuses predators as it appears to be two fish instead of one.

• These fish are very recognizable with their black and white coloring, however, don't expect to see a big school of them...they typically swim alone.

• These fish aren't big underwater travelers...they tend to stick around in one place (a coral or rock formation) and swim around in circles!

• Jackknife Fish feed at night on crabs, shrimp, and worms.

• This Jackknife was about 7 inches in length.

• Michael photographed this fish at a depth of about 40 feet during a night dive.



Underwater Wednesday: Coney

Would anyone like fish tacos for dinner?

Well, we’re actually having some yummy homemade soup tonight, but whenever I see today’s Underwater Wednesday I think of fish tacos. Unfortunately, this “taco” just doesn't look too tasty...it's a little skimpy on the fish!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Coney photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• Michael stumbled upon this coney cutie tucked inside a piece of coral during a night dive.

• Coneys use coral pieces to lay eggs...and protect themselves from dangerous predators.

• Coneys are categorized as groupers.

• This coney was about 18 inches in length.

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 50 feet.

Underwater Wednesday: Starfish

Today’s Underwater Wednesday may be a STAR, but it’s actually not a FISH. Huh?! The starfish is an echinoderm – a type of invertebrate marine animal.

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Starfish photographed in Cozumel.



Photo Fun Facts:

 

• Since this isn’t a true “fish,” scientists are trying to replace the name “starfish” with “sea star.”

• They protect themselves from dangerous predators with their bony and calcified skin.

• Most starfish have five arms, but some species can have up to 40 arms. (Wow, I bet they are great multi-taskers!)

• And if a starfish loses an arm…no problem! They can regenerate what they lost.

• This starfish was about the size of a dinner plate.

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 40 feet.

Underwater Wednesday: Octopus

Today’s Underwater Wednesday features one big head, two strong eyes, and four pairs of arms. We’re talking about the ah-mazing octopus, of course!

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Octopus photographed in Cozumel.

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Octopus photographed in Cozumel

Photo Fun Facts:

• Because the octopus doesn’t have a skeleton, it can squeeze easily into reef crevices for protection.

 

• Three other defense tactics of the octopus include: changing colors to camouflage into the background, discharging an ink substance, and swimming very fast.

• The octopus is an extremely intelligent invertebrate with a super complex nervous system.

 

• This little guy was only about 8 inches long.

 

• Michael took these photos at a depth of 40 feet during a night dive.

Underwater Wednesday: Blue-Eye Hermit Crab – Part 2

Well, well, well...Look who's come out of his shell since last week’s Underwater Wednesday…

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Blue-eye hermit crab photographed in Cozumel.

As I was perusing Mikey’s library of underwater photos, I found this somewhat “shell-less” photo of the blue-eye hermit crab and couldn’t resist dedicating a follow-up post to him. Perhaps Mikey caught this colorful crustacean just as he was relocating to a bigger abode?

Side Note: I didn’t realize the hermit crab was such a hairy ‘lil fella!

For more fun facts on this blue-eye "beauty," click here.

Underwater Wednesday: Blue-Eye Hermit Crab

Our Underwater Wednesday today is quite the cute crustacean with those bright baby blues! Meet the blue-eye hermit crab…

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Blue-eye hermit crab photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• Hermit crabs don’t naturally have their own shells. To protect their soft, exposed abdomens and to protect themselves from predators, they look for shells to live in (and carry with them.)

• This particular hermit crab is residing in a conch shell.

 

• As the body of a hermit crab grows, it needs to "house hunt" for a roomier shell.

 

• Evidently, real estate hunting is quite competitive among hermit crabs, so don’t be surprised if you see multiple crabs quarreling over the same conch!

 

• This hermit crab was about 4 inches in length.

• As most hermit crabs are nocturnal, Michael took this photo during a night dive.

 

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 40 feet.

Underwater Wednesday: Social Featherduster

The “social featherduster”…what an interesting name for today’s Underwater Wednesday! These marine creatures may resemble a common household cleaning tool, but they’re actually tube worms. Each lives in its own thin tube (as seen in the first photo below) which they can retract into if they sense danger.

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Social featherduster photographed in Cozumel.



©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Social featherduster photographed in Cozumel.



©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Social featherduster photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• Each tube is a little smaller in diameter than the average drinking straw.

• The delicate “feathers” are actually radials that extend out of their tubes to catch food (such as plankton) drifting by.

• When extended, these particular social featherdusters were about three-quarters of an inch to an inch in diameter.

• Michael took these photos at a depth of about 40 feet.

Well, I'm suddenly motivated to grab my own featherduster and dust the house! :)

Underwater Wednesday: Hawksbill Sea Turtle

One of our favorite sightings while diving was the beloved sea turtle. Whether swimming out in open waters or resting peacefully on a coral reef, it was always a thrill to stumble upon a sea turtle. (Hey, that’s me in the background!)

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Hawksbill sea turtle photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts: 

• You'll notice the hawksbill's head and jaw are particularly narrow. This allows the turtle to nudge its way into coral reef crevices to snatch up some food. 

 

• Thousands of sea turtles nest each year on the beaches of Cozumel. Approximately 60 days later, the hatchlings emerge to the surface of the beach (usually at night) and scurry their way to the ocean. 

 

• This sea turtle was about 2 feet in length.

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 50 feet.

Underwater Wednesday: Coney Grouper

Today’s Underwater Wednesday features a bicolor coney grouper. This fish is sporting the current “colorblock” trend with a bold dark red stripe down its middle. You'll also notice the coney grouper is adorned with perky polka dots galore! (Why do I suddenly feel like a fashion blogger?!)

Well, this fish doesn’t exactly look like a fashion model…in fact, Michael thinks it looks like a puppy with its adorable under-bite!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Coney Grouper photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• Despite the sweet puppy dog face, the coney grouper can actually be somewhat aggressive!

 

• The coney grouper dines on small fish and crustaceans.

 

• This fish was about 18 inches in length.

 

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 50 feet.

Underwater Wednesday: Moray Eel

The moray eel is quite the funny-looking underwater creature. In fact, with their wide mouths that continuously open and close, you’re not exactly sure if you should be amused...or intimidated!


A moray eel is typically spotted protruding from a reef crevice, (rather than swimming out in the open waters), but today’s Underwater Wednesday shows you an example of both!


 

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

Moray eel photographed in Cozumel.

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

Moray eel photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• The continuous opening and closing of their mouths actually isn’t to intimidate (or humor) those they encounter. They have particularly small gills, so this open and close movement helps with water flow and respiration. 

• They usually hunt at night...and seeing one swimming out in the open during a night dive can be a bit scary!

• The dorsal fin of the moray eel runs almost the entire length of its body.

• They are almost entirely blind, so they hunt by smell.

• Because they don’t have pectoral and pelvic fins, they have a snake-like appearance. 

• This moray eel was about 5 feet long.

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 40 feet.

Underwater Wednesday: Grunts

With so much "back-to-school" buzz going on, I thought it would be fitting to showcase a "school" of fish for today's Underwater Wednesday!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

School of grunts photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• You read the title correctly...these fish really are named "grunts!" (But, with their bright, cheery yellow stripes and fins, the name "grunt" just doesn't seem right!)

• Schools of grunt are often found swimming near coral reefs (a good food source...of course!)

• You can swim into a school of grunts and they will part around you...kinda freaky, but super cool!

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 60 feet.

Underwater Wednesday: Cowfish

Pucker up!

 

This sweet little fishy looks like it wants to give you a big SMOOCH!

 

I just adore the cowfish. They’re so pretty with their speckled body, big bold eyes…and those trademark pursed pink lips!

  

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

Cowfish photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• The cowfish have a triangular, yet boxy body with feather-like fins. 

• This cowfish was about 10 inches long. 

• Michael took the picture above at a depth of about 60 feet during a night dive. 

• Once in a great while, cowfish will let you pet their tummies if you approach them super slowly with your hand out…and if they’re in a good moooo-d!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife

Michael "petting" a cowfish!

If you missed last week’s anemone, click here.

Underwater Wednesday: Anemone

I just love today’s Underwater Wednesday photo of an anemone, which is actually a soft coral. They are super soft to the touch, but don’t touch them…some types of anemone can actually sting you! (And, yeah, Mikey has a scar to prove it!)



Anemone photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

 

• The tentacles are about 12-14 inches long.
• Spotted cleaner shrimp and clown fish live in anemone.
• This photo has an interesting illusion...with the sunlight shining through the water, it looks like it was taken at a shallow depth. But, actually Michael took this photo at a depth of about 70 feet.

If you're not sure what a spotted cleaner shrimp looks like, click here.

Underwater Wednesday: Parrot Fish

Oh, wow…it’s Underwater Wednesday already!

Between traveling to see family, catching up with things at home, and coping with the 90+ degree temperatures, I’m thinking this parrot fish has the right idea…Find a cool, quiet spot for a nap…zzzzz!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Parrot fish photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• Michael took this photo during a night dive.

• The picture of this parrot fish, snuggled in for the night, was taken just before he secreted a special mucous that covered his body. This mucous covering serves as a transparent cocoon, believed to mask its scent while it sleeps.   

• The parrot fish changes its color pattern several times over its life span. Michael thinks this particular fish looks like a Dr. Seuss character with its vibrant color pattern and animated face!  

• This parrot fish was about 2 feet long.

• Michael took this picture at a depth of about 65 feet.

If you missed the post about the night dive where Michael took the picture of his Cover Model Crab, click here.

Underwater Wednesday: Barracuda

Today’s Underwater Wednesday brings us the intimidating barracuda. The heart definitely beats a little faster when you see those sharp fangs and prominent under-bite approaching you!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Barracuda photographed in Cozumel.

 

Photo Fun Facts:

• This barracuda was about 6 feet long.

• Michael took this photograph at a depth of about 60 feet.

• From our 6th floor balcony, we would frequently see the shiny silver barracuda swimming along the reef right outside our condo. Of course, Michael’s instinct was always to suit up, grab the camera, and jump in the water! Oh Mikey!

  

To see last week’s Underwater Wednesday, click here.

Underwater Wednesday: Colorful Coral Reef

Cozumel has some of the most fascinating coral reefs in the world, which makes it a popular destination for diving enthusiasts. Today’s Underwater Wednesday photo showcases a beautiful reef with a variety of colorful coral formations…and, of course, that vibrant blue background!

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Colorful coral reef in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• With so many interesting formations, it’s very tempting to want to touch them. But, in Cozumel it’s a big no-no to touch them with your bare hands. Because of the 3-5 mph current, Michael would need to stabilize himself to take photos. So, he would wear one glove on his left hand so he could gently place one finger on a sturdy coral (or preferably the sandy bottom) just long enough to take his picture. It looked a bit Michael Jackson-ish…but you gotta respect the reefs!

• In 2005, the massive Hurricane Wilma created wide-spread damage to the island of Cozumel, including the reefs. Fortunately, the island is very resilient (both above and below water), and the reefs have been naturally restoring themselves over the years.

• Michael took this photo at about 90 feet with a 15 mm wide angle lens on Fuji 50 film. (Yes, this was before the "digital" age!)

For another peak at last week's spotted cleaner shrimp, click here.

Have a Happy 4^th of July!



Underwater Wednesday: Spotted Cleaner Shrimp

Today’s Underwater Wednesday post features this delicate little spotted cleaner shrimp. Michael snapped this shrimp in the tropical waters of Cozumel, Mexico.

©Life as an Artist’s Wife
Spotted cleaner shrimp photographed in Cozumel.

Photo Fun Facts:

• The shrimp is identified by its transparent body with distinct markings; 2 pairs of long antennae; and legs with red, purple, and white spots.

• The shrimp was hangin’ out on a sea anemone.

• The shrimp was about ½-inch in length.

• Michael took this photo at a depth of about 80 feet with a macro lens.

To see last week's Underwater Wednesday post of a coral crab, click here. And don't forget to tune in next Wednesday for another underwater wonder!