Gazillions of Opalescents

[dphershman]

I'll add these pictures to the earlier ones of the crazy explosion of Opalescent Nudibranchs (Hermissenda crassicornis ) going on in Puget Sound right now. Here's some photos that I took at Les Davis yesterday (monday)

There were so many that in places there were over a dozen per square foot. Most amazingly they were found at all depths, from the edge of the water all the way down to 55 feet.

a rather nicely colored one


chomping on the hydroids


a large group of a dozen or more feeding on a jelly that had somehow been ensnared


color variations occur because of variations in their diet.


Dan

[Echo]

Nudi season is the best!!!

[YellowEye]

So cool! There were tons of them out at Edmonds too. They were mostly pretty small and drab though.

[ScubaJess]

Fantastic pics! I'm so glad nudi season is upon us!

[dphershman]

thanks for the comments everyone

The viz may be lousy but the nudis make up for it.

Dan

[Tom Nic]

Love it!

[dphershman]

We went to Fox Island West Wall on monday. Poor viz and some stiff currents, at least by FIWW standards. On this dive we found only one Opalescent, but it was a beaut!

[YellowEye]

Nice one!

[ScubaJess]

Super Nice!

[Scubie Doo]

We went to Fox Island West Wall on monday. Poor viz and some stiff currents, at least by FIWW standards. On this dive we found only one Opalescent, but it was a beaut!

[img]https://photos.smugmug.com/Underwater-Photography/Marine-Life-of-the-Pacific/Nudibranchs/Opalescent-Nudibranch/i-FgTHMT6/0/L/_DSC2658-L.jpg[/img]

Beautiful Dan! Did you see any giant nudibranch eating the tube-dwelling anemones? They used to be everywhere, now I never see them :(

[dphershman]

We went to Fox Island West Wall on monday. Poor viz and some stiff currents, at least by FIWW standards. On this dive we found only one Opalescent, but it was a beaut!

[img]https://photos.smugmug.com/Underwater-Photography/Marine-Life-of-the-Pacific/Nudibranchs/Opalescent-Nudibranch/i-FgTHMT6/0/L/_DSC2658-L.jpg[/img]

Beautiful Dan! Did you see any giant nudibranch eating the tube-dwelling anemones? They used to be everywhere, now I never see them :(

No, I haven't seen any there in awhile. Only one tritonia as well.


Dan

[YellowEye]

Jesse -- I saw giant nudis at Shangri La a couple weeks ago

[dphershman]

Mark and I went to Saltwater State Park this morning and found more Opalescents.




One of the things I've learned is to look for tiny egg whorls, they're commonly associated with nudibranchs that are nearly impossible to see otherwise.

That's where I found this Eubranchus. Not sure of what type it is, perhaps someone knows? There are actually two individuals in this photo



Dan

[Scubak]

I'd love to hook up with you for a dive...
I need to pic your brain for photos...
Kirsten

[Scubie Doo]

I'd love to hook up with you for a dive...
I need to pic your brain for photos...
Kirsten

That's a good brain to pick

Dan, I have a tiny nudibranch I need ID help with. It's in the Blakely Rock dive recap. Let me know your thoughts on it.