The wonderful variety that live within our oceans. This creature that may look like a burning orange flame underwater is a Golden Dirona, Dirona aurantia.
These brightly coloured slugs are members of the nuidbranch family and reside in the temperate waters of the Pacific Northwest. They get their brilliant hue from the algae they eat.
The large, soft "spines" that grow off the back called cerata, and it is through these appendages that oxygen/carbon dioxide exchange occurs. Typically these nudibranchs live in shallower waters no deeper than 20 meters and finding and photographing one can be the highlight of a dive.
Thanks for reading and have a great day.
Scott
For more images and stories - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/
I also find a flower tree where I saw this flower bunch surrounded with spikes.
nice click
Wow! that's beautiful Scott!
I want to ask for a favor, just if you have the time and want to…
I made a post with photos of every kind of fish I have seen around the Mazunte, Oaxaca, Mexico beaches and need some help giving them names… I don't know most of the names.
So, any name would be appreciated!
Thanks a lot! :)
Wow our nature is indeed full of surprises along with its great beauty.
So real and wonderful curiosities of our planet and in a habitat that you share through your expedition, thank you.
The beauty of nature is not eternal. But i like it.
Truly spectacular!
Excellent information
@scottdphoto .. really awesome photo!! Make me wanna go dig up my dive gear and go blow some bubbles again!