In my continuing series of From the Deep we look at a very unique creature, the Sea Pen.
Sea pens are colonial marine animal and can be found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Resembling a quilled pen, these bright orange animals are very unique. Described as octocorals, sea pens are colonial animals with multiple polyps, which look somewhat like miniature sea anemones, each with eight tentacles. Each of the sea pens polyps have special functions, some are used for feeding while others lose their tentacles and form the base or stock of the sea pen so it is able to anchor itself to the bottom.
Using their root-like base to anchor themselves in sandy or muddy substrate, the exposed portion of sea pens may rise up to 2 metres (6.6 ft). Rarely found above depths of 10 metres (33 ft), sea pens prefer deeper waters where turbulence is less likely to uproot them. Some species may inhabit depths of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) or more.
While generally sessile animals, sea pens are able to relocate and re-anchor themselves if need be. They position themselves favourably in the path of currents, ensuring a steady flow of plankton, the sea pens' chief source of food. Their primary predators are nudibranchs and sea stars, some of which feed exclusively on sea pens.
Finding and photographing a sea pen garden is pretty amazing, be gentle around them, control your buoyancy and since most sea pens live on a sandy bottom be mindful not to kick up any sand and silt. Do your best best to get low and shoot up, that way you’ll get the best light.
Good luck and sometimes the pen can be mightier than the sword.
Scott
For more stories and images - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/
It is amazing! Like another universe!
Yes, like another planet! Beautiful!
These are truly astounding photographs.
I have become more and more impressed with your work through out the weeks of following you.
At first I was skeptical of your work and how it raises to much $$ on here so quickly.. but that mindset has quickly changed. You are truly an excellent professional photographer. Nice work, keep doing you!
Also i enjoy the science background info you give about the subject matter at hand. Not only visually amazing, but gets the neurons firing too in an intellectual way.
These are gorgeous and amazing creatures! I have never even heard of this animal. I am amazed at how brilliant the yellows are! Thank you for putting this post together for us.
Just like a dancing teletubies. Very beautiful Photograph
I thought it was a parrot
So beautiful...
OMG .. very beautiful photo .. it certainly takes a long time to be able to have such high level skill. It is remarkable for the beauty of nature that is described in steemit, do not want to do his dream would not I like it. Extraordinary hard work and still always show the best @scottdphoto
Amazing pictures. Great job.
Surprisingly. similar to nightlights. if you do not mind i resteem
That is a unique creature! You took a very good picture of it! nice angle!
Nice shot and beautiful colors
Do they ever run out of ink?? Ha ha.
The aforementioned nudibranchs didn't look like they were carnivorous. They eat Sea Pens? Hmmm.
Wow.....
Beatiful
Awesome Series!
You are a great inspiration to me as a photographer even after seeing only a small number of your works. Steem on :)
These pictures looks kind cute but how old were they at the photos? You wrote they can grow up to 2 metres, so they were like childs?
Regards, Lukas
It looks like hand-made. Or should i say god-made. Maybe they are simple livings but as looking they are perfect. I wonder what secrets and extraordinary things we can found if we could reach the deepest. Great photos.
I would wanna live there 😃, this looks beter then real life with all the hate going on 😔
please upvote my posting
Hands down, excellent photography!!
OMG.. i'm so surprizing !! I think i've to try daving
Wonderful photos and a good article with lots of knowledge. Thank you scottd and am resteeming this as it's so good. Happy Steeming!
It is amazing! Like another universe
absolutely stunning pics!
amazing animals! it must be great seeing them..
Oh my God, your photos are incredible!!! I received great pleasure from viewing. I love the pictures of the underwater world. Thank you!
Another set of great photos!
Wow, that’s impressive!
Alien looking things. Crazy.
Awesome ! Nature is beautiful.
Stunning pictures! :)
Thank you for introducing us to this species, nature will not cease to amaze us with its beauty.
Thank you for sharing this article.I'm going to follow you,nice content.
I love your work, I am also a photographer. I post daily blogs from around the world. Give me a follow ! Upvoted!
Wow! Amazing shots but what is that creature please?
The shots you took were really amazing. I find it more amazing on this odd looking creature that seems to be a spider on water or is it a type of crab? :D The sea pen by the way looks like a feather pen that people in the colonial era in the Philippines use and even today (those who love making calligraphy artworks).
I have fears in diving so I guess I will only be able to see these creatures in photos. I must conquer my fear then! yay! Good job and I am glad you had fun.
Very nice pictures! Your job it's amazing. 👍👍
Very nice pictures! Your job it's amazing👍👍👍
Thank you for showing us the sea world. Someday I would love to see these amaizing life down There and If I see a sea Pen i would remember you teach us about these beautiful animal!
Saludos from Venezuela!!
This is wonderful what you show ♥ I want to see it live ♥ it must be a great feeling !
Increíble !!! esas fotos son realmente exclusivas !!!! muy buenas tomas !!!
This pictures very good
I want to go diving again. I am great at spotting creatures :)
