Hooded Nudibranchs are out in large numbers

[northwestdiverdan]

I went on a dive Saturday at Edmonds UW Park (in Puget Sound) with my buddies Andy and Mark. On our return to shore we ran into large numbers of Hooded Nudibranchs Melibe leonina in the eel grass at about 12 feet in depth, north of the Jetty. Its fascinating to watch them as they open their hoods into the current catching small critters that drift their way. Here's some photos--





this one was free swimming


all photos were taken with a Nikon D80, f20 1/60, dual Ikelight DS160 strobes.
there are additional photos at http://www.hershmanphoto.com/Underwater-Photography/Pacific-Coast/New-Pacific-Northwest/13263006_KJKM4#995370280_TFQdH

[smb2]

Image #3 is amazing. Looks like some alien nerve cell run a muck.
One could spend the whole dive in 12 feet of water.

[scottg]

thanks for sharing Dan. I agree - #3 looks amazing, we get Melibe's down here in so-cal sometimes but I've never seen them showing internal structure like that.