Come Dive With Me
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • A-Z Marine Species
    • Cnidaria (jellyfish, corals and anemones
    • Coral Reefs
    • Crustaceans >
      • Crustaceans Video Lesson Plan
    • Glossary of Marine Terms
    • Nudibranchs
    • Rays, stingrays and skates
    • Sea Stars, Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars
    • Seahorses and sea dragons >
      • Seahorses and sea dragons Lesson Plan
    • Seagrass - the lungs of the ocean
    • Strength in numbers - why fish swim in schools
    • Symbiosis >
      • Resources
      • Teacher's Guide
    • Whales
  • Teacher Resources
    • Curriculum Mapping >
      • Literacy Outcomes from ACARA
    • Curriculum Integration Ideas
    • Sustainability Cross-Curriculum Priority
    • Dichotomous Keys
  • All About SCUBA
  • Marine Citizen Science
    • Saving our oceans
    • UN Goal 14: Life Below Water
  • Books

The eyes have it

1/17/2025

0 Comments

 
Imagine peering into the depths of the ocean and encountering a fish with eyes that seem straight out of a sci-fi movie. Some fish have eyes that can see in almost complete darkness, while others have eyes that can move independently, giving them a 360-degree view of their surroundings. These extraordinary adaptations showcase the incredible diversity and ingenuity of nature's designs.
In this post Lillian has captured some great examples of fish with unusual eyes.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
0 Comments

Gone Fishing

1/17/2025

0 Comments

 
Hungry cormorants go fishing for dinner. Persistence pays off finally.
Picture
Diving down to see what he can find
Picture
Is there anything under the fallen pilon?
Picture
Let's try somewhere else?
Picture
One last look before I go up for air
Picture
What about under here?
Picture
Success!

Some more information about cormorants.
Appearance: Cormorants have long necks, hooked bills, and webbed feet. Their plumage is usually dark, and they often have a distinctive patch of bare skin on their face.
Habitat: They are found in a variety of aquatic environments, including coastal regions, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.
Diet: Cormorants primarily feed on fish, which they catch by diving underwater. They are skilled swimmers and can stay submerged for extended periods.
Behavior: After diving, cormorants are often seen spreading their wings to dry, as their feathers are not completely waterproof.
Species: There are about 40 species of cormorants, with the Great Cormorant and the Double-crested Cormorant being among the most well-known.
0 Comments

Clever camouflage

1/17/2025

1 Comment

 
Picture
Certain jellyfish and larval fish, are nearly transparent, making them difficult to see in the water.
Picture
Blowfish hiding in the sand

Marine animals use camouflage in various ways to blend into their surroundings, avoid predators, and ambush prey. Here are some common camouflage techniques:
  1. Coloration: Many marine animals can change their color to match their environment. For example, octopuses and cuttlefish use specialized cells called chromatophores to rapidly change their skin color and pattern.
  2. Countershading: This is a form of coloration where the animal's underside is lighter than its top side. This helps them blend in with the lighter surface when viewed from below and with the darker ocean depths when viewed from above. Sharks and dolphins often use this technique.
  3. Mimicry: Some marine animals mimic the appearance of other objects or organisms in their environment. For example, the leafy sea dragon has appendages that resemble seaweed, making it difficult for predators to spot.
  4. Disruptive Coloration: This involves patterns and markings that break up the outline of the animal, making it harder to detect. Many fish have stripes or spots that help them blend into their surroundings.
  5. Transparency: Some marine animals, like certain jellyfish and larval fish, are nearly transparent, making them difficult to see in the water.
  6. Texture Matching: Some animals can change the texture of their skin to match their surroundings. For example, some octopuses can alter their skin texture to resemble rocks or coral.
Picture
Cuttlefish use specialized cells called chromatophores to rapidly change their skin color and pattern.
Picture
Octopuses use specialized cells called chromatophores to rapidly change their skin color and pattern.
Picture
A leafy sea dragon has appendages that resemble seaweed, making it difficult for predators to spot.
Picture
A seahorse can blend into its surroundings either to hide or in wait to capture prey.
Picture
This finger dragonettes blends into the sandy ocean floor
Picture
This wobbegong easily blends into the background
Picture
This Western Red Scorpionfish blends in with its background.
Picture
Sea Anemone
1 Comment

Weird and whacky sea creatures

1/16/2025

0 Comments

 
We'd like to share with you some weird and whacky marine creatures. 
Picture
Anemone
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Tunicates
Picture
Garden eels
Picture
Sea Cucumber
Picture
Harlequin Shrimp
Picture
Pipefish
Picture
Shrimp
Picture
Sea Urchin
Picture
Red Scorpion Fish
Picture
Razor Fish
0 Comments

    Author

    Photographs by Lillian Heidel

    Archives

    January 2025

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Home
About
Contact
All images and film footage Copyright Lillian Heidel. 
  • Home
    • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Topics
    • A-Z Marine Species
    • Cnidaria (jellyfish, corals and anemones
    • Coral Reefs
    • Crustaceans >
      • Crustaceans Video Lesson Plan
    • Glossary of Marine Terms
    • Nudibranchs
    • Rays, stingrays and skates
    • Sea Stars, Sea Urchins and Sand Dollars
    • Seahorses and sea dragons >
      • Seahorses and sea dragons Lesson Plan
    • Seagrass - the lungs of the ocean
    • Strength in numbers - why fish swim in schools
    • Symbiosis >
      • Resources
      • Teacher's Guide
    • Whales
  • Teacher Resources
    • Curriculum Mapping >
      • Literacy Outcomes from ACARA
    • Curriculum Integration Ideas
    • Sustainability Cross-Curriculum Priority
    • Dichotomous Keys
  • All About SCUBA
  • Marine Citizen Science
    • Saving our oceans
    • UN Goal 14: Life Below Water
  • Books