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  • Pictured here are freshy deposited eggs of a seven-lined prickleback (Ernogrammus zhirmunskii). This species is found in the Northwest Pacific. The eggs are around 3mm in size, excluding the signature spikes.
    ernogrammus-zhirmunskii-prickleback-...tif
  • This is a Japanese red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris orientis) carrying a branch it has collected for the purpose of constructing a nest.
    sciurus-vulgaris-orientis-ezo-red-sq...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • This is a common least weasel (Mustela nivalis nivalis) in Hokkaido, Japan. The Japanese name is kita-iizuna.
    mustela-nivalis-nivalis-common-least...tif
  • These variegated lizardfish (Synodus variegatus) have come together in preparation for spawning. There were dozens in the area. Spawning takes place in the evening, with a female rushing towarding the surface, males following.
    synodus-variegatus-lizardfish-japan-...tif
  • This is the face of a mature male Agonomalus proboscidalis fish, with a blue bat seastar (Patiria pectinifera) in the background. This species is easily recognized by the distinctive elongated proboscis. It is native to the cold polar waters of the northwest Pacific.
    agonomalus-proboscidalis-barbed-hunc...tif
  • This scenes depicts the split-second just before a Okhotsk Atka Mackerel (Pleurogrammus azonus) swallowed a swimming Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker. The mackerel regurgitated the little fish moments later. Lumpsuckers apparently do not taste good.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-pleurogrammu...tif
  • This is a pair of pharoah cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis), female in the foreground. Having copulated with the male, the female is preparing an egg via internal fertilization, which she will then deposit under a nearby rock. The male in the background stands guard to ward off other males that might approach.
    sepia-pharaonis-cuttlefish-reproduct...tif
  • This is a juvenile Takifugu niphobles grass puffer patrolling extremely shallow water at night.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-juve...tif
  • This is a head-on view of juvenile Takifugu niphobles grass puffer, about 4cm in length.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-juve...tif
  • This is a female broadclub cuttlefish (Sepia latimanus) depositing eggs among branches of table coral (Acropora sp.) shortly after mating.
    sepia-latimanus-cuttlefish-depositin...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest in the early morning.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel flying through trees.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Periclimenes magnificus commensal shrimp waiting for larger animals to visit to be cleaned. This species is one of many types of shrimps that earn their keep by providing cleaning services to larger reef residents.
    periclimenes-magnificus-commensal-sh...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel consuming male catkins from an Erman's birch tree (Betula ermanii).
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel has just started to consume male catkins from an Erman's birch tree (Betula ermanii).
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel gliding through the forest.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a pair of Ural owls (Strix uralensis japonica) from the population found in Hokkaido, Japan. The male on the left is grooming the female. The female will soon lay eggs and raise chicks in the coming spring.
    strix-uralensis-japonica-ural-owl-ez...tif
  • This male red-breasted merganser (Mergus serrator), which has just caught a right-handed flounder (Pleuronectidae), is fleeing from a slaty-backed gull (Larus schistisagus). The gull eventually stole the fish from the merganser. The bird was missing its left eye, as seen here.
    mergus-serrator-male-with-pleuronect...tif
  • These are Japanese cranes (Grus japonensis) in flight.
    grus-japonensis-japanese-red-crowned...tif
  • This is a young Strix uralensis japonica owl resting in front of its nest.
    strix-uralensis-japonica-ural-owl-ez...tif
  • This is a pair of Ural owls (Strix uralensis japonica) that have come together at the end of winter in preparation for the spring reproductive season.
    strix-uralensis-japonica-ural-owl-ez...tif
  • This is a female Strix uralensis japonica owl perched at the entrance to her nest during snowfall. A smaller male was inside the nest.
    strix-uralensis-japonica-ural-owl-ez...tif
  • This is an Ezo chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus lineatus), recently emerged from winter hibernation.
    tamias-sibiricus-lineatus-ezo-chipmu...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel bathed in the cool light of an early winter morning. These animals are normally nocturnal.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii flying squirrel emerging from a hideaway at the base of a tall tree. This individual was just digging its way out after snowfall had accumulated and blocked the entrance.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • The frustrating moment when a Pteromys orii volans flying squirrel passed directly over my head from behind. I spun around and pressed the shutter on instinct from waist height as the squirrel flew past mere centimeters above my head.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • Bamboo forest in Arashiyama, Kyoto, Japan
    bamboo-forest-arashiyama-kyoto-20211...tif
  • This is a harlequin crab (Lissocarcinus laevis) comfortably ensconced in a tube anemone.
    lissocarcinus-laevis-harlequin-crab-...tif
  • These are developing embryos of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), 3mm to 4mm in size. Eggs molt during the development, as can be seen here. The stage of development is perhaps four to six weeks after spawning took place.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a juvenile endangered Japanese horseshoe crab (Tachypleus tridentatus) swimming into the water column after birth. Measuring about 7mm, this little crustacean and siblings burst forth from their nest in a frenzy of activity approximately two months after spawning by the adults.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This male Laiphognathus multimaculatus Spotty Blenny is looking out from his home in the coral reef during breeding season. He is searching for females that are ready to spawn. Normally dull and drab in color, this male had donned a bright yellow, blue and orange pattern for this purpose. When a female approaches, he performs an elaborate, somewhat comical dance to entice her.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This is a male spotty goby (Laiphognathus multimaculatus) sending one of his babies into the world. Females of this species deposit eggs into the burrows of males, which fertilize and care for the developing young. When juveniles are mature, the males take the young fish into their mouths, dart out of their burrows and spit the babies into the water, sometimes one at a time, sometimes several at once. The action is rapid, the direction and timing of launching babies unpredictable. When the males send the babies out like this, their bodies usually lose the bright coloration of breeding season, becoming relatively drab, though not quite as dull as normal.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This is a humpbacked scorpionfish (Scorpaenopsis neglecta) sitting on a muddy bottom in shallow water, with a number of Japanese silver-biddy fishes (Gerres equulus) swimming past in the background.
    scorpaenopsis-neglecta-humpbacked-sc...tif
  • This is a female whitespotted pygmy filefish (Rudarius ercodes) tending to a clutch of eggs that she has deposited on a cluster of bryozoans that have grown on the branches of a dead tree lodged in the substrate. Development of this species is rapid, with the juveniles hatching in approximately three days.
    rudarius-ercodes-tending-eggs-whites...tif
  • This is a female whitespotted pygmy filefish (Rudarius ercodes) tending to a clutch of eggs that she has deposited on a rope. Development of this species is rapid, with the juveniles hatching in approximately three days.
    rudarius-ercodes-tending-eggs-whites...tif
  • This is a male peach fairy basslet (Pseudanthias dispar).
    pseudanthias-dispar-peach-fairy-bass...tif
  • These feathery structures are modified<br />
prostomial palps (mouth appendages) of Spirobranchus giganteus  polychaete worms. These spiral radioles are lined with cilia and are used by the worm for feeding and breathing. These worms have a mutual symbiotic relationship with their host corals.<br />
The corals provide structural support and protection, while the worms enhance water circulation which helps corals feed.
    spirobranchus-giganteus-christmas-tr...tif
  • These feathery structures are modified<br />
prostomial palps (mouth appendages) of Spirobranchus giganteus  polychaete worms. These spiral radioles are lined with cilia and are used by the worm for feeding and breathing. The circular structure in the foreground is the operculum, which the worm uses to seal its burrow.
    spirobranchus-giganteus-christmas-tr...tif
  • This is a yellow-green wrasse (Thalassoma lutescens) male engaging in courtship display. He spawned several times while I observed, each time with a different female. He also chased away a number of other males.
    thalassoma-lutescens-banana-wrasse-m...tif
  • This Japanese pygmy squid (Idiosepius paradoxus) has its arms wrapped around its prey, a skeleton shrimp (Caprellidae), which is a type of amphipod. Here the skeleton shrimp is clinging to the eelgrass by a single claw, but it eventually succumbed. Pygmy squids use venom to paralyze their prey, then inject digestive enzymes into their food. They ingest the liquified contents and discard the exoskeleton.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-eating-caprelli...tif
  • Pictured here, buds of Japanese elm (Ulmus davidiana var. japonica) are one of the favored foods of Pteromys volans orii Japanese dwarf flying squirrels in Japan.
    ulmus-davidiana-japanese-elm-buds-20...tif
  • This male and female Pteromys volans orii flying squirrels have paired up for the reproductive season. They had just finished foraging for food high in the canopy and were sitting together like this during light snow. The pair mated a few days after this photograph was taken. The male is on the right, female left.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Japanese dwarf flying squirrel (Pteromys volans orii) flying through the forest on a cold winter day. Usually nocturnal, these animals sometimes become active in the day during reproductive season.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • This is a Pteromys volans orii Japanese dwarf flying squirrel gliding across the top of the tree canopy after sunset. The moon is visible, six days prior to being full. This individual was part of a ruckus of reproductive season activity stretching over many hours that involved two females and three males.
    japanese-flying-squirrel-pteromys-vo...tif
  • Juvenile painted frogfish (Antennarius pictus), about 3cm in length
    antennarius-pictus-painted-frogfish-...tif
  • This is a Shiho’s seahorse (Hippocampus sindonis), a species that is endemic to Northwest Pacific coastal waters of Japan and southern Korea. The Japanese name is hanatatsu.
    hippocampus-sindonis-seahorse-japan-...tif
  • This male Neoclinus bryope blenny has an unusual dorsal fin with two prominent blue spots. Most individuals of this species have one spot. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size.
    neoclinus-bryope-blenny-unusual-dors...tif
  • Close-up profile of a male Neoclinus bryope chaenopsid blenny during the winter breeding season. This species is known as koke-ginpo in Japanese. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size.
    neoclinus-bryope-blenny-japan-202101...tif
  • Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) visiting wintering grounds in Hokkaido, Japan
    cygnus-cygnus-whooper-swan-japan-202...tif
  • Juvenile Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) playing inside an old slipper
    mauremys-reevesii-chinese-pond-turtl...tif
  • Juvenile 10cm female Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) at 2.5 years of age. This species is semiaquatic in the wild, found in marshes, ponds, streams and similar bodies of shallow water. It is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, threatened by several causes, including competition from introduced species, loss of habitat, and use in Chinese medicine. This species is also popular in the global pet trade. This individual was found on a road in Japan, far from water, when it was only 2.8cm, perhaps picked up and transported by a crow shortly after birth. Though the species had earlier been considered native to Japan, genetic testing in recent years suggests multiple introductions from outside Japan.
    mauremys-reevesii-chinese-pond-turtl...tif
  • These two hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus) are seconds away from spawning. The smaller male has positioned himself beneath the female to push her up into the water column. Her belly is swollen with eggs, and she has inflated herself to around twice her normal size in preparation for release of eggs. This may make it difficult for her to swim effectively without help. The male is positioned near where the eggs will be released. Being in this position may be critical for him to judge the precise moment when he should break away from the female and release sperm to fertilize the eggs.
    antennarius-striatus-striated-frogfi...tif
  • Horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) generally move in a measured, relatively slow manner, when they move at all. When females emerge after spawning however, they occasionally do so with surprising speed and force, as seen here. The female in the foreground has lifted herself out of the gravel and mud in one rapid motion, creating this momentary effervescence from the release of small pockets of air that had been trapped in the substrate.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of Korean seahorses (Hippocampus haema) engaged in unusual post-mating courtship activity. Earlier in the morning, the pair had completed hours of courtship, culminating with the female (background) depositing eggs into the brooding pouch of the male (foreground). Once this takes place, the pair usually return to independent activity, most often foraging for food. In this instance, the pair stayed together. They maintained body contact, often with their prehensile tails intertwined. The male broods the eggs for three to ten weeks. After hatching the juveniles, the male engages in courtship with the female and mates again throughout the spring and summer breeding season. Pair bonds are reasonably consistent, though there seems to be some mixing that takes place. Described in 2017, this species is found in the waters of Korea, as well as along the southern and western coasts of Japan.
    hippocampus-haema-korean-seahorse-co...tif
  • This is a long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) hovering in front of an icicle formed from the sap of a painted maple tree (Acer pictum). During winter months, small birds like this make use of this calorie-rich food source (essentially frozen maple syrup) to fuel their high metabolisms. The birds fly to an icicle, hover, break off a piece and fly away, all in the blink of eye.
    long-tailed-tit-aegithalos-caudatus-...tif
  • This is a long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) hovering in front of an icicle formed from the sap of a painted maple tree (Acer pictum). During winter months, small birds like this make use of this calorie-rich food source (essentially frozen maple syrup) to fuel their high metabolisms. The birds fly to an icicle, hover, break off a piece and fly away, all in the blink of eye. Image 2 in a sequence of 3, showing the bird breaking a piece off from the tip of the icicle.
    long-tailed-tit-aegithalos-caudatus-...tif
  • This is a defecating long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus). This species is small in size, measuring up to 15cm in length, approximately half of which is the bird’s long, narrow tail.
    aegithalos-caudatus-long-tailed-tit-...tif
  • This is a male fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) protecting eggs. The eggs comprise several clutches from a number of females. During the autumn to winter breeding season, mature males like this one establish territories and adopt a brilliant yellow-orange coloration. The males court passing females, which can choose to spawn with or to ignore a given male.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-mal...tif
  • This is an aerial panorama of Maninita Island in the Vava’u island group of the Kingdom of Tonga. The island sits atop an extensive coral reef structure, which is for the most part not visible from the surface of the ocean. The reefs extend into the background, reaching the smaller island of Fonuafo’ou. This photograph was taken a few days before the full moon. The pinkish-red threads visible on the ocean surface are billions of gametes, perhaps spawned from the coral around Maninita and other nearby reefs.
    maninita-island-aerial-panorama-tong...tif
  • Aerial panorama of Fangasito Island in the Vava’u island group of the Kingdom of Tonga, with Fonua’one’one island visible in the background. From this perspective, the extent of the coral reef surrounding the island is visible.
    fangasito-island-aerial-panorama-ton...tif
  • During summer months, bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) like the one pictured here often visit shallow water, which provides a shelter from potential predation by orcas. As seen in this photograph, the whales can swim in water that is only just deep enough for them not to become stranded. This individual is a member of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Aerial panorama of Kawana fishing port on the eastern side of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. This layout is typical of small fishing ports throughout Japan.
    kawana-fishing-port-japan-aerial-pan...tif
  • Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) commencing a dive. Note the muscularity powering the whale’s fluke, and the visibility of the rib structure. Classification of Bryde’s whales is difficult and uncertain due to insufficient study and information.
    balaenoptera-edeni-brydes-whale-2013...tif
  • This is a polychaete worm in the Syllidae family, perhaps a Epigamia magna. Normally benthic residents, these segmented worms transition to sexually mature pelagic epitokes for the purpose of reproduction (as pictured here, carrying thousands of eggs). This individual was part of a swarm comprising many thousands of worms split up across multiple groups swimming in shallow water (surface to around 7m depth). I came across this aggregation in the 10 days leading up to full moon. Though I was unable to witness spawning, it seems that spawning took place after dark. Spawning did not appear to be synchronized. The swarm began to decrease in numbers after the full moon, suggesting the possibility of sequential spawning over a period of days.
    syllidae-polychaete-worm-with-eggs-j...tif
  • These are eggs of a sculpin named <br />
Bero elegans, found in the northwest Pacific. The eggs of this species have a blue tint and measure about 2mm to 3mm in size. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size.
    bero-elegans-sculpin-eggs-japan-2019...tif
  • This is a male humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae australis) launching partially out of the water with his mouth open while playing together with his mother. The little whale’s baleen is clearly visible.
    humpback-whale-calf-mouth-open-20180...tif
  • This sequence depicts a veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) using a broken bottle as a portable shelter. The octopus was carrying a small crab that it had caught for a meal. Image 9 in a series of 15.
    amphioctopus-marginatus-bottle-indon...tif
  • This sequence depicts a veined octopus (Amphioctopus marginatus) using a broken bottle as a portable shelter. The octopus was carrying a small crab that it had caught for a meal. Image 3 in a series of 15.<br />
.
    amphioctopus-marginatus-bottle-indon...tif
  • These are Zoarchias major eelpouts. The orange individual is female; the one in the hole is male. The female has approached the male, curled around him and rubbed him in a manner that divers in the area interpreted as affection or interest in the courtship context. In actuality, the female is trying to dislodge the male from the hole in order to occupy it herself. It is an antagonstic encounter, not one characterized by amorous interest. Given that these fish come up from deeper waters to congregate and socialize in this specific place at a specific time of year, the possibility that this activity is related to reproduction in the greater context is high, though how and when reproduction takes place remains unknown. Image 1 in a sequence of 3.
    zoarchias-major-female-getting-ready...tif
  • This is a female Zoarchias major eelpout attempting to dislodge a male from a hole in the reef. Females sometimes approach males and curl up next to them, rub against their bodies. This has been misinterpreted as behavior suggesting affection, in the courtship context. Males do the same to females as well. In reality, one fish is attempting to dislodge the other from a prime piece of real estate. Sometimes the intruder succeeds, sometimes not. Image 3 of 6 in a sequence illustrating this behavior.
    zoarchias-major-female-pulling-male-...tif
  • This is a female humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae australis) swimming together with her mother at depth, ventral surfaces of both whales clearly visible. The proximity of the calf to mother and similarity of body language underscores the bond between the two. This mother and calf were accompanied by at least three escort whales in a dynamic situation.
    humpback-whale-mother-calf-tonga-201...tif
  • This humpback whale was part of a bubble-net feeding group in Icy Strait, Alaska. This breach was one of a series of breaches and pectoral slaps that occurred in tandem with the end of social foraging, with the whales going separate ways.
    humpback-whale-breaching-alaska-2018...tif
  • Two male Zoarchias major eelpouts with mouths wide open facing off in the middle of Sargassum hemiphyllum algae. The fishes blend-in well with both the coloration and texture of these brown algae and other surrounding vegetation and substrate, providing some measure of protection in the form of camouflage from larger fish patrolling the reef.
    zoarchias-major-eelpouts-fighting-sa...tif
  • This is an adult female sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) at the ocean surface, with other members of her social unit visible in the background.
    sperm-whale-physeter-macrocephalus-o...tif
  • This sequence of 17 images shows a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae australis) executing a forward breach. As the whale emerges from the ocean, water streams off the animal’s body, as well as from the sides of the whale’s mouth. The whale exhales with great force as it surfaces, creating a cloud of water vapor, then inhales through open nostrils before plunging back into the water. The entire sequence spans just over one second of time. Image 3 of 17.
    humpback-whale-forward-breaching-seq...tif
  • Inaba-san, the only remaining Ama diver in Futo harbor, getting ready to go into the ocean for work. The metal tool in her hand is used to pry shells from the rocks. She keeps what she gathers in the yellow net, which can be brought up to the surface by her husband and exchanged for a new net while she is still submerged. The hoses supply air and facilitate voice communication to ensure coordination between the husband and wife team.
    ama-diver-izu-japan-201006-0331.tif
  • Front view of a freshly caught giant isopod (Bathynomus doederleinii) brought up from a depth of 300m to 400m in Suruga Bay, Japan. From this angle, the crustacean’s two pairs of antennae are clearly visible.
    giant-isopod-bathynomus-doederleinii...tif
  • Hasegawa-san with freshly caught deep sea rockfish (Sebastes matsubarai)
    hasegawa-san-deep-sea-rockcod-japan-...tif
  • Hasegawa-san father and son team working on their fishing vessel. Here the son is organizing the day’s catch of deep-sea king crabs.
    fishing-for-deep-sea-king-crabs-suru...tif
  • Exhausted from a long night and morning of fishing in Suruga Bay, Hasegawa-san dozing off on the way back to port
    hasegawa-san-dozing-off-after-fishin...tif
  • Jawfish (Opistognathus sp.) taking a look around after spitting out sand and rubble while maintaining its burrow
    jawfish-opistognathus-cleaning-burro...tif
  • This is a 7mm-long juvenile smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus) sitting on Colpomenia sinuosa algae. The white crystals are grains of sand, which provide a sense of scale. This fish grows to a size of around 40cm and is known from Northern Pacific waters down to 1700m depth. It is the only known member of its genus.
    aptocyclus-ventricosus-juvenile-smoo...tif
  • Whale bacon and whale sashimi for sale at the Tore Tore Market in Shirahama, Wakayama Prefecture. The labels indicates that the whale products are sourced from the research whaling in the Southern Ocean.
    whale-bacon-and-sashimi-research-wha...tif
  • This is the internal shell of a deep-water cephalopod called a Ram’s horn squid, also known as a little post horn squid (Spirula spirula). This cephalopod is the only known member of its genus. The internal shell is both robust and buoyant, so often found on beaches. This one washed up during a mass stranding of thousands of Physalia utriculus amd other animals of the open-ocean, pelagic community. Attached to the shell were pelagic goose barnacles (Lepas sp.).
    rams-horn-shell-spirula-goose-barnac...tif
  • Top-down view of an Indo-Pacific Portuguese Man-of-War (Physalia utriculus). This is one of many thousands that were part of a mass stranding in South Africa. Such strandings happen from time to time, bringing these colonial siphonophores to shore, along with other associated animals such as Velella velella, Janthina janthina, and Planes major from the rarely seen open-ocean, blue-water community of life. The beautiful blue and green skirt surrounding the air pocket (pneumatophore) are loaded with nematocysts, which deliver potent venom
    blue-bottle-indo-pacific-portuguese-...tif
  • Southern right whale female with calf (Eubalaena australis) in shallow coastal water
    southern-right-whale-female-calf-eub...tif
  • These are two mature male Asian sheepshead wrasses (Semicossyphus reticulatus) fighting over territory during the breeding season. During this season, the mature males take on a whitish coloration, particularly when they are approaching female wrasses and when they engage in territorial disputes with other males. The male on the left in this image is Yamato, the dominant male in this area. He is the successor to Benkei. Wrasses are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that all individuals start life as females, then eventually turn into males. This image is licensed on an exclusive basis to BBC through 29 October 2021.
    asian-sheepshead-wrasse-males-fighti...tif
  • A minipizza batfish (Halieutaea stellata) settling on the seafloor before descending back to depth after being released from a fishing net. When stationary like this, these fish perch on their fins almost as if they were using legs. These fish are usually found between 50m and 400m depth.
    minipizza-batfish-halieutaea-stellat...tif
  • This is an Indian anchovy (Stolephorus indicus), one of the anchovy species that Eden’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) feed upon in the Gulf of Thailand. It is also a primary ingredient for fish sauce, as well as many other foods in Thailand and Southeast Asia.
    indian-anchovy-stelophorus-indicus-g...tif
  • This is a small social unit, or perhaps part of a social unit, of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus). There were three young whales in the group. Pictured here is one of the young whales, around seven to eight meters in length, taking an interest in me, with the other members of the social unit visible in the background.
    sperm-whale-social-unit-inquisitive-...tif
  • Juvenile spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) surfacing next to its mother
    spinner-dolphin-juvenile-with-mother...tif
  • A spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) leaping exceptionally high into the air multiple times, demonstrating incredible power and athleticism
    spinner-dolphin-leaping-high-into-ai...tif
  • Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) leaping into the air on a sunny day
    spinner-dolphin-stenella-longirostri...tif
  • This is a male hairchin goby (Sagamia geneionema) protecting a brood of eggs. Males of this species mate several times with females, which lay their eggs on the upper surfaces of confined spaces and then leave the area to the care of the male. In this case, this burrow was at 20m depth, with water ranging between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius. The males protect the eggs until they hatch, somewhere between one and two weeks depending on water temperature, and then mate again. Throughout this process, the male does not eat much. As a result, after several matings, the males become too weak to carry on, and they die. The name for this species in Japanese is sabihaze (サビハゼ).
    hairchin-goby-sagamia-guarding-eggs-...tif
  • A hairy frogfish (Antennarius striatus) that tried to attract a small mantis shrimp by waving its lure (esca), in order to eat the crustacean. The mantis shrimp did not fall for the trap and fled. It can be seen to the left, in the background. The disappointed frogfish had to move on to continue its quest for a meal.
    hairy-frogfish-hunting-lembeh-200703...tif
  • An endangered Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) lying in a bed of sea grass, blowing bubbles
    australian-sea-lion-bubbles-200802-0...tif
  • This is the carcass of a 12.8m female Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni brydei) that was brought into port on the bow of the ship pictured here. Though the cause of death was not entirely clear, the ship was known to have traveled for four to five days from China to Thailand. The whale could have died from impact. There were signs of blunt trauma, including the broken pectoral fin, which can be seen here. The whale was covered with bite marks from cookie cutter sharks, indicating that it was probably not one of the Gulf of Thailand’s resident Eden’s whales.
    dead-brydes-whale-thailand-201611-00...tif
  • This is a male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Mesa, demonstrating the Drawbridge technique for feeding on anchovies. The whale raises his head above water to approximately eye level, then drops his lower jaw rapidly as if lowering a drawbridge. He then maintains a stationary, mouth-open position for an extended period of time, sometimes up to 30 seconds, during which time anchovies jump into his mouth. When he collects sufficient fish, he closes his mouth and reenters the water. Mesa is part of an isolated population of Eden’s whales, which are a neritic member of the Bryde’s whale complex, that live in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. It is likely that there are 50 or less in the population. Photo 7 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • Sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) social unit engaged in social activity, with one whale separated from the group while passing gas. Flatulence is common when sperm whales socialize near the ocean surface.
    sperm-whale-flatulence-socializing-d...tif
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Tony Wu Underwater Photography

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