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  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) swimming on its side, lifting its eye out of the water to take a look around. This was one of three whales socializing together.
    humpback-whale-with-eye-out-of-water...tif
  • Eye (partially obscured by skin) of humpback whale calf (Megaptera novaeangliae) that washed ashore on 3 January 2012 in Odawara, Japan. Measured 6.87 meters long and was male. Cause of death unknown. This humpback whale calf is the third smallest one recorded to date that has stranded or washed ashore in Japan. It is the third deceased calf to have been found in the 2011-2012 breeding and calving season.
    dead-humpback-whale-calf-beached-in-...jpg
  • Profile of a crab-eye goby (Signigobius biocellatus), a small fish that swims in a stuttered back-and-forth motion. This unique pattern of motion is said to be reminiscent of the side-to-side movement pattern that is characteristic of crabs. with the large signature spots on the fish’s dorsal fins resembling eyes.
    crab-eye goby-signigobius-biocellatu...tif
  • Octopus peeking out from a discarded bottle like a cephalopod cyclops, photographed in the Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia
    octopus-in-bottle-in-the-muck-lembeh...tif
  • Sharp-eye pygmy goby (Trimma anaima) in Ambon, Indonesia
    Trimma-namaima-sharp-eye-pygmy-goby-...tif
  • This is an arc-eye hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) observing the reef from a favored spot.
    paracirrhites-arcatus-arc-eye-hawkfi...tif
  • This is a male Neoclinus bryope chaenopsid blenny with his mouth open. The internal structure of the fish’s eye is visible in this photo. This species is called koke-ginpo in Japanese. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size.
    neoclinus-bryope-blenny-eye-structur...tif
  • Portrait of a Neoclinus bryope blenny peeking out from its hole in the reef, with emphasis on eye contact. Photographed at a magnfication of two times life-size.
    neocllinus-bryope-blenny-eye-contact...tif
  • A crab-eyed goby in shallow water at Ngchuus Beach, Ngeruktabel Island, Palau
    crab-eyed-goby-signigobius-biocellat...tif
  • Detailed view of the unique structure of the compound eyes of a harlequin mantis shrimp (Odontodactylus scyllarus)., photographed at 3x life-size magnification. The eyes of mantis shrimps comprise what may perhaps be the most complex visual system that has ever evolved. Each eye sits atop a mobile stalk, with each stalk capable of moving independently. Each eye comprises two flattened hemispheres separated by parallel rows of specialized clusters of photoreceptor cells called ommatidia. These rows collectively make up the midband. This 3-part division facilitates trinocular vision in each eye, which means each eye is capable of depth perception. Depending upon the species, mantis shrimps have between 12 and 16 types of photoreceptors (compared to three for humans), giving these crustaceans the ability to perceive a wide spectrum covering from far red to ultraviolet, as well as polarized light.
    peacock-mantis-shrimp-eyes-closeup-o...tif
  • This is a close-up view taken at four times life-size magnification of developing elongated sculpin (Alcichthys elongatus) eggs. The eye of a well-developed embryo is visible, as is an eye that is just beginning to take form in another egg. The egg that is entirely white is unviable, perhaps because it was not properly fertilized. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    alcichthys-elongatus-elkhorn-sculpin...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 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
  • Two black-eared kites (Milus migrans lineatus) engaged in mid-air combat. One bird swooped talons outstreched toward the other, which spun around in response. The two never made contact however, with the encounter finished in the blink of an eye. Photographed in Kochi prefecture, Japan. トビ
    black-eared-kites-aerial-combat-koch...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
  • 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 2 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • This is a mature Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker viewed head-on. The fish's ability to control each eye independently is apparent.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-j...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
  • 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
  • Pictured in the foreground is a male chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) on his last legs during the spawning run. His body has deteriorated considerably. His eye is opaque. Yet, he was still vying to spawn with females. A more intact male is visible in the background. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    oncorhynchus-keta-chum-salmon-spawni...tif
  • This is a palr of Korean seahorses (Hippocampus haema) engaged in unusual post-mating courtship activity. Whenever the two seahorses separated and were not in direct physical contact, they maintained frequent eye contact, as depicted here with the male in the background (belly full of eggs) looking toward the female. Earlier in the morning, the pair had completed hours of courtship, culminating with the female depositing eggs into the brooding pouch of the male. Once this takes place, the pair usually return to independent activity, most often foraging for food. In this instance, the pair stayed together. The male broods the eggs for three to ten weeks, depending upon the time of year. 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. A piece of the icicle is visible in the bird’s mouth.
    long-tailed-tit-aegithalos-caudatus-...tif
  • This is a long-tailed tit (Aegithalos caudatus) hovering under 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
  • Portrait of a grey heron (Ardea cinerea), with the bird’s protective nictitating membrane clearly visible over its eye. Photographed in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan.
    grey-heron-nictitating-membrane-arde...tif
  • Pictured here are twelve members of a social unit of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) moving slowly along at a depth of 20m for the whale in the foreground. These whales, most likely all adult females, were relaxed and resting, as evidenced by the closed eye of the whale in the foreground, and the relaxed body language of all the animals. Tactile contact among social unit members, as visible here, is common during group activity.
    sperm-whale-social-unit-resting-2017...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 6 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • This is a comet (Calloplesiops altivelis), an elegant, cryptic fish that possesses a false eye on its dorsal fin, probably to mislead predators. When alarmed, comets poke their heads into a hole or crevice and expose their tail ends in order to discourage potential predators by mimicking the head of the moray eel.
    comet-fish-Calloplesiops-altivelis-l...tif
  • These two Gymnothorax meleagris moray eels engaged in an extended battle, jaws locked, twisting and spinning within the confines of a narrow crevice among the rocks. It is unclear what the fight was about. In the end, they parted in the blink of an eye, with neither occupying the hole.
    gymnothorax-meleagris-moray-eels-fig...tif
  • This is a marsh tit (Poecile palustris hensoni) hovering beside 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.
    poecile-palustris-hensoni-marsh-tit-...tif
  • This is a top-down view from the dorsal side of a male spotty blenny (Laiphognathus multimaculatus). This male was looking out from his burrow in the early morning, searching for females to court during the breeding season. From this perspective, the fish's ability to control each eye in an independent manner is apparent.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This Idiosepius paradoxus Japanese pygmy squid is consuming a crustacean, perhaps an amphipod of sub-order Hyperiidea. The compound eye of the prey is visible. These small squids immobilize prey with venom, then inject digestive enzymes and consume the liquified contents. They discard the empty exoskeletons when finished.
    idiosepius-paradoxus-eating-hyperiid...tif
  • This is a palr of Korean seahorses (Hippocampus haema) engaged in unusual post-mating courtship activity. Whenever the two seahorses separated and were not in direct physical contact, they maintained frequent eye contact, as depicted here. Earlier in the morning, the pair had completed hours of courtship, culminating with the female (right) depositing eggs into the brooding pouch of the male (left). 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 as pictured here. The male broods the eggs for three to ten weeks, depending upon the time of year. 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 marsh tit (Poecile palustris hensoni) poised to break off a piece 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.
    marsh-tit-poecile-palustris-hensoni-...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. This is a delicate operation. Sometimes the birds fail to break off a piece, as seen in this series of four photographs. Image 3 in a sequence of 4.
    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. This is a delicate operation. Sometimes the birds fail to break off a piece, as seen in this series of four photographs. Image 1 in a sequence of 4.
    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 1 in a sequence of 3, showing the bird grab the icicle.
    long-tailed-tit-aegithalos-caudatus-...tif
  • This is a lizardfish (Synodus sp.) that has just caught a butterflyfish (Chaetodon sp.). Lizardfish are ambush predators. They lie in wait on the bottom, often perched at a slight angle, such that the fish looks up into the water column. When potential prey passes overhead, the lizardfish darts up in the blink of an eye to grab its meal. While some fish do get away, the many sharp, backward-pointing teeth in a lizardfish’s mouth make escape difficult.
    lizardfish-eating-butterflyfish-2010...tif
  • Pictured here are freshly spawned eggs of a fish called spotty-bellied greenling (Hexagrammos agrammus), known as kujime in Japanese. The fish live in coastal waters of the northwest Pacific, East China Sea, the Yellow Sea and the Sea of Japan. Each egg is about 3mm in size. A developing embryo is visible at the bottom center of the image, with the eye and jaw structures just becoming discernable. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hexagrammos-agrammus-eggs-japan-2019...tif
  • Like other cardinalfish, spotnape cardinalfishes (Ostorhinchus notatus) are paternal mouthbrooders. When a pair of fish are ready to spawn, male and female align side-by-side. As the female pushes out a cluster of eggs, the male fertlizes them, then rapidly moves behind the female to take the eggs into his mouth for brooding. Pictured here is the moment of transfer, with the male below the female, taking the cluster of fertilized eggs into his mouth. At 100% magnification, wisps of sperm are visible just forward of the male’s eye. Once the transfer of eggs is accomplished, the male will care for the eggs until maturity. The gestation period varies with water temperature, but hatchout takes place after approximately two weeks. Females in this situation eventually leave the male, but they first exhibit an odd behavior after laying eggs. They appear to harass the male, chasing him and targeting the eggs in his mouth. While avoiding these charges by the female, the male spits out and takes the eggs back into his mouth multiple times. This occurs at blinding speed. The purpose of this post-coital behavior is not clear. It appears almost as if the female is attempting to steal the eggs from the male.
    ostorhinchus-notatus-spawning-spotna...tif
  • This is a female Chirolophis japonicus fringed blenny, which is a prickleback, guarding its eggs. This fish tends to find deep crevices and holes and lay its eggs in the back of its chosen hideaway. The eggs are the white mass visible in the background. On average, the eggs require around 40 days to mature and hatch. This individual is infested with parasites (Elaphognathia discolor). There are at least 36 visible from this angle, the most prominent of which is visible below and forward from the fish’s right eye.
    chirolophis-japonicus-fringed-blenny...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 4 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) surfing. Note that the dolphin’s eye is closed. Also note the teeth rake marks on the dorsal surface of the animal. These are likely to be scars from encounters with other dolphins.
    indo-pacific-bottlenose-dolphin-sout...tif
  • Inquisitive southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) approaching to observe me. Note the callosity above the whale’s eye, which is populated by other organisms, including whale lice (Cyamus ovalis) and barnacles of indeterminate species. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-close-up-201507...tif
  • This is a sea elephant (Pterotrachea coronata), a predatory pelagic mollusk. This individual was encountered in a shallow bay. It was alive and swimming, but in poor condition. These animals use their extended proboscis to grab prey. Their vital organs are contained in the visceral nucleus at the rear of the body. One of the animal's eye is clearly visible. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    pterotrachea-coronata-sea-elephant-j...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. This is a delicate operation. Sometimes the birds fail to break off a piece, as seen in this series of four photographs. Image 4 in a sequence of 4.
    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. This is a delicate operation. Sometimes the birds fail to break off a piece, as seen in this series of four photographs. Image 2 in a sequence of 4.
    long-tailed-tit-aegithalos-caudatus-...tif
  • Head-on view of a mature giant isopod (Bathynomus doederleinii), approximately 11cm in length. From this angle, the crustacean’s compound eye structure is clearly visible, as are the two pairs of antennae. This specimen was brought up from a depth of 300m to 400m in Suruga Bay, Japan.
    giant-isopod-front-view-bathynomus-d...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 5 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...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 3 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...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 1 in sequence of 7 photos illustrating beginning of Drawbridge technique.
    eden-whale-male-mesa-drawbridge-feed...tif
  • Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus) breaching clear of the ocean surface. Note that the dolphin’s eye is closed.
    indo-pacific-bottlenose-dolphin-sout...tif
  • A sleepy, endangered African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) resting with one eye open.
    african-penguin-sleepy-spheniscus-de...tif
  • This is an inquisitive fringed blenny (Chirolophis japonicus) staring directly into the camera lens. There is a parasite attached behind the prominent eye. This species is found in the Northwest Pacific.
    chirolophis-japonicus-fringed-blenny...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 3 in a sequence of 3, showing the bird flying away with a piece of the icicle.
    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.
    long-tailed-tit-aegithalos-caudatus-...tif
  • Aggregation of sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) engaged in social activity. There were hundreds, perhaps thousands, gathered in all directions as far as the eye could see. Most were adult females, though there were some large males present, as well as juveniles. The whales fed intermittently, but also spent substantial time at the surface and in shallow water socializing.
    large-aggregation-sperm-whales-socia...tif
  • Leftover piece of a deep-water seven-arm octopus floating at the ocean surface in Ogasawara, perhaps remnants of predation by sperm whales or other toothed cetaceans. The octopus has eight arms, but the hectocotylus (a specially modified arm used in egg fertilization) is coiled in a sac beneath the right eye. Due to this species' thick gelatinous tissue, the arm is easily overlooked, giving the appearance of having only seven arms.
    seven-arm-octopus-haliphron-atlantic...tif
  • Southern hemisphere humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) remaining motionless while singing. This whale was relatively shallow, with its fluke at about 10 meters. Singers sometimes stay in one position while singing, but this was perhaps the most nonchalant individual I've ever come across. We made eye contact, and he knew where I was at all times, but seemed not to mind my presence at all. I was able to get within arm's reach of his fluke to take this photograph.
    humpback-whale-singer-Megaptera-nova...tif
  • Bright yellow jawfish (Opistognathus sp.) with green eyes staring directly at the camera lens, comically grouchy expression on its face
    funny-yellow-jawfish-with-green-eyes..tiff
  • Eye-to-eye with a long, brown pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus). Perspective distorted by the wide-angle macro perspective of the Totomega lens
    bend-stick-pipefish-Trachyrhamphus-b..tiff
  • Eye-to-eye with a long, brown pipefish (Trachyrhamphus bicoarctatus). Perspective distorted by the wide-angle macro perspective of the Totomega lens
    double-ended-pipefish-Trachyrhamphus..tiff
  • Slender Sandgoby (Fusigobius gracilis) watching over a clutch of eggs hanging from the ceiling of an extremely narrow burrow. The silver reflection from the eggs are the eyes of the embryonic fish. The goby was about 4cm in length, the burrow at 15m depth.
    slender-sandgoby-fusigobius-gracilis...tif
  • Porcupine pufferfish are really cute up-close. Their oversized eyes and puckered up lips give these fish a signature ET look.
    Cyclichthys-orbicularis-Porcupine-pu..tiff
  • Pictured here are eggs of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus). The juveniles are well-developed, with eyes clearly visible. Photographed at 4x life-size magnification.
    abudefduf-sexfasciatus-sergeant-majo...tif
  • This is a species of clingfish (Aspasma minima) that is found in the northwest Pacific. This individual was one of a pair that was living on a large growth of brown algae (Ecklonia cava). As can be seen here, the fish is capable of turning its eyes to look directly overhead.
    aspasma-minima-clingfish-japan-20210...tif
  • The seahorse extended its jaws forward and opened the area of its face just below its eyes and jawline several times, perhaps to vent water through its mouth and jaw structure.
    thorny-seahorse-hippocampus-histrix-...tif
  • Gray whale calf (Eschrichtius robustus) with its eyes closed, enjoying the experience of making contact with a person reaching out from a whale watch boat. Photographed in Baja California, Mexico.
    gray-whale-calf-and-tourist-interact...tif
  • Inquisitive adult female sperm whale in the Indian Ocean, swimming underneath me to check me out using sonar. Sperm whales seem to swim upside-down frequently when they use sonar to investigate objects above them. Perhaps this position gives them optimal results. Notice that the sperm whale has closed her eyes.
    sperm-whale-swimming-upside-down-in-...tif
  • This is a head-on view of Pterosoma planum, a species of predatory snail that lives in the open oceans of the Indo-Pacific region. The animal's gills are to the rear and raised above the animal in this image, with its eyes and feeding proboscis oriented forward and to the bottom. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    pterosoma-planum-pelagic-snail-japan...tif
  • Pictured here are eggs of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf sexfasciatus). The juveniles are well-developed, with eyes clearly visible. Photographed at 4x life-size magnification.
    abudefduf-sexfasciatus-sergeant-majo...tif
  • Pteromys volans flying squirrels often peek out from their nests prior to exiting. This behavior might serve to minimize risk of predation, as well as to allow the animal's eyes to acclimate to ambient light levels. Narrow apertures like this one provide protection from predators.
    pteromys-volans-orii-flying-squirrel...tif
  • This is a male spotty goby (Laiphognathus multimaculatus) darting out from his burrow in order to send one of his babies into the water. The juvenile fish's eyes are visible inside the adult's mouth. Males of this species care for developing young. When the juveniles are ready, males collect them in their mouths, swim out at high speed and spit the fry into the water.
    laiphognathus-multimaculatus-spotty-...tif
  • This is a male spotty-bellied greenling (Hexagrammos agrammus) protecting several clutches of eggs resulting from spawning with multiple females. During the autumn/ winter breeding season, males keeps watch over developing embryos until they hatch. At the same time, males actively court females that approach, swimming out to greet them and lead them back to carefully prepared spawning areas like the one pictured here. The eyes of developing fish larvae are visible in many of the eggs here, meaning they are close to hatching. Freshly spawned eggs were attached to the opposite side of this cluster. Successful males like this one often attend to a number of egg clusters at different stages of development, each from separate females.
    hexagrammos-agrammus-spotty-bellied-...tif
  • This is a top-down view of a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The male is clasped onto the rear of the female, preparing to fertilize eggs that she will deposit. Seen here, the female is still burrowing into the substrate. She will dig deeper, until her primary compound eyes and most of her prosoma is buried. The bubbles are the result of pockets of air trapped in the mud and gravel being released due to the female’s excavation.<br />
<br />
Spawning takes place in the intertidal zone, which is the reason that substantial quantities of air are present in the sediment. It is also the reason that the water is murky and somewhat hazy, as there is mixing of fresh water flowing in from land.<br />
<br />
Although these animals are called crabs, they are not members of the Subphylum Crustacea. They belong to a separate Subphylum—Chelicerata—which also comprises sea spiders, arachnids, and several extinct lineages such as sea scorpions. The earliest known fossils of horseshoe crabs date back 450 million years ago, qualifying these animals as living fossils, as they have remained largely unchanged.<br />
<br />
Tachypleus tridentatus is the largest of the four living species of these marine arthropods, all of which are endangered.<br />
<br />
Though habitat loss and overharvesting of these animals for food are primary contributors to the population decline of horseshoe crabs, the biomedical industry is also a major factor. Horseshoe crabs are bled for their amoebocytes (akin to white blood cells), which are used to derive an extract that reacts in the presence endotoxin lipopolysaccharide, which is found in the membranes of gram-negative bacteria. Estimates suggest that between three and 30% of the animals die as a result. There have also been suggestions that taking up to a third of each animal's blood adversely affects their ability to undertake vital functions, such as procreation, even if the animals survive.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a juvenile 10cm Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) sleeping in his terrarium, with nictitating membrane covering his eyes. 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 are developing eggs of fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) fish, each egg measuring around 3mm. The juvenile fish are developed enough that their spinal cords and eyes are clearly visible. At this stage, the unhatched fish are mobile, twisting and turning inside their eggs from time to time. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-developing-embryo...tif
  • This is a male striped poison-fang blenny mimic (Petroscirtes breviceps) watching over multiple batches of eggs that are at different stages of development. The eggs are adhered to the inside of the bivalve shell, with the eyes of many of the developing fish larvae visible. This male will have mated with several different females at various times, with each female depositing eggs to the inner surface of the shell. The male guards the eggs until they hatch. Pictured here, the male has just opened his mouth for a split-second.
    petroscirtes-breviceps-guarding-eggs...tif
  • Close-up view of developing smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus) embryos in translucent eggs, with eyes clearly visible. The eggs are about 3mm to 4mm in size. Also in this image are some eggs that appear to be non-viable. Photographed at a magnification of four times life-size.
    aptocyclus-ventricosus-eggs-smooth-l...tif
  • This is a spanner crab (Ranina ranina), also known as a red frog crab. It is an edible crab found in tropical and sub-tropical waters. These crabs burrow into the sand rear-first, where they stay camouflaged with only their eyes protruding. They come out to scavenge for food. Unlike other crabs, this species walks in a forward direction. Though this crustacean is harvested for food, there is little known about this species’ ecology. It is the only species extant in its genus.
    red-spanner-frog-crab-ranina-ranina-...tif
  • This is a male copperstriped cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus holotaenia) with a mouthful of eggs just before hatching them. The juveniles are fully developed, eyes visible. Males of this species do this at night while swimming in erratic patterns. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    ostorhinchus-holotaenia-cardinalfish...tif
  • This male Neoclinus bryope blenny has just darted out from its hole to grab a tiny crustacean, which can be seen swimming in front of the blenny. The fish's eyes are focused on its prey.
    neoclinus-bryope-blenny-male-hunting...tif
  • Fat greenling (Hexagrammos otakii) eggs nearing maturity, with eyes and vascular structure visible. When newly spawned, the eggs are translucent, with a tinge of pigment, the color of which varies. Here, the eggs have become covered with algae and other things while the embryos developed. Photographed at 4x life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-egg...tif
  • Pictured here are developing eggs of Hexagrammos otakii, known as Ainame in Japanese and fat greenling in English. The eggs are well developed, with eyes, spinal cords and blood vessels clearly visible. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size.
    hexagrammos-otakii-fat-greenling-egg...tif
  • This is a female dark sleeper (Odontobutis obscura), a species of freshwater sleeper perch, protecting her brood of eggs. The developing embryos are close to hatching, as the eyes are clearly visible. This fish’s den was located in a tiny crevice in a small ditch by the side of a road.
    dark-sleeper-odontobutis-obscura-wit...tif
  • This is a female dark sleeper (Odontobutis obscura), a species of freshwater sleeper perch, protecting her brood of eggs. The developing embryos are close to hatching, as the eyes are clearly visible. This fish’s den was located in a tiny crevice in a small ditch by the side of a road.
    dark-sleeper-odontobutis-obscura-wit...tif
  • This is a female dark sleeper (Odontobutis obscura), a species of freshwater sleeper perch, protecting her brood of eggs. Here she is flipped upside-down above her eggs. The developing embryos are close to hatching, as the eyes are clearly visible. This fish’s den was located in a tiny crevice in a small ditch by the side of a road.
    dark-sleeper-odontobutis-obscura-wit...tif
  • Swimmer stroking Scar, a male sperm whale who seeks out and enjoys contact with people. Here, he is comfortable enough to have his eyes closed during the encounter. He was around 10 years old at this time.
    scar-sperm-whale-with-snorkeler-domi...tif
  • These spider crabs are relatively common throughout Southeast Asia. They resemble another type of undescribed Oncinopus sp., which is hairy and are commonly referred to as orangutan crabs (often incorrectly identified as Achaeus japonicus, which is a different species). These crabs do not have hair, however. They appear spongy, ranging from pale red to yellow in color. In addition, their eyes are white, whereas the eyes of orangutan crabs are red. These crabs also tend to be out in the open, while orangutan crabs are most often found in association with bubble coral or anemones. The stance, demeanor and gait of these crabs remind me of King Kong, hence my nickname for them, King Kong crabs.
    undescribed-oncinopus-crab-king-kong...tif
  • Banggai cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) with clutch of eggs in its mouth, eyes of the developing embryos visible. These fish are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
    Pterapogon-kauderni-endangered-Bangg...tif
  • Female ghost pipefish (Solenostomus paradoxus) carrying a brood of eggs, with eyes of the developing juvenile fish visible. Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi, Indonesia.
    female-ghost-pipefish-Solenostomus-p...tif
  • This is a close-up view of the forehead of a friendly juvenile male sperm whale named Scar. This whale actively sought out contact with boats and people, perhaps due to help and compassion he received from local residents in Dominica when he was injured as a calf. When the mood struck him, Scar would approach at high speed in the water and run right into you because he wanted to be petted. He seemed to relish human touch, closing his eyes and rolling around, much like a playful puppy would.  Scar was about ten years old when I took this photograph, which meant he was almost mature and was due to head north to higher latitudes to feed and mature into a bull. At 50% or greater magnification, you can see small pieces of squid stuck in his mouth, about half-way down the jawline. Andrew Armour, who introduced me to Scar, often picked the scraps out of Scar's mouth. By all accounts, Scar is an extraordinary whale.
    scar-the-friendly-sperm-whale-forehe...tif
  • This is a juvenile Japanese weathervane scallop (Mizuhopecten yessoensis), about one centimeter in size. Some of the bivalve's red eyes are visible. Two times life-size magnification. Photographed in Hokkaido, Japan.
    mizuhopecten-yessoensis-ezo-scallop-...tif
  • This is a Pterosoma planum a species of predatory snail that lives in the open oceans of the Indo-Pacific region. The pink proboscis is the animal's mouth, with two eyes also visible. The gastropod's shell seen below the animal in this image. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    pterosoma-planum-pelagic-snail-japan...tif
  • Shown here are eggs of an Icelinus pietschi sculpin, a species found in the Northwest Pacific. Clearly visible are the eyes and bodies of the developing embryos. The eggs are around 3mm in size.
    icelinus-pietschi-sculpin-embryos-eg...tif
  • This slaty-backed gull (Larus schistisagus) was watching other birds fish. When a common merganser (Mergus merganser) caught this right-handed flounder (Pleuronectidae), the gull swooped down to steal the fish. The bird's nictitating membrane has closed to protect its eyes while eating.
    larus-schistisagus-gull-with-pleuron...tif
  • Flying gurnards (Dactyloptena orientalis) are generally difficult to approach, but this one was docile enough to photograph at close quarters during a night dive in Ambon
    eye-to-eye-with-flying-gurnard-ambon..tiff
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