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  • Female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) resting in shallow water while her playful male calf keeps himself occupied. Photographed in Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga.
    humpback-whale-mother-and-calf-shall...tif
  • Large male escort humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) accompanying an adult female with a female calf, all three passing over a shallow reef outside the Blue Lagoon area in Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga. Female calf 201314, mom, escort
    humpback-whale-escort-fluke-with-mot...tif
  • Two juvenile Australian sea lions playing in shallow water, with one blowing bubbles as part of the social interaction between them
    juvenile-sea-lions-playing-shallow-w...tif
  • Sea lions often sit or lie in shallow water, as this mature adult male is doing. This might be to help regulate body temperature on hot, sunny days
    split-shot-sea-lion-basking-shallow-...tif
  • Adult male Australian sea lion yawning while relaxing in shallow water at Carnac Island in Western Australia
    mature-sea-lion-yawning-shallow-wate...tif
  • Large adult male Australian sea lion swimming through shallow waters with a white sand bottom at Carnac Island in Western Australia
    rear-view-of-bull-australian-sea-lio...tif
  • Two juvenile Australian sea lions mock fighting with one another in shallow water. These two played like this for a couple of hours.
    young-sea-lions-mock-fighting-underw...tif
  • Juvenile male Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) sitting on white sand in shallow water
    Cute-Australian-sea-lion-white-sand-..tiff
  • Two male sea lions, a juvenile and mature individual, tussling in shallow water. These animals mock fight on a regular basis, perhaps to establish relative social rank. They bite, nip and tug, but don't appear to inflict actual injury.
    two-sea-lions-mock-fighting-underwat...tif
  • Juvenile Australian sea lion taking a break in the surf zone of Carnac Island in Western Australia, showing off lots of whiskers
    half-half-shot-of-sea-lion-shallow-w...tif
  • Silhouette of a mature bull Australian sea lion
    silhouette-australian-sea-lion-shall...tif
  • Juvenile Australian sea lion showing off its whiskers
    sea-lion-whiskers-shallow-blue-water...tif
  • Australian sea lion sitting on the sand, with another one in the background
    cute-sea-lion-carnac-island-western-...tif
  • Inquisitive young sea lion lying in white sand looking straight at the camera
    cute-Australian-sea-lion-white-sand-...tif
  • Young Australian sea lion coming in for a kiss
    sea-lion-kissing-camera-lens-201103-...tif
  • A pair of sea lions crashed out on a bed of seagrass after a session of play fighting and roughhousing. The one looking at the camera is a juvenile. The individual lying down is a mature bull. Note the scars on the smaller sea lion's head, which may be a result of tussling with other sea lions.
    australian-sea-lions-resting-on-seag...tif
  • Australia sea lion sticking its nose out of the water to take a breath of air
    sea-lion-sticking-nose-out-of-water-...tif
  • Juvenile Australian sea lion playing in the sand
    adorable-sea-lion-with-puppy-dog-eye...tif
  • Cute young Australian sea lion sitting in the sand
    adorable-sea-lion-on-white-sand-aust...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) female with her male calf, swimming over a shallow coral reef outside Hunga island in Vava’u, Tonga.
    humpback-whale-female-with-calf-shal...tif
  • Humpback whales (Megaptera novaengliae) in a heat run. There were six whales in total, spending most of their time in deep water, but passing over this shallow submerged reef at one point, giving me an unusual opportunity to photograph a heat run against the reef.
    humpback-whale-heat-run-over-shallow...tif
  • Australian Sea Lion (Neophoca cinerea) resting in shallow water at Carnac Island in Western Australia
    australian-sea-lion-shallow-water-ca...tif
  • Shallow, protected nooks and crannies among the Rock Islands of Palau are characterized by murky water, but can provide a safe environment for corals to flourish and develop into intricate, unbroken formations like the one pictured here. This coral tree was one of many in very shallow water in front of Ngchuus Beach, Ngeruktabel Island.
    backlit-coral-formation-ngeruktabel-...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
  • Large Platygyra hard coral in shallow blue water in tropical water of Indonesia
    Spherical-Playtgyra-coral-Ambon-2010..tiff
  • This is a cloud of crab larvae, just after release in shallow water by a female land crab (Discoplax hirtipes). At 100% magnification, the individual larva are easily distinguishable. See separate image of female crab in the act of releasing these eggs/ larvae into the water. Photographed at Ngeremdiu Beach, Ngeruktabel Island in Palau.
    crab-larvae-zoea-Discoplax-hirtipes-...tif
  • This is a cloud of crab larvae, just after release in shallow water by a female land crab (Discoplax hirtipes). At 100% magnification, the individual larva are easily distinguishable. See separate image of female crab in the act of releasing these eggs/ larvae into the water. Photographed at Ngeremdiu Beach, Ngeruktabel Island in Palau.
    crab-larvae-zoea-Discoplax-hirtipes-...tif
  • Large Platygyra hard coral in shallow blue water in tropical water of Indonesia
    Platygyra-coral-against-blue-water-a..tiff
  • This is a female Discoplax hirtipes terrestrial crab disseminating her brood of fertilized eggs into shallow water during full moon. The crab waited on land at Ngeremdiu Beach for the evening high tide. She entered the water as the tide turned to go out and released her eggs. Once she committed to releasing eggs, it was only a matter of seconds before she completed her task and headed back to the safety of her underground burrow. See separate photograph of the crab eggs in the water.
    female-land-crab-releasing-eggs-pala...tif
  • Male humpback whale that was accompanying a female with calf. This whale seemed to be singing, but upon comparison of recordings of the sounds this whale was making with recordings of the seasonal song sung by other whales in the same area, it became clear that this whale was not singing the song. It is not clear what the purpose of the sounds made by this whale was. The whale vocalized for at least 40 minutes. When the female and calf commenced playing, this whale stopped vocalizing.
    humpback-whale-singer-shallow-water-...tif
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliea) singer in clear and relatively shallow water in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga.
    humpback-whale-singer-shallow-water-...tif
  • A pair of humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) males cruising over a shallow coral reef on a sunny day.
    humpback-whale-pair-shallow-coral-re...tif
  • This is a blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) slicing through shallow water in pursuit of sardines, some of which can be seen jumping into the air to avoid being caught. This occurred in the early morning, usually commencing just before sunrise, when large schools of the baitfish gathered in shallow water. Several species worked together to herd and catch the fish. In the water, trevallies and blacktip reef sharks herded the fish, forcing them into concentrated groups. From the air, brown boobies and terns hovered. The predators coordinated their attacks, usually with trevallies making high-speed runs through the groups of fish. This caused panic, sending the sardines in every direction. Blacktip reef sharks then charged in, chasing sardines into shallow water and sometimes onto shore, while boobies and terns picked off fish at the surface, separated from the other fish. This action was rapid, often resulting in sweeping waves of panicked fish washing down the length of the shoreline. Here, the sun has just come up over the horizon. The action usually slowed down and stopped within 20-30 minutes after sunrise.
    blacktip-reef-shark-hunting-sardines...tif
  • Male Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) known as Maesa (which means April) engaging in a feeding technique suited for the shallow waters of the Gulf of Thailand. After finding a suitable quantity of prey, the whale opens his mouth at the surface while stirring up the shallow water and sediment with his fluke. This causes small fish (anchovies in this case) to panic, with many inadvertently jumping into his mouth. Sometimes whiskered terns (Chlidonias hybrida) make use of this foraging behavior to grab an easy meal, as seen here. Maesa 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.
    edens-whale-foraging-anchovies-gulf-...tif
  • These are chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) swimming in a shallow river in Hokkaido, Japan. The fish are preparing to spawn after spending one to three years at sea. The individual in the foreground is female, the larger two in the background males. Females dig shallow nests at the edges of waterflow to deposit eggs, which are fertillized by a partner male, sometimes multiple males. The female covers fertilized eggs with gravel.
    oncorhynchus-keta-chum-salmon-spawni...tif
  • This pair of bowhead whales (Balaena mysticeus) from the endangered Okhotsk Sea subpopulation clearly exhibit signs of epidermal molting. Bowhead whales engage in exfoliation during the northern hemisphere summer by rubbing against rocks in shallow water. Possible reasons why the whales do this include shedding of ectoparasites such as whale lice (cyamids) and diatoms, as well as the replacement of skin damaged by sun exposure. Relatively warm temperatures in shallow water during the summer months may also be conducive to stimulating epidermal growth by promoting greater cutaneous bloodflow and delivery of nutrients and hormones to facilitate replacement of skin.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • Pictured here are five bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) engaged in social activity in extremely shallow water during the summer. These whales are a part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, with population estimates in the low hundreds. There were well over 50 whales in proximity to one another on this day, perhaps closer to 100. Groups of whales came together and separated, sometimes in shallow areas like this, occasionally in deeper water.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The female has just started to burrow into the substrate, a process which involves digging deep enough to bury the front part of her body (Prosoma) and much of her abdominal area (Opisthosoma) as well. When she eventually reaches acceptable depth and deposits eggs, the male will fertilize them. Females often deposit several clutches of eggs in the same general area before moving on to do the same in different locations.<br />
<br />
In the shallow intertidal area where this photograph was taken, pockets of air were trapped in the gravel and mud. Digging by female horseshoe crabs sometimes releases some of the air, as seen in this image. Note also the gastropod riding on the female’s head. Shells, barnacles and other passengers seem to be relatively common on these horseshoe crabs.<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.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • An inquisitive blenny (Salarias sp.) in very shallow water at Ngchuus Beach, Ngeruktabel Island, Palau.
    blenny-salarias-sp-ngeruktabel-islan...tif
  • Juvenile smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus) sitting on marine algae. This fish was about 6mm long. Visible on the right side are two small crustaceans, perhaps amphipods, for scale. Juveniles spend their first few weeks in shallow water, then descend to the deep. They return to the shallows only for reproduction. Adult females die after laying eggs. Adult males protect the eggs until the juveniles are born, and then die.
    aptocyclus-ventricosus-juvenile-smoo...tif
  • This is a juvenile Takifugu niphobles grass puffer patrolling extremely shallow water at night.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-juve...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
  • 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
  • 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
  • This is a head-on view of a Neoclinus lacunicola chaenopsid blenny, a species that can be found in shallow waters of the northwest Pacific. The species reaches a maximum length of about 6cm. The Japanese name for this fish is iwa-ana-kokeginpo. Photographed at a magnification of two times life-size.
    neoclinus-lacunicola-chaenopsid-blen...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
  • This is a 40cm mature male smooth lumpsucker (Aptocyclus ventricosus) watching over a brood of eggs. This species resides in deep water, down to about 1700m. During the winter to spring breeding season, mature fish come up to shallow water. After fertilizing a brood of eggs laid by a female fish, the male watches over and protects the developing young. Adult fish die during the breeding season, the female after laying eggs, the male once the juveniles have hatched. Following extended observation, I realized that the eggs in this photo were not viable. They had not been fertilized and were therefore never going to produce juveniles. The male, unaware of this fact, was destined continue to protect the infertile eggs, weakening day by day, eventually succumbing to death.
    aptocyclus-ventricosus-smooth-lumpsu...tif
  • Southern right whale female with calf (Eubalaena australis) in shallow coastal water
    southern-right-whale-female-calf-eub...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
  • Large school of bluestripe snapper (Lutjanus kasmira) swimming along the top of a shallow reef in Palau
    bluestripe-snapper-lutjanus-kasmira-...tif
  • Ron Leidich removing crown of thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) from coral reef in shallow water in Palau
    ron-leidich-removing-crown-of-thorns...tif
  • This is a pair of Eurasian Coots (Fulica atra) grazing for seagrass in a shallow inlet in Hokkaido, Japan.
    fulica-atra-coots-eating-seagrass-ja...tif
  • There are eggs of endangered Japanese horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus), between 2mm and 3mm in diameter. The eggs are were deposited in shallow gravel and mud about a month prior to this photograph. As the eggs develop, they grow to around 5mm in diameter and the membranes become transparent, revealing the developing embryos inside.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a male Salarias luctuosus combtooth blenny, a species that is found in shallow waters throughout a limited range in Japan, from Wakayama prefecture down through the Ryukyu islands. This male is displaying breeding coloration. It was competing with another male to attract the attention of a nearby female.
    salarias-luctuosus-combtooth-blenny-...tif
  • This is a starry goby (Asterropteryx semipunctata), about 5cm in length. This species is found in shallow areas such as tide pools and protected bays.
    asterropteryx-semipunctata-starry-go...tif
  • This is a Gymnocanthus herzensteini sculpin, native to the Northwest Pacific Ocean. Normally found at depths of 50m to 100m, this fish ascended to a shallow area during an upwelling of cold water from the deep. It measured about 30cm in length and was highly inquisitive.
    gymnocanthus-herzensteini-sculpin-ja...tif
  • Depicted here is spawning of grass puffers (Takifugu niphobles), a small species of pufferfish native to the northwest Pacific. The large female on the right has released eggs and a male has fertilized. There is a smaller male visible trying to flip into position to fertilize as well. This species has the unusual habit of spawning on land. At certain times of the year, large numbers in shallow water at high tide. When larger females beach themselves to lay eggs, males follow to fertilize. The fish rely on waves to take them ashore and return them to the ocean. This is the only puffer species known to do this.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-spaw...tif
  • Depicted here is the chaos of spawning of grass puffers (Takifugu niphobles) rushing onto a beach, female in the middle. This species has the unusual habit of spawning on land. At certain times of the year, large numbers in shallow water at high tide. When larger females beach themselves to lay eggs, males follow to fertilize. The fish rely on waves to take them ashore and return them to the ocean. Native to the northwest Pacific, grass puffers are the only pufferfish known to spawn onshore.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-spaw...tif
  • Juvenile 10cm Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) sitting comfortably in a plumbing joint in front of a space heater during winter. 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
  • This is a Chirolophis saitone, called akiginpo in Japanese. This fish is a species of prickleback. It reaches a size of about 10cm, and it lives in shallow coastal waters in the Sea of Japan and around Hokkaido.
    chirolophis-saitone-profile-japan-20...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The female has just started to burrow into the substrate, a process which involves digging deep enough to bury the front part of her body (Prosoma) and much of her abdominal area (Opisthosoma) as well. When she eventually reaches acceptable depth and deposits eggs, the male will fertilize them. Females often deposit several clutches of eggs in the same general area before moving on to do the same in different locations.<br />
<br />
Note the gastropod riding on the female’s head. Shells, barnacles and other similar passengers seem relatively common on these horseshoe crabs.<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.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • This is a pair of tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) walking across the ocean bottom in shallow water just prior to spawning. The smaller male uses modified legs (pedipalps) to grasp onto the female in front. The male stays attached in this manner throughout the reproductive season, going wherever the female goes.<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.<br />
<br />
Synthetic substitute tests have been available since 2003. The biomedical industry has however been reluctant to discontinue the practice of bleeding live animals.
    tachypleus-tridentatus-horseshoe-cra...tif
  • These are endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. The larger female is in front, the smaller male attached to the rear. <br />
<br />
During spring high tide, pairs like this move to shallow water. They remain largely motionless. When the time comes for spawning, the female digs into the substrate and deposits a clutch of eggs, which the male fertilizes. Spawning occurs repetitively.<br />
<br />
In the intertidal location where this pair were photographed, the mud and gravel substrate contained pockets of air, which were sometimes released when the horseshoe crabs became active. The escaped gas bubbled up and emerged from the muck, sometimes passing through the carapace of the female, resulting in the illusion of exhalation, as pictured here.<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 bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus) relaxing at the surface in shallow water. It is a member of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, about which little is known. The population is thought to number in the low hundreds, but data is minimal. Note the rake marks from orcas visible on the front of the whale. Orcas in this area are known to target these whales.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • This is a head-on view of 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
  • This is a female Zoarchias major eelpout approaching another one that has occupied a hole in the reef. The aggressor has clamped her mouth on the occupying fish in an attempt to intimidate and force her out of the hole. Individuals of this species engage in such battles over holes while they are in shallow waters. Females and males alike intimidate both females and males in a continual process of claiming and losing holes. The holes themselves are often those used by blennies, which have been displaced by these fish, but return to the holes once these fish disappear. The purpose of these battles is not clear.
    zoarchias-major-eelpout-females-figh...tif
  • Whiskered tern (Chlidonias hybrida), non-breeding plumage. This bird species sometimes takes advantage of the feeding behavior of Eden’s whales (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) in the Gulf of Thailand. The whales bring fish up to the surface of the shallow waters of the Gulf, and the birds swoop in to grab a meal.
    whiskered-tern-non-breeding-plumage-...tif
  • An endangered male Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) being silly, flipped upside-down and resting on the bottom of a boat hull in shallow water.
    australian-sea-lion-being-silly-2008...tif
  • Bluestreak cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) working inside the mouth of a goldband fusilier (Pteroceasio chrysozona). Several cleaner wrasses maintained a cleaning station in shallow water, which was visited frequently by groups of fusiliers and other fish seeking the services of the wrasses.
    bluestreak-cleaner-wrasse-labroides-...tif
  • Adult female Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) feeding on anchovies with her calf. These whales are 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. This adult is known as Mae Gunya. Her calf is Jao Khamsamut.
    eden-brydes-whale-mother-and-calf-fe...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
  • Large adult male killer whale (Orcinus orca) stalking a large school of herring in shallow water.
    orca-hunting-herring-norway-201601-0...tif
  • A portion of tens of thousands of blue-lined sea bream (Symphorichthys spilurus) gathered for the purpose of mass spawning at Peleliu island in Palau. These fish are normally rare in shallow water. They appear two or three times a year in large numbers for reproduction.
    blue-lined-sea-bream-aggregation-for...tif
  • Pronounced dorsal fin of a Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) in the shallow waters of the upper Gulf of Thailand. This whale was one of three that were foraging on anchovies. This whale's name is Jao Taengthai.
    brydes-whale-dorsal-gulf-thailand-20...tif
  • This is a young Bruguiera gymnorrhiza mangrove plant taking root in the shallow water of Long Lake, part of Ngeruktabel Island in Palau. These mangrove trees create an intricate network of roots, visible behind this young plant, that stablize and lock-in silt and mud, providing a buffer against erosion, as well as serving as shelter for juvenile fish and other marine animals.
    Bruguiera-gymnorrhiza-mangrove-long-...tif
  • Female humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) with a healthy male calf, resting in shallow water. Photographed in Vava'u, Kingdom of Tonga
    female-humpback-whale-with-calf-mega...tif
  • This is an adult pygmy blue whale entangled in a fishing net. The net was wrapped around the base of the whale's fluke, with substantial net and rope trailing behind. Rope stretched up both sides of the whale and appeared to be caught in the whale's mouth. I came across this whale in shallow, green, murky water, approximately 60 meters depth. The whale was still able to swim, though it appeared exhausted. It did not fluke, and the netting was not visible from the surface. Sadly, this whale most likely died shortly after this encounter.
    entangled-pygmy-blue-whale-fishing-n...tif
  • This is an adult pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) entangled in a fishing net. The net was wrapped around the base of the whale's fluke, with substantial net and rope trailing behind. Rope stretched up both sides of the whale and appeared to be caught in the whale's mouth. I came across this whale in shallow, green, murky water, approximately 60 meters depth. The whale was still able to swim, though it appeared exhausted. It did not fluke, and the netting was not visible from the surface. Sadly, this whale most likely died shortly after this encounter.
    blue-whale-entangled-fishing-net-sri...tif
  • One of the advantages of navigating the Rock Islands of Palau in kayaks is the ability to visit very shallow areas and look straight down at coral, fish and other marine life
    mandarinfish-lake-risong-bay-palau-r...tif
  • Ron Leidich and Terry Ward paddling by kayak inside Black Tip Lake, a shallow, semi-enclosed bay that is a nursery for baby blacktip reef sharks and other juvenile fish. The sharks use sheltered areas like this one as safe havens to grow and hunt small fish while they mature.
    black-tip-lake-risong-bay-palau-ron-...tif
  • Thousands of Chromis damselfish and Pseudanthias basslets swarming over a healthy Acropora hard coral formation in shallow water at Ashmore Reef in Australian waters.
    Acropora-hard-coral-with-thousands-o...tif
  • This is a mature Japanese sea bass (Lateolabrax japonicus) measuring about 60cm. It was patrolling a shallow reef area at night in search of food. Found in the western Pacific, this species is catadromous. These fish are protandrous hermaphrodites.
    lateolabrax-japonicus-japanese-sea-b...tif
  • Depicted here is spawning of grass puffers (Takifugu niphobles), a small species of pufferfish native to the northwest Pacific. This species has the unusual habit of spawning on land. At certain times of the year, large numbers in shallow water at high tide. When larger females beach themselves to lay eggs, males follow to fertilize. The fish rely on waves to take them ashore and return them to the ocean. This is the only puffer species known to do this.
    takifugu-niphobles-grass-puffer-spaw...tif
  • This is a pair of endangered tri-spine horseshoe crabs (Tachypleus tridentatus) engaged in spawning. They are walking along the ocean bottom in shallow water, with the larger female in front searching for a place to deposit eggs, which will be fertilized by the smaller male attached to the rear.<br />
<br />
The tips of the horseshoe crabs’ legs are visible in this image. These animals have five pairs of legs used for locomotion—the pedipalps first, followed by three pairs of legs in the middle, and a pair of pusher legs at the end. The male’s pedipalps are modified into a pair of claspers used to grasp the female as seen here. <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 Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii), taking walk on a hot summer day. 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. 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. 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
  • This is a juvenile Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii), photographed just a few days after it was born. 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. 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. 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
  • This is a juvenile 10cm Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) playing in a fenced-in area. These turtles have sharp claws and strong muscles. They are excellent climbers. 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
  • 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
  • This is a juvenile 9.5cm Chinese pond turtle (Mauremys reevesii) playing in a plumbing joint. 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
  • This is a head-on view of a bowhead whale (Balaena mysticetus), an individual in the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation. The whale’s interlocking jaw structure is clearly visible from this angle. Also visible are rake marks from orca attacks. This population is actively hunted by orcas. The whales enter shallow bays in order to seek shelter from orcas, as well as to socialize and rub against rocks for molting their skin in the summer months.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • A group of four bowhead whales (Balaena mysticetus) engaged in social activity in very shallow water. These whales are part of the endangered Sea of Okhotsk subpopulation, which best estimates place in the low hundreds.
    balaena-mysticetus-endangered-okhots...tif
  • A school of bigeye jacks (Caranx sexfasciatus) moving across a shallow reef top, moving together en masse in order to take advantage of the concept of safety in numbers.
    bigeye-trevally-school-caranx-sexfas...tif
  • Adult female Eden’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni edeni) feeding on anchovies with her calf. These whales are 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. This adult is known as Mae Gunya. Her calf is Jao Khamsamut.
    eden-whale-brydes-feeding-anchovies-...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
  • 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
  • Small krill species that was schooling in large aggregations in relatively shallow water off the southern coast of Sri Lanka. Blue whales and Bryde’s whales frequent these waters and feed in the area. I do not know whether they consume this particular species.
    small-krill-species-sri-lanka-201502...tif
  • A pair of adult southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) in murky, relatively shallow water along the coast of South Africa. Photographed with the permission of the Department of Environmental Affairs, South Africa.
    southern-right-whale-pair-eubalaena-...tif
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) gathering in shallow water just after sunrise, in preparation for group spawning involving thousands of fish. The fish pictured here are in the transitional time between coming together and the commencement of spawning. Some of the fish have pale faces, which signals their readiness to spawn, while others have yet to take on the pale hue. An outgoing current carrying a lot of suspended particles resulted in low visibility on this day. Photographed in Palau.
    bumphead-parrotfish-spawning-aggrega...tif
  • This is an adult pygmy blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda) entangled in a fishing net. The net was wrapped around the base of the whale's fluke, with substantial net and rope trailing behind. As is visible in this image, rope stretched up both sides of the whale and appeared to be caught in the whale's mouth. I came across this whale in shallow, green, murky water, approximately 60 meters depth. The whale was still able to swim, though it appeared exhausted. It did not fluke, and the netting was not visible from the surface. Sadly, this whale most likely died shortly after this encounter.
    blue-whale-entangled-fishing-net-bal...tif
  • Playful juvenile Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) greeting me in shallow water at Carnac Island in Western Australia
    young-australian-sea-lion-neophoca-c...tif
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