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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
  • 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
  • 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 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
  • Juvenile Australian sea lion showing off its whiskers
    sea-lion-whiskers-shallow-blue-water...tif
  • Inquisitive young sea lion lying in white sand looking straight at the camera
    cute-Australian-sea-lion-white-sand-...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
  • Australia sea lion sticking its nose out of the water to take a breath of air
    sea-lion-sticking-nose-out-of-water-...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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliea) singer in clear and relatively shallow water in Vava’u, Kingdom of Tonga.
    humpback-whale-singer-shallow-water-...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 is a shallow water hydrothermal vent crab (Xenograpsus testudinatus), size less than 1cm. This species lives in sulfur-rich, anaerobic waters associated with active hydrothermal vents. The white particles in the water have been ejected along with gas bubbles from crevices among the rocks. The white hair on the crab comprises bacterial growth. Hot water emerging from the vents results in complex thermoclines that obscure visibility. As is the case with deepwater ocean vents, shallow sites host a range of bacteria that make use of sulfur as an energy source. First described in Taiwan, this crab species has been confirmed in several locations in Japan as well. This photograph is from Showa Io-jima in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    xenograpsus-testudinatus-hydrotherma...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
  • 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 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
  • 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 common lionfishes (Pterois volitans) preparing to spawn. The female is on the left. After coming together in shallow water, the pair moved to a depth of around 20m to spawn. Photographed in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan.
    pterois-volitans-lionfish-spawning-j...tif
  • This is a long shanny (Stichaeus grigorjewi) male guarding two clutches of eggs. This species lives in deep water, down to 300m, in the Northwest Pacific. They come up to shallow water for reproduction. Photographed in Miyagi Prefecture, Japan.
    stichaeus-grigorjewi-protecting-eggs...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
  • 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 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
  • 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 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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 a deepwater calico frogfish (Fowlerichthys scriptissimus), normally found in waters below 70m. This individual was at 25m, perhaps coming up to shallow water for reproductive purposes. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    fowlerichthys-scriptissimus-calico-f...tif
  • This is a small Eutonina indicans hydrozoan, measuring about 4cm in diameter. This species is found throughout the North Pacific and North Atlantic oceans. It inhabits shallow coastal waters.
    eutonina-indicans-hydrozoan-aggregat...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
  • 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 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 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 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
  • 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-whale-brydes-feeding-anchovies-...tif
  • Small pod of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) swimming over shallow reef in Ogasawara, Japan.
    tursiops-aduncus-pod-swimming-above-...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
  • 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
  • Ron Leidich and Terry Ward in the shallow water of Long Lake during the incoming tide. Ron is explaining the natural history of Long Lake and the associated ecosystems to Terry. Long Lake leads from the open ocean, snakes through an area dominated by mangrove forest, and finally opens into the inner lake at Ngeruktabel Island in Palau. Water from the island's inner lake jets out through submerged passages in the island's substrate when the tide goes out, transporting nutrients to the exterior of the island. This constant flow of nutrients supports the healthy colonies of Lobophyllia and other coral at Darwin's Wall, Einstein's Wall and nearby areas.
    long-lake-mangroves-ngeruktabel-isla...tif
  • Young male Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea) resting on the sand in shallow water at Carnac Island in Western Australia.
    australian-sea-lion-on-white-sand-ne...tif
  • This is a deepwater calico frogfish (Fowlerichthys scriptissimus), normally found in waters below 70m. This individual was at 25m, perhaps coming up to shallow water for reproductive purposes. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    fowlerichthys-scriptissimus-calico-f...tif
  • This is a deepwater calico frogfish (Fowlerichthys scriptissimus), normally found in waters below 70m. This individual was at 25m, perhaps coming up to shallow water for reproductive purposes. Photographed in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.
    fowlerichthys-scriptissimus-calico-f...tif
  • This is a juvenile barbed hunchback poacher (Agonomalus proboscidalis) swimming in shallow water.
    agonomalus-proboscidalis-barbed-hunc...tif
  • This is a mature Eumicrotremus taranetzi lumpsucker swimming over sand in shallow water. As can be seen here, these fish are well camouflaged.
    eumicrotremus-taranetzi-lumpsucker-j...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
  • Pictured here is a pair of juvenile smooth lumpsuckers (Aptocyclus ventricosus), sheltered among folds at the base of wakame seaweed (Undaria pinnatifida). Pattern and color variation among juveniles is normal. Juveniles of this species spend the early part of their lives in shallow water, then descend to the deep. These fish are around 6mm in size, photographed at magnification of two times life-size.
    aptocyclus-ventricosus-lumpsucker-ju...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 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
  • This is a yellow striated frogfish (Antennarius striatus) that was well camouflaged on a shallow reef in the temperate waters of Japan. Blending-in perfectly with the texture and color of nearby sponges and algae, the fish was nearly invisible on the reef. It is only easily discernible here due to the selective application of artificial light. Frogfishes are ambush predators, depending upon camouflage to capture prey.
    antennarius-striatus-hairy-frogfish-...tif
  • Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) in Hokkaido wintering grounds eating seagrass that it grabbed while wading in a shallow bay
    cygnus-cygnus-whooper-swan-japan-202...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), taking food from a hand. A tiny food pellet is visible at the tip of the finger. 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 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
  • Lesser frigatebird (Fregata aerial) patrolling the skies. There were terns picking up sardines that had been driven into shallow water and onto the beach by trevallies, blacktip reef sharks and other predators. Frigatebirds like this gathered overhead to swoop in, bully terns carrying fish, and steal their meals.
    lesser-frigatebird-fregata-aerial-20...tif
  • This is a blacktip reef shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) beaching itself to catch sardines. This occurred in the early morning, 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 and beached themselves, chasing baitfish 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. Once the sun came up, the action slowed down and usually stopped within 20-30 minutes after sunrise.
    blacktip-reef-shark-hunting-sardines...tif
  • This is a firefly squid (Watasenia scintillans). This deepwater species ascends to relatively shallow water for reproduction purposes. Sometimes, as is pictured here, individuals appear to become disoriented, repeatedly hitting the substrate for no apparent reason. This species is known for its bioluminescence.
    firefly-squid-watasenia-scintillans-...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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Four Atlantic walruses (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) hanging out in shallow water in Svalbard.
    four-atlantic-walruses-odobenus-rosm...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
  • Bumphead parrotfish (Bolbometopon muricatum) gathering in shallow water early in the morning as part of their preparation for group spawning involving thousands of fish. Photographed in Palau.
    bolbometopon-muricatum-bumphead-parr...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
  • One of Palau's many picturesque Rock Islands, surrounded by blue skies and shallow tropical seas
    palau-rock-islands-201211-0414.tif
  • A crab-eyed goby in shallow water at Ngchuus Beach, Ngeruktabel Island, Palau
    crab-eyed-goby-signigobius-biocellat...tif
  • The corals living in the shallow waters around Fantasy Island in the Patch Reefs of Palau were devastated by a massive crown of thorns attack following extensive bleaching damage caused by El Niño in 1998. This photograph was taken in 2011, just 13 years after the corals here were wiped out.
    healthy-coral-recovered-bleaching-cr...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
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