Animals

This spiny lobster has found an unusual, but perfect place to hide from predators. Unlike Atlantic lobsters, spiny lobsters lack claws for defence. They also have very long antennae, which they use to sense animals and objects around them. The barrel sponge that is providing shelter here is actually an animal. Sponges are among the longest-living animals on earth. The oldest known sponge lived for almost 2500 years. They are stationary filter feeders that draw in water, ingesting the nutrients and expelling water and waste. Spiny lobsters are opportunistic feeders, cleaning up carrion and other debris on the ocean floor. They also eat crustaceans, mollusks, sea urchins, worms, and vegetable matter. Colourful and fascinating, spiny lobsters are a delight for scuba divers to observe.

Spotted eagle rays are beautiful stingrays with very distinctive heads and ornate markings. For any scuba diver or snorkeler, they are a treat to see in the ocean. Usually shy and reclusive, watching one close up is a rare sight. This eagle ray seemed to be unconcerned as it drifted close to a scuba diver perched on a rocky ledge, staying out of the current. The eagle ray slowed and turned to closely inspect him with great curiosity. Having a highly intelligent wild animal look into your eyes is something that can stir your soul. Eagle rays use their electro sensory organs in their snout to detect crustaceans and mollusks buried beneath the sand. They inhale the animals and the sand and then expel the sand out through their gills. They are capable of crushing thick shells in their mouth in order to get at the creature within. Eagle rays are highly intelligent, and occasionally curious about humans who approach slowly or who remain still when they swim close. The ocean is full of amazing and complex animals that we are only beginning to understand.

The Galapagos Islands are home to many species of shark, including the largest shark, the whale shark. Whale sharks are massive creatures that can grow to a whopping 18m (57 feet), topping the scales at an estimated 44,000kg (100,000lbs). To see them in real life creates a sense of awe and wonder. They are giants, but they are truly gentle beasts, virtually incapable of harming a human. Scientists believe that the whale sharks come to the waters near Darwin Island in the Galapagos to give birth. Almost all are pregnant females. But exactly where they do this is a mystery. Very few baby whale sharks have ever been seen. Another theory is that they come to these waters to be cleaned of remoras, a nuisance fish that attaches to large animals like the whale shark. Silky sharks and trevallies eat the remoras. Three ocean currents collide in these waters, bringing an upwelling of nutrients from the deep ocean. This brings the larger fish and the apex predators like the Galapagos sharks and silky sharks. Although the water here is full of plankton and krill, the whale sharks are not here to feed. They are rarely seen with their mouths open as they swim around the island. This whale shark casually cruised through this group of awe-stricken scuba divers, making them look small and insignificant. These giant sharks are truly magnificent.

A luminous jellyfish with long trailing tentacles is a beautiful sight, as long as a scuba diver sees it in time to avoid contact. These scuba divers were finishing a dive in Akumal, Mexico and making their way to the surface when they came across this venomous creature swimming through the water. Jellyfish have tentacles armed with thousands of nematocysts, or stinging cells. When these cells come into contact with another animal, they fire tiny barbs that inject venom into the animal. This is used as a defense against predators and it is also a means of immobilizing prey that is then consumed. Jellyfish move through the water by contracting their bell to push water out and propel themselves forward. They are slow, but graceful and beautiful in their rhythmic movement and flowery structure.

Darwin Island in the Galapagos is home to Galapagos Sharks, massive schools of hammerhead sharks, and whale sharks, the biggest shark in the ocean. Divers come here from all around the world to swim with these incredible creatures. The animals congregate here due to the convergence of four strong ocean currents that create an upwelling, bringing nutrients to the surface. The smaller fish come to feed and the larger predators follow. Whale sharks seek out predators such as silky sharks and trevallies to rid them of remoras, the fish that stick onto their fins and their gills. Scuba divers also congregate here to swim among the largest schools of hammerheads found anywhere. If they are lucky, divers will also come face to face with whale sharks, the largest fish in the ocean. These massive, but gentle creatures are magnificent to see close up. There are few scuba diving locations in the world that compare with Darwin Island. It is remote, unpredictable, and magical.

Spotted eagle rays are beautiful stingrays with very distinctive heads and ornate markings. For any scuba diver or snorkeler, hey are a treat to see in the ocean. Usually shy and reclusive, watching one eating is a rare sight. This eagle ray seemed to be unconcerned as the scuba diver approached respectfully and watched it in action. Eagle rays use their electro sensory organs in their snout to detect crustaceans and mollusks buried beneath the sand. They inhale the animals and the sand and then expel the sand out through their gills. They are capable of crushing thick shells in their mouth in order to get at the creature within. Eagle rays are highly intelligent, and occasionally curious about humans who approach slowly.

The Galapagos Islands are unique and fascinating for many reasons. Situated on the equator, west of Ecuador, they are home to some unbelievable animals. Four strong ocean currents converge here, creating an upwelling of cold water and nutrients that bring fish and other animals to the area. These smaller creatures attract larger predators. Hammerhead sharks, silky sharks, and Galapagos sharks congregate here in great numbers. Trevallies, large fish that prey on smaller fish are also common here. One of the most magnificent creatures in the ocean also come to these waters. Whale sharks are the biggest fish that live. Only a few species of whale are larger. The whale sharks are plagued by remoras, fish that cling to them with suction cups on their heads, creating extra drag that is problematic for whale sharks that swim great distances. The remoras also swim inside the gill slits and affect the whale sharks' ability to effectively filter plankton and krill. The whale sharks come to the Galapagos Islands for the cleaning stations that provide relief from these nuisance animals. The silky sharks are able to pick of the remoras as the whale sharks swim around the islands. Trevallies are large enough to do the same, but also small enough to go inside the gill slits and the mouth of the whale sharks to eat the remoras. This service provides food for the other predators and an invaluable benefit to the whale sharks. Occasionally, remoras on a single whale shark can number in the dozens. They hitch rides on the shark to avoid the effort of swimming and they break free to swim out and eat the feces from the whale sharks and any fish scraps in the water as the other fish feed nearby. Although a few remoras can benefit the whale sharks because they eat some parasites, a large number of them is detrimental to the whale sharks. This scuba diver had the incredible good fortune to see a whale shark swimming straight at him. For a few minutes, he swam with the whale shark, seeing it face to face, close enough to reach out and touch it. Swimming with this great, gentle beast, enjoying the emotions that come with being in the presence of one of the world's biggest animals is an experience that nobody would ever forget. This gentle beast has been seen circling Darwin Island several times since 2018.

A hiker walking through a quiet section of forest heard a large tree falling over, followed by a commotion in the trees ahead of him. Knowing it must be a large animal, he cautiously stepped ahead and recorded what turned out to be a full-sized beaver that had just cut down a poplar tree. The beaver quickly chewed off the top branch and began dragging it through the clearing. The hiker followed behind as the beaver waddled all the way down a path and right to a pond. Swimming across the water, the beaver dragged the branch over to the lodge. As the hiker discovered, the beaver had a family at the pond. Two adult and three young beavers were also swimming around, busily working on gathering food and adding to their lodge.

As the wise old elephant wandered through the savanna of Kenya, its wrinkled trunk lifted and swayed with a grace earned through decades of life experience. The sun hovered high in the sky, casting shadows across the golden grasslands. The elephant paused beside a lone tree, its canopy providing welcome shade from the African heat. With deliberate movements, the elephant extended its trunk towards the ground, sniffing the air for any hint of fallen fruit. This tree was known for its succulent pods, a favorite treat of many animals in the savanna. The elephant's keen senses detected a faint aroma, and it gently nudged a fallen pod with its trunk. It curiously looked up at three for the promise of food to come. The pod rolled slightly, revealing its rich, nutritious contents. The elephant knew the importance of such finds in the dry season when food could be scarce. With a careful grip of its trunk, it lifted the pod to its mouth and began to feast, savoring each bite with a deep satisfaction that comes from living in harmony with the rhythms of nature. Around the wise old elephant, the sounds of the savanna continued their timeless symphony—birds chirping, insects buzzing, and the occasional rustle of grass as other creatures went about their day. The elephant's presence is a symbol of resilience and wisdom, embodying the spirit of the African wilderness where every moment held a lesson and every encounter with nature brought new insights. Elephants are among the most majestic creatures on the planet. If only we knew how to communicate with them and ask them to share their wisdom with us.

This enormous crab is scouring the beach for algae and decaying matter that he feasts on. This enormous crab is scouring the beach for algae and decaying matter that he feasts on. The Sally Lightfoot crab, also known as the red rock crab, is a vibrant and agile creature commonly found along the shores of the Galapagos Islands. This crab is known for its striking red and orange coloration, which makes it a picturesque subject against the dark volcanic rocks and blue ocean. Sally Lightfoot crabs are often seen scuttling across the beaches and rocks, feeding on algae and detritus. They play a vital role in the ecosystem by keeping the beaches clean and helping to control the populations of other small organisms. Early explorers remarked at the agility of these crabs, describing them as impossible to catch. They seem capable of running quickly in any direction with a reaction time so quick that it has been said they can read the mind of those trying to capture them. They are not commonly used as a food source, but they are used as bait by fishermen. With their beautiful coloration, these crabs are a delight to see and photograph.