Thursday, July 22, 2010

New header - Anemone

I was feeling the need to change out my header again and I came across this marvelous shot of an anemone that my husband took on our last diving trip in Cancun/Cozumel.  He had just gotten a cheap, little Fuji (my favorite camera manufacturer for color integrity) and an underwater case (less then $120.00 for both).   He usually shoots film but decided to go with digital this time.  He knows how much I love the instant gratification of having a digital camera and thought he would give it a try. My honey took some wonderful shots to include a few lionfish hiding among brilliant yellow coral.  I think he is now sold on his digital.

The full picture of the anemone.  I cropped it in for a tight shot for my header.   This anemone is actually a pale white color with yellow tips but I loved the Caribbean blue color the sea water had filtered the shot with that I decided to leave it that way.

The true color of the anemone, white with yellow/green tips.  Pretty little black and white "Butterfly Fish" swimming above it.

Sea anemones are a group of water dwelling, predatory animals that are named after the anemone, a terrestrial flower. The animal is a polyp attached at the bottom to the surface beneath it by an adhesive foot. Radially symmetric, they have a columnar body with a single body opening, the mouth, which is surrounded by tentacles. The tentacles protect the anemone and catch its food; they are studded with microscopic stinging capsules. Most anemones measure an inch to two inches in diameter, but anemones can be found as small as .16 of an inch to over 6 feet.  This particular anemone was about the size of a bowling ball.  They live attached to firm objects in the seas, usually the sea floor, rock, or coral, but they can slide around very slowly.  Sea Anemones come in many shapes, sizes, and colors. 

(screen shot of a few varieties...click to enlarge)

They are carnivores that eat fish, mussels, zooplankton, and worms and catch food using the tentacles, which have poisonous stingers.  A few fish species such as the Clownfish are unaffected by the poisonous tentacles and they work together (called mutualism).  The clownfish benefits from the housing and protection of the sea anemone and the sea anemone in return gets the scraps the clownfish brings and can sting and digest the large fish that the clownfish lures in. 

Blessings to all and those you love. Sea Witch

10 comments:

just call me jo said...

I love the sound of the word anemone. It always reminds me of Nemo. That movie is the best.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh what a glorious post! I love the new header, your whole page is a feast for ocean-starved eyes! Thanks for the interesting facts on anemones and for the beautiful, beautiful images! I feel replete!

Seawashed said...

Wow...such vibrant color. I like that round sea green one too...and the white!

Bettyann said...

thanks for the info on these beauatiful creatures..had forgotten that they were animals lol..let's all go back to dreaming of being below in the safe and warm blue sea...

piggy said...

Hey friend! LOVE your new booth! Did not get my photo with the mermaiids on Jeju Island...did not even know about them until after you mentioned them to me and then I saw a photo of them once I got to Seoul. I too have a new booth at Snellville Fabrics and will be moving in soon!
Hogs & Kisses...piggy

Madame DeFarge said...

I do love these pictures of a world that I'll never see. It reminds me what wonderful riches there are beneath the sea

Ana said...

Amazing pictures. So much beauty...Love, love, love your new header. Wishing you a wonderful weekend my friend.

Hugs and Kisses,
♥Ana

deb christensen said...

that was just incredibly beautiful. i feel like i've been underwater...thank you!

Beach House Living said...

Goodness, that is a stunning photo. What model was that camera?

susan said so said...

this is my favorite header ever! gorgeous!

i've thought of you several times over the past few weeks while i was on holiday in Scotland, that land of hill and sea and sky...

xox,
susan