I have just returned from my field season so I thought I would share a view of the Antarctic summer. The view is not so different to a UK dive, you will see dead man's fingers and a sponge, but there are a couple of differences. Most of the animals in this picture are two species of sea cucumber, the pink one and
the brown one. All of them have their feeding tentacles out and are making the most of the plankton bloom. For most of the time I was there the viz was appalling, often 1-2m, but that is summer, when the algae are making the most of 24 hour daylight. There is also a sea spider, a pycnogonid, on the dead man's fingers. This is one of the groups that are very common in the Antarctic and species are larger here than anywhere else. In the shallows there are more mobile fauna, including this nudibranch and the fine clear filaments are the feeding tentacles of a polychaete worm, a group that is also very common around Britain.
The seals in the Antarctic attract some summer visitors and it seems that every year we see more and more orca. We would often see them 3 or 4 times a day, which really stops the diving.
However, when you see pictures like this, when they are feeding on seals, then it is quite easy to see why we prefer to stay out of the water!
Great photos Simon. Having been hiding in the attic with my books recently Vivian this afternoon was just the ticket to check out the dusty kit, the new boots & seals on the drysuit, and for my sister to try out her new drysuit. In a cold 6 degrees, the dive was dry, the slate welcoming, familiar and relaxing – now hoping for some great summer weather – and looking forward to get out diving again soon!!!
ReplyDeleteFantastic colours. What an experience that must have been. Only just saw these....not long worked out how to access the blog! Der..
ReplyDeleteHope to see you some time this year too, Simon. I remember you from Skomer, pointing out light bulb squirts so tiny I couldn't even see them! Time for a rather large magnifying glass I think....
Cheers