Central and Northern California kelp forests are bathed by cold, nutrient-laden currents. The waters here are generally not clear but are rich with animal life. Invertebrate displays on the rocks below the kelp forest are some of the most profuse and interesting in the world and it is common to see large schools of rockfish and pelagic jellies hovering among the kelp. Kelp forests here breed some of the world’s hardiest divers, those who manage year-round dry suits, beach entries and surface swims, winter swells and the distinct possibility of meeting great white sharks in murky water just to dive in Macrocystis.
 |
| Kelp canopy. San Clemente Island, California, USA. Image: 06119 Species: Macrocystis pyrifera Location: San Clemente Island, California, USA  View this Image in Google Earth! |
 |
 |
 |
| Giant kelpfish in kelp. San Clemente Island, California, USA. Image: 05141 Species: Heterostichus rostratus, Macrocystis pyrifera |
Northern kelp crab crawls amidst kelp blades and stipes, midway in the water column (below the surface, above the ocean bottom) in a giant kelp forest. San Nicholas Island, California, USA. Image: 10215 Species: Pugettia producta, Macrocystis pyrifera |
Kelp forest. San Clemente Island, California, USA. Image: 04675 Species: Macrocystis pyrifera |
For more photos of the kelp forest, see http://www.oceanlight.com/html/kelp.html.
