California golden gorgonian on rocky reef, Macrocystis pyrifera photo, San Clemente Island

California golden gorgonian on rocky reef, below kelp forest, underwater. The golden gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by. San Clemente Island, USA

Species: California golden gorgonian, Macrocystis pyrifera, Muricea californica
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 23445
Format: Digital 3:2

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Categories:

Animal > Marine Invertebrate > Coral > Soft Coral > Gorgonian
Location > Oceans > Pacific > California (USA) / Baja California (Mexico) > Channel Islands > San Clemente Island
Location > USA > California > San Clemente Island
Natural World > Habitat > Kelp Forest
Subject > Technique > Underwater

This professional quality stock photo can be licensed in high resolution form by contacting the photographer: Phillip Colla, photos@oceanlight.com, (760) 707-7153, more info and photographer bio.