Natural History Photography

Canary rockfish, juvenile. The bright orange color of this rockfish will not be so visible at depth, where seawater filters out the red lightwaves that allow this color to be seen.
Species: Canary rockfish, Sebastes pinniger
Image ID: 13697

Yelloweye rockfish, juvenile. The juvenile yelloweye rockfish is black and white and only slowly becomes bright orange after migrating to deep water and maturing.
Species: Yelloweye rockfish, Sebastes ruberrimus
Image ID: 13698

Decorated warbonnet. The elaborate cirri on the warbonnets head may help to camoflage it among the rocks and crevices that it inhabits, Chirolophis decoratus

Decorated warbonnet. The elaborate cirri on the warbonnets head may help to camoflage it among the rocks and crevices that it inhabits.
Species: Decorated warbonnet, Chirolophis decoratus
Image ID: 13705

Crevice rockfish. Seldom seen, kelpfish hover among the seaweeds in wave swept tidepools and reefs. These secretive fish rapidly change color to match watever background they are near. This kelpfish has assumed the coloration of the blade of kelp it is resting on.
Species: Crevice rockfish, Gibbonsia montereyensis
Location: Monterey, California
Image ID: 13710

Mosshead warbonnet. The moss-like protrusions on its head (cirri) may provide some camoflage effect, Chirolophis nugator

Mosshead warbonnet. The moss-like protrusions on its head (cirri) may provide some camoflage effect.
Species: Mosshead warbonnet, Chirolophis nugator
Image ID: 13713

Mosshead warbonnet. The moss-like protrusions on its head (cirri) may provide some camoflage effect.
Species: Mosshead warbonnet, Chirolophis nugator
Image ID: 13714

Palette surgeonfish.
Species: Palette surgeonfish, Paracanthurus hepatus
Image ID: 13746

Matamata turtle. The fringed flaps along the head and neck of this unusual turtle look like weeds or algae and help the animal to stay camoflaged until prey swims by.
Species: Matamata, Chelus fimbriata
Image ID: 13972

A small (2 inch) sanddab is well-camouflaged amidst the grains of sand that surround it, Citharichthys

A small (2 inch) sanddab is well-camouflaged amidst the grains of sand that surround it.
Species: Sanddabs, Citharichthys
Image ID: 14004

A small (2 inch) sanddab is well-camouflaged amidst the grains of sand that surround it.
Species: Sanddabs, Citharichthys
Image ID: 14005

Grass rockfish. Most grass rockfish are olive green. This one yellow, an uncommon genetic variation, Sebastes rastrelliger

Grass rockfish. Most grass rockfish are olive green. This one yellow, an uncommon genetic variation.
Species: Grass rockfish, Sebastes rastrelliger
Image ID: 14037