Garibaldi and golden gorgonian, bryozoans, with an underwater forest of giant kelp rising in the background, underwater.
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 34169
California golden gorgonian on underwater rocky reef, Catalina Island. 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. Catalina Island, California, USA.
Species: California golden gorgonian, Muricea californica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 34622
California golden gorgonian on underwater rocky reef, Catalina Island. 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. Catalina Island, California, USA.
Species: California golden gorgonian, Muricea californica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 34624
California golden gorgonian, Garibaldi and Sheephead wrasse fishes 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.
Species: California golden gorgonian, California sheephead wrasse, Garibaldi, Hypsypops rubicundus, Muricea californica, Semicossyphus pulcher
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 30922
A garibaldi fish (orange), surf grass (green) and palm kelp (brown) on the rocky reef -- all appearing blurred in this time exposure -- are tossed back and forth by powerful ocean waves passing by above. San Clemente Island.
Species: Surfgrass, Hypsypops rubicundus, Phyllospadix
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 10238