Brown gorgonian on rocky reef, Macrocystis pyrifera, #38523

Brown gorgonians on rocky reef, below kelp forest, underwater. Gorgonians are filter-feeding temperate colonial species that live 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, California, USA, Macrocystis pyrifera, Muricea fruticosa, natural history stock photograph, photo id 38523
Brown gorgonians on rocky reef, below kelp forest, underwater. Gorgonians are filter-feeding temperate colonial species that live 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, California, USA

Species: Giant kelp, Brown gorgonian, Macrocystis pyrifera, Muricea fruticosa
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 38523
Format: Digital 1:1
Keywords: animal, animalia, brown gorgonian, california, channel islands, coral, creature, environment, gorgonian, invertebrate, marine, marine invertebrate, muricea fruticosa, nature, ocean, oceans, offshore, outdoors, outside, pacific, pacific ocean, san clemente island, scene, scenery, scenic, sea, sea fan, soft coral, southern channel islands, submarine, underwater, usa, wildlife
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