Nudibranch November
BY TAYLOR IRWIN
Nudibranchs are a tiny ocean wonder and if you’ve never heard of them, you’re in luck because it’s Nudibranch November! Nudibranchs are a very small, colourful and charismatic species found all over the world - you just need to know where to look to find them. The following four female underwater photographers are seasoned in the art of finding and photographing these special animals.
Meet the Photographers
Sofia Tenggrono - Indonesia
There are many people that have never had the opportunity to dive and see all the wonderful things that live in our seas. I’m blessed as a diver, I can see and observe all those hidden treasures. It’s truly mind blowing to witness and understand how beautifully woven the intricacy of marine life is. Being a diver is also an eye opener to the fragility of our ecosystem. With the state of our environment right now, it’s very important we all try and do our best to save our ocean.
Common name: Doughnut Nudibranch
Scientific name: Doto greenamyeri
This Doto is about 1-2 cm. There’s a longitudinal stripe of brown along the midline of its back, which resembles the branch of the hydroid (small animals that look like plants, related to jellyfish) it feeds on. And of course the shape of the structures on its back (called cerata in nudibranchs) that look like doughnuts, got this nudi the nickname of doughnut nudi. This picture was taken in Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia.
This Thecacera feeds mainly on bryozoans (small filter feeding invertebrates). Their size is about 2-3 cm. It has defensive glands distributed in the tissues of the body. It also has a distinctive shape with a pair of rhinophores (scent or taste receptors) equipped with ear-shaped sheath and in the centre of the body are a pair of cerata which are just behind the gill clump. This photo was taken in Amed, Bali, Indonesia.
Common name: Painted Thecacera
Scientific name: Thecacera picta
Kate Jonker - South Africa
I am a writer, underwater photographer and public speaker based in Gordon’s Bay, just outside Cape Town, South Africa. I have been diving since 2000 and am passionate about sharing my love of the ocean with others through photography and storytelling.
My husband and I own a dive shop – Indigo Scuba - and I spend a lot of time teaching underwater photography and acting as a spotter and dive guide for visiting photographers.
Most of my diving takes place right here on our doorstep in Gordon’s Bay. Our waters are temperate (10°C -20°C) and very nutrient rich, which means we have incredibly colourful marine life – from soft corals and sponges, sea fans and kelp forests. The fish and invertebrate life are plentiful, thriving on the reefs that provide them with a haven and plenty of food!
Common name: Gasflame
Scientific name: Bonisa nakaza
We have a lot of beautiful nudibranchs in Gordon’s Bay and can often spot over 20 different species on one dive. Many of them are endemic. My favourites include the Gasflame which comes in incredible colour combinations of yellow and blue.
Common name: The Black Nudibranch
Scientific name: Tambja capensis
This is a chubby and wrinkly black nudibranch with turquoise stripes.
Common name: Protea dorid
Scientific name: Noumea protea
I am particularly fond of the Protea dorid which is incredibly rare and hardly ever seen. We have a dive site in Gordon’s Bay called Stone Dog where there is a rock with a pink encrusting sponge on it that they love to eat. I have found a family of them there. It has been interesting to visit them over the years and watch how the family has evolved.
Gina Lusardi – USA
I have spent my life trying to combine my passion of photography with my love of the ocean. While I grew up close to the sea, I never spent much time below the waves until I was an adult. Scuba diving opened up the underwater world to me like never before. It also gave me a front row seat to some of the greatest threats facing the world’s oceans.
Working in Australia in 2016, I witnessed the worst bleaching event ever recorded. Witnessing that had such a profound effect on me that I found myself back in school studying marine conservation.
Common Name: Frosted Nudibranch or White-lined Dirona
Scientific Name: Dirona albolineata
The frosty white tips of the Dirona albolineata nudibranch are a defining feature on this temperate water species. Here in the Puget Sound, WA, these nudibranchs are quite common. Reaching up to 7in (18cm) in length, they are easily spotted as they move along the bottom. They are predominantly translucent white but have hints of peach or mauve within their cerata (projections).
Magali Marquez - Puerto Rico
My adventure in underwater photography began in 2011 with an Olympus compact camera. I have loved macro photography ever since I first saw a grain of rice move in the sand. When I took the photo, I realized that the grain of rice was a beautiful little animal called a nudibranch.
Common name: Bubblegum Nudibranch
Scientific name: Cadlinella Ornatissima
For me, this is a striking nudibranch because of its beautiful colors. It seems sweet and makes you want to take bite. This photo was taken in Anilao, Philippines.
Common name: Sheep Nudibranch
Scientific name: Costasiella sp.
This photo was taken in Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia.
Why do you love nudibranchs?
Sofia
At the beginning, I loved nudibranchs because of their colour and pattern. They’re so beautiful, vibrant and have such brilliant hues. It was like watching a butterfly, but from the sea. With time, I learn and understand better, I treasure the discoveries of cryptic nudibranchs as well. It is amazing how they live, feed, breed and use defence strategies.
Kate
Apart from being beautiful, cute, and fascinating….
As a diver, I love nudibranchs as they are fun to search for and there is always that nudibranch one still has to find. If you want to know where to find them, you need to research where they live, what they eat and what their egg ribbons look like. Learning about nudibranchs also teaches us more about the ocean and builds an appreciation of the eco-systems that exist there.
Gina
I love all of the unusual critters that can be found underwater. Nudibranchs are particularly interesting to photograph because they come in a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. They are also one of the most photogenic animals as they are not scared away by divers. They go about their business, seemingly unaware of photographers’ flashing strobes.
Magali
I love nudibranchs because they are a beautiful and brightly colored small species.
Why do you believe nudibranchs are important in ocean conservation?
Kate
I have found that because nudibranchs are so beautiful – like jewels of the ocean, they capture the fascination of both divers and non-divers alike. When I do talks on my photography, I get a lot of questions, especially from non-divers who had no idea that these incredible creatures even existed! This opens the opportunity to chat about how, if we all help to conserve our oceans, we will protect and preserve the amazing animals that live in them, for future generations to enjoy.
Gina
Typically, large charismatic megafauna are used to promote marine conservation initiatives. While the existence of nudibranchs may not be well known to many outside the research and dive community, their colorful and unique appearance make them an excellent candidate for promoting ocean conservation. Sharing imagery of nudibranchs and other marine macro life can show people what truly bizarre and beautiful animals live beneath the waves.
Additional thoughts on being an underwater photographer?
Sofia
Sometimes as an underwater photographer, situation and condition doesn’t always allow me to take a picture. It gives me two options: wait or leave, but never disrupt/disturb anything. I can always return next time. Take only memories, leaves only bubbles ;)
Magali
I love the sea and respect all the species that live in it. I like to take photos so that people become aware that we are not the only ones who live on this planet, but that there is an entire underwater world that we have to respect and love.
Kate
As an underwater photographer, one is always trying to capture that “perfect shot”. Because of the way they are positioned, the type of lighting you are using and the angle of your camera, not one photo will ever be the same. Trying to get that perfect shot and trying to find that elusive nudibranch that you still do not have a photo of is what keeps us going back for more!
