I Don’t Think You’re Ready For These Jellies

Joe from It’s Okay To Be Smart visits some of the coolest inhabitants of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

Weekly Photo Challenge: In The Flooded Forest

Within the depths of the Academy of Sciences, there’s a tunnel called the Flooded Forest. People can sit there for hours and see all kinds of fish drifting overhead. It’s inspiring to see; no matter where you’re from or what language you speak, nature is fascinating for everyone. Larger version is viewable here.

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Weekly Photo Challenge: Borneo River Toad

This rather stoic fellow can be found inside the Osher Rainforest at the Academy of Sciences. Unlike many animals, he just sat there calmly and let museum-goers get a good look. Larger version available here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Sambava Tomato Frog

Here’s a colorful inhabitant of the Osher Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences. Larger version is available here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Red Moon Jelly

At the Academy of Sciences, there’s a cool exhibit that features a dozen or so Moon Jellies in a cylinder. There’s a light shining into the water that changes color every few seconds…and so do the moon jellies. Here’s a close shot of some in red. Larger version can be viewed here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Jellyfish Spiral

Here’s a little something from the aquarium at California Academy of Sciences. The tank is pretty dark, save for the shaft of light going down the center. I caught this jellyfish swimming close through the light at just the right moment…Larger version viewable here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Chambered Nautilus

Here’s a nice, close shot of one of the more interesting inhabitants of the aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. The patterns on Chambered Nautilus’ shells are some of the most famous in the animal kingdom. Larger version is viewable here.

Weekly Photo Challenge: White-Spotted Jellyfish

This week’s challenge calls for some close-ups, and I immediately thought of this shot. Meet phyllorhiza punctata, more easily pronounced as a white-spotted jellyfish. According to the display, “These jellies can grow up to 60 cm (24 in) in diameter. The stinging cells in their tentacles capture food and provide protection. Each large jelly can collect food from 50 m³ (65 cu yd) of water a day. Diet: small zooplankton. Distribution: coastal areas and estuaries in the Southwestern Pacific, invasive in Hawaii and the Gulf of Mexico.” I photographed this little one, however, at the aquarium at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco.

Weekly Photo Challenge: Roy G. Biv, Macaw Style!

This week’s challenge calls for Roy G. Biv, or all the colors of the rainbow. Instead of going with books like the last time this prompt showed up, I decided to post a lovely photo of a scarlet macaw, one of the most colorful birds I’ve ever seen! Large version available here.

Blue And Yellow Macaw

Came across this fellow while he was getting an afternoon snack. He didn’t seem to mind me, though…Large version available here.