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.
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.
Here’s a colorful inhabitant of the Osher Rainforest at the California Academy of Sciences. Larger version is available here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This week’s challenge calls for halves, and I remembered seeing these parrots hanging out while their cages are being cleaned. Large versions available here and here.
Another day at the ocean. Here’s what the view looks like from the hut in the previous photo. It’s too dangerous to go out on the very tip of the rocks, but it’s home to a small group of sea birds. When the tide starts rising, the spray from the waves make it all the way inside the hut. Large version available here.
For the next entry into the muse challenge, here’s another shot along the same coast in Nuevo Vallarta. I think everyone should walk along the beach at least once in their lives; it’s peaceful, quiet, serene…and you never know what you’ll run into in the waves. Kind of like this friendly stray that was enjoying the day; I was worried about approaching him, but he only followed me for a bit before going back to his own fun in the sun.
Polymathically 