Amazing Cuttlefish

[ATJ]

I love cuttlefish. I have loved them since I saw my first one while diving in the mid 70s. They are such amazing creatures.

Here are 4 shots of the same cuttlefish displaying its vast array of colour patterns. The shots are not all that great as the visibility was not all that good, but at least it shows what this animal can do.









This animal was particularly friendly and took an intense interest in my watch. It made a couple of lunges for it while I was trying to take the photographs. It was around 40-45cm in length (including the body, head and arms, with the arms hanging down).

[moz]

You're right, that is cute. Nice shots, and if you hadn't mentioned the visibility I wouldn't have noticed.

Maybe it wanted the watch? It's got a lot of wrists to put wtaches on...

[Laurie]

firstly ew.
secondly great photos. i've never seen what a cuttlefish looks like before it washes up on shore.
very weird creatures.

thanks for sharing ATJ.

[moz]

And I like #3, the elephant-fish impersonation.

[Killakoala]

Fascinating creatures, great images of it.

[stetner]

Good demonstration of the colour ATJ!

I miss these guys now that I am in Brisbane, see the odd one around, but they are smaller than a foot ball up here!

I like how they can actually change the texture f their skin as well as the colour!

Cheers,
Doug

[Louie]

I'm like Laurie, I had no idea what they looked like while they were in the water - they're amazing!
Great pictures, I love the detail they show.


Cheers, Elena

[Glen]

I agree, they look amazing to me

[sirhc55]

They are all excellent and such a shame that many end up in a budgies cage

[Yi-P]

Amazing captures!

Are these the animals that swim 'backwards' given that their apparent head is on the back when swimming?

[Alex]

Great shots. Very sharp and colourful.
Alex

[kamran]

Wow! Really amazing. JUst love the way how they change colours + textures. Now that's one talented cuttlefish!

[Oscar]

A lovely series of shots Andrew. Well captured.

Cheers, Mick

[ATJ]

Are these the animals that swim 'backwards' given that their apparent head is on the back when swimming?

They can swim 'forwards' or 'backwards' using the fin(s) which runs the entire length of the body. They can also use "jet propulsion" by shooting water out their siphon. It is more effective for backwards movement, but can also be used to move head first.

While some can avoid attention, this animal (probably a male) was particularly interactive and I could have spent my whole tank with it. This one was relatively small, too. I have seen ones in Jervis Bay that are a metre long.

[Willy wombat]

Excellent shots. Cuttles are also one of my favorite marine species.

[greencardigan]

Very interesting shots Andrew.

I saw one of these while spearing yesterday arvo.

[Rick]

Good shots of a wierd creature, like the color changes, #2 is my favourite

It's true that the bone finishes up in the budgies cage but not until the flesh has it's time on the BBQ plate, tastes better than callamari.

Cheers
Rick

[stubbsy]

Andrew

And you reckon no one comments on your image posts

These are great. #2 looks like a dragon somehow and really appeals to me compositionally. #3 I like too. As for the "poor visibility" I'd say you must be a perfectionist since to me these are nice and clear. Can't wait to see some images taken with good visibility.

[ATJ]

Peter,

As for the "poor visibility" I'd say you must be a perfectionist since to me these are nice and clear.

Actually, you are right, the visibility wasn't too bad from a general perspective. There were a lot of large particles in the water which you can see as white spots, particularly in the first photograph, and these take away from the image, in my opinion.

Can't wait to see some images taken with good visibility.

You should see some in around a month after I get back from my GBR/Coral Sea trip. Visibility up there is 30m or more and you can really see the difference in the images.