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The ancient mariner

A tri-spine horseshoe crab moves slowly over the mud. Its golden protective carapace hides 12 appendages. Above the horseshoe crab, a trio of juvenile golden trevallies are poised to dart down for edible morsels ploughed up by its passage.Portfolio Story: Laurent Ballesta went looking for the crabs in the protected waters of Pangatalan Island in the Philippines. Marine biologist and photographer Laurent Ballesta has dedicated his life to exploring the oceans and revealing their wonder through art. He has led a series of expeditions, all involving scientific mysteries and diving challenges, resulting in unprecedented images. The tri-spine horseshoe crab has survived for more than 100m years but faces habitat destruction and overfishing for food and for its blood, used in the development of vaccines. But, in the protected waters off Pangatalan Island, there is hope for its survival.

by Laurent Ballesta, France.

2023 Wildlife Photographer of the Year

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Jellyfish

By Mayumi Takeuchi Ebbins, London, United Kingdom

World’s Top Wildlife Photographers of 2023

Curated by One Eyeland

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Portuguese Man-of-War

By Bert Soehn, Rotterdam, Germany

World’s Top Wildlife Photographers of 2023

Curated by One Eyeland

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Glass squid, another squid resident of the twilight zone, rely on transparency to camouflage themselves. The dots on their three inch-long bodies are pigment sacs called chromatophores, which can expand to darken their appearance.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAVID LIITTSCHWAGER

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Shrimp. Shramp. Shrump!

Shellebrate the wonderful world of shrimp (and their shrimp-like friends) with this playful parody of “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch”. We promise by the end, you’ll want to hug a deep-sea shrimp, squeal about cleaner shrimp, and be fascinated by mysid shrimp!

If you weren’t shrimpressed before, we’re sea-rtain this song will krilly change your tune!

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❄️🔮A snow globe jelly sea-renade 🪼💙

In twilight's hush, a jelly gleams, Delicate beauty in silent dreams. Jewel-like gut, a red disguise, Camouflaged where darkness lies.

In the deep sea's vast expanse, A drifter floats in a subtle dance. Where red light falters, can't dare to breach, No danger near, as shadows teach.

A ballet of hues, in twilight's embrace, The jelly floats, a marvel of grace. Camouflaged gem in the deep sea's cover, Safe from the light, a stealthy rover.

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Talk about a resting fish face!

As a young flatfish grows, one eye migrates to join its pair on the other of its body. This gives them their “flat fish” appearance, as they swim about eyes-side-up. Embracing the true meaning of the side eye, some flatfish bury themselves in the sand until only their eyes are visible. They blend into their surroundings, waiting to surprise their prey or to avoid becoming prey themselves 🐟👀

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The Starfish. Seashore Life. 1950.

Internet Archive

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Image captured of rare squid, Grimalditeuthis bonplandi.

(Image credit: Schmidt Ocean Institute)

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“Death in waiting”

Location: Rijeka, Croatia

“Pietro Formis discovers a Mediterranean stargazer peering through the sandy floor in coastal waters.

Pietro approached the stargazer with care so as not to disturb it. Combining the concentrated light from the flash with a slow shutter speed and deliberate movement from his camera, Pietro presents the stargazer lit through a curtain of turquoise water.

The stargazer is an ambush predator. It buries itself in the sand by wriggling its body until it is invisible except for its eyes and teeth, then it lies in wait for small fish and invertebrates. Its coastal habitat is under pressure from erosion and pollution, and it is often caught as bycatch.”

by Pietro Formis, Italy

Wildlife Photographer Of The Year 2023

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‘Hackelia’

Image © Rob Kesseler

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‘Hippocrepis Unisiliquosa’

Image © Rob Kesseler

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‘Castilleja Flava’

Image © Rob Kesseler

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‘Krameri Erecta’

Image © Rob Kesseler

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‘Malva Sylvestris’

Image © Rob Kesseler

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‘Nemesia Versicolor’

Image © Rob Kesseler

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‘Tolmiea Menziesii?

Image © Rob Kesseler