Description Nudibranchs (which means naked gills) are such elegant, delicate animals and a favourite subject for underwater photographers. I particularly like this one because of the tear in its mantle, which gives it a tougher than usual look! Many nudibranchs (including this one) feed on sponges, which is pretty amazing because most sponges are poisonous. Not only can the nudibranchs tolerate the poisons, they keep them in their bodies for their own self defence- a pretty amazing trick. Great Barrier Reef, Australia.Canon EOS 5D MkII; Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM lens; Seacam housing; Ikelite DS125 strobes.
David Wachenfeld, Townsville Member Since November 2007 Artist Statement I have loved the ocean since I was a small child. I grew up on a diet of Jacques Cousteau documentaries and snorkelling holidays with my family. Since my first SCUBA dive at age 10 and first experience with an underwater camera at age 16, I have developed a passion for marine life and capturing the ocean’s beauty in photographs. I have dived on coral reefs from French Polynesia to the east coast of Africa, conducting research, taking photographs, teaching people and working to protect the environment. In 1993 I completed a PhD studying the behaviour and ecology of coral reef triggerfish. My love of this charismatic family of fish lead me to name my photography company ‘Triggerfish Images’.