Octopus, Jellyfish, Sea Horse

Environmental & Science Education, STEM, Biodiversity, Wildlife, Nature, Biological Evolutioin

Ed Hessler 

Life below the ocean tops is hidden to most of us although many of us have seen the three featured below from an NPR Picture Show. The story is by Vanessa Castillo.

National Geographic photographer David Liittschwager "spent 12 years photographing octopuses, seahorses and jelly fish at more than 28 locations" worldwide. His new book "captures more than 135,000 exposures--with essays by three science writers: Elizabeth Kolbert, Jennifer Holland and Olivia Judson. Judson is also an evolutionary biologist by training and educaton.The link allows a look inside Octopus, Seahorse, Jellyfish.

The NPR story provides a preview of these remarkable photographs and creatures. Moments of wonder and great beauty. A full palette of colors that surprise. Endless forms. Details to marvel at. All products of the mechanisms, the constant tinkering, of biological evolution.

Who knew how lovely and diverse they are? A few photographers, scuba divers, and research scientists. Fortunately for us, David Liittschwager has done the heavy lifting (two kinds), made a little less heavy physically by the physics of the ocean during long periods spent below it's surfaces.