![]() The octopus also has characteristic blue lines running through its eyes. The blue rings are an aposematic adornment to clearly show to all potential predators that the octopus is highly venomous. ![]() A black line, with thickness varying to increase contrast and visibility, borders the electric blue circles. ![]() The rings are roughly circular in shape and are based on a darker blotch than the background color of the skin. The blue rings, which number around 60, are spread throughout the entirety of its skin. There are variable ring patterns on the mantle of Hapalochlaena lunulata with varied coloration in correlation to their ambient environment, from yellow ocher to light brown or even white-ish (when inactive). The head is slightly flattened dorsoventrally (front to back) and finished in a tip. Its common name comes from the relatively large size of its blue rings (7 to 8 millimeters in diameter), which are larger than those of other members of the genus and help to distinguish this type of octopus. I haven’t met these guys, but they’re the bosses in this department.The greater blue-ringed octopus, despite its vernacular name, is a small octopus whose size does not exceed 10 centimeters, arms included, for an average weight of 80 grams. Reef Fish (Tropical Pacific) contains all the fish, and Reef Creature contains everything else. If you’re an avid photographer, I highly recommend two ID books by Paul Humann and Ned DeLoach. Check out my tutorial on underwater strobe positioning for a complete guide to the best strobe and video light techniques. Lighting is always important for macro photography. Learn more in my Two Minute Tutorial video on Autofocus. Be sure to move your focus point into a position that allows you to compose the shot while ensuring the camera locks focus on the eye. Octopus have large mantles and even larger tentacles, but the most critical part to keep in focus is the eye(s). We’re after natural, comfortable posturing and behaviors. If you’re calm and patient, the octopus might even become comfortable and start hunting again without worrying about you. You can then move slowly over and take another shot. If the octopus swims, it will likely stop very close by. If you chase, the octopus will flush a dark color, which doesn’t look natural in photos. Here’s the underwater photo gear I use for macro subjects. This ensures you can shoot 3-4 effective shots before letting your buddy move in for their turn. Most of the time you’ll be with a guide and dive buddies when finding a blue ring, so maximize everyone’s time by adjusting your settings, donning/doffing a diopter, and positioning your strobes before moving in and taking a turn with the subject. Guides here have a knack for finding wunderpus octopus too! The muck capital of the world is home to plenty of blue-rings near rubble reefs. You’ll also be treated to some great mimic octopus action. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent months diving in Anilao, but I’ve seen blue-rings there at quite a few different reef sites. ![]() These are my favorite blue-ringed octopus hotspots: The sign for a blue ring is to make a circle with thumb and index finger and placing the circle up and down your arm… the same pattern the octopus sports. A focus on underwater macro will give you the best odds of spotting octopus, since your eyes will be trained on the tiny critters.īe sure to tell your dive guide that photographing a blue ring is at the top of your list, and if you’ve become friends, your guide will hunt for them every time you’re busy shooting another critter. Blue-ringed octopus are endemic to the Indo-Pacific ocean, so most of us will need to plan a dive trip to find them.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |