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Thursday, December 22, 2022

Blue highlights

  

How lucky!  Eric found an octopus for my birthday!

Here's the entire animal from the other side.  Always amazing to see how well they blend in with the surrounding rocks and algae:

 

5 comments:

Alice Chan said...

Amazing!
And happy belated birthday!

Unknown said...

So beautiful! Also happy day-after-birthday!

I want to thank you for my daily dose of beauty and perspective. This world we are lucky enough to live in is so full of wonders--thank you for reminding us of them, and with such an awesome combination of a great eye for beauty and depth of knowledge. I read your posts over my cup of morning tea, and then I run around the house sharing excitedly with my family. So thanks again, from all of us.

Jackie Sones said...

Thank you, thank you! And thanks to the octopus and all of the amazing habitats on this planet!

:) Jackie

Unknown said...

Hi Jackie! Is this a baby giant pacific octopus? I pulled up this one while crabbing last week. It’s head was the size of a football. I released him safely. Magnificent creature.

Jackie Sones said...

Hello!

Based on the size, I'm guessing the octopus in your crab trap was a Pacific Giant Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini). The one in the photo I posted is a Red Octopus (Octopus rubescens). Red Octopus are the most common species encountered in the intertidal zone in our area, but their maximum size is much smaller than a Pacific Giant -- the head might reach ~3" long or so. I've only seen a Pacific Giant Octopus in the intertidal zone once -- so cool! So great that you got to see one!

:) Jackie