A lowly little Sea Slug is strangely beautiful.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

This is Glaucus atlanticus, a sea slug found in tropical and temperate waters throughout the world.

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[Callmecrazy]

1. Oooh, You found a baby dragon!

Never seen one of them before. Beautiful.
Thanks for posting.

[Tuesday Afternoon]

2. yw

[Lucinda]

3. Wow

Awesome little critter!

[bluedigger]

4. That is cool looking!

[petronius]

5. Beautiful! Nudibranchs are some of my favorite things to seek out while

diving or snorkeling - there's such a huge variety of them. Common species for us out here are Spanish shawl (Flabellina iodinea):



and Hermissenda crassicornis:



http://scottpenny.smugmug.com/Underwater/Field-ID/Southern-california-Nudibranch/3881249_fq5ckx/1

[denbot]

6. The little dude in the OP's post is beautiful.

I haven't snorkeled this season, and have yet to run into either of those guys you posted in my usual area, Palos Verde. We're do you snorkel?

[petronius]

7. I'm on the central coast - Morro Bay area

Montana de Oro is a go-spot, but we'll range up and down the coast from here. Also the dive boats out the Channel Islands, when I have some spare cash.

Scuba is more common for me than snorkeling here, so I can get down a little deeper and get a lot closer to the rocks and bottom for a leisurely inspection. We don't usually have the visibility to get a good look at anything more than 5-8 feet away (speaking generously), and I find it takes me several minutes to pick out the little details (and the little creatures) on a rock face or bottom...

[denbot]

8. I've camped at Oro

It's a bit sharkey up there.

[brett_jv]

9. Cal Poly alum here ...

MDO is one of my favorite places in the world. Took a number of 'first dates' out there in my college days. The walk along the cliffs there, with all the worn sedimentary rock turned at 45 degrees and jutting out into the ocean, all the beautiful colors, and the little beaches you can hike down to, and the tide pools ... man, I just LOVE it out there. Been way too long since I've been, I really need to go back one of these days. It's just so awesome ... w/o a doubt my favorite place in the world to burn one and walk around for a few hours

[BlancheSplanchnik]

11. oh I wish I had someone to scuba/snorkel with

!!!!!!



You lucky person, you!!!!!!!!!

[petronius]

15. Hmmm... (checks profile) - damn, wish I could help, but you're a little bit

out of my range...

I've had a lot of luck finding buddies with the local dive shops, however; at least one of the shops here puts on regular beach dives for all skill levels - I've met some excellent buddies that way (and a few major duds, of course). Maybe there are some good shops or clubs near you...

[BlancheSplanchnik]

17. shoot. :P

Yeah, Western NY is not exactly a diving hotspot.....

[Ready4Change]

10. Limb like structures?

Anyone know this species? Does it only appear to have what appear to be limb like structures? Or is this a branch of development that might be developing in a way that may eventually allow land locomotion?

[BlancheSplanchnik]

12. little fractal wings!!

and a clown nose.


LOL!! so cute!

I love critters!

[In_The_Wind]

13. It almost looks like a beautiful bird.

Thanks for posting this thread.

[7962]

14. That is an amazing little fellow!!

I'm waiting for the inevitable "them's good eatin'" post though!

[marzipanni]

16. I know a cloisonné artist who makes gorgeous enameled jewelry

If I knew how to do enamelwork this little creature would inspire me to try to imitate its form and shades of blue.

[Bertha Venation]

18. Wow. Great find, T.A. n/t

[Kali]

19. love the colors

you are finding some really cool and interesting pictures! thanks

(now tell those people to put the poor thing back in the water!)

[Sand Wind]

20. Beautiful alien...don't tell Texas.

[eppur_se_muova]

21. Heh ... did you DUgle "glaucus" ? ;^)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018304835

[Tuesday Afternoon]

22. thanks for that. and No, I didn't glad you posted the links.