JJ's Recent Photos - 15-19 October 2013

As a consequence of our long, calm, extended summer weather, the water temperature once again warmed to a stress point for several species of corals and anemones. One coral pinnacle is home to a number of large anemones particularly prone to "bleaching," which possibly results from algae in tentacles becoming toxic, causing them to be expelled. Once the temperatures return to normal, the anemones seem to recover their algae although many of the corals do not.

The first 3 photos show six Heteractis magnifica anemones on one lagoon pinnacle that have weathered the bleaching phenomenon a number of times.

Each thumbnail links to a larger photo. On each photo page, links under the photo will bring up the previous or next photos on this page.

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