Wheel of Fortune

Technique: I used a Nikonis III with a Plus 5 macro set-up and shot this on Fuji Velvia 64 ASA film. The strobe was on low power and was approximately 12 to 14 inches away from the subject.

Summary: Wheel of Fortune...or misfortune if you are a piece of plankton floating by. These sticky tentacles are the mouth apparatus of a Featherduster, a.k.a. Tubeworm. It traps the plankton and sends it to the center to become the days delicacy. Shooting tubeworms can be just as agonizing as Christmas Tree worms. They also sense light changes and will dart into a crusty looking tube that sticks up from the reef for protection. They are a little braver as some will start to come back out after hiding for only a minute. It's amazing what being hungry makes creatures do.

Buy: Smart Phone Cover

Buy: Note Cards | Photo Print

Featherduster/Tubeworm | Palau, Micronesia

I have several shots of tubeworms. I chose this one due to it’s size and positioning amongst other corals and sponges. It’s very colorful. A Plus 5 macro set-up was used due to it’s size. This guy is as big as a softball in diameter. The feather-like tentacles are very pronounced. The surrounding support cast adds interest. That’s a small tridacna clam in the lower left corner. Those are white and purple tunicates in the upper right corner. Off to the lower right is a red-orange encrusting sponge. What a great neighborhood!

« Feed Me

You Want A Piece Of Me? »