In my continuing series of From the Deep we look at a very unique creature, the Sea Pen.
Sea pens are colonial marine animal and can be found in tropical and temperate waters worldwide. Resembling a quilled pen, these bright orange animals are very unique. Described as octocorals, sea pens are colonial animals with multiple polyps, which look somewhat like miniature sea anemones, each with eight tentacles. Each of the sea pens polyps have special functions, some are used for feeding while others lose their tentacles and form the base or stock of the sea pen so it is able to anchor itself to the bottom.
Using their root-like base to anchor themselves in sandy or muddy substrate, the exposed portion of sea pens may rise up to 2 metres (6.6 ft). Rarely found above depths of 10 metres (33 ft), sea pens prefer deeper waters where turbulence is less likely to uproot them. Some species may inhabit depths of 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) or more.
While generally sessile animals, sea pens are able to relocate and re-anchor themselves if need be. They position themselves favourably in the path of currents, ensuring a steady flow of plankton, the sea pens' chief source of food. Their primary predators are nudibranchs and sea stars, some of which feed exclusively on sea pens.
Finding and photographing a sea pen garden is pretty amazing, be gentle around them, control your buoyancy and since most sea pens live on a sandy bottom be mindful not to kick up any sand and silt. Do your best best to get low and shoot up, that way you鈥檒l get the best light.
Good luck and sometimes the pen can be mightier than the sword.
Scott
For more stories and images - http://www.scottstevensonphotography.ca/