hannahfloyd_naturalist's Favorites

A special population of Heteractis magnifica found without its typical Amphiprion nigripes anemonefish on a 1m deep reef flat just behind the outer atoll fore reef. Our unpublished molecular work shows this population is genetically distinct from both the outer atoll fore reef H. magnifica and the inner atoll patch reef H. magnifica

A pied oystercatcher, Haematopus longirostris, prises a marine worm from the sand to feed its chick. I observed the pair over several days. Whilst both parents were present, one undertook most of the feeding which went from sun up through the day. The chick was well sated and sometimes tired and sat on the sand. I returned seven days later to find the chick had grown substantially and was feeding less often. The chick's upper body camouflages it well with the kelp strewn on the beach. Rottnest Island, Western Australia. 600mm lens on tripod. Pam Osborn image.

Bit of a poor field guide style shot, but a very interesting location, a seasonal creek in an otherwise extremely dry and inhospitable (for amphibians) environment. Also heard Pseudacris but couldn't find any.