skimmer > Northern Pipefish
Syngnathus fuscus
Perfectly camouflaged, the long, thin, and mottled brown body resembles the decaying eelgrass drifting on the bay floor.
skimmer > Heading out to the open ocean, we dive  below the waves where shipwrecks rest peacefully on the deep seafloor.
skimmer > The bay  scallop's eyes and tentacles are adaptations to its motile lifestyle.  These "baby blues" can detect the shadows and movements of  predators.  Also along the edge of its  mantle are tentacles equipped with touch and chemical sensitive receptors.   These aid the scallop in perceiving its environment as it swims through the water by clapping together its valves.  It is that single adductor muscle that we use for food.
skimmer > Knobbed Whelk
Body, commonly known as scungili is extended from shell.  The hard operculum, which is  attached to its muscular foot, functions as a water tight seal. This "trap door" protects the whelks soft body from both predators and dessication.
skimmer > Many-Ribbed Hydromedusae
Aequorea sp.
Related to jellyfish but alternates between this freeswimming Medusa stage and attached hydroid stage in its life cycle.
Unlike the ciliated comb jellies, this animal uses stinging cells to capture food.  Nematocysts contain a "poison dart" that will numb their prey.
skimmer > Hairy Hermit Crab
Pagurus arcuatus.
Using a vacant knobbed whelk shell for protection. Approx. 3in.
Unlike other crabs, their exoskeletons are less calcified and their abdomens are very long.  The soft, vulnerable abdomen of the hermit crab  rarely leaves  the security of its "borrowed" home.
skimmer > Juvenile winter flounder
Pleuronectes americanus
The right-eyed flounders are named because their left eye migrates to the "right"  side of their body.  As fry, they swim like any other fish...so it is more accurate to say that flatfish really swim on their side.
skimmer > Northern Comb Jelly
Bolinopsis infundibulum
Eight combs which are rows of cilia. These tiny hairs sweep food into its mouth.
Unlike jellyfish, comb jellies do not sting and can bioluminesce.
Northern Pipefish
Syngnathus fuscus
Perfectly camouflaged, the long, thin, and mottled brown body resembles the decaying eelgrass drifting on the bay floor.
skimmer > Northern Pipefish
Syngnathus fuscus
Perfectly camouflaged, the long, thin, and mottled brown body resembles the decaying eelgrass drifting on the bay floor.
Northern Pipefish
Syngnathus fuscus
Perfectly camouflaged, the long, thin, and mottled brown body resembles the decaying eelgrass drifting on the bay floor.
See photo in gallery

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