Ningaloo sea snake

[Rick Murchison]

Wonderful shot!
Is the circled bump something that's on all Olive Sea Snakes or is it some sort of deformity, scar or unnatural growth?

Rick

 

[alcina]

Thanks, All!

Yes, these are some of the most poisonous sea snakes, but they're really friendly most of the time. Kinda like a long puppy I love 'em!

The viz was actually terrible - and I don't mean in a "well, we only had 60' viz", I mean in a we only had a few meters viz and there were a tremendous amount of floaties and crud in the water. Doesn't stop the marine life from being outstanding, so we don't care. And it's never too dirty to shoot macro! (My buddy was shooting WA with the 10-17 and still got some good shots coz he's figured out his strobe placement, so that was a good lesson, too).

How close? He was right on my port making lighting tough...here he's a few inches away.

Rick - that bump is because he's been bashing on the rock to loosen the skin/split the skin for molting. From the other side you can see where the skin has split open and is just starting to peel. I haven't seen one in this stage before so it was kinda cool.

 

[Rick Murchison]

...that bump is because he's been bashing on the rock to loosen the skin/split the skin for molting. From the other side you can see where the skin has split open and is just starting to peel. I haven't seen one in this stage before so it was kinda cool.

Double extra cool! Now that you mention that, I can see the signs of age and wear on the scale coverings elsewhere as well...
Rick

 

[DiverBeth]

That is a fantastic picture!! Thanks for sharing.

 

[sharky60]

Man! I am sooooo (olive :d) green!! How cool is that!

I gotta get me some of that Western Australian dive time!!!

 

[Fastmarc]

Does the tongue sticking out underwater serve the same purpose as it does on land?

 

[diver 85]

GREAT pic again girl...........you are (still) the champ...........keep taking them...........GEAUX TIGERS.........

 

[DesertEagle]

Beautiful. Kristin, you make that camera sing!