Question for you SoCal'ers...

[Norda]

Maybe it was a time of the year thing? The creatures we saw were a lot more yellow than shown in the posted picture.

 

[kelpmermaid]

Guide to Marine Invertebrates, there is a photo of the Spiny Brittle Star that looks rather yelllow -- the notes indicate that color varies, and I know I've seen them in groups where they do appear to be different colors. I don't know why, though -- but so are we, so who knows?

 

[kelpmermaid]

http://www.oceanlight.com/lightbox.php?sp=Ophiothrix_spiculata

They look more yellow in these photos -- it kind of makes me itch to see them like this.

I was surprised about the photos on the Channel Islands website - the crab photo was not good in terms of color, either.

 

[Norda]

Right on Kelpmermaid! Those pictures look exactly like what we saw. They were thick and covering everthing just like in the photos, and the color is dead on.

As for the crab photo, identification was not a problem, they are so distinctive. I love crabs. They are so ready to do battle, even with something as large as humans.

Thanks.

 

[drbill]

Here is a collage of images that I took of a sheep crab two weekends ago. They've been in the "shallows" (20-80 ft or more)in the Casino Dive Park here on Catalina for a few weeks.

Dr. Bill

 

[scubasean]

I need some help with plans to visit catalina...Any chance you'd be willing to send me a note with your email addy so I can ask you a few questions?

Thanks,

Sean
sun_lovin_man@yahoo.com

 

[PhotoTJ]

If you're willing to work for it, sheep crabs are tasty!

Shut up and dive.