Although it's the Fall, it seems like Spring.

[Merry]

Juvenile giant kelpfish

Juvenile ronquil

Juvenile sheephead

Juvenile garibaldi

Phil's yellow-face male garibaldi is in the same spot one year later.

Doto amyra, (seems like one of the world's smallest nudis?) with its mass of delicate, glistening eggs.

What looks like a frivolous curl at the end of some kelp blades is actually the nest of a kelp curler amphipod.

If that isn't curious enough, nudi egg masses were caught up in the amphipod's nest-building endeavor.

 

[fnfalman]

That yellow face Garibaldi looks hilarious.

 

[FrankPro1]

Stunning captures as always Merry. You must have hawk eyes to have spotted that amphipod nest!

 

[drbill]

Youngsters are not always born in the spring (even though a young man's fancy, and an old geezer's, may turn to _________ then). Seeing a lot of youngsters out here in Catalina waters as well. Of course for some species an extended warm period may allow multiple broods. Others like the giant kelpfish often mate during the colder months (but may do so year-round too).

 

[FrankPro1]

Others like the giant kelpfish often mate during the colder months (but may do so year-round too).

I observed a mating pair of giant kelpfish guarding a nest on the 18th at Marineland on the Palos Verdes peninsula. Was surprised to see them doing so late in the season. Thanks for the info