Found a few of my old friends while snorkeling the Otago Harbour tonight... a shy young big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) and a watchfully cautious wheke octopus (Macroctopus maorum).

There are some places that are worth a few mosquito bites! #outdoors #nature

I’m back in my hometown looking for wildlife and checkout this stinky fuzzy butt I found foraging on the hillside. #nature #wildlife

Had a special guest on my snorkel trip today! #octopus #marinelife #sealife

Does seagrass have eyes?! That's what I think when spotting this longsnout pipefish (Stigmatopora macropterygia). This little male was showing off his brood pouch, while trying to sneak away from my camera. They've become one of my new hobbies to look for while snorkeling. #sealife #marinelife

Find the flounder! I almost missed them hiding in the sand. Fortunately they were patient enough to let me put the camera down. I recorded for 5 minutes, and can't wait to see what they got up to once I swam away. 🐟🦑 #marinelife

Who else has enchanting names for describing #marinelife habitats? Here are a few more of mine:
- Flooded Fields (tidal seagrass)
- Tangled Thicket
- Seagrass Savannah (submerged seagrass)

Who else creates enchanting names to describe #marine habitats? I’d love to hear some of yours! Here are three I’ve come up with for the photos I’ve taken:
- Floating Forest
- Beaded Shallows
- Shell Desert

#marinescience #citizenscience #marinebiology #underwaterphotography #nature #wildlife

I went seeking seahorses, and found their pipefish cousin as well! #marinelife #wildlifephotography

I got lucky leaving my camera underwater. A few stingrays came to say hi!

My new life goals is to be as chill as a stingray riding the incoming current. I caught up with this one from my paddle-board a few days ago.

Stingrays are such curious creatures. Big black fins and raised eyes. The water was shallow enough to see them ripple against the incoming tide. A couple small sharks too!