Kelpscape

Octopus on Kelp Holdfast

Octopus on a kelp holdfast. It's interesting how they can change the texture of their skins, as well as the colors.

Flat Symmetric Octopus

This octopus chose to take on the coloration of his background, and flatten himself out. This is the first time that I have seen both eyes of an octopus at the same time. I hadn't know that was possible.

I imagine that octopi can be as symmetric or asymmetric in shape and coloration as they want, and that an asymmetric octopus would be a lot harder to see than a symmetric one. But, they are nearly always just about symmetric in both; and, they are still hard to see. Why? Are there a lot of asymmetric octopi out there, that are too well camouflaged to see at all? 

Octopus Scampers Across the Reef

Scamper seems about the best way to describe this octopus moving across the reef.  

Octopus

Usually octopi are fairly shy, but this one seemed interested in learning more about me, just as I was interested in learning about him. He was off the southeast end of Santa Rosa Island.  

Octopus Recoils

Now my acquaintance the octopus decides to leave his burrow. I hope that he found our subsequent conversation interesting.

Octopus Coils

The octopus coils back from its spot beneath a hydroid. Its eye spot is pretty bright in this image: a scary sight, for those who prey on small invertebrates.

Two-Spotted Octopus

Two-spotted octopus under a ledge, at Refugio Beach.  I'm not sure why this one was out during the daytime.