Kelp Forest at Landing Cove, Anacapa

An open forest of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)

The kelp forest at Landing Cove at Anacapa Island, in Channel Islands National Park. This cove became a marine reserve in 1978, with no fishing or hunting allowed, so it teems with a lush marine life including big lobsters. It is always a serene and relaxing place to dive. The boat traffic, from tourists on day visits and national park rangers, may thin out the kelp on the surface. On Wednesdays in the summer, rangers and volunteers put on a live video show, where an underwater cameraman follows a ranger in a full-face mask through the kelp, as he points out various creatures and takes questions from viewers on the surface. I made this image in November of 2017 with a Nikon D700 in a Subal housing, with a 16mm lens.