Beyond Nova Scotia’s ocean shore lies the world of inner space. This marvelous world is seen by few except divers, who brave our cold waters for just a glimpse of its wildlife inhabitants. The rest of us only see evidence of undersea life when it is washed ashore or edible forms appear on our dinnerplate. Yet, how far these experiences remove us from the pulse of life beneath the surface of the waves.
The best way to observe a fish is to become a fish.
~ Jacques Cousteau
The spiny sculpin, shown at top, is an odd-looking fish that can survive out of water for hours at a time as long as it stays wet. Another bottom dweller is the flounder shown below. Amazingly, one of the flounder’s eyes gradually drifts from one side of its body to the other. The body of the fish eventually turns on its side, where both of its eyes come to rest on ‘top.’
Crustaceans, such as this spider crab, are also found on the sea floor, scavenging for food.
Hermit crabs search the sea floor for empty shells that they may use to protect their vulnerable bodies from predators. They don’t possess the hard exoskeleton common to most true crabs.
The seafood section in Nova Scotia’s grocery stores often hold live lobsters in a tank. The trapped lobster, shown above, seems destined for such a place. Like many crustaceans, it possesses the magical ability to regrow its asymmetrical claws.
Among the most attractive creatures to be found off our coasts are the carnivorous sea anemones, which look deceptively like plants.
Many thanks to Wayne Joy and my son Simon Bell for granting permission to share these beautiful photos taken on a recent dive. Both Wayne and Simon are members of the Shearwater Scuba Club.
Images copyright Wayne T. Joy / Simon Bell.
Flandrum Hill 
Very cool! Thanx to Simon and Wayne for sharing a part of the world that most of us won’t ever get to see ‘up close and personal.’ And as always, thanx to you, Amy, for sharing your wisdom on your/our world – fascinating!
I miss Jacques Cousteau. Simon and Wayne did a nice job getting colors underwater. Very hard to get enough light, let alone photograph moving fish and sealife. Your information and words blended in nicely, Amy. Thanks to all of you for sharing a part of our world not often seen or thought of.
Those are wonderful photos! Once again I’ve seen things here that I would never see on my own. The anemones are gorgeous, of course, but my favorite is the spider crab. It looks like it’s performing the Dance of the Seven Veils. My thanks to all of you, too.
You’re welcome Cindy Lou 🙂
I miss Jacques Cousteau too Scott. I don’t know how Simon and Wayne managed to get such clear pictures but they certainly did a good job.
Gerry, I never thought of a spider crab doing a veil dance with sea lettuce before. Who know what goes on under the sea!
Fascinating as always Amy-Lynn. Words and pictures are both marvellous.
It’s lovely to see these marine creatures alive, well, and in their own habitat. As you say, most people only get a tantalising glimpse of them when they wash ashore the worse for wear. I think it must be marvellous to be able to submerge and view this watery world, to observe the fish, the crabs, and the sea amemones doing their own thing – and not just as beachcombing finds and dinners.
The guys got some great photos! Thanks for sharing. I remember catching flounder when we fished on the Intracoastal in Florida. They are so strange looking.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Thanks Sybil and Millhill 🙂
Jessica, it’s too bad that so few people do get to experience the undersea world and see for themselves the creatures that call it home. Perhaps if more people did,they’d be less likely to use the ocean as a sewer.