Story Behind the Shot "Glaucus Atlanticus"

Eduardo Acevedo shares the story behind his Ocean Art category-winning image

Text and Photos By Eduardo Acevedo

This photo was taken in the south of Tenerife (in the Canary Islands) but you can find these Glaucus Atlanticus nudibranchs all over the world in the open ocean.

This pelagic nudibranch is about 2 or 3 cm and lives on the ocean surface, normally just behind other pelagic organisms like the venomous Portuguese Man O' War (Physalia Physalis), wind sailor Velella velella or the blue button Porpita porpita.

March and April are the best months to see these strange and beautiful animals in the Canary Islands. When the ocean is in calm and we have good sun, we have the conditions necessary to get good photos of these nudibranchs. For this picture, I spent nearly 8 hours just trying to find the nudibranchs in the blue ocean and then another 2 hours to take the picture. It is a very difficult shot because macro photos taken in the open ocean require lots of patience and a very calm sea. Normally we can find 3 or 4 of the species behind or very near a Portugueses Man O´ War, either pairing or just fighting because they are a cannibal species.

View the gear Eduardo used, settings and the Ocean Art prize he won

More Incredible Nudibranch Photos from Eduardo

A single Glaucus atlanticus nudibranch in open water.

Seeking protection in the open ocean.

A different capture of the two glaucus atlanticus nudibranchs.

Blue water diving brings lots of pelagic surprises.

View all the Ocean Art winning images

About the Author

Eduardo

Further Reading

• Underwater Photography for Beginners

• UWPG's Best Destinations for Underwater Photography

• Lighting Fundamentals for Underwater Photography

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