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| Bubble Coral or Grape Coral, White Beach,
Russell Islands. The magnification is about 1:1 on the film, and this image is
uncropped. It was growing on a steel dock or bridge that was abandoned at the end of
WW II, in about 25 feet of water. I've received the following information about this coral from Keoki & Yuko Stender (Gary WIlliams confirms their identification): The coral appears to be Physogyra lichtensteini, Family Caryophyllidae. It is related to the more familiar Bubble Coral and normally has smaller "bubbles" extended during the day until disturbed. It can sting. I didn't see this species in American Samoa, but did see Bubble Coral in the harbor at 50 feet in murky water along a reef wall. Nikon F4, 105mm f/2.8 AF Micro-Nikkor, TC-14 converter, 14mm tube, 27.5 mm tube, Aquatica Housing, 2 Ikelite 200 strobes, f/32, Kodak Royal Gold 100. |
