ALT Close up photo of a blue-tongue lizard poking out its big, blue tongue
ALT A reddish-orange North Pacific bigeye octopus shows off one of its namesake large eyes. The octopus’ mantle extends towards the upper-left corner while its arms are splayed out as if it’s settling down like a parachute.
ALT The tiny baby looking front-on at the camera (so both eyes are visible). Their horizontal slitted pupils give them 360 degree vision so you definitely can't sneak up on them. The baby has come a little out of its den and is stretching up toward the camera, camouflaging expertly with the sand, shells, and plant growth around the den.
ALT Old salt giving the camera and me its best side-eye. This octopus was happily minding its business and very reluctant to interact, making a dignified retreat after rejecting my bribe.
ALT Two purple, sparkly balls with stick stems emerging from the earth
ALT The male octopus is clutching the pylon, with one arm extended toward the female, who is inside a hole in the pylon. The pylon is rich in plant growth and both octopodes are camouflaged extremely well - luckily I have developed a sixth sense for spotting them. Behind, the water is green-blue. Octopodes mate when the male extends one arms holding a sperm sac to the female. The female later lays her eggs and fertilises the eggs outside her body, when she's ready. These two eyed me very severely. Your average common octopus is a solitary though curious creature, so I was delighted to observe these two in close proximity over the course of a 100 min dive and on the following week's dive too!
