Mosshead Warbonnet

Gallery: WildlifePosted March 3, 201027,579 views7 comments

This is one of my favorite photo subjects; the Mosshead Warbonnet Chirolophis nugator. These little (4-6") eel-like fish are found from California up to Alaska. I used to think they were rare but now realize they're just shy. As my diving skills increased I started seeing them more and more often. It also helps to know the dive sites. At Point Lobos State Reserve in Carmel, California we have found them to be very territorial and if you see one living in a hole they'll almost certainly be there the next time you return. Finding them out in the open, and getting them to sit still long enough for a portrait is a bit harder. I got lucky with this one.

This shot is cropped to about 50% of the original image.

Nikon D200 in a Subal Housing. Dual Sea and Sea YS350 strobes.
Nikkor AFS-VR 105mm Micro
ISO 100, f/14, 1/250th, strobes at 1/2 power.

Clinton

Comments

7 comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on March 3, 2010 at 11:34 PM

Great image. Well composed, excellent color saturation and lighting. And under water to boot...I feel inadequate.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on March 4, 2010 at 12:10 AM

I love dive shots, and this is a great one.
Great color and comp.
The only nit is that the image could use a bit of CCW rotation to level the fishy.
Sandy r

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Yeoh on March 4, 2010 at 4:31 AM

Lovely shot. You must be pretty close to the subject. Nice detail. Would have like to have a bit more room along the bottom.

Registered on September 1, 2009, 588 Posts, 8184 Comments

Comment posted by Vincent Grafhorst on March 4, 2010 at 6:35 AM

A very interesting subject indeed Clinton. Those huge eyes are very striking. I quite like the frontal view with both eyes visible and him hiding in between that underwater vegetation. However, this angle makes me curious to see this fish from other angles as well. Since its is a favorite photo subject of yours I am hoping you will share another image with us sometime?

Registered on February 24, 2006, 504 Posts, 7203 Comments

Comment posted by Jorne de Bruin on March 4, 2010 at 8:49 AM

lovely image, great detail, comp and just enough of the surroundings.

Registered on June 26, 2008, 178 Posts, 2136 Comments

Comment posted by Brad Hill on March 4, 2010 at 9:24 AM

Hi Clinton,

I think this is a fascinating shot - so "other worldly" to me. I'm so ill-informed about the technical limitations of underwater photography that I don't want to say anything about the tech aspects of this image (not that I see anything apparently "wrong"). But I do really like how the Warbonnet appears to be emerging from some hiding spot and the colours are absolutely eye-catching. I also like the red/purple strands (of whatever!) that are hanging down - it almost makes it look like the fish is emerging from behind beaded curtains...

Cheers...thanks for sharing this - like it very much...

Brad

Registered on May 29, 2007, 431 Posts, 6061 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on March 6, 2010 at 10:48 AM

I like this a lot! Thanks for sharing.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments