Spiny flower coral
Corals are not the typical macro subject, probably because they essentially become abstract images (as in "what am I looking at?"). I recognize that this might not be everyone's "cup of tea", but if you are curious, keep reading.
This is one "bloom" in a cluster of spiny flower coral (Mussa angulosa) and it is rare. We have seen it only on a few occasions, but we haven't seen any in a while. We suspect they are all gone now - the species is presumed to be susceptible to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). SCTLD (pronounced "Skittle-D") has pretty much eliminated all of the smooth flower corals (Eusmilia fastigiata), so it wouldn't be a surprise if the spiny flower corals have succumbed as well. If we do find a living colony, I will probably spend much of that dive taking pictures of it, and I will definitely note the location. It would be the highlight of the dive.
The "bloom" is probably about 5cm across, i.e., what you are seeing isn't super tiny. I should have stopped down more to get more DOF (the upper right is soft). But at the time I thought I just wanted the middle section. I won't make that mistake again if I have an opportunity.
Spiny flower coral
Corals are not the typical macro subject, probably because they essentially become abstract images (as in "what am I looking at?"). I recognize that this might not be everyone's "cup of tea", but if you are curious, keep reading.
This is one "bloom" in a cluster of spiny flower coral (Mussa angulosa) and it is rare. We have seen it only on a few occasions, but we haven't seen any in a while. We suspect they are all gone now - the species is presumed to be susceptible to Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD). SCTLD (pronounced "Skittle-D") has pretty much eliminated all of the smooth flower corals (Eusmilia fastigiata), so it wouldn't be a surprise if the spiny flower corals have succumbed as well. If we do find a living colony, I will probably spend much of that dive taking pictures of it, and I will definitely note the location. It would be the highlight of the dive.
The "bloom" is probably about 5cm across, i.e., what you are seeing isn't super tiny. I should have stopped down more to get more DOF (the upper right is soft). But at the time I thought I just wanted the middle section. I won't make that mistake again if I have an opportunity.