Kelp Forest photos

A view of an underwater forest of giant kelp. Giant kelp grows rapidly, up to 2' per day, from the rocky reef on the ocean bottom to which it is anchored, toward the ocean surface where it spreads to form a thick canopy. Myriad species of fishes, mammals and invertebrates form a rich community in the kelp forest. Lush forests of kelp are found through California's Southern Channel Islands.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 25432  

Kelp beds adorn the coastline of San Clemente Island, aerial photograph.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 25984  

Kelp canopy.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 00250  

Jack mackerel schooling amid kelp forest.
Species: Pacific jack mackerel, Macrocystis pyrifera, Trachurus symmetricus
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 00256  

Kelp canopy.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 00600  

Kelp canopy.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 00601  

Kelp canopy.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 00602  

Kelp frond showing pneumatocysts.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 00617  

Kelp frond showing pneumatocysts.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 00628  

Kelp plants with fronds extended in current.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 01050  

Kelp fronds.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 01273  

Kelp plants growing toward surface and spreading to form a canopy.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 01293  

Kelp fronds and forest.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 01497  

Kelp fronds.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 01498  

Kelp canopy.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 02118  

Kelp forest canopy.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 02121  

Kelp detail, San Diego.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: California
Image ID: 02125  

Kelp detail showing pneumatocysts (air bladders) attached to stipe, San Diego.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: California
Image ID: 02126  

Kelp spread over ocean surface to form a canopy.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 02129  

Kelp frond in motion, time exposure.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: Santa Barbara Island, California
Image ID: 02344  

Kelp forest.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 02409  

Kelp frond showing pneumatocysts.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: Santa Barbara Island, California
Image ID: 02436  

Kelp detail showing pneumatocysts (air bladders).
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 02497  

Kelp stipe and blades.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: Santa Barbara Island, California
Image ID: 02498  

Drift kelp, open ocean.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Diego, California
Image ID: 02501  

Kelp bed. Giant macrocystis kelp is anchored on the ocean floor and grows to reach the ocean surface.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 02502  

Kelp bed.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 02504  

Divers and kelp forest.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 02990  

Kelp detail showing pneumatocysts (air bladders).
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 03051  

Diver amid kelp forest.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 03157