Island photos

San Clemente Island Pyramid Head, the distinctive pyramid shaped southern end of the island. San Clemente Island Pyramid Head, showing geologic terracing, underwater reefs and giant kelp forests.
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 26003  

Parasitic zoanthid anemones cover, encrust and overwhelm a golden gorgonian. The gorgonian on the left has been completely parasitized by zoanthid anemones, while the gorgonian to the right remains free of zoanthids (for now). A garibaldi swims below the two sea fans. The golden gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Each individual polyp is a distinct animal, together they secrete calcium that forms the structure of the colony. Gorgonians are oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by.
Species: California golden gorgonian, Luminescent parazoanthid, Zoanthid anemone, Giant kelp, Muricea californica, Parazoanthus lucificum, Savalia lucifica, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 38493  

The Kelp Forest and Rocky Reef of San Clemente Island. 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 throughout California's Southern Channel Islands.
Species: Giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 38494  

Red gorgonian on rocky reef, below kelp forest, underwater. The red gorgonian is a filter-feeding temperate colonial species that lives on the rocky bottom at depths between 50 to 200 feet deep. Gorgonians are typically oriented at right angles to prevailing water currents to capture plankton drifting by.
Species: Red gorgonian, Leptogorgia chilensis, Lophogorgia chilensis
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 38496  

San Clemente Island aerial photo, Pyramid Head and Balanced Rock (China Hat) at the southern end of the island. San Clemente Island Pyramid Head, the distinctive pyramid shaped southern end of the island, exhibits distinctive geologic terracing, underwater reefs and giant kelp forests.
Location: San Clemente Island, California
Image ID: 38483  

Aerial photo of the West End of Catalina Island.
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 25978  

San Benedicto Island and Barcena crater, aerial photo, Revillagigedos Islands, Mexico.
Location: San Benedicto Island (Islas Revillagigedos), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 32914  
Panorama dimensions: 4703 x 8937

Isla San Francisquito, Aerial Photo, Sea of of Cortez.
Location: Isla San Francisquito, Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 32441  

Aerial View of Namena Island, Fiji.
Location: Namena Marine Reserve, Namena Island, Fiji
Image ID: 34685  

Middle Coronado Island, viewed from the south.
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 21322  

North Coronado Island, Mexico, northern point looking south with Middle and South Islands in the distance, aerial photograph.
Location: Coronado Islands (Islas Coronado), Baja California, Mexico
Image ID: 29052  

Aerial panorama of Clipperton Island, showing the entire atoll. Clipperton Island, a minor territory of France also known as Ile de la Passion, is a small (2.3 sq mi) but spectacular coral atoll in the eastern Pacific. By permit HC / 1485 / CAB (France).
Location: Clipperton Island, France
Image ID: 32835  
Panorama dimensions: 5523 x 9328

Webster Point, Santa Barbara Island, aerial photograph.
Location: Santa Barbara Island, California
Image ID: 29365  

Point Bennett, San Miguel Island, aerial photograph.
Location: San Miguel Island, California
Image ID: 29381  

Aerial View of Vatu-i-Ra Coral Seascape, Fiji.
Location: Vatu I Ra Passage, Gau Island, Lomaiviti Archipelago, Fiji
Image ID: 34688  

Darwin's Arch, a dramatic 50-foot tall natural lava arch, rises above the ocean a short distance offshore of Darwin Island. On June 10, 2021, Darwin's Arch broke and fell into the ocean, leaving behind two partial pillars.
Location: Darwin Island, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Image ID: 16621  

Rose Islet.
Location: Rose Atoll National Wildlife Sanctuary, American Samoa
Image ID: 00839