San Clemente Island

California San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

San Clemente Island Underwater: a Symphony of Sea Fans, or, Gonzo for Gorgonians

San Clemente Island is one of my favorite places to dive. Maybe my favorite. I have almost certainly logged more time on a scuba tank here than anywhere else, hundreds of hours. And almost all of those dives have been made jumping off the deck of the M/V Horizon and…

Phil CollaOctober 22, 2022

Catalina San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

Kelp Forest Redux – San Clemente and Catalina Islands, and My Circular Fisheye

"Redux" is a bit of an overstatement, since Southern California's giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera), which has not looked good in recent years, is certainly not recovered. Spotty, stands of kelp here and there, but much of the vast, magnificent underwater forests at San Clemente Island and Catalina have been in…

Phil CollaJanuary 8, 2022

California San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

San Clemente Island’s Kelp Forests

This is the second in my "Southern California Bight Sampler (Post-Covid?)" series: Coronado Islands Refresher San Clemente Island's Kelp Forests Catalina Island's West End Farnsworth Banks San Diego Wrecks Coronado Islands - Sea Lions in Fall JTNDaHIlMjAlMkYlM0U=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San Clemente Island, and in particular the southern end of the island, is where…

Phil CollaJune 1, 2021

Aerial Photography California San Clemente Island

The Disappearing Kelp Forests of San Clemente Island

I was recently diving at San Clemente Island. The profound lack of giant kelp forests was a striking contrast to what I am used to seeing over 25 years of diving at the island. Under ideal conditions, giant kelp can grow about 2' per day (the fastest growing plant on…

Phil CollaMay 30, 2015

California San Clemente Island Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Giant Kelpfish, Master of Camouflage

One of my favorite California fishes is the giant kelpfish (Heterostichus rostratus). Giant kelpfish are camouflage masters, blending into the brown and green kelp blades perfectly. Many times I have found myself hovering over a clump of kelp for a few minutes, not aware of a giant kelpfish only a…

Phil CollaApril 14, 2011

Aerial Photography California San Clemente Island

San Clemente Island Aerial Photograph

Aerial photograph of San Clemente Island, California 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 Image ID: 26003 Location: San Clemente Island, California, USA San Clemente Island is where I…

Phil CollaSeptember 30, 2010

Marine Life San Clemente Island Sharks

Leopard Shark Photos, Triakis semifasciata

Stock photographs of leopard sharks, Triakis semifasciata. I've been diving in the kelp forest for about 20 years, yet have never been able to get a decent photo of a leopard shark (Triakis semifasciata) in the wild. I've seen them many times, but never had a good opportunity for a…

Phil CollaJune 3, 2010

California San Clemente Island Underwater Life Underwater Photography

Sea Fans and Gorgonians at San Clemente Island

Photos of gorgonians and sea fans at San Clemente Island. I spent three days diving at one of my favorite spots on Earth: San Clemente Island. The island, about 60 miles offshore of southern California, is home to some of the world's most beautiful kelp forests. Swimming through these kelp…

Phil CollaJune 2, 2010

Marine Life San Clemente Island

Red Gorgonian, Lophogorgia chilensis

The Red gorgonian (Lophogorgia chilensis) is my favorite species of sea fan. I got some nice shots of red gorgonians at San Clemente Island a few weeks ago. Like the golden gorgonion alongside which it is commonly found, the elegant red gorgonian is a colonial invertebrate that grows on rocky…

Phil CollaNovember 30, 2009

California San Clemente Island

Back in the Saddle

After a hiatus of almost four years away from the SCUBA gear, I decided to take a 3-day dive trip on my favorite vessel, the dive boat Horizon out of San Diego, for some diving at Catalina Island, Santa Barbara Island, and San Clemente Island. I got my regulator serviced…

Phil CollaNovember 27, 2009

California Ocean Realm San Clemente Island

Kelp Forest Reminiscing

Kelp forest underwater photography. This story was originally published as a pictorial in Ocean Realm Magazine in the Spring 2001 issue, the last of a series of articles I contributed to Ocean Realm in the '90s. This blog post is now available as a downloadable PDF article. My…

Phil CollaNovember 7, 2009

Abstract San Clemente Island

Surf Grass and Underwater Motion, Abstract Photo

Today's abstract photo was photographed at San Clemente Island. Early one overcast, dark morning at the south end of the island, I found myself drifting along the reef about 30' deep, over a huge expanse of surf grass. Given the dim light the exposures were long and blurry, so I…

Phil CollaApril 28, 2009

California San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

Photo of a Giant Kelp Forest with Clean Blue Water

I used to do an awful lot of diving at San Clemente Island, primarily to spend my time hovering in the middle of the water column amidst a thick forest of kelp. San Clemente Island combines the most magnificent kelp forests (Macrocystis pyrifera) in the world with pretty clean water.…

Phil CollaDecember 15, 2007

California San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

Photo of Macrocystis Kelp Fronds

These kelp fronds are at the tip of a stalk of giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) which is anchored to the ocean bottom and grows up toward the ocean surface. New growth such as this occurs at the tip of the stalk. Gas filled pneumatocysts provide bouyancy to the kelp plant,…

Phil CollaDecember 12, 2007

California San Clemente Island Underwater Photography

Photo of an Underwater Photographer in a Kelp Forest

Here is a snap of my good friend Mike Johnson swimming through a forest of kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) at San Clemente Island. Most underwater photographers like to spend their time diving alone, pursuing their own particular subjects and angles and not wanting to be bothered with keeping track of a…

Phil CollaDecember 10, 2007

California Natural World San Clemente Island Stories Underwater Life

The Kelp Forest :: Part V

When the goal is simply to swim in and admire a kelp forest, nothing beats the (relatively) warm clear waters of Southern California's San Clemente Island in late summer. On a good day the panorama at San Clemente is stunning: kelp in all directions reaching from seafloor to surface, summer…

Phil CollaJune 12, 2005

California Natural World San Clemente Island Stories Underwater Life

The Kelp Forest :: Part III

Central and Northern California kelp forests are bathed by cold, nutrient-laden currents. The waters here are generally not clear but are rich with animal life. Invertebrate displays on the rocks below the kelp forest are some of the most profuse and interesting in the world and it is common to…

Phil CollaJune 10, 2005

California Natural World San Clemente Island Stories Underwater Life

The Kelp Forest :: Part II

It is my spirited opinion, one that I enjoy defending over a beer after a long day on the water, that diving amidst giant kelp is the most magnificent diving in the world. I am fortunate enough to have had some amazing experiences underwater -- watching swarms of hammerheads soar…

Phil CollaJune 9, 2005

California Natural World San Clemente Island Stories Underwater Life

The Kelp Forest :: Part I

My first experience with seaweed was as a kid combing the shores of Newport Beach where I grew up. After storms my brother and I would find clumps of the brown stuff pushed up the beach. We would pick through them to pop the small bubbles attached to the leaves.…

Phil CollaJune 8, 2005

San Clemente Island Underwater Life

Seagrass in Motion

One morning while diving at San Clemente Island I was struck by the lackluster light. It was cloudy and dark and I had yet to find any exciting subjects to shoot. I was spacing out in the shallows watching the kelp fishes meander among the weeds when I started fiddling…

Phil CollaJune 2, 2005

California San Clemente Island Underwater Life

Kelp Fronds and Pneumatocysts

Giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) is the fastest growing plant in the world. It clings to the ocean floor and grows upward toward the surface, buoyed up by gas-filled pneumatocysts. Growth occurs at the tips of the plant -- the fronds -- which resemble leaves of a terrestrial plant. Kelp frond…

Phil CollaFebruary 28, 2005

California San Clemente Island Underwater Life

Kelp Forest, San Clemente Island

Seen here is the upper 20' of a giant kelp forest. The kelp grows from the ocean floor, 30-100' below, all the way to the surface where it continues growing, spreading out to form a canopy. This species of kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, is the world's fastest growing plant (if you…

Phil CollaFebruary 7, 2005

San Clemente Island Underwater: a Symphony of Sea Fans, or, Gonzo for Gorgonians

Kelp Forest Redux – San Clemente and Catalina Islands, and My Circular Fisheye

San Clemente Island’s Kelp Forests

The Disappearing Kelp Forests of San Clemente Island

Giant Kelpfish, Master of Camouflage

San Clemente Island Aerial Photograph

Leopard Shark Photos, Triakis semifasciata

Sea Fans and Gorgonians at San Clemente Island

Red Gorgonian, Lophogorgia chilensis

Back in the Saddle

Kelp Forest Reminiscing

Surf Grass and Underwater Motion, Abstract Photo

Photo of a Giant Kelp Forest with Clean Blue Water

Photo of Macrocystis Kelp Fronds

Photo of an Underwater Photographer in a Kelp Forest

The Kelp Forest :: Part V

The Kelp Forest :: Part III

The Kelp Forest :: Part II

The Kelp Forest :: Part I

Seagrass in Motion

Kelp Fronds and Pneumatocysts

Kelp Forest, San Clemente Island

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