Golden Gorgonian and Kelp Forest, Muricea californica, #34214

Golden gorgonian on underwater rocky reef, amid kelp forest, Catalina Island. 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. California, USA, Muricea californica, natural history stock photograph, photo id 34214
Golden gorgonian on underwater rocky reef, amid kelp forest, Catalina Island. 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. California, USA

Species: California golden gorgonian, Muricea californica
Location: Catalina Island, California
Image ID: 34214
Format: Digital 3:2
Keywords: algae, animal, animalia, california, california golden gorgonian, catalina, catalina island, coral, environment, gorgonian, habitat, island, kelp forest, marine, marine invertebrate, marine plant, muricea californica, nature, ocean, oceans, offshore, outdoors, outside, pacific, pacific ocean, plant, scene, scenery, scenic, sea, sea fan, soft coral, submarine, underwater, usa
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