Kelp Greenling Eggs - Blog Update and Video

Kelp Greenling Eggs (Hexagrammos decagrammus)

After weeks of observation, shooting Macro and Super Macro still photography, and HD video, I'm posting my final update to my project on Kelp Greenling Eggs (Hexagrammos decagrammus). I began observing up to eight separate egg masses on November 19, 2014. My final dive was on the evening of Monday, December 29, 2014. Early winter is the height of egg laying season for Kelp Greenlings because the water temp is cold enough - around 46 °F.  Each dive was about 15 to 20 minutes of observation time at an average depth of 80 FSW, The 14" male Kelp Greenling that was guarding the eggs was very protective and not happy that I was invading his space. He guarded his eggs with vigor.

I was shooting with my Canon 5D Mark III dSLR. For the Macro stills I used my Canon 100 mm f2.8L IS USM Macro lens. Early on I also utilized my Nauticam Super Macro Converter. Soon after I began attempting to shoot HD video with my SMC. This was very challenging since the focal length is incredibly short. Much of the early video was completely useless until I learned how to hold, focus and shoot with no movement at 80 feet under the water, sometimes in the dark. Finally I began to 'dial in' the process and was getting amazing footage of the larvae. In much of the video I was not only able to view the eyes, spine and tail, but was able to see the heart beating. Enjoy my most recent video. Pass on the link to friends. Like on FB and Twitter if you so desire.

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