Informing and inspiring everyone about California’s underwater world
No bone of contention for whale worms
Whale bone is colonized by bone-devouring worms. Courtesy MBARI
“Worms devour whale bones!” Sounds like a National Inquirer headline but I rib you not; this story is legitimate and yet another example of truth trumping invention. Read on for the body of evidence. . . When whales came to be, around 42 million...
U.S.–Japan space out for watery mission
As the world turns, the NASA–JAXA core research satellite will be launched as part of the Global Precipitation Mission, orbiting Earth along with other internationally launched satellites to provide global rain and snow data at three-hour intervals. Courtesy NASA
When I entered NASA’s “Let it Snow” international photo competition, I didn’t expect to win. I only entered because it was on one of the required reading websites for my climate studies course. My entry was a photo of drifts of snowlike seafoam...
Drysuits: Outer wear for inner space astronauts
Drysuits collectively sport an exhaust valve located on the upper arm to release air, an inlet valve on the chest (a separate hose attachment connects the valve to the scuba tank) to input air, latex neck and wrist seals, and a cross-body zipper for entry and exit. ©2013 Judith Lea Garfield
Trekking through outer space may not be an option for most, but inner space travel is doable for those with a diver certification card and access to a body of water. For either realm, dressing for success is not so different in that NASA’s space...
Mysterious variation on snail theme
Is this variation of a young chestnut cowry something never seen before? The fleshy mantle not only lacks an orangey tint but is “spotless” (note that the white comma-shape belongs to a tube-building worm). Otherwise, the shell pattern is typical for a juvenile N. spadicea. ©2013 Judith Lea Garfield
Explorers take note: We know less than five percent of what lives in the ocean, so if you want to discover something new, that’s the place to go for the highest rate of return on your adventure investment. Recently, I scored some payback by...
My Mission

To share my knowledge with readers through photographic documentation and writing that blends personal experience, humor, and current science research.

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