Media Gallery: Photos A-Z

  • As we dive deeper into winter in the northern hemisphere, the possibility of snow becomes an increasingly frequent topic of conversation. But did you know that the ocean gets a regular dose of ‘marine snow’ year round? The flakes in the ocean are made up of poop from animals, decaying animals and and other types of organic matter that slowly make their way to the seafloor—if they aren’t eaten along the way!

    A Snowy Underwater Wonderland
    Dec 13 2012 - 11:02am
    As we dive deeper into winter in the northern hemisphere, the possibility of snow becomes an increasingly frequent topic of conversation. But did you know that the ocean gets a regular dose of ‘...
  • <p>This beautiful polychaete (bristly worm) called <em>Tomopteris carpenteri </em>was photographed by Census of Marine Life researchers in Antarctica's Southern Ocean.</p>

    A Striped Deep Sea Worm
    Apr 4 2013 - 12:38pm
    In Antarctica's Southern Ocean swims a beautiful polychaete (bristly worm) called Tomopteris carpenteri, which is adorned with alternating red and transparent bands. The largest species in its genus...
  • <p><span style="line-height: 20px;">This sea butterfly (pteropod),&nbsp;</span><em><strong><a href="http://eol.org/pages/464954/overview">Atlanta peronii</a></strong></em><span style="line-height: 20px;">, is&nbsp;</span><strong><a href="http://www.planktonchronicles.org/en/episode/pteropods-swimming-mollusks">completely transparent</a></strong><span style="line-height: 20px;">, so you can see its organs.</span></p>

    A Swimming Snail
    Sep 7 2012 - 4:00pm
    Sea butterflies (also called pteropods) are sea snails aptly named: they are shelled marine snails, each with a foot like a wing, that swim in the water column like butterflies. This one, Atlanta...
  • Since 1987, researchers have been tracking Phoenix.

    A Tale of a Right Whale
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
    Since 1987, researchers have been tracking the North Atlantic right whale named Phoenix. More about Phoenix can be found in the Tale of a Whale photo essay.
  • The turtle-headed sea snake can be found swimming around coral crevices in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

    A Turtle or a Sea Snake?
    Apr 29 2013 - 9:11am
    Like other sea snakes, the turtle-headed sea snake (Emydocephalus annulatus) has fangs and venom. But its venom is weak so, instead of defending with a bite, the species tends to react to danger by...
  • <p>A grey seal at Iceland's Surtsey Island, a World Heritage site. Surtsey is unique because it’s been protected since its formation in the 1960's, providing the world with a pristine natural laboratory.</p>

    A Unique World Heritage Site: Surtsey, Iceland
    Nov 4 2010 - 3:26pm
    The Surtsey site in Iceland was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2008. Surtsey is a new island, formed by volcanic eruptions that took place from 1963 to 1967. The site is unique, because it’s...

  • About Ocean Portal
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:45am
  • A red crown of thorns sea star.

    Acanthaster planci
    Oct 3 2012 - 9:24am
    Scientists have been studying why populations of crown-of-thorns sea stars (Acanthaster planci) have mushroomed in recent decades. Coral reefs can suffer when the sea star's numbers explode ...
  • Albatross Accidentally Caught on a Longline

    Accidental Catch
    Jul 3 2012 - 10:23am
    An albatross drowned after being accidentally caught on a longline near Brazil. Marine birds are among the species that can become bycatch. Watch a video about how scientists and fishermen are trying...
  • Whalers hunted right whales for baleen, which was used in a variety of commercial products such as umbrellas and whips.

    Ad for Whale Baleen Umbrellas
    Jan 26 2010 - 11:46am
    Whale baleen, the stiff bristly mouthparts that sieve small prey from the water, was strong yet flexible, and was used to provide structure in many human products, including umbrellas, corsets,...
  • “This primeval scene of an early morning squabble between this pair of penguins was amazing to witness. Under a moody sky, there seemed to be electricity in the air as they relentlessly fought back and forth for position and perhaps other reasons unknown to me. Lying on the snow waiting for them to approach, I was surprised to find them fighting nearly on top of me!” -- Nature's Best Photographer, Rod Strachan

    Adélie Penguins Face Off
    Apr 15 2013 - 10:25am
    These cute Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) are actually having a bit of a spat. In the spring (October for them), the penguins form breeding colonies on rocky coasts with thousands of birds in a...
  • Adélie Penguins, Paulet Island, Antarctica

    Adélie Penguins, Paulet Island, Antarctica
    Jun 28 2012 - 8:30am
    “As we motored around Paulet Island in a Zodiac boat, these two curious penguins waddled across an iceberg to get a closer look at us.” -- Nature's Best photographer, Phillip Colla. See more...