Gregory Rothman

The water is deep but these guys come up at night. it’s somewhere between the surface and about 70ft/21m that I photographed. From memory, the sea floor was 300 m

A small sea slug called Goniobranchus geometricus crawls slowly across a sandy seafloor. The animal is about the size of a thumb and shaped like a soft oval with a wide skirt around its body. Its surface is deep violet-purple and covered with many rounded white bumps, giving it a texture similar to a tiny cluster of pearls or a soft pinecone. The outer edge of the body forms a ruffled white rim that looks like a delicate border around the slug. Rising from the front are two tall sensory organs called rhinophores. They are pale at the base but fade to bright green at the tips, resembling small green antennae. Just behind them is a feathery cluster of gills, also tinted green, standing upright like a tiny underwater plant. The nudibranch sits on coarse brown sand scattered with bits of rock and algae. The background fades into soft blue and gray tones, suggesting deeper water and making the slug’s vivid colors stand out sharply against the muted seafloor. Interesting facts: Toxic warning colors: The bright purple, white, and green coloration warns predators that the slug is chemically defended. Stolen defenses: It feeds mainly on sea squirts (tunicates) and can store their defensive chemicals in its own tissues. Shell-less mollusk: Although related to snails, nudibranchs lose their shells as adults. Sensitive “antennae”: The green rhinophores detect chemicals in the water, helping the animal find food and mates. Simultaneous hermaphrodite: Each individual has both male and female reproductive organs, allowing two slugs to fertilize each other when they mate. Despite its striking appearance, this species usually moves slowly and quietly across tropical Indo-Pacific reefs, where it blends surprisingly well among sponges and tunicates it feeds on.

#GoniobranchusGeometricus
Such a long name for such a diminutive critter.
#EastCoastKin #ColorADay #GreenSat #Scuba #OceanLife #PhotographersUnited #NikonZ8

Johnson is such a sack. “The President said blah blah blah. So it must be true.” You know what I heard? Melania said this about Speaker Johnson, so must be true: “Johnson’s breathe smells like Donald’s johnson.”

Wow. Great image!!!

A bright full moon hangs in the sky above a rugged Antarctic mountain landscape at twilight. The sky forms a smooth gradient of color: deep bluish-purple near the horizon gradually blending into soft pink and lavender higher up. Centered in the upper middle of the scene, the moon appears large and warm-toned—glowing golden-yellow against the cool-colored sky. Its round shape is crisp and clearly defined. Below the moon, jagged Antarctic mountains fill the lower half of the image. On the right side, a steep, dark rocky peak rises sharply upward. Snow clings to the mountain’s slopes in long, irregular white streaks that follow gullies and ridges, emphasizing the mountain’s rough texture. The rock itself appears almost black in the dim light, creating strong contrast with the snow. Toward the left side, a lower, smoother snow-covered ridge slopes gently upward. Unlike the sharp peak on the right, this ridge looks rounded and blanketed in soft white snow. The scene feels very still and cold. There are no people, animals, or signs of life—only the quiet glow of the moon rising over stark Antarctic mountains. The pastel sky colors suggest the moment just after sunset or just before sunrise, when the moon appears especially bright. In the lower-left corner, small yellow text reads: “© Gregory Rothman 2015.”

This is an old image - 2015. Taken in Antarctica.
#EastCoastKin #Antarctica #photographersunited #Scape #ArtYear #landscape

Thanks Rob.

Great image!!! Thanks for sharing!

A small drama unfolds in midair between two hummingbirds in a lush green forest in Dominica. The birds hover among thin tree branches, suspended against a softly blurred background of tropical vegetation. On the right side of the image is a brightly colored hummingbird with shimmering metallic green feathers and a small black crest on its head. Its wings are extended in a rapid blur as it hovers, body angled slightly upward. This is an Antillean Crested Hummingbird, a tiny but assertive species known for defending feeding areas. To the left is a paler hummingbird, grayish-white underneath with darker wings. It faces the crested bird and appears to be backing away or changing direction mid-flight. Its wings are spread wide and its tail feathers are fanned as it brakes in the air. A slender branch cuts diagonally across the scene, and both birds hover just below it. The spacing between them suggests a brief aerial standoff. The behavior captured here is most likely territorial chasing. Hummingbirds fiercely defend nectar sources such as flowering trees or feeders. The crested hummingbird on the right appears to be confronting or driving away the other bird, which may have entered its feeding territory. Rather than physical contact, hummingbird conflicts usually involve rapid aerial maneuvers, hovering face-to-face, and short pursuit flights meant to intimidate the intruder. Credit: ©Gregory Rothman 2026 The moment frozen in this photograph shows that instant of confrontation—two birds suspended in place, wings beating dozens of times per second, deciding whether the encounter will escalate into a chase or end with one bird retreating.

@robcrank68.bsky.social ‘s #BirdOfTheDay is #MixedPairs. Taken in January in #Dominica, I believe that is what I have in this Image of #HummingBirds

-Right: #AntilleanCrested
-Left: #BlueHeaded

#EastCoastKin #Birds #Wildlife #PhotographersUnited #Foto #NikonZ8

Ha!!!

Two large birds of prey perch on a thick, slanted tree branch against a softly blurred green background. They have black backs and wings, creamy white necks and chests patterned with dark horizontal streaks, and bold yellow-orange skin on their faces. Their hooked beaks are pale bluish-gray with darker tips. Both birds stand tall on long, sturdy yellow legs with sharp talons gripping the branch. One bird faces slightly left, looking upward with an alert posture. The other stands higher on the branch, turned toward its companion with its beak slightly open, as if calling. At their feet, a small piece of prey rests on the bark, hinting at a recent meal. The overall impression is of two vigilant, confident raptors surveying their surroundings. About Crested Caracaras: Crested Caracaras are falcons, but they behave more like vultures in some ways. Unlike most falcons that hunt fast-moving prey in flight, caracaras often walk on the ground to forage. They are opportunistic feeders, eating carrion, small animals, reptiles, insects, and even scraps from human activity. Their long legs make them unusually terrestrial for a bird of prey, allowing them to stride across open fields and grasslands. They are highly intelligent and have been observed manipulating objects and working together in pairs or small groups. In flight, they show broad wings and a white neck contrasted against dark body plumage, making them distinctive. They are found in the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, and much of South America, favoring open country, ranchlands, and wetlands. Crested Caracaras combine the bold presence of a raptor with the adaptable habits of a scavenger, making them one of the most versatile birds of prey in the Americas.

@robcrank68.bsky.social ‘s #BirdOfTheDay is #PerfectLighting. A couple of #CrestedCaracara’s here seen perched and critiquing one another’s plumage.
Taken in Texas at the #SantaClaraRanch.
#eastCoastKin #Birds #Raptors #PhotographersUnited

A translucent, saucer-like marine animal floats against a deep black background. Its body looks almost like clear glass, with many fine lines radiating from the center to the edge, forming a delicate circular pattern. Resting on the upper surface of the bell is a tiny octopus — the male argonaut — pale and lightly speckled, appearing small compared with the jelly. Several small yellowish particles drift around the animal, and faint bluish highlights trace the jelly’s thin rim, giving the scene a soft, luminous quality. Photo Credit: ©Gregory Rothman 2025

In keeping with yesterday’s Blackwater theme: a male #argonaut, named Major Tom, rides on top of the bell of a crystal jellyfish,
#MacroMonday #EastCoastKin #Anilao #ArtYear #Oceanlife #Scuba #UWPhotography

I repeat my earlier comment. I think I’m…blushing.

A small octopus, Wunderpus Photogenicus, floats alone in deep, dark water that looks completely black, as if it's suspended in space. Its body is delicate and semi-transparent, glowing softly in cool bluish tones under a focused light. The octopus' head and eyes face toward the right side of the image. Behind the head, its mantle-the rounded main body—appears expanded like a clear, jelly-like dome with a brighter, milky shape visible inside. Eight thin arms spread outward and downward in graceful curves. Some arms curl into loose spirals, while two extend much longer than the others, trailing like fine ribbons. Along the arms are tiny pale suckers and scattered rust-colored speckles. There is no visible seafloor or background detail—only the octopus illuminated against darkness—giving the scene a weightless, quiet feeling, as the animal is drifting gently in open ocean at night.

Okay, I know that recently I posted a shot of a juvenile #WunderpusPhotogenicus for #Stunday, but this image is so different in pose and well, …How could I not?
#EastCoastKin #macro #underwaterphotography #blackwater #anilao #CrystalBlueReaort #oceanlife #octopus

“…of a juvenile…” I stink at editing my words. Dyslexia blame I

I don’t know how to respond to this. I am truly humbled. Thank you.

On a calm, gray body of water, an adult male Hooded Merganser duck floats in the foreground, facing slightly left. His plumage is crisp and high-contrast: a glossy black head with a bold white oval “hood” patch on the side, a bright golden eye, a clean white chest, and warm chestnut-brown sides. A thin, pointed black bill extends forward just above the water’s surface. Soft ripples spread outward from his body, creating gentle rings that distort his reflection. Behind him, farther away and out of focus, a second duck—likely a female Hooded Merganser—appears smaller and browner, with a subtle crest shape. The background water is smooth and muted, giving the scene a quiet, subdued atmosphere, as if on an overcast day. Overall, the image conveys a peaceful moment of two Hooded Mergansers resting on still water, with the sharply detailed male standing out against a softly blurred backdrop. Photo Credit: Gregory Rothman 2026 Info about Hooded Mergansers 1. Their “hood” is adjustable The male’s white crest is made of specialized feathers he can raise into a dramatic circular fan during courtship displays or flatten when relaxed. 2. Expert underwater hunters They are diving ducks that pursue prey visually, mainly eating small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. Their eyes can rapidly adjust focus underwater. 3. Built-in fish grips Like other mergansers, their bills have fine serrations along the edges—often described as “saw-toothed”—that help hold slippery prey. 4. Cavity nesters Unlike most ducks, they nest in tree cavities (often old woodpecker holes) and readily use nest boxes near wooded wetlands. 5. Early leap of faith Hooded merganser ducklings jump from the nest cavity—sometimes 10–15 meters (30–50 ft) above ground—within a day of hatching, bouncing safely due to their light weight and down. 6. One of the smallest mergansers At roughly 40–49 cm (16–19 in) long, they’re the smallest species in the merganser group and are native to North America.

An adult male Hooded Merganser duck is centered on a calm, gray lake, captured mid-motion as he rises partly upright from the water. His body is vertical, with his chest lifted clear of the surface while his tail and lower body remain submerged. Its wings are extended outward in a broad arc, showing layered feathers in shades of brown, gray, and black, like a partially opened fan. His head is turned slightly to the right, displaying the species’ distinctive pattern: a glossy black head with a large, bright white crest patch and a vivid yellow eye. The slim black bill points forward. Small splashes and droplets surround his body where the water breaks, and faint ripples spread outward from the movement. The background is softly blurred water with muted tones, emphasizing the duck’s striking black-and-white head and the dynamic wing stretch. The moment feels brief and energetic, as if the Hooded Merganser has just popped up to stretch before settling back down.

Today's #BirdOfTheDay theme is #BestOfTheMonth
A Pair of #HoodedMergansers are mergansering about. I was lazy this month. Low on posts and images. My apologies.
#EastCoastKin #PhotographerUnited #SwimmingDucks #urbanWildlife #NorthPond

Gorgeous!

Beautiful!

In 2016, Obama addressed the media at his final press conference as president. His approach was quite different from the one Trump has taken toward reporters... #Obama #Trump #FreedomOfPress #Media TikTok video by Brut.

www.tiktok.com/t/ZThbcedMv/

A large eagle is flying very low over choppy blue ocean water, wings stretched wide and slightly arched. Its body is mostly dark brown, but the shoulders and parts of the wings are bright white, creating a bold contrast. The bird’s head is dark with a massive, thick, golden-yellow beak that stands out clearly. One talon is extended downward as if preparing to grab prey from the surface. The scene feels cold and windswept, consistent with a northern winter coastline. Identification This is a Steller’s sea eagle (Haliaeetus pelagicus), a species strongly associated with winter in Hokkaido. Key field marks visible here are the very large yellow bill, white shoulder patches, and overall bulky build. During winter in Hokkaido, Steller’s sea eagles gather along coasts and rivers, often near sea ice, where fish are concentrated. Feeding strategy: They frequently snatch fish from the water surface (as this bird appears poised to do) but also scavenge carrion and will pirate prey from other birds. Dominance hierarchy: They are behaviorally dominant over the similar white-tailed eagle; disputes over food can involve dramatic aerial grappling. Partial migration: Many individuals breed in far eastern Russia and migrate south to Japan for the winter, returning north in spring.

StellarsEagle
#BirdOfTheDay sporting #OneLeg swoops down for a bite.
#EastCoastKin #Birds #OceanLife #PhotographersUnited #HaliaeetusPelagicus

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo wins sixth gold, most ever in a single Winter Olympics Klaebo became the winningest athlete at a single Winter Olympics, sweeping the men's cross-country golds in Italy.

From @theathletic.com: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo of Norway on Saturday won his sixth gold medal, the most by any athlete at a single Winter Olympic Games.

Accessible description (refined with context): A sharply focused macro image shows a small, leaf-green insect perched on the disk of a bright yellow daisy. Its body is slim and slightly translucent, with very long antennae extending forward like fine wires. The hind legs angle upward in a poised stance. A tiny droplet hangs beneath its mouth, glistening. The flower fills most of the frame, while the background fades to deep shadow, making the insect stand out vividly. Photo Credit: ©Gregory Rothman 2025 A bush katydid nymph, genus Scudderia, most plausibly the Common Bush Katydid. Seasonality: Scudderia nymphs are abundant in the Midwest in mid-summer (June–August). Morphology: Slender body, extremely long antennae, and undeveloped wing pads match early–mid instar bush katydids. Habitat behavior: They frequently rest on flowers and foliage, including garden composites like daisies.

A #Katydid nymph- not to be confused with a grasshopper. They make noise and hear from completely different parts of their body. Who knew? Katy did, Obviously!Oye.
#GreenSat #EastCoastKin #PhotographersOfBlueSky #Insect #BadPun

Lovely

Wow!!!

What a beautiful animal!

Thank you.

I feel the same way! I love to watch them.

Thank you.

A shearwater seabird is flying extremely low over the ocean, just off the coast of Rhode Island. Its long, narrow wings are fully outstretched, nearly touching the water on either side, giving it a gliding, skimming posture typical of these birds. The underside of the body is bright white, while the wings and back are darker gray-brown, creating a strong contrast. Its feet are briefly contacting the surface, kicking up small splashes and a short trail of ripples, as if it’s pushing off the water to gain lift. The entire background is open sea — gently rolling, deep blue waves with soft highlights — and there are no boats, land, or sky visible, making the bird the sole focal point in a wide, calm marine scene. Photo Credit:©Gregory Rothman 2015 Shearwater Info: Energy-efficient flight: They use dynamic soaring, gliding along wave slopes to harvest wind energy, allowing long travel with minimal flapping. Ocean wanderers: Many species forage hundreds of kilometers from breeding colonies and can stay at sea for months outside breeding season. Flexible feeding: They catch prey by surface seizing, shallow diving, or scavenging, often gathering where fish are driven up by tuna, whales, or dolphins. Strong sense of smell: Shearwaters can locate food by detecting ocean scents linked to plankton and fish activity — unusual among birds. Nocturnal colonies: To avoid predators, they typically return to nesting sites only at night, creating loud calling choruses. Burrow nesters: Pairs raise a single chick in underground burrows and often reuse the same site for many years. Epic migrations: Some species travel tens of thousands of kilometers annually, following ocean productivity in large looping routes.

A #shearwater skipping. Just off the coast of #RhodeIsland.

#birdoftheday #wingsoverwater #Eastcoastkin #PhotographersofBluesky #flyday #birds #oceanlife

#yellowThurs
#colorADay #EastCoastKin #Chicago