Wednesday 8 August 2007

Our little friend, The Leafy Sea Dragon


The Leafy Sea Dragon (Phycodurus Eques), is the official marine emblem of South Australia and is native to our temperate waters.
They grow to about 45 cms. and are not preyed upon by species other than humans.
They have become endangered through pollution, and fascinated divers who are entranced by their unique appearance, and have been officially protected by the Australian government.
This little sea dragon was just waiting to be photographed and then left alone in the waters off Wool Bay, on Yorke Peninsula before attending the biennial “Leafy Sea Dragon Festival” which will attract over 7000 participants and visitors on the southern Fleurieu Peninsula.

Why not Click on him and get a better view?

22 comments:

M. CHRISTOPHE said...

Hello M. BENAUT

Nice idea you today's picture, it's a very nice shot because it's difficult to keep red colors under the water.
It's need a comment from you.
How did you take it ? Do you have a submarine camera ?
Is this animal a kind of hypocampe ?

Michael Salone said...

This has to be one of my favourites M. Benaut! I remember seeing these for the first time in an aquarium in Melborne? Singapore? (don't remember), but in your neck of the woods.

I am an ocean lover as you know, so seeing one of these for real was awesome.

As for the Leafy Sea Dragon Festival, I hope he doesn't party too much and end up regretting it in the morning!

Anonymous said...

M.B is at work but I'm here! So glad that you like him, he is so flamboyant isn't he? This photo came courtesy of a friend who is a diver. Like Sea Horses, this little chap will care for the youngsters until they hatch. 18 inches at maturity is quite big; most sea horses are much tinier.

Steve Cuddihy said...

what on earth is that?!

Very interesting, leafy....yes, at sea....yes, dragon....it fits the description....I've never seen one of these before.

Nice photograph

calusarus said...

Delicate colors, for a fascinating animal. And an interesting story.

travelphilippines said...

that is sooo interesting. now i belived dragons really exist.

Marie said...

C'est fantastique. It can hide in the weeds.... Wonderful photo. Thank you Mme Benaut. I don't know what this little animal is called in French.

M.Benaut said...

Marie,
En français, ils s'appellent simplement, Phycodurus.

Peut-être, c'est parce que vous n'avez aucune d'elles en France. Ils sont indigènes à la côte du sud de l'Australie.

You must visit us here in Adelaide. One more reason !

dive said...

Wow! What a breathtakingly beautiful and totally odd creature, MB.

M.Benaut said...

Laurent,
The Hippocampus is in the same family as the Phycodurus. It occurs in your part of the world but they do not swim as far as Valence. Even if they did, you would have a hard job to see them in the river !!!

Michael, I reckon he will have "une gueule de bois".
Slinger, you now know where to come.
Travelphil. Yep we have dragons, but not the correct Chinese type. They come only at Chinese New Year.

M. Dive, What can I say but "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" old son, you old dragon, you. I hope you have a RIPPER day and the birthday fairie grants your every wish. You just have to tell us what you wished for. When you arrive, you can have your gift and Mme. will dress as the B D Fairie, (unless you prefer that I do !!!! )

dive said...

Hee hee. MB.
I wished that my early posts would suddenly appear funny and entertaining, but some wishes are just never going to come true.
Hey ho.

Kate said...

Oh, thank you for this photo. Some new, unusual and beautiful for me to view.

Unknown said...

Hmmm this is something new.
I know there's sea horses, but never knew there's such a thing as a sea dragon.

It's cute isn't it?

Susan said...

Great picture! I just saw one of these guys for the first time at our aquarium - how lucky you get to see them in the wild!

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

Eeuuuw looks scary to me but pretty, pretty colours!

Thanks, Mme, i'm ok. Huge disappointment but glad i recognised it now.

Anonymous said...

Gosh, what a fascinating creature. Wonderful photo, I love it.

Jules said...

M benaut - were you out in your little yellow submarine again??

I'm off diving this afternoon so I will look out for your friend.

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