Steve Maxson
03-12-2009, 07:38 PM
From a distance, this looked like a beat up old whelk shell washed up on the beach. Up close, well, it is still a beat up old whelk shell, but it has also, over time, become a small ecosystem. The main cavity of the shell is occupied by a Giant Red Hermit Crab. I see at least 4 other small crabs clinging to the inside of the shell. There is a clump of whitish slipper shells (I think) just to the left of the hermit crab's legs. There appear to be a couple species of acorn barnacles attached all over the whelk shell's exposed surfaces and the numerous small holes in the shell are made by boring sponges. Maybe you can spot even more critters. :) 20D, 90mm tilt/shift, 1/30, f/16, ISO 200. Comments are welcome.