Underwater Photo Location: Scoglio della Formica, Casteldaccia, Sicily-Italy

by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina Affinis photographed with Canon lens 60 mm

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by Antonio Venturelli
Nudibranch ( Cratena Peregrina) in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo taken with 60 mm macro lens. (60 mm,1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Nudibranch(Flabellina Affinis) (60 mm ,1/200,f/11,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
nudibranch macro with lens60 mm

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by Antonio Venturelli
Dardanus Arrosor in Mediterranean Sea, photographed with Canon macro lens 60 mm, t/200, f/22, ISO 200.

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by Antonio Venturelli
Nudibranch of Mediterranean Sea, Canon lens 60 mm, f/11,t/200,ISO 200

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean orange madreporas (Canon wide angle 14mm,1/200,f/9,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean scorpion fish (Canon wide angle 14mm,1/160,f/6.3,iso320)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Stella Gorgone ( Astropartus Mediterraneus) ( Canon wide angle 14 mm,1/125, f/8,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Paguroidea-Hermit Crab close up detail (Canon 60 mm , 1/200, f/18, iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Gorgon Star ( Astrospartus mediterraneus) close up. (Canon macro 60 mm,1/200,f/16,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Parablennius rouxi ( Bavosa bianca) close up. ( Canon macro 60 mm, 1/200,f/14,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Black faced blenny ( Tripterygion delaisi) (Canon macro 60 mm,1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina affinis nudibranch (Canon macro 60 mm,1/200,f/20,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Couple of Hervia nudibranchs_Cratena peregrina (Canon macro 60 mm,1/200,f/22,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Colorful nudibranch Flabellina (Canon macro 60mm, 1/200,f/22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena Peregrina nudibranch (Canon macro 60 mm,1/200,f/25,iso 400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina violet nudibranch (Canon macro60mm,1/200,f/20,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A mediterranean moray opens its mouth wide to breathe and shows its pointed teeth_2021 (Canon 60mm,t1/160,f/6.3,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Trypterigion Tripteronotus_2021 (Canon60mm,t1/200,f/25,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch_2021 (Canon60mm,t1/200,f/22,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A tip to see it up close: breathe slowly and admire it with respect_Mediterranean moray_2021 (Canon 60mm,t1/125,f/7.1,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
An August afternoon diving at "La Formica " , a great dive site near Casteldaccia, Sicily. The particular light brings out the beauty of this Cratena nudi. (Canon 60mm,t1/200,f/25,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch_2021 (Canon60mm,t1/200,f/25,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Colorful look of Mediterranean nudi_La Formica dive site_2021 (Canon60mm,t1/200,f/25,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Close focus of a friendly moray in the Mediterranean Sea_Casteldaccia_Sicily_2021 (Canon 60mm,t1/160,f/6.3,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cerithium vulgatum occupied by hermit crab_2021 (Canon60mm, t1/200,f/14,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratenas always enchant me for the beauty of their colors_Casteldaccia_Sicily_2021 (Canon 60mm,t1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena_2021 (Canon100mm,t1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean Cratena portrait_its intense colors always look great against black_I love to photograph them_Sicily_2021 (Canon100mm, t1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina laying egg _2021 (Canon 100mm,t1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Elysia timida_2021 (Canon100mm,t1/200,f/20,iso125)

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by Antonio Venturelli
close -up of the lateral extensions,similar to wings,of a Elysia timida nudibranch_2021 (Canon 100m,t1/250,f/16,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Pilgrim Hervia(Cratena peregrina)on the hunt for a tasty meal of hydroids. (Canon 100m, t1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean striped blenny_2021 (Canon60 mm,t1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A Cratena shooted while coming straight at the camera_2021 (Canon 60mm,t1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean sea_2021 (Canon 100mm, t1/200,f/20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Scoglio della Formica_2022 (Canon 100mm,t1/250,f/20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Crazy Flabellina_Scoglio della Formica_2022 (Canon 100mm,t1/250,f/20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean Flabellina_2022 (Canon 100mm,t1/250,f/20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Scoglio della Formica_Sicily_2022 (Canon 100mm,t1/250,f/20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Felimida Khroni nudibranch_2022 (Canon100mm,t1/250,f/14,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Planaria rosa_2022 (Canon100mm,t1/200,f/14,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
La Formica_Casteldaccia_2022 (Canon100mm,t1/200,f/20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Dardanus arrosor_2022 (Canon100mm,t1/250,f/14,iso125)

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by Antonio Venturelli
The last safety stop was accompained by this nice hermit crab_La Formica dive site_Sicily_2022 (Canon 100mm,t1/250,f/14,iso125)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Nice one mate , so photogenic! (Canon100mm,t1/200,f/20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Parablennius rouxi_2022 (Canon 100mm,t1/200,f/8,iso125)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Hypselodoris tricolor_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Bavosa bianca_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f8,iso125)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Orange eyed nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Closeup beautiful Mediterranean nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Usually found on sea grass, around 20 meters deep, this Hypselodoris wanted to be photographed by me. He posed and moved slowly. Perfect for focusing! Hypselodoris tricolor_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A close-up look at delicate colors of this Felimare fontandraui nudi just photographed in Sicily_2022. (Canon100,1/250,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Tricolor nudibranch, a frequent subject in the latter period.Easy to photograph for its bright colors.Others will probably follow! La Formica_2022. (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Diving around Lo Scoglio della Formica in the sea of Casteldaccia .A front shot of a beautiful Mediterranean Cratena_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
One of my favorites in the Mediterranean, for the beautiful blue of its coat, is Hypselodoris tricolor nudi. This one with yellow back_2022(Canon100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Always too cute to resist at least a couple of shots_Cratena nudi_photo taken at La Formica dive site_Casteldaccia_Sicily_2022. (Canon100,1/250,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean Felimare with yellow topline_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Very common but always beautiful to shot_Cratena nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina affinis nudibranch in Mediterranean Sea_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Blu,white ,yellow ..warm colors perfectly combined by nature for this tricolor nudibranch photographed in the Mediterranean sea_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina from behind_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Elongated Cratena_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
The time of last shot and then it hides behind a twig.. it's time to get back on the boat. Another beautiful dive at La Formica site to photograph these delicate nudibranchs_Flabellina affinis_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f25,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Very strong wind_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Tripterygion fish_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Pretty common but always good looking for another shot_Flabellina nudibranch_Mediterranean sea_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f25,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Purple nudibranch(Flabellina affinis)_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f20,iso320)

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by Antonio Venturelli
The elegance of Cratena nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Felimida nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Hypselodoris tricolor nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Hermit crab peering out the door_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f14,iso125)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Close up of Flabellina affinis nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f25,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina affinis, iconic nudibranch species of Mediterranean sea_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f25,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Elysia timida_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f18,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena stand up_2022 (Canon100, 1/200,f25,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Hypselodoris tricolor_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f25,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Elysia nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f18,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena peregrina_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch, alway fascinating for intense orange that stands out on their white body_2022 (Canon100, 1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Sometimes worms can be beautiful too!_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch.Its orange sausages with blue tips on a dark background always give a strong impact to the photo. (Canon100,1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Nudibranch Flabellina_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Prostheceraeus Giesbrechtii_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f18,iso250)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Lovely Elysia_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch mating_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Parablennius pilicornis_2022 (Canon 100,1/250,f11,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A common cute nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso250)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Green Elysia_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Doris tricolor_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Brightly colored Cratena_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mating (or fighting?) behaviour of a couple of Cratena nudibranchs photographed this summer at La Formica dive site, Sicily_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Beautiful Elysia_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f16,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
When I come across a Cratena peregrina, I always take some time to observe and enjoy the view of its wonderful colors!_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Iconic Flabellina, always beautiful to see_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A pair of Cratena nudibranchs photographed in the sea of Sicily_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A close up look at Felimare tricolor nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Close-up of Mediterranean moray_2021 (Canon60,1/125,f7.1,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
In the Mediterranean, when you see a white & orange spot, only three-four centimeters long,.. it is definitely a Cratena!Photo taken at "La Formica" dive site, in Sicily_October2022 (Canon100,1/250,f20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Kleptopredator Cratena_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso250)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena macro shot taken with strobes and high shutter speed to darken ambient light (the background) as much as possible_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
This Flabellina here is about 3 cm. long.. I like to shot them because of its bright purple which stands out in the blue despite its small size_La Formica dive site_Sicily_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f25,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Beauty of Cratena nudibranch_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch. These little creatures are tiny splashes of color in the sea. The hard part is getting focus..I usually shot many attempts but I'm happy when I get a nice photo! (Canon100,1/250,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Iconic Cratena nudibranch of Mediterranean Sea_2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Photographers love nudis because although they can be small, are slow moving, sometimes stationary which makes them ideal subjects along with the bright, contrasting colours. This is Flabellina of Mediterranean sea_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f20,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A slow moving Cratena nudibranch,an ideal subject for photographs along with the bright, contrasting colours_Sicily-2022 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean moray_Casteldaccia_Sicily-2021 (Canon60,1/125,f7.1,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
The underwater world becomes ever more fascinating when you learn to dive slowly, look closely and appreciate the little things like this beautiful Cratena nudibranch , photographed in the Sicilian sea, in 2022. (Canon 100, 1/200,f20,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina affinis_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina of Mediterranean sea_2022 (Canon100,1/250,f22,iso400)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Close up photo of an Hermit Crab ( Dardanus arrosor) in its typical protective shell,taken a few meters deep in the Tyrrhenian Sea near Palermo_ June 2023 (Canon60,1/200,f16,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A small,colorful, elegant & sinuous Cratena, tenaciously clinging to a rock, comes towards me resisting the current. I enjoy photographing it looking for the contrast with the intense red of the sponge behind it _2023 (Canon100,1/200,f20,i.200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Mediterranean Cratena Peregrina with typical intense orange colored cerata & blue tips_June 2023 (Canon100, 1/200,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
I almost always use 100 mm focal. Challenging especially at the beginning but surprising for the sharpness, the mass of colors & the gradualness with which it fades into blur, as for this Cratena of Mediterranean sea. (Canon100,1/200,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina affinis. Although I photographed hundreds of them, it is always one of my favourites. She was struggling to hold on to her twig without being swept away by current. A pleasant underwater encounter!_July 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f18,i.200).

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina affinis_July 2023 (Canon 100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina affinis_July2023 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A pair of colorful Cratena nudibranchs feeding on hydroids of the genus Eudendrium. Photo taken at the dive site La Formica (Casteldaccia_Sicily)_July 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Two Cratena nudibranchs dancing in the current."La Formica" dive site_Casteldaccia,Sicily_July2023 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Prostheceraeus Giesbrechtii_July 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f14,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
The Flabellina affinis nudibranch , an intricate lilac colored tangle, whose head I often fail to locate, is always fascinating for me to photograph_July_2023 (Canon100,1/200,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Felimare tricolor of Mediterranean Sea_June 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranchs_August 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
This Flabellina a. with its lively colors seems to say "be careful"!.After feeding on hydroids, they keep intact the stinging nematocysts contained therein & transfer to cerata for defense against predators_July2023 (Canon100,1/200,f20,i.200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A pair of Cratena peregrina nudibranchs crawls across the seafloor near Casteldaccia, Sicily. Photo taken in August 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Couple of Cratenas_August 2023 (Canon100, 1/200,f20,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Felimare tricolor close up. Here I've cropped the shot a bit. Let's say about 30%-40% of the image while still making sure I kept the head with rhinophores quite in focus_August 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f16,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
An Elysia timida nudibranch close up. In the background a tube-shaped hermit crab, also very small, whose carapace does not exceed 10 mm in length, with a white & red,the eye stalks very long & black eyes_ August 2023. (Canon100,1/200,f16,i.125)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranchs_August 2023 (Canon100, 1/200,f20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A Felimare nudi emerges from a seaweed called Padina pavonica. _Not everyone knows that an active ingredient is extracted from P. pavonica & used in cosmetics for skin moisturize . Natura always reserves surprises!_2023 (Canon100,1/200,f16,i.200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch_2023 (Canon100,1/200,f18,iso200)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Cratena nudibranch while eating.Its flashy coloration is aposematic, i.e. it warns predators of the intrinsic poisonousness if by chance an inexperienced fish were to eat it would spit it out due to the terrible taste. (Canon100, 1/250,f16,iso10...

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by Antonio Venturelli
An individual of Lamprohaminoea ovalis photographed at ~15 mt depth_ La Formica dive site_Casteldaccia,Sicily_2023 (Canon100,1/200,f10,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
A Flabellina Affinis nudibranch stands up tall as if roaring for the camera. Macro lenses can create such radical perspectives with these little subjects! Taken in September 2023 (Canon 100,1/200,f14,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Pair of Cratena nudibranchs_2023 (Canon100, 1/200,f/20,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina affinis_2023 (Canon100, 1/250,f14,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Bavosa cervina_Sicily Oct 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f9,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Lamprohaminoea ovalis, a very small mollusc ( not a nudibranch) with beautiful colors, which entered the Mediterranean from the Red Sea and is rapidly expanding_Oct 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f10,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Trypterigion tripteronotum photographed just a few meters deep. Nobody looks at it because there are so many of them, but it has its own particular charm and colours!_Oct 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f16,iso100)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Flabellina _Aug 2023 (Canon100,1/200,f16,iso160)

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by Antonio Venturelli
Pilgrim Hervia_2023 (Canon100,1/200,f14,iso100)

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