Neptune's Garden is a collection of what can be thought of as Flowers of the Ocean. Of course these are not really flowers but small animals collectively known as tube worms. The bristle worms in this gallery are Christmas-tree worms and feather dusters. These worms keep most of their body (the ugly worm part) hidden in tubes within the coral keeping only the crown (the really beautiful part) out for respiration and filter feeding. When approached, these beautiful crowns are retracted instantaneously until all perceived dangers has passed. Like flowers, they come in never ending variations of colors and make wonderful images of detail and grace. The christmas-tree worm crowns are about 1/2 to 1 inch across and there are 2 crowns on each worm. The Feather Duster worms have single crowns that may be as large as3-4 inches.
~Christmas Tree Worm~
Like flowers of the ocean, the feather-like feeders of these worms protrude from the coral and quickly disappear behind a trap door when approached. This one is approximately 1/2 inch in diameter.
~Neptune's Blues~
Christmas-tree worm
~Neptune's Campfire~
Christmas-tree worm
~Neptune's Desert~
Christmas-tree worm
~Neptune's Flames~
Christmas-tree worm
~Neptune's Flower~
Christmas-tree worm
~Neptune's Sunset~
Christmas-tree worm
~Neptune's Indian Blanket~
Christmas-tree worm
~Neptune's Bad Hair Day~
Feather duster blowing in the surge.
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