Nature Science

MIND-BLOWING SPINELESS OCEAN LIFE NOW

Opalescent nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis) by Susan Middleton.

by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Opalescent nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.

SPINELESS BEAUTY -- SUSAN MIDDLETON

Prepare to be amazed by one of the most beautiful, most prolific, most under-appreciated forms of ocean life.

A beautiful new book, Spineless, by visual artist, educator, and explorer, Susan Middleton, is packed with her stunning photos of marine invertebrates.

About 98% of marine animal species are invertebrates, and, given the fact that the ocean makes up 97% of the Earth’s surface, marine invertebrates are practically everywhere!

Middleton places the creatures against a simple black or white background, instead of in their natural environments. This unique approach makes the animals the center of attention.

Spineless creatures, such as giant squid and tiny translucent jellyfish, as well as hundreds more, will amaze you with their mysterious beauty. They look and feel like nothing else on Earth, with colors, patterns, and textures that appear almost alien.

Two new species were formally named after the creatures in Middleton’s photographs, the Kanaloa squat lobster (Babamunida kanaloa) and the Wanawana crab (Sakaila wanawana).

Middleton has been obsessed with marine invertebrates for almost 15 years. She was originally inspired when she worked on a project photographing 100 endangered species, and she learned about the the shrimp tadpole- an incredible invertebrate that has hardly changed in 250 million years.

Middleton’s portrait-like photos emphasize the individuality of these spineless wonders.

Scientist Bernadette Holthuis contributes, with profiles each species, some described for the first time ever.

With more than 250 mind-blowing photographs, taken and produced using unique techniques, developed by Middleton, along with her short essays about each spineless creature, this book is a remarkable work of both art and science.

This gorgeous coffee table book is positively inspirational. After seeing how beautiful these unique spineless creatures are, you may think twice before making decisions that will impact our beautiful oceans.

Read more about Beautiful Ocean, as it relates to Arts/Design, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Place/Time, Mind/Body, and Soul/Impact including Beautiful Oceans in 10 Gorgeous New Books.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Opalescent nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Pacific Giant Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Pink Brittle Star (Ophiomyxa australis). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Opalescent nudibranch (Hermissenda crassicornis). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Kanaloa Squat Lobster (Babamunida kanaloa) From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Hawaiian Hermit Crab (Ciliopagurus hawaiiensis) and Carnival Hermit (Ciliopagurus strigatus). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Fragile File Shell, Flame Scallop (Lima fragilis).From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Mosaic Pom-Pom Crab and Anemone (Lybia tesselata). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Red-eye Medusa (Polyorchis penicillatus). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Tiger Cowry (Cypraea tigris). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Stubby Squid (Rossia pacifica). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Hanging Stomach Jellyfish (Stomotoca atra). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.
Image: by BN App - Download now!
Image: by Susan Middleton. Courtesy of Harry Abrams, publisher. Orange-rimmed flatworm (Maiazoon orsaki). From Spineless: Portraits of Marine Invertebrates. The Backbone of Life.