Chambered Nautilus

Andrew Trevor-Jones

Chambered Nautilus

© Copyright 2006 Andrew Trevor-Jones

Chambered nautilus, Nautilus pompilius, from the Coral Sea.

Nikon D70, Nikkor 18-70mm, Ikelite housing, dome port, DS50 and DS125 strobes.

ISO200, 1/160s, f/16 @ 34mm

Chambered nautilus have hardly changed since the time of the dinosaurs. At one time, nautilus and related cephalopods were the dominant marine predators. Nautilus are now mostly scavengers. During the day they spend their time in deep water (500-600 metres) at the base of tropical reefs. At night they move into shallower water (200-300 metres) to scavenge for food, usually the bodies of dead animals that have fallen down the reef walls.

The pictured animal was captured by Underesea Explorer as part of their Nautilus Research . They trap nautilus at a site called Admiralty Anchor on the western side of Osprey Reef in the Coral Sea. The traps, baited with chicken pieces, are dropped down the reef wall to a depth of 200-300 metres (the lines are 300 metres long) and leave the traps overnight. The traps are raised the next morning and any captured nautilus are transferred to holding tanks. The tanks are chilled with plastic containers filled with ice to keep the water temperature closer to what they would experience in deep water.

The researcher on board the boat measures, logs and engraves each animal and they are released that night back at the same site. The trapping and handling does not appear to have any adverse effect on the animals and Undersea frequently recapture tagged animals.

The research is important in understanding the populations at Osprey Reef so they can be protected from shell collectors.

Chambered Nautilus belongs to the following groups:

All About Your Best Work, Animal Kingdom, Dimensions, High Quality Animal Images - 1 Submission a Week, Nature's Wonders, Nikon DSLR Users Group - 2 uploads per 24 hours, SEA, Seashells, Something Fishy, Top Shelf Wildlife & Nature Art, Tropical Art and Underwater Photographer's Guild Available for sale as

Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, Laminated Prints, Mounted Prints, Canvas Prints, Framed Prints and Posters
Chambered Nautilus by Andrew Trevor-Jones
Chambered Nautilus by Andrew Trevor-Jones
  • FloralFawn

    FloralFawn

    Wow, beautiful shot!

  • Karri Klawiter

    Karri Klawiter

    Gorgeous!

  • Stephen Colquitt

    Stephen Colquitt

    Love this one ATJ

  • George Cathcart

    George Cathcart

    Excellent shot, Andrew!

  • Andrew Trevor-Jones

    Andrew Trevor-...

    Thanks for the comments guys. It is one of my favourite shots. Turned out exactly as I wanted it.

  • James Peake

    James Peake

    Beautiful Andrew, I’d love to see one of those.

  • Amanda Cotton

    Amanda Cotton

    This is beautiful!!

  • lindybird

    lindybird

    Ah, so you actually photographed the live nautlilus!! Very impressive nature portfolio! I, too, started out with a Kodak Instamatic (I still have it!). I actually found a fossilized version of a cephalopod in Montana about 25 years ago, on top of a butte. The entire landscape resembled the bottom of the ocean (which it was at one time). It was amazing!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Lindy. That would be cool to find such a fossil. Did you get it dated?

  • lindybird

    lindybird

    No, I wish I would have. I also found another fossil (doggone it, I can’t remember the name of the cephalopod!). It was a long cone shape, and it still had bits of iridescent sheen on the outside. It was segmented. Perhaps you know the name. In Wyoming, I found petrified wood, and have found a number of arrowheads in Ohio, dating to 10,000 to 12,000 years old!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    What is an ammonite or a belemnite?

  • RawImages

    RawImages

    Glorious shot of this amazing creature ! – Rick

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Rick

  • lindybird

    lindybird

    Great!! It’s an ammonite!! Soon as I saw the word, I remembered that’s what it was! Thanks!

  • jesika

    jesika

    A wonderful image and the University of RedBubble has added to my knowledge once again. Many thanks
    j

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Jesika. I’m glad I can provide knowledge as well as art. :)

  • Alison Jane Rice

    Alison Jane Rice

    Thank you for my evening inspiration, Andrew. Absolutely beautiful image…
    My watercolour painting, Emergence, was borne from a paper nautilus shell I bought from an extremely old Indonesian man who was wandering the beach with his wares last June in Bali. Shaking his gentle, withered old hand meant more to me than purchasing his shell, in reflection.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thank you, Ally, for your kind words.

  • greenfrog153

    greenfrog153

    Congratulations on making the homepage!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thank you.

  • Auntymazza

    Auntymazza

    Marvellous

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Aunty.

  • Colleen Battistoni

    Colleen Battis...

    wicked good :)

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Colleen

  • Jane Keats

    Jane Keats

    Fascinating creature and information! Beautiful photo!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Jane

  • Stephen Colquitt

    Stephen Colquitt

    Good to see some underwater images on the home page today!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Steve. It was a pleasing surprise.

  • Ciska

    Ciska

    Wow what a fantastic shot, congratz on the home page!!!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Ciska

  • velveteagle

    velveteagle

    So excited to see this.. Thanks for the info also.. I had a tattoo of on on my chest…. You did so well on this Andrew…
    Chuck..

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Chuck

  • InkRain

    InkRain

    Wow, cool shot.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks John

  • Jon Dawes

    Jon Dawes

    Congrats on making the homepage!!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Jon

  • Steve Leadbeater

    Steve Leadbeater

    beautiful image – so clear

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Steve

  • mc27

    mc27

    ... the first time that I see them alive … I have a shell at home (from Bali) ... natures artwork is the best!!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks mc. They are amazing animals to watch.

  • Peter Hill

    Peter Hill

    Seriously impressive work

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks Peter.

  • LynnH64

    LynnH64

    Amazing shot, Andrew!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Lynn.

  • khadhy

    khadhy

    v v beautiful work.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, khadhy.

  • Lori Peters

    Lori Peters

    An amazing picture. Bravo!!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Lori.

  • Malcolm Chant

    Malcolm Chant

    Thios is an amazing capture, congrats are in order.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Malcolm.

  • DonnaMoore

    DonnaMoore

    Andrew, Your work is outstanding. To be able to go underwater and take all these wonderful pictures must be so exciting for you. Thank you for sharing your work.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Donna. It is exciting every time I go under.

  • RonnieGinnever

    RonnieGinnever

    Elegant and lovely image!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Ronnie.

  • Randi Bailey

    Randi Bailey

    Fascinating. Such beautiful detail. What an amazing job you have.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Randi.

  • Lyn Higgs

    Lyn Higgs

    what a beautiful shot, and what an experience – fantastic.. ; D

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thank you, Lyn.

  • Robyn Carter

    Robyn Carter

    Lovely – i usually see these empty – but it’s nice to see one still intact :)

  • Andrew Trevor-Jones

    Andrew Trevor-...

    Thanks for looking, Robyn. I used to see these every year on my annual dive trip on Undersea Explorer but unfortunately the global financial crisis has caused UE to cease operations. Very sad. As far as I know they were the only group doing research on Nautilus in the Coral Sea.

  • Stewart Macdonald

    Stewart Macdonald

    Wow! I’ve always wanted to see one of these.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Stewart. They are awesome creatures.

  • jinney

    jinney

    Beautiful Work!
    -jinney

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, jinney.

  • Margaret Barry

    Margaret Barry

    Beautiful capture. Great clarity and color!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Margaret.

  • Sandy Stewart

    Sandy Stewart

    WOW,.....perfect choice of dof and perfect exposure on this stunning capture of a Chambered Nautilus!!! Enjoyed the information you provided as well! Very nice work! : )

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Sandy.

  • Catherine Davis

    Catherine Davis

    Awesome shot and I love the information, brings it to life!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks.

  • Darren Post

    Darren Post

    wow, so interesting .. and so deep. Brillaintly photographed too :-)

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Darren.

  • ISMAIL ALAOUI ABDALLAOUI

    ISMAIL ALAOUI ...

    sooo magic,
    please how did you manage a such clear shot underwater,
    thisis so beautiful and clean colors in it

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Ismail. My camera was in a housing, the water was clear and I used strobes to light the subject.

  • Margot Kiesskalt

    Margot Kiesskalt

    Excellent image!!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Margot.

  • Gavin Maginness

    Gavin Maginness

    A truly awesome shot. Congratulations

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thank you very much, Gavin.

  • kathy s gillentine

    kathy s gillen...

    wow, Fantistic capture

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Kathy.

  • Andrew Trevor-Jones

    Andrew Trevor-...

    Featured in SEA 20 March 2009

  • Dennis Gay

    Dennis Gay

    Hola Andrew!
    My heartiest congratulations for the feature. This fantastic photograph is most worthy of that and more.
    I have always been fascinated by these creatures and your very fine photograph and accompanying narrative have deepened my knowledge and respect for them.
    Compositionally I feel it would be a good idea to bring the left edge of frame in about half way to set the Nautilus off centre but that is the only fault I find with this lovely image.
    Excellent lighting, exposure and processing, a crisp clean focus and wonderful natural colour.
    Very nice work man!
    GB
    Dennis

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks for the well thought out critique, Dennis. I appreciate it.

  • John Beamish

    John Beamish

    Superb shot, even if it is centered…lol

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, John. :)

  • Alana Ranney

    Alana Ranney

    cool!! Very nice shot. Congratulations.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks very much, Alana.

  • rosiczka

    rosiczka

    Excellent shot

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, rosiczka.

  • WendyJC

    WendyJC

    nature always amazes me with its beauty!
    this is wonderful, colours and detail and so interesting.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Wendy. They are fascinating creatures.

  • josiem

    josiem

    incredible shot!!!!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks very much, Josie.

  • Bunny Clarke

    Bunny Clarke

    What a magnificent shot! How far did you have to dive to get this one?

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Bunny. I didn’t have to dive far at all. We were allowed to photograph the specimens they had caught the previous night before they released them. This is just under the back of the boat.

  • Ming Myaskovsky

    Ming Myaskovsky

    There are so many compliments here, but I’m not surprised!! Beautiful photo!!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks very much, Ming.

  • Melissa Fiene

    Melissa Fiene

    excellent!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Melissa.

  • jude walton

    jude walton

    Amazing shot – stunning clarity & details :)

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thank you, Jude.

  • Baynanno1

    Baynanno1

    Fascinating, both the shot and the information.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks for commenting.

  • Jodie Bennett

    Jodie Bennett

    That is brilliant. A fav for me

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Jodie. They are cool creatures.

  • mikeytheblack

    mikeytheblack

    Great photo Andrew. A fasinatingly eerie looking dude too.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks, Mikey.

  • ChrisCoombes

    ChrisCoombes

    I love this image but also appreciate it from the resrach point of view as well. Thanks for adding the background to the image.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thanks very much, Chris.

  • EarthGipsy

    EarthGipsy

    Amazing – move material!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied

    Thank you, Sonia.

  • Sharon Mau

    Sharon Mau 22 days ago

    It has always been one of my most favourite seashells, and it is wonderful to see it with the living sea creature. It is very beautiful.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied 21 days ago

    Thanks, Sharon. I, too, have liked them for some time. Seeing them live was fantastic.

  • annalisa56

    annalisa56 21 days ago

    Fantastic capture !!!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied 21 days ago

    Thanks, annalisa.

  • niki78

    niki78 19 days ago

    Stunning capture Andrew.

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied 19 days ago

    Thanks, niki.

  • Carla Jandelle Petters

    Carla Jandelle... 3 days ago

    What a beautiful creature! One of my favorite of all ‘shelled’ fellows out there today!

  • Andrew Trevor-... replied 2 days ago

    Thanks very much, Carla. They are very cool creatures.

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