Through a Glass Brightly

I recently got a new camera—not to replace my main camera, mind you (which unfortunately is acting as if it wants to be replaced, but that’s another story), but just as a good, smaller alternative for certain situations, like those with low light. And I have to tell you that you’ll be seeing many more photos from the Invertebrate House and other indoor exhibits now, because I love the amount of detail and color it captures in those dark places. This post is basically just an excuse to show you some photos I took of organisms in aquaria and terraria, but I promise I’ll get over my photographic excitement and write some more substantial commentary soon.

But for the moment—get a load of this mantis shrimp!


And how lovely are the colors on this enormous hermit crab, which seemed to be wondering whether I had a better shell for it concealed on my person?


And observe the ethereal beauty of these jellyfish, which look like dance costumes painted by Degas and minus the ballerinas:


And finally, check out the eye (or maybe many eyes? or maybe something else entirely?) of this handsome tarantula, a creature that seems to me to exude a certain gravitas (which perhaps comes with the territory if you’re poisonous):


Ah, yes; there will be good days ahead…

{A note: I do write all text and take all pictures. Please do not reproduce either without my permission.}