Ocean Jewel

This image of a basket star was taken at a depth of 19 metres in a new dive site we discovered, pristine and abundant with sea life, in the middle of False Bay off the Cape Peninsula. We named it M+M Tower (after the two divers, Mike Muller and Martin Nieuwoudt, who first found the site). The basket star was using its outstretched arms to adhere to a palmate sea fan and to catch drifting food. Both are marine animals, not plants.

– By Peet van Eeden, Welgemoed

Canon 5DSR, Sigma 50mm (with underwater housing and two sub strobes), ISO 100, f/32, 1/200 sec