Alex_Tattersall 90 Posted May 27, 2013 Each year, cuttlefish arrive on the coast of Devon in the UK for spawning. Many of these are caught in pots laid out in wait for them throughout the bay but this year numerous cuttles have made it to the shallows . The males fight for several days to find mates and the couple stays together despite the advances of other males. We were lucky enough to witness some of this amazing behaviour last week. 1. The male protectively stroking his girlfriend. Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko 2. A single male approaches and is warded off by the long tentacle of the protective male Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko 3. If two courting couples approach each other, the tension also mounts. Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko 4. Here the stressed male demonstrates striped patterns and the eyes dilate. Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko 5. More eyes! Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko 6. The black and white stripes intensify as the males approach each other Olympus OMD, Nauticam NA-EM5, 8mm Fisheye 7. Male and female will join to pass the sperm sacks from male to female. Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko 8. Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1.4x Kenko 9. The female lays black eggs infused with ink which are attached to the weeds Olympus OMD, Nauticam NA-EM5, 8mm Fisheye 10. Aliens attack! Nikon D7100, Nauticam NA-D7100, Tokina 10-17, 1/4x Kenko Hope you enjoy looking at them half as much as I enjoyed taking them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fireflys 4 Posted May 27, 2013 An amazing display of stripes, fabulous pictures Alex. :0) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimSwims 31 Posted May 27, 2013 Lovely sequence of images Alex, you've done well in what was obviously very challenging conditions. Cheers, Jim. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Mustard 0 Posted May 28, 2013 Really nice set. All angles covered! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
spencerjb22 4 Posted May 28, 2013 superb collection Alex as per......wish we'd have chosen Babba instead that weekend as went to Swanage instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alex_Tattersall 90 Posted May 28, 2013 Thanks, this shot shows 6 pairs, 12 cuttles and the challenging conditions (and a rather tasty Nauticam NA-D7100 housing and 100mm Zen dome to the right for scale) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fforbes 7 Posted May 28, 2013 Fantastic behavior series, Alex! You must have been an inch away for some of those shots! Wish I had taken them Fletcher Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tdpriest 115 Posted June 2, 2013 Thanks for inspiring us! One day I might find the Babbacombe cuttlefish... ... it's got to beat spending most of the weekend at work! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
andy_deitsch 17 Posted June 2, 2013 Really fantastic set of images Alex, congrats! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pointy 4 Posted November 18, 2014 Hello, Wonderful images. I'll have an opportunity to do a bit of diving in Ireland in May 2015. Does anyone know if there are Irish dive spots where you could witness this kind of cuttlefish action in May? How long do these spawning aggregations last? John McCracken Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
danpayneuk 0 Posted November 28, 2014 hi Alex. Old thread I know, but Great shots :-) Could I ask where in devon you captured these? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
