Spanish Shawl
Flabelina iodinea

An extraordinarily calm day in La Jolla (surf was 0-1 foot) allowed a beach dive to explore the beautiful and seldom visited reefs at Casa Cove, a southwest-facing beach which normally receives good-sized breakers over the rocks.  And it was worth the wait, as we happened upon a group of Spanish Shawl nudibranchs, resplendant in royal velvety purple and orange.

Lens: 60mm
Film: Velvia
Location: Casa Cove, La Jolla, CA
©1999 Garry McCarthy