1. Ice Canopy, JapanPhoto: Brian Skerry A diver explores an ice canopy off Hokkaido, Japan. The frozen seas here are a harsh realm to explore, but they’re anything but bleak, sustaining a variety of life above and below.

    Ice Canopy, Japan
    Photo: Brian Skerry

    A diver explores an ice canopy off Hokkaido, Japan. The frozen seas here are a harsh realm to explore, but they’re anything but bleak, sustaining a variety of life above and below.

     


  2. Marine Catfish, JapanPhoto: Brian Skerry A school of juvenile marine catfish masses over the sandy bottom of Suruga Bay off Japan’s Izu Peninsula.

    Marine Catfish, Japan
    Photo: Brian Skerry

    A school of juvenile marine catfish masses over the sandy bottom of Suruga Bay off Japan’s Izu Peninsula.

     


  3. Lemon Shark, BahamasPhoto: Brian Skerry A lemon shark pup swims among mangrove roots in the Bahamas. Throughout the more than 700 islands there are mangrove nurseries, coral reefs, and deep oceanic trenches, all perfect habitats for a wide variety of shark species.

    Lemon Shark, Bahamas
    Photo: Brian Skerry

    A lemon shark pup swims among mangrove roots in the Bahamas. Throughout the more than 700 islands there are mangrove nurseries, coral reefs, and deep oceanic trenches, all perfect habitats for a wide variety of shark species.

     


  4. Manatee, FloridaPhoto: Brian Skerry A manatee swims in a freshwater spring in Crystal River, Florida. Manatees struggle for survival as the result of a gantlet of threats, from watercraft strikes to toxins in the water. The most serious threat, however, is the loss of warm water due to the habitat loss.

    Manatee, Florida
    Photo: Brian Skerry

    A manatee swims in a freshwater spring in Crystal River, Florida. Manatees struggle for survival as the result of a gantlet of threats, from watercraft strikes to toxins in the water. The most serious threat, however, is the loss of warm water due to the habitat loss.

     


  5. Southern Right WhalePhoto: Brian Skerry Southern right whale eye, New Zealand, 2007

    Southern Right Whale
    Photo: Brian Skerry

    Southern right whale eye, New Zealand, 2007

     


  6. Shrimp, Kingman ReefPhoto: Brian Skerry Translucent shrimp on anemones, Kingman Reef, 2007

    Shrimp, Kingman Reef
    Photo: Brian Skerry

    Translucent shrimp on anemones, Kingman Reef, 2007

     


  7. Sea Pens, New ZealandPhoto: Brian Skerry Soft corals called sea pens, usually found at depth, and a blue cod appear in shallow waters in New Zealands’s Long Sound reserve, where tannin-stained water blocks light. When distrubed, sea pens emit a greenish light and can deflate, retreating into their bulbous feet.

    Sea Pens, New Zealand
    Photo: Brian Skerry

    Soft corals called sea pens, usually found at depth, and a blue cod appear in shallow waters in New Zealands’s Long Sound reserve, where tannin-stained water blocks light. When distrubed, sea pens emit a greenish light and can deflate, retreating into their bulbous feet.

     


  8. Oceanic Whitetip Shark, BahamasPhoto: Brian Skerry Oceanic whitetip shark and diver in the Bahamas.

    Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Bahamas
    Photo: Brian Skerry

    Oceanic whitetip shark and diver in the Bahamas.