Magic Beauty at the Swedish West Coast

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Jordfall, Gullmarsfjorden, Sweden 1/5-2014

N58.19.766´
E11.34.234´

"-Is there really anything interesting to see beneath the surface along the Swedish coast? I guess corals and other colourful things only are found in tropical waters, or?"

A common question that I often hear...  and a question I am always very happy to answer! :-)

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Currently I am back at the Swedish west coast. Spring time has come early this year and my surrounding is already totally filled with light green leaves and flowers.

Though it is not only the wonderful spring weather above surface that feels exotic.  Although I recently have spent plenty time in tropical waters, I get totally captivated by the stunning beauty also found beneath cold waves.

Yes, there is lots of amazing life to see in Scandinavian waters! :-)
 

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Fireworks anemone (Pachycerianthus multiplicatus) is one of my many favorites.

This beautiful solitary coral animal lives in tubes on soft bottoms. The Fireworks anemone has up to 30 centimeter long tentacles which it uses to capture its food consisting of plankton and other small aquatic organisms.

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It feels like magic every time when I am diving over the muddy bottom and sudden start to see those majestic coral animals slowly appear in the deep darkness.

Even muddy underwater landscapes are totally full of life... 
The thought of how much bottom trawling destroys when they pave their way in search of their catch makes me very sad.

It is not only the crayfish which eventually ends up on the plate that had to sacrifice his life, but an entire underwater landscape getting destroyed by this destructive fishing method...

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When spending my time floating around in the cold  and dark environment I so often wish I could stop time. To be able to stay down there much longer exploring the enviroment and the exiting life living there.

Though when enjoying something a lot, also the time seems to speed up even more and so it is soon getting time to slowly swim towards surface again...

However, soon I will find myself there again, surrounded by the underwater beauties! :-)