21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
the love nest

Having not seen many seahares in large numbers around the Dorset coast for the past couple of years I was worried they might be in decline. Previous years they have always been everywhere thoughout the spring and summer. On a summers dive down chesil beach this year (2023) I came across a large congregation of hundreds of small seahares. They covered every surface in one small area often tangled within the weed and had clearly congregated to mate judging by the strings of eggs hanging from the weed. This congregation appeared from no where and then disappeared just as quickly but to see them in such large numbers was a pure delight.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Portland, United Kingdom
Camera: ILCE-7RM4A
Copyright: © sandra stalker