Tiny Treasures of the Kelp Forest
When you think of the ocean, what do you think of?
Beautiful blue water? White sandy beaches? Whales, dolphins, sharks? For most people these are the first things that come to mind when thinking of the ocean, but I’d like to invite you to rethink this and take a closer look at the small things. The ocean is so full of life, big and small, huge and tiny, and there is so much wonder in the small things. Yes, the big animals that we know so well are full of character and drama, but if you take a moment and focus on the smaller things, they have just as much going for them as the big stuff!
So take a deep breath and dive down with me as we take a closer look and get to know five of my favourite small things that call the Cape Town kelp forest home.
Nudibranchs:
Where to even start… nudibranchs come very high up on my ever-changing list of favourite ocean creatures. These bedazzled sea slugs are a feast for the eyes and such a fun challenge to spot. I have gone whole dives not able to find a single nudibranch and other times spotted over ten different species in the space of an hour. Finding nudibranchs is like a treasure hunt, endlessly exciting and the reward is so beautiful! Here are a few of my favourite nudibranchs.
Cuttlefish:
Cuttlefish are the less well known cousin to the octopus and while they may have less renown, they are no less wonderful to see. Cuttlefish can be a real challenge to spot because they have special skin cells called chromatophores that allow them to change the colour and texture of their skin to blend in with their surroundings. Something about them being difficult to spot makes it all the more satisfying when you do see one! (Insiders tip: if you scan the walls of the Kalk Bay tidal pools you can often find loads of tiny cuttlefish in the cracks in the walls).
Sea Stars:
Sea stars or starfish, are rather commonplace and are a quintessential part of any dive or snorkel in the Western Cape so it can become second nature to overlook them. I encourage you to appreciate the incredible textures and colours on the surface of a sea star the next time you see one. Just because they are commonplace doesn’t make them any less remarkable and the variation between individuals is truly amazing! There can be so much magic in the simplest and sometimes most common of things.
Sea anemones:
Just like sea stars, sea anemones are also super common and it is easy to overlook them. Again, I encourage you to take time to marvel at the electric blues and vibrant pinks, the deep greens and the vivid oranges of these beautiful alien-like animals.
Seaweed!
Kelp forests are incredible ecosystems to explore, the kelp creates the most otherworldly light that filters through the water column, casting captivating shadows and refracting vivid rainbows onto the sand below. But the kelp isn’t the only seaweed you find in kelp forests, if you look closely you will see an abundance of bright green, soft pink, and lush red in the most incredible variety of forms. You can even see algae that is iridescent and literally sparkles! There is just SO much to enjoy and appreciate in out blue backyard.
Focusing on the small things is also a practice in mindfulness. It is a great way of being fully engaged in your dive. For me diving is an amazing way to support my mental health and restore me, but sometimes I find my mind wandering back to small things that are stressing me out in my day to day life. By focusing on the small things and going on a treasure hunt for tiny creatures I am keeping my mind fully present in the dive which maximises the mental health benefits. So appreciating the small things is not only super fun, exciting and a great challenge, it is also a really wonderful and unique way to look after your mental health and work on your mindfulness.
