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hge54 | all galleries >> Galleries >> Pacific Northwest Underwater > Giant Pacific Octopus and Lingcod
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10-NOV-2013

Giant Pacific Octopus and Lingcod

The Giant Pacific Octopus is, by far, the largest in the world. This was a moderately large one, weighing 80-120 pounds. Despite this they are usually timid and reclusive, as well as being highly intelligent. 99% of those we see are deep in rocky crevices. Rarely, a really large one (probably a male near the end of it's short life cycle) realizes that it no longer has anything to fear and starts to act like it. This was the most aggressive octopus I have seen. Lingcod are voracious predators, and eat many smaller octopuses. This 3 foot Lingcod swam over to check out the octopus and the the octopus made a lunge for it, nearly catching it. The octopus then started pursuing me along the bottom (I was not in any danger but the sand we stirred up ruined some great shots), and finally attacked a large Wolf Eel. It was truly an amazing experience. Kitsap County, WA

Canon EOS 7D
1/50s f/8.0 at 17.0mm iso160 full exif

other sizes: small medium large auto
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Janet Forjan-Freedman22-Jun-2014 10:12
Thanks for sharing this incredible experience!
Guest 16-Nov-2013 21:56
Ditto. Best. J
Carol Rollins16-Nov-2013 14:54
Wow, Hal, what a terrific experience! Great shot too. I think I see its eye. Very cool. ~
Tom Munson16-Nov-2013 05:36
Great story and image, Hal. That had to be exciting.
joseantonio16-Nov-2013 05:07
Amazing capture. Thank you for the information about these animals.V.
Hank Vander Velde16-Nov-2013 03:17
Another fantastic/beautiful underwater image Hal. Thanks for posting your super under water images of subjects most of us never have a chance to see/experience.
Range View 16-Nov-2013 02:28
What a fabulous shot capturing these two together Hal. V.
David.